Hi! And welcome back! It’s been a tough year, but MBB is ready to roll. I had to get the hang of the classroom again, but now that summer is here (WOOHOO!) and almost gone (BOOHOO!) I am prepared to write, write, write. Ten years was a long break from teaching, but, like many things in life, it’s so easy to fall back into the habit. Of course, there is a serious need for those AM beans as I sluggishly load my teacher tote into the car before the sun peeks over the horizon. Now that I’ve got those classroom legs back, and two months to chill and get back to me, MBB is officially back.
Let’s start with the topic dearest to my heart (and survival)…coffee☕. Many scientists believe that coffee is good for you. It has some fabulous health benefits, including being one of the single largest source of antioxidants in my diet, outranking both fruits and vegetables combined. Yes, even those blueberries I religiously toss in my cereal, yogurt, protein smoothies, etc. Some of the benefits of this lovable java juice range from helping to prevent diabetes (if you take your brew as I do – black – like my shriveled soul, lol) to lowering the risk of liver disease. That’s great since AM is coffee time☕, and PM seems to be wine time🍷. Of course, with a teen at home, there’s also “whine time.” 🤣
And so coffee lovers, without further adieu, here are some tips to make that cup of joe SUPER healthy. You can thank me later, peeps.
Before I plunge in, a little disclaimer. Although I can drink a coffee, high test and super strong, and then promptly go to bed, this is not the case for everyone. Because coffee is a natural stimulant, it can provide you with a lot of energy to make it through your day. But if your constitution is unlike mine, drinking coffee late in the day can interfere with your sleep. This can bring on all sorts of health issues, so avoiding coffee after 2pm-ish is probably a smart idea.
Here we go:
- Coffee is a healthy beverage, but you alone have the power turn it into something harmful. Adding sugar is one of the worst things for your human diet. Werewolves and vamps – do as you like. Processed sugar can lead to diseases such as obesity and diabetes, so try and avoid adding sugar to your coffee.
- Moderation is key. Drinking too much coffee may reduce the overall benefits. Excessive caffeine intake may have adverse side effects, self not included here. But I am an exception to every coffee rule. You know yourself best, so don’t consume more than you can tolerate.
- If you can’t take it black, avoid those low-fat creamers. These highly processed artificial add-ins contain not-so-good ingredients. Natural foods are always a better choice, so go on and add some full-fat cream to your coffee. Go organic or at least seek some grass-fed cows – it may reduce your risk of osteoporosis, and boost your calcium intake.
4. For those of you who don’t French Press, Cold Brew or use (shiver) a K-cup, brew those beans using an unbleached paper filter. Brewed, drip coffee contains cafestol, which can raise cholesterol levels in your blood. Using a paper filter will lower the amounts of cafestol and let the beneficial antioxidants and necessary caffeine to pass through.
- Chocoholics rejoice! Cocoa is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. So, those of you who like dark chocolate can mix the benefits of coffee and dark chocolate by adding a dash of cocoa powder to your coffee. Unsweetened and at least 50% Cacao folks. Try the Droste or Hershey’s Special Dark. No sugar though…
- Feeling radical? Studies show that cinnamon can reduce free radical damage. This mighty spice can help to slow the aging process, lower blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in people with diabetes. The best part is that cinnamon is tasty, and adding some to your coffee will give you an extra zing.
- Brand matters. It’s not about the designer beans, but the quality is uber-important. The quality of the coffee depends on the processing method and how those magic beans were grown. Some beans are sprayed with chemicals that were never meant to be consumed by for humans. Let me suggest you look for a quality, organic brand.
And so, as I head back to school, my trusty thermos in hand, I am prepared to let those healthy magic beans fuel my day. A little cinnamon, a little cocoa, and the world spins right on its axis.
