My Coffee Pot

I am constantly debating on whether or not I need (more like want) a Keurig or some other fancy coffee brewer.

But then I realize that I literally don't need anything like that. At all.

My house has a Mr. Coffee coffee pot with one on switch and a standard sized coffee pot. There are no timers, no clock, and no form of settings whatsoever.

I'm sure there are brewing devices even simpler than what I have, but one on switch seems pretty basic. And I am not complaining about it.

Latest Drink Obsession!

I have found a (temporary) espresso beverage replacement for my go to "Dirty Chai," that I wish I would have tried sooner!

How I order it:
       Tall soy latte with two shots of espresso
       (half caff. as usual).

No syrups, no packets of sugar, nothing added that really isn't necessary. Just the vanilla flavored soy.

Trying to be a healthier version of myself is 100 percent challenging, especially since I am surrounded by flavored syrups loaded of sugar and pastries stuffed with carbs and useless calories at work.

So finding an espresso beverage that is honestly tasty enough to drink in its entirety without pumping it up with added sugars is a great feat!

When to Grab a Coffee

Knowing when to drink caffeine and when to not can be tricky.

The best time to drink caffeine, and probably the only time you should, in reality is when you legitimately need it.

This could vary on a daily basis and for the person drinking it.

For me personally, that means that I can't drink  anything more than a soda or tea after around six in the evening if I plan on falling asleep easily or at a decent hour.

If it was a rough night and you have a long day ahead of you (like Mondays) then you could use a big ol' cup of joe or something with a little more kick like an espresso drink. Make sure to eat something though if you're prone to getting the shakes.

Barista Date!

Nothing beats a coffee date at your local coffee shop, but what do you drink on such a date?

You really don't want anything that will get you ramped up for the rest of the night (unless you have Friday night plans of course).

I went on a lovely coffee date with my fellow barista today and gave Starbucks' Smoked Butterscotch Latte a try...

Starbucks' Molten Chocolate Trio

Today is technically the last day to get Starbucks' Valentine's Day promotion, the "Molten Chocolate Trio". This provides new ground for the anxious coffee drinker in what they may want to give a try this weekend, whether on a date or just to stop in for a quick pick me up.

The Molten Chocolate Latte is made with mocha steamed in your choice of milk, frappuccino chips added to the bottom of the cup, espresso shot(s) added on top of the frappuccino chips to aid in the melting process, steamed mocha milk poured in the cup, topped with espresso whipped cream and espresso mocha drizzle. 

Some good qualities to the latte are the fact that it has caffeine, it has the right amount of chocolatey goodness that gets toned down by the espresso shot(s), and the frapp. chips don't fully melt at the bottom of the cup, which then makes drinking it through a straw like drinking a candy bar (trust me: it tastes better than it sounds).

The fact that it has caffeine and so much sugar (mocha, frappuccino® chips, milk, espresso whipped cream, and espresso mocha drizzle). However, this can be combatted by the magic of "half-caff" espresso shots (half of the shot(s) are caffeinated while the other half are decaffeinated). Which then lets you enjoy the pick me up without so much of the side effects of causing your heart to race. 

My Caffeine Go-Tos!

My morning fix for caffeine to keep me awake is easily your standard coffee with creamer. I prefer dark roast for the flavor and plus it has less caffeine in comparison to the medium and the light roasts.

I have class early after closing the night before, which means I don't go to bed until well after midnight (by the time I get ready for bed and finish up my school work) but I have to be up and ready to go for class no later than 9 am the next day.

Not being a morning person means that sucks and I need my coffee before I speak.

I grab my favorite coffee thermos and fill her up with liquid gold. I start with my vanilla coffee mate creamer (Hazelnut is good too, but I have to put too much into my coffee before I can taste it personally) then I fill her up with whatever is in my coffee pot that day.

It is also fun to mix up which coffee you get so you don't get stuck drinking the same exact thing every morning. Unless you like a specific flavor, then by all means, stick to it!

Don't Drink the Cold Brew!

While the Cold Brew at Starbucks might sound appealing from it's description, the amount of caffeine it holds is next level.

Being a Starbucks partner means I was super excited for a "new version" of iced coffee, especially since I am not the biggest fan of the original iced coffee.

The difference between regular old iced coffee and cold brew is simple and complex all at once: it's all in the brewing process.

Iced coffee is a specific blend of coffee, brewed with hot water, and later cooled with ice. Taking hardly any time at all.

On the contrary, cold brew is slowly "steeped" with cold water for 20 hours, packing in the flavor and the caffeine. Cold brew is originally made with half cold brew and half water in order to tone down the intensity as well.

(Refer to Starbucks for more information on both)

Now let me tell you my one, and only, war story with the infamous cold brew...

The Skinny

First things first, my name is C.C. and I live with anxiety.  And I have a love for coffee.

As you would assume the two do not mix... ever.

Being a full time college student and working full time means I drink coffee regularly, but most of the time I end up paying the price not too long after.

I have almost gotten my caffeine intake down to a science: