I've been asking around to my closest friends and relatives, "What would you want to read about on my blog?" A topic that has come up more than once was coffee...and all it's magic and deliciousness.
I am a coffee drinker. I drink it black, so it is pretty low maintenance for me. Plus, my favorite moment of the day involves my cup of coffee in the morning. I look forward to the smell of the brew (and recently, I have been using my Ninja to grind the beans...ahhhh, the aroma!) I permit myself to have at least a minute (I always hope for more, but with my early morning teaching schedule, sometimes the snooze button robs me!) where I sit down to center myself in the morning while enjoying the first few sips. After that glorious moment, I feel ready to start my day...
So now that you have sufficient background about my daily routine and my apparent addiction, let's cut to the facts.
There is actually a LOT I could talk about with this topic, so I figure I'll start with some of the basics. And I want to cover Bulletproof Coffee...which is catching a lot of media headlines recently. Being a member of the Paleo community, I had heard about this idea a while ago, but now it is popping up on Pinterest and being covered on early morning talk-shows.
What are the {Benefits} of drinking Coffee?
If you are a coffee drinker, I'm sure I do not have to tell you many of these!
>> A cup of coffee increases energy & alertness.
>> A recent study showed that 200 mg of caffeine (the same as two 8 oz cups of coffee) improved long-term memory.
>> Coffee increases adrenaline in the bloodstream, which means you are ready for physical activity. (It can act as a great pre-workout beverage!)
>> It is great source of antioxidants, which protect your skin, immune system, heart, eyes, and other parts of your body
>> Coffee can be enjoyed guilt-free...Zero calories (if you drink it black)
>> 1 Cup of Coffee has been shown to boost metabolism by 10%!
>> It makes you feel happier, for real! Studies have shown that just the SMELL of coffee decreases stress.
What are the Negatives to drinking Coffee?
>> May raise blood pressure in some individuals. This effect does not happen for everyone, but those with high blood pressure should stick to 24 ounces a day.
>> Caffeine is a diuretic, which increases urine production. Coffee drinkers should make an effort to consume water throughout the day to avoid risk of dehydration!
>> Addition to caffeine can come with withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and anxiety.
>> The common "add-ins" can add extra calories and sugars without much benefit. Read on to find the best way to make your coffee!
What should I put in my Coffee?
Answering this question simply is quite difficult. Let's start with the coffee drinker that has a cup of coffee that looks like a caramel color from all of the creamer and sugar....start with cutting back on the sugar first. {I will argue this is probably the worst addiction Americans have in general!}... especially artificial sweeteners. They may seem like the better option because they are "calorie-free," but that does NOT mean they are healthy. (Check out this article). Unfortunately, we seem to have made those terms synonymous. Same goes for those low-fat and artificial creamers. High fructose corn syrup and trans fats are all settled in those bottles. Yuck!
Okay, okay...I'll stop the bashing...the question said SHOULD. If you can't live without some type of creamer, choose full-fat creamers from grass-fed cows, full-fat coconut milk, homemade almondmilk. You could also add cinnamon, lemon, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, cocoa. If you MUST have a sweetener, try raw sugar, honey, maple syrup, stevia. Or you can try Bulletproof Coffee - details below!
And why not try it black? I admit, it may be a little gross to you at first (perhaps you should start with a better quality coffee to convert), but your taste buds will change and you may enjoy it!
What is Bulletproof Coffee?
Bulletproof Coffee is the addition of grass-fed butter and an MCT oil (usually coconut oil) to a cup of coffee. SAY WHAT?! I know. Butter and oil. In Coffee.
The idea is that the healthy fats will provide sustainable energy and satiety, starting the process to burn fat throughout the day. <<< Of course, when people hear THIS, they read "weight loss and decreased appetite" so they jump on the bandwagon.
Another benefit is that Bulletproof coffee is actually quite delicious. Check out the recipe below.
A few important notes:
It HAS to be GRASS FED butter. You can't just open your refrigerator and throw in your margarine or regular grocery store butter (which reminds me, PLEASE don't eat margarine! I need a post about this soon!). Grass-fed butter has a TON of vitamins, including A, D, E, K, and K2. It also contains a fatty acid chain called CLA (conjugated lineolic acid), which has been shown to reduce body fat mass in humans - don't take my word for it. Check out this article. {If you are sensitive to dairy, substitute grass-fed ghee!}
Check out "My Favorite Products" for a recipe for ghee {which is what I use}. You can also purchase grass-fed butter at Whole Foods or local farmer's market. You can also get grass-fed butter on Amazon (click here for individual, or click here for bulk).
To get the most benefit, creator of Bulletproof coffee, Dave Asprey, recommends using a MCT oil, which are relatively expensive (click here). Using an organic, virgin coconut oil will do the trick. :)
I personally do not believe in replacing an entire meal with BPC unless you are a person that eats several mini meals throughout the day. I think there are too many benefits from actually eating real food with all of these vitamins.
How do I make Bulletproof Coffee?
There are several recipes out there. Here is a simple one that can be made in your home.
Ingredients:
8 oz freshly brewed delicious coffee
1 Tbsp of grass-fed butter* or ghee
1 Tbsp of organic, virgin coconut oil*
*Use less (start with a tsp) if you are just starting to incorporate these ingredients into your diet
Directions:
Brew coffee. (Freshly ground coffee beans are highly recommended!) While brewing, add grass-fed butter and coconut oil in a blender. Add the hot coffee. Secure the lid and blend for 20-30 seconds until the liquid starts to froth and turns a creamy color. It is important to emulsify the fats and see the froth. Pour into your mug and enjoy!
-- You can add other ingredients if you desire. Try heavy cream, full-fat canned coconut milk, homemade almondmilk, raw honey, or grade b maple syrup.
So like many things in life, balance and moderation are the best ways to enjoy your coffee!
If you have found a way you enjoy your coffee that is not mentioned above, please share :)
Thanks for reading!
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