3 Simple Tips to Upgrade Your Morning Coffee

Hello, lovelies!

I always seeking new ways to upgrade my morning coffee, and recently upgraded my Keurig to a machine that creates lattes. Whether you have a Keurig or a regular coffee maker at home, today I’m sharing three tips I use to upgrade my morning coffee!

Make your own latte 

If you’re craving a latte, but don’t have a coffee maker that makes them for you, it’s easy to make them yourself! Pour a small amount of milk into a jar and seal the lid. Vigorously shake the jar to foam the milk. Microwave the jar for a few seconds before pouring it into your mug to stabilize the foam, and viola, you have an instant latte!

Reduce the bitterness in coffee 

This is my favourite trick to reduce any bitterness in my coffee. Add a sprinkle of salt to your mug before pouring your coffee to balance the flavour. Your coffee will taste smoother and it’ll cut down on any bitter taste present in the coffee beans.

Brew beyond basic 

Introducing ice into your coffee cup is a perfect trick to create a DIY iced latte. Brew a cup of coffee and add ice cubes. After the coffee brews, stir it to melt the ice fully. Carefully pour your beverage into ice cube trays and freeze to create coffee-flavoured ice cubes. Melt these ice cubes with your favourite coffee or add it into your mug for a delightful iced coffee!

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3 Simple Tips to Upgrade Your Morning Coffee

Hello, lovelies!

I love coffee. I’m always seeking new ways to upgrade my morning coffee, and recently upgraded my Keurig to a machine that creates lattes. Whether you have a Keurig or a regular coffee maker at home, today Im sharing three tips I use to upgrade my morning coffee!

Make your own latte 

If you’re craving a latte, but don’t have a coffee maker that makes them for you, it’s easy to make them yourself! Pour a small amount of milk into a jar and seal the lid. Vigorously shake the jar to foam the milk. Microwave the jar for a few seconds before pouring it into your mug to stabilize the foam, and viola, you have an instant latte!

Reduce the bitterness in coffee 

This is my favourite trick to reduce any bitterness in my coffee. Add a sprinkle of salt to your mug before pouring your coffee to balance the flavour. Your coffee will taste smoother and it’ll cut down on any bitter taste present in the coffee beans.

Brew beyond basic 

Introducing ice into your coffee cup is a perfect trick to create a DIY iced latte. Brew a cup of coffee and add ice cubes. After the coffee brews, stir it to melt the ice fully. Carefully pour your beverage into ice cube trays and freeze to create coffee-flavoured ice cubes. Melt these ice cubes with your favourite coffee or add it into your mug for a delightful iced coffee!

What I Eat In a Day: Blogger Edition

Hello, lovelies!

This is a different post from what I normally write, but I’m always inspired by ‘What I Eat in a Day’ videos and blog posts. I’ve recently started to incorporate more water, healthier meals, and less refined foods into my diet. Here is what a typical day looks like on my plate:

Breakfast

I start each day with two essentials: a cup of coffee and a glass of water. I like to drink a tall glass of water after waking up to hydrate. I then brew a coffee with my Keurig. Currently, my flavour of choice is Starbucks Caramel-Flavoured Coffee. My breakfast usually consists of a homemade breakfast sandwich – made with an English muffin, egg whites, turkey bacon and mozzarella cheese.

Lunch

My lunch varies from day-to-day. Sometimes I’ll favour a salad, or other days I’ll make my favourite pasta dish. One meal that I’ve eaten often in the past two weeks is naan bread packed with veggies. After toasting a naan bread, I add a heap of lettuce, red pepper, cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette. The veggies keep me full and satisfied for the afternoon so I don’t snack throughout the day.

Dinner

I have an eternal love for pasta. Fettuccine alfredo is one of my favourite comfort foods, and I recently began making it with fresh pasta. (Fresh pasta tastes much better!) On the day I photographed these meals, I knew pasta would be my final dish of the day. I crafted this one with alfredo, fresh pasta, and a lot of mozzarella cheese (you’ll see a trend in each of these meals…)

What does your daily plate look like? If there are specific recipes or foods you eat on a typical day, let me know in the comments below! 

3 Keurig Hacks for Better Coffee At-Home

Hello, lovelies!

I adore my Keurig, and I use it regularly to craft my own coffee each morning. I’m always interested in new ways to upgrade my coffee, change the flavor profile, or simply try a new recipe. Today I share three tricks I use to create a smoother, better cup of java.

1. Add a pinch of salt 

Keurig coffee is often bitter. To mellow out the taste of your coffee, stir in a pinch of salt. The salt creates a chemical reaction and lowers the acidity of the beverage.

2. Clean your machine regularly 

Much of the bitter taste you may experience is due to bacteria build-up. I keep my Keurig in top-shape by running white vinegar through the machine. I empty the water chamber and fill it with white vinegar. I then brew rinses of hot water until the vinegar rinses out. Finally, I rinse the machine with cold water.

3. Heat things up 

One downside to my Keurig? My coffee cools quickly once it brews. To combat this, I like to refill the water reservoir each time I want a cup of coffee. Because colder water is introduced to the machine, it takes longer for it to heat up. The result? My coffee is a fewer degrees warmer.

Have you ever tried any ‘hacks’ for your Keurig before? 

Wine 101: A Guide to Choosing a Type of Wine

 

Hello, lovelies! 

Inspiration for this post came while I sipped on a glass of my favourite white wine. Have you ever wondered what different types of wine are out there? Check out this guide to 6 types of wine! 

1. Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine is derieved from full-bodied red grapes. It is flavored with bold tannins. (Describe). Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with flavorful meats (e.g. Lamb, smoked meats) and firm cheeses (e.g. Aged cheddar)

2. Shiraz

A full-bodied wine with intense fruit flavors. Shiraz often has a meaty quality. It pairs with beef, lamb, and firm cheeses.

3. Zinfandel 

White Zinfandel is my personal favourite. Flavor notes are aromatic, exotic fruits (e.g. Strawberry, lemon)

4. Pinot Noir

A light-bodied red wine with high acidity. It is dry wine with tasting notes of red fruits. It pairs with chicken, pork, and cream sauces.

5. Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a dry, full-bodied white wine. Two subtypes of chardonnay:

• Unoaked: Unoaked chardonnay has a lighter flavor profile. Ir is zesty with apple and citrus notes.
• Oaked: An oaked chardonnay will contain spicier notes.

Chardonnay pairs with seafood, chicken, pork and cream sauces. 

6. Reisling 

Reisling is a white wine that is floral. It contains notes of cirtus and stone fruit (e.g. Peach). Reisling is aromatic with variable sweetness. Pairings include chicken, turkey, fondue, and Thai cuisine. 

The 3 Healthiest Items to Order at Starbucks (Morning, Noon, or Night!)

Hello, lovelies!

We’d all like to prepare healthy meals at home each week, but it is not always possible with a busy schedule. My go-to coffee choice is Starbucks. I actually drafted this post while sipping an iced coffee at my local Starbucks after work. I often add a food item with my coffee. These items range from chocolate chip cookies to a cup of oatmeal. If you’re looking for the healthiest items to order from Starbucks while on-the-go, look no further!

1. Classic Whole Grain Oatmeal 

Oatmeal is a healthy option. It is also nourishing and filling. Starbucks’ whole grain oatmeal contains just 160 calories, and 2.5 g of fat. Oatmeal is rich in fibre and other important minerals (e.g. magnesium, mangese, zinc)). These minerals support a healthy digestive and immune system. Starbucks’ classic oatmeal also contains nuts and berries for additional nutrients.

2. Basic coffee 

Stick to the basics when ordering your coffee. Coffee or espresso-based drinks like lattes, or blonde/dark roast coffees are light options. These options are low in sugar and extra calories. Asking for your coffee iced lightens it even more. A good rule of thumb is to skip sugary drinks like Frappuccinos. I’ve tried just about every drink on the menu. My main coffee order is now pared down to a Blonde roast coffee or iced latte.

3. Protein Bistro Box 

A bistro box contains the following items:

• Hardboiled egg
• Apple slices
• Grapes
• Peanut butter
• White cheddar cheese
• Muesli bread

This is a great option for breakfast or as a post-workout snack. It contains 15 grams of protein and 360 calories. A bistro box is healthy and portable. I often eat half in the morning then save the rest as an afternoon snack. The combination of fruit, grains, and protein keeps you full and satisfied until lunch.

What Starbucks drink or food item do you order? 

 

A Taste of Home: 3 Key Destinations for Foodies in St. John’s

Hello, lovelies!

Today I thought I’d switch up my blog post and feature some local favourites. I rarely mention my hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Newfoundland is a small Canadian province in the middle of the Atlantic. (which happens to be a small Canadian province in the middle of the Atlantic). The warm, sunny weather this weekend inspired me. Today I share my favourite destinations for foodies living in, and visiting, St. John’s.

Newfoundland Chocolate Company

I adore chocolate. The Newfoundland Chocolate Company, founded in 2009, combines delicious chocolate with local flavours. Chocolates are filled with wildberries, seasalt caramel, almonds, and other ingredients. The fresh, handmade chocolates is my chocolate-loving dream. The company crafts a delicious Gelato using many of the same flavours found in their single chocolates. Gelato flavours include vanilla bean, sea salt caramel, and partridgeberry. You’ll find the Newfoundland Chocolate Company in two prime downtown locations – Duckworth Street and Signal Hill.

Bagel Cafe

I frequent Bagel Cafe. The cozy atmosphere offers a slate for hearty breakfast options. I favor the crisp, fluffy Belgain waffles loaded with summer berries. The cafe is located in the heart of the downtown core. It is sandwiched between colourful buildings and ocean views.

Starbucks 

Though Starbucks is not local to St. John’s, I placed it on my list. Most of the coffee I drink is bought from one of the Starbucks locations in the city. I enjoy the bright, flavourful blends of the company’s iced coffee, iced tea, and other specialty beverages.

What part of the world are you from? What is your favourite local food destination? Let me know in the comments below!