C is for Coffee. What else?

An ongoing study following some 126,000 American's has been percolating for some 22 years now, and with some rather pleasing results. The Harvard analysts' data shows moderate coffee consumption may lower the risk for Parkinson's, Type II Diabetes and Colon Cancer. Quite remarkably, the more coffee the participants in the study drank the less risk for diabetes there was! In fact even some Parkinson's drugs have caffeine added.  The healthful benefits are plentiful. Other studies have shown it reduces the risk for gall stones by half and has been shown to cause an 80% drop in chances for cirrhosis of the liver.

Millions of people wake up to the steaming roasted bean beverage (actually, it's a seed from the coffee berries) daily. Now, we have something else to grin about, besides out morning energy boost. Other research shows that a cup of good java can help control asthma, reduce incidence of cavities (although this one I find difficult to believe considering so many of us add sugar to our cup) as well as stop a headache and boost your cranky-pants mood. 

Since there are many ways to get that caffeine fix, I will not discriminate, nor elaborate on the benefits, or difference in types or flavors. In fact I should really leave that to someone who knows whats what in the coffee world. There are people out there who really take quite a bit of serious time to understand all the subtle nuances of the delicious beverage. Just like a sommelier, but bats for the perky team, its called cupping (which sounds odd to me, but hey, no judgements). Also, since my access to the many devices one can use to brew a mug is limited, I will elaborate briefly about my obsession with the French Press. Incidentally invented by an Italian, the French Press is an excellent way to incapsulate the flavor of coffee most accurately and efficiently. Usually producing a stronger, richer, thicker cup of coffee, it is made by adding the coffee grounds of a thicker grind and nearly-boiling water together. Letting it sit for a few minutes to extract the essence of the roast and then, by use of the plunger, the grounds are forced down to the bottom of the cylinder. A delicious and creamy cup of coffee awaits you. I like the Italian Roast, and I always try to buy Organic, Fair Trade and Sustainable. Not only is this good for the planet, it usually tastes better too

So wether you are a grande-double-half-caf-non-fat-cappuchino with one sugar, a large coffee black or a soy-iced-latte, remember these words, not all coffee is created equal. Even though there are health benefits, this doesn't mean you need to drink more of it. So don't go running to your nearest deli/Starbucks/coffee house etc. In fact, and of course, other studies show rather contradictory conclusions as far as health is concerned. For example, a study has shown it can increase your low density lipoproteins (LDL's) or in laymen's terms the "bad" cholesterol in some people. 

A rule of thumb, try to keep the caffeine consumption under 250 mg's a day (2 - 3 cups). And for those who don't know, 1 cup is 8 oz. So If you get a daily "grande" fix, thats 2 cups, fyi. Those who reach an upwards of 500 to 600 mg's (7 to 8 cups) are susceptible to insomnia, irritability, anxiety, gastrointestinal problems as well as increased heart rate. I too, should probably heed this advice, but alas, I forget to measure out the amount every time pour my intoxicatingly delicious wake up call in to my over sized mug. 

Contradictions never have steered me off course from what I love though. But, I do like a nice hot yerba matte every more than once in a while. 

There are so many more wonderful things I could say about coffee, but you know, I'll leave that up to the comments section, and you, my dear reader. 

Click on the links above to check out some great Washington Coffee roasters! I was enamored with the Raven's Brew Organic Deadman's Reach.

My current favorite place to buy a cup on the go : Ninth Street Espresso at Tompkins Square, 341 East 10th St. (Between Ave A & B). 

My current favorite addition to coffee : low fat vanilla soy milk with a dash of cinnamon.

My favorite "caffeinated" beverage that isn't just cafe au lait : triple non-fat cappuccino from Whole Foods market on Houston. 

My current favorite coffee past time : a big big hot cup, accompanied by gi-normous bowl of organic oatmeal mixed with juicy blueberries, KCRW on a sunday morning and some hand holding. 

 OR the smell of coffee brewing when camping in El Captain, I always was more partial to the hot chocolate at the time, but I remember the coffee smell vividly. 

B is for Breakfast

Who doesn't like Breakfast?
Honestly, its the quintessential feel good meal.  Synonymous with the way your favorite movie makes you feel or a hug from someone you love; pure comfort. You can usually smell breakfast before you even see it. It's what I like to call a true 5 senses meal. It wakes you up with the smell from the kitchen wafting in from under a closed door, tempting you with its menage of aromas. But, it's the sounds that get you out of bed. The percolating coffee pot, a toaster popping up warm English muffins to be spread with sweet jams and the cracking of dozens of eggs for your favorite omelet, all sounds of undulated pleasure about to ensue. Even the noise of cold cereal pouring into a ceramic glass bowl gives me the chills.
What is interesting, and for others frustrating about myself, is I often forgo the aforementioned indulgence of many delectable breakfast items. I see them, beckoning to be eaten, like a child teased with an out of reach cookie jar. Bacon? No thanks. Home style potatoes and Eggs over easy? Nah, not for me. Waffles piled with whipped cream and strawberries. Pass. Not even a Pop Tart?  
But why?
It's an on going struggle that I hope to one day break free of the bonds from and unleash the veracious appetite which I often times combat in the morning. "Just eat a stack of Buttermilk Blueberry Pancakes" I say to myself, "Have 3 slices of whole grain, well done, extra crispy toast covered in strawberry jelly and poached eggs smothered in Hollandaise."
But no, I shake my head, not me.
And yet, I  still have dreams about the taste of thick pieces of my mom's French Toast with just a touch of cinnamon, which she would then generously dust with powered sugar, and then, still warm from being cooked on the stove with butter, devilishly drizzle with rich amber syrup. Always accompanied by a glass of orange juice. All for me.
We all have our breakfast favorites : toasted everything bagel with cream cheese, warming bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins, cheese danish when on the run, and of course, mother of all breakfast treats, the doughnut. I envy those whom enjoy these special items daily. I stare at you from behind my fourth very large cup of coffee, nearly black, and imagine how they must taste. All the best textures and flavors, swimming around together, tantalizingly terrific. Sweet, salty, tangy, warm, soft, crunchy. Basically, everything good food is supposed to be.
So here it is, late in my day, near dinner time, and all I can think about is breakfast. The meal that, without a doubt, is the one I skip the most, and miss, period. It is the meal that nearly all experts on dieting have agreed upon should not be overlooked.
So heres' to you breakfast. May we be together soon, drenched in a sea of maple syrup and melted butter a top a pile of fluffy pancakes.