Coffee when it's 102 out? Bring on the coffee smoothie!

 “As long as there was coffee in the world, how bad could things be?” ― Cassandra Clare

This is one of my favorite quotes and at times could pretty much sum up my outlook on life. I love coffee. I don't like it, there is deep affection there. It makes me happy, warms me, wakes me, is comforting, and well I could go on and on.  It is one of my favorite things, one of the simple pleasures that just makes me smile. So, you can imagine how horrified I was when the only two other hardcore coffee drinkers in the house moved out taking with them their expensive yet wonderful coffee making machine. I wanted to cry, scream, and possibly go with just to have that morning cup of wonderful. Alas, that was not an option.

Right around that time I was asked to give CoolBrew a try. I was thrilled because COFFEE that I didn't need a coffee machine to drink!! I was also excited because the more I learned about CoolBrew the more impressed I was. They offer the original cold-brewed fresh coffee concentrate and are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. They are a family owned company with a commitment to their city and to the environment that is impressive. You can learn all about CoolBrew here. So, I was sent samples and began drinking tons of coffee experimenting over the next few weeks all in the name of sharing with you guys about what delicious discoveries I had made. I know, I'm awesome like that.

There is so much I love about this product and many, MANY tasty beverages one could create using CoolBrew concentrate. But, I don't want to overlook the fact that it makes an outstanding cup of coffee, just coffee without the frills and dressing up, and I REALLY appreciate a great cup of joe. My favorite flavor for just drinking either hot or iced is the limited edition Chocolate Almond. It is seriously good stuff! Making a delicious cup of coffee couldn't be easier, you just squeeze the coffee up into the awesome container that measures for you, then pour it into water, either hot or cold.

My favorite creation so far, and what I've been basically living off of after my extractions last week, is the coffee smoothie. It's the perfect cool, refreshing summertime treat and I may be slightly addicted. It gives me my morning coffee, the yogurt packs in some protein, and bananas are good for you!

Coffee Smoothie:

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 small carton coffee flavored Greek yogurt 
• 1 cup of CoolBrew made cold - sometimes I use the CoolBrew with a cup of water, other times I do it with a cup of milk, and when I want a real treat I use chocolate milk
• cream, sugar, or whatever you'd normal put in your coffee - in my case this means a dash of flavored creamer

All you do is put all ingredients in your blender or bullet or whatever you make smoothies in and let it go until it's reached desired consistency. You can use water or pretty much any type of milk as I sort of mentioned above. I've also been known to throw in some cacao nibs now and then. It's a versatile recipe you can play with. Pour in a glass and enjoy! 

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.

Addicted

English: Chemical structure of Caffeine. Français : Structure chimique de la caféine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The minute my eyes fly open in the morning it is one of my first thoughts. Getting dressed takes too long, as does the walk through the quiet house. Time seems to crawl by as I prepare the things I will need. I stare fascinated as the machine does it's thing, transfixed by the sight and amazing aroma filling the room. Licking over my lips I am unable to take it anymore. The dark brew fills my Star Wars mug, sweet white liquid is added with a touch of sugar, a good stir given and I take my first sip. A low moan of satisfaction passes my lips and I am ready to face the day.

Okay, that might have been a little dramatic, but it's true nonetheless. I have a hardcore coffee problem.    Coffee is my morning addiction, but I have a caffeine problem, period. This is something I am trying to get a handle on. Not so much the coffee, but the soda. Though I am hopelessly addicted to my morning libation, I am convinced it's not as bad for me as the soda I crave midday. So with the new year came a goal of cutting way back on sodas and so far it's going well. As for coffee... As a friend put it "You can't quit coffee, that's crazy talk!" One thing at a time and honestly, I LOVE my coffee. I don't see the sense of going to crazy with the giving stuff up here. I mean, see that chemical structure illustration up there? I have it on a t-shirt. Me and caffeine are besties.

The problem is, lately I wake up feeling hungover. No, I'm not having wild all nighters, but I'm dehydrating because I don't drink nearly enough water. I know I'm not the only one guilty of this. In an effort to combat this problem I am making myself drink two glasses of water for every cup of coffee I drink, along with trying to get in the normal 8 glasses of water a day. Sounds easy enough, but I really don't like water. But, I like the pounding headaches and cottonmouth even less. Hopefully upping my water intake with make a difference.

What about you? Are you are hardcore coffee addict like me? Is getting in your water a struggle for you?

Be Afraid. Be very AFRAID!

Read more from Megan over at Thoughts of an Oxymoron and be sure to come check out her column here next Tuesday!

Its 2:30 p.m. and to me that is the perfect time to polish off the rest of the pot of coffee sitting, now cold, in the pot. Mix it with a little skim milk, some ice, and soon that afternoon nap time feeling is just a little less noticeable. Plus, its delicious and its really all I drink unless you count w(h)ine time starting promptly at 4:30. Its a daily ritual for me. I love the taste, the smell, and the little spark of energy I get which, admittedly, is a lot less than it used to be due to my fierce tolerance to that black elixir from heaven. (That's right, BLACK, no cream, no sugar, unless its iced and then just skim milk.)

So, here I sit with my iced coffee checking over the news and getting ready to share my somewhat off take on things when I stumble across this article.

Murder defense: Too much caffeine.

At first I just laughed it off. Careful kids, Mommy's all jacked up again. Its the coffee baby! *Twitch* That's only a little bit funny (OK maybe a lot funny) since I twitch like a Mexican Jumping Bean anyway. Maybe its the coffee, but I doubt it. After all, coffee doesn't make you twitch, it makes you kill people. Quickly too I'll bet.  It seems that in my the state just south of my own, Woody Will Smith (Yep, WOODY WILL *eye roll*) is claiming that he had too much coffee, cola, energy drinks and pills and not enough sleep. That this combination of exhaustion and drug induced energy caused him to go cuckoo and strangle his wife with an electric cord. I'm not sure if I'm buying that defense Woody Will. I know what its like to live on the edge of exhaustion, I have four kids. I also know what its like to live all jacked up on coffee. I do it every day and I like it that way. 

Now, I'm not saying that I don't ever feel like FrEaKiNg out on someone, but strangulation by electric cord hasn't ever even come CLOSE to happening, or strangulation by any other device, poisoning, stabbing or shooting. Somewhere in that mess of murderous options, there is this little thing called self control and rational thinking. The shrink in charge of Woody's psych eval. had this to say.

"This dissociative belief and intense paranoid delusions are the direct result of the ingestion of large amounts of caffeine and diet pills." 

This is good news/bad new folks. Lets start with the bad news so I can leave you with a happy ending.  Here it is. Willy Woody or whatever this guy's real name is will probably walk away from this murder and down the block to the rehab facility for his addiction to caffeine. His dead wife will still be dead, and if he's anywhere NEAR as lucky as Lindsay Lohan, he'll be out in 23 days. He'll be back at the Waffle house with a to-go cup in hand.  Now the good news. Every time I feel like I'm ready to lose it, I'm blaming the Folgers in my cup. 

You know whats coming next? People suing Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Folgers, and Dunkin' Donuts for making them murder people. *eye roll* Nice try Woody Watson. Nice try...

Coffee With Tristen

Image by Andreanna via Flickr

I woke up this morning to Tristen bringing a cup of coffee to me in bed. I was struck by how sweet and child like my teenager can still be. My heart was full to the top as he smiled and handed me a cup of coffee. What a sweet kid! He had gotten out of bed early, just to be good to his mama!

It was then that I noticed how pale the coffee was. But, he had made it just for me and I didn't want to make him think I didn't appreciate it. He had put half a small bottle of Peppermint Mocha creamer in a six ounce coffee mug. It was, um, very different. I thanked him and proceeded to choke the liquid down.

Before he walked out the door, he asked me how it was. I told him I appreciated the gesture and thanked him. Then he smiled, squeezed my hand, and said I think from now on I'll let you add the cream and sugar. I was thinking at this point he was wise beyond his years, until I found the coffee mug he had fixed himself. Lesson learned.

But I know this is one of those memories I'll always treasure. soon he won't be here to make me my morning cup of joe. It's these little things that I'll miss, yes even things like a bit of coffee with my creamer. I cannot believe how fast my children are growing up!

Coffee With Marge

One of my best friends is Lynette's mother, Marge. She is a wonderful 75 year old grandma who I loved instantly! We can sit and talk on her porch for hours. I am blessed to have this wonderful woman in my life.

We went out for coffee today, like we do two or three times a week. It was strange without Lynette there, but it was still fun. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy my morning coffee outings with the girls. There are usually four of us - me, Lynette, Marge, and Kathy. We range in age from 75 to 30, but we get along great! I so look forward to these mornings because the fellowship with my gal pals truly enriches my life. It helps keep me going through the week.

After coffee, Marge and I went to buy some plants. There is a wonderful place here that offers organically grown flowers, herb, and vegetable plants. The prices are great and the whole thing is done on the honor system. Thee is not an attendant, just a big metal lock box which you slip your money into. We had a great time browsing through all their selections and deciding what to bring home. I got several things I'm really excited to experiment with! Marge helped me choose because she is a whiz when it comes to plants! Hopefully, she'll help me not kill all my new delicious plant babies!

Do you have a regular "coffee clutch" or girls day? I'd love to know what y'all do when you get together with your girlfriends!