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Things I Love About Coffee/Giveaway

Truth be told, I was a latecomer to the drinking of the java. Just as I was a latecomer to distance running (in my mid-40’s before I busted out a half and full marathon. Actually distance running is responsible for my coffee habit. One day the Caveman suggested I try a few sips to enhance my endurance. Enhance indeed. I started with a tiny half a cup before my weekly long run. Over time that has evolved into a daily habit whether I’m running or not. And I drink more than that half cup. So here’s what I love:

1. The stimulating effects of caffeine. Sharpens the brain, lifts my groggy morning mood, and yes enhances running endurance.

caffe freddo

Coffees we enjoyed at a street cafe in Rome. I tried but they don’t do iced coffee. This is a caffe freddo. It’s cold, mildly sweet and quite delicious. But it’s maybe 4 oz compared to the animal-trough size we Americans are used to. The one in the background is called a Shakerato. Kind of the Roman version of Frapuccino, but again, not icy. In case you were wondering, there are no Starbucks in Italy. Trust me the coffee here is just fine without it. 

2. Flavor. I drink my coffee black or with just a spot of milk. Hot or iced, it’s all good. I don’t get carried away with sweeteners. It’s a rare treat for me to go for a frou frou Starbucks drink.

3. The get-up-and-go effects. I’m talking #2 here, in case you didn’t know. Especially before heading out for a run or racing. ‘Nuff said on that one, moving on.

Europe mugs

4. Collecting mugs. Collecting Starbucks mugs has become my obsession. I dragged home 6 from Europe. The Caveman brought 5 home from China and I think I’m nearing the halfway point on my state collection. It’s getting to the point where my mugs require their own zip code.

IMG_2132

Visiting the original Starbucks at Pike’s Market in Seattle was like going to coffee Mecca. 

5. Star Dashes. Think of it as another type of race. If you’re a Starbucks gold card holder you’re familiar with these. I’ve talked about them here before. It’s one of the best loyalty programs I’ve ever seen. Basically you get emails telling you a mission to complete to receive X number of bonus stars. Right now I’m on day 4 of going to Starbucks on consecutive days. It’s all in the name of netting free drinks. Because who doesn’t need a free drink?

Stuff I love about #coffee and a giveaway!

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I’m going to share the coffee love and send one lucky winner a $10 Starbucks gift card. To enter tell me in a comment you want in and anything else about coffee you care to share. Simple, yes? Giveaway ends on 8/31.

This post is part of a Coffee Shop Blog Hop! Be sure to visit the next stop on the tour: Emily over at The Sunny Side.

What’s your drink of choice? If you’re a coffee lover how do you like it?

Don’t forget this Friday and the last Friday of every month is Runfession Friday!

Runfessions

Stop by and linkup all of you run- gym- swim- and any other confessions you need to get off your chest. I promise you’ll feel better!

Comments

  3. I’m not into coffee personally, but I love coffee because my husband does – I love being able to walk to Starbucks in the morning and bring him home a cup.

  4. I looooove coffee, especially from Starbucks. I’m currently expecting, so even though I’m ordering decaf these days, I still need my daily fix. 🙂

  5. I love coffee! But recently I was told I need to cut out most of my caffeine intake – now I’m on a quest to find the best tasting decaf. I’ve never had the decaf at Starbucks but I would love to try it!

  6. Just like you, I didn’t do coffee until my 40s. But now–what a hole in my life if I didn’t have it! I am also like you–a dash of milk/cream and I’m good to go. Loved European coffee–it’s amazing!

  7. I collect those mugs too! I have 26 at this point! I wish they still sold the old style though, imlikedmit a lot more and the mug was larger for more coffee 🙂

  9. Coffee is my lifeline! I love the taste & the routine of it. It’s the first thing I do when I get up in the morning. I haven’t started a Starbucks travel collection of mugs because I know it would turn into a big obsession.

  11. I started drinking coffee late in the game too! I like it black with a little bit of milk. Love Starbucks and the first store in Seattle is always fun to visit!

  13. Coffee is good, but sometimes very, very bad. Haven’t been to Starbucks in a while, though once considered starting a mug collection as well. I have a very old mermaid mug and one from Indianapolis.

  14. I am totally in for a coffee with you…even if it is virtual!! One of my fav mugs is from a race. And of course my phoenix mug!

  17. I’m 38 weeks pregnant and I haven’t had coffee in over a year! I can’t wait for my first cup as soon as my baby arrives!

  18. Oh Marcia- I need that gift card because this old lady is go down the hormone imbalance train if you know what I mean! LOL – I read you comment on my blog and you are the second person whos said that and you know what? I think that’s exactly what’s wrong with my heart. Give me some coffee to make it race even more! If you can’t beat em join em. Love all of your mugs!

  24. I feel like I didn’t truly start to appreciate coffee until I became a more serious runner. I also started drinking it black when I would drink it before running, and I realized I like it much better that way! Now I drink 1-2 cups every morning. I definitely enjoy treating myself to Starbucks on occasion, but it can certainly become an expensive habit! What a nice giveaway:)

  25. I am not a big coffee drinker, but when it gets cold I really do enjoy it 🙂 I have had one cup all summer, I get my pick up from diet soda., but it probably would be better just to have coffee 🙂 I admit I like the creamers with flavor, like Almond Joy or Vanilla , or caramel lol

  26. Starbucks has a great rewards programs, but I’ve never gotten a bonus star challenge…. ah, something to aspire to! 🙂

  30. I just registered my starbucks card purely to get the birthday coffee tomorrow. I know.

    I love coffee, but we collect brewery glasses. Can you imagine trying to fit those AND coffee mugs LOL.

  31. Usually I add some milk (or coconut milk, or almond milk, or whatever) and cocoa mix. Not to make it uber sweet, though I do like a frou frou drink at Starbucks. Some coffee is so amazing it doesn’t need anything (like this coffee I had in Jamaica that had just been roasted the day before). Usually, even with super yummy coffee, I like something creamy and some chocolate.

  34. I was a late coffee bloomer too, in my 30s in grad school. I love cream and maple syrup in my coffee.

  35. You’re right – everyone likes free coffee. My theory is that it tastes better. I had one just yesterday and it was the best coffee I’d had all week – admittedly it was only Monday.

  37. Starbucks frou frou coffees were my “gateway” coffee. Now I am the same as you – I drink my coffee black with a little milk. Don’t care for the sweeteners.

  38. I’m a coffee cup collector too – my husband thinks I’m out of control! I think I need another shelf to display them on. Coffee and travel go hand in hand!

  41. I travel for work and pick up Starbucks mugs all over the country for my brother…. the collector. I’ll have to travel overseas for more!

  42. I’ll have a venti, iced, white chocolate mocha with half the syrup and no whip, otherwise known as The Ho. You know I love me some coffee!

  43. Oh you KNOW we are Starbuck’s fans here too!

    I first learned to drink strong black coffee with my Daddy. He made it in a percolator on the stove top. A bit of water, some coffee grounds… let it boil then add more water. I call it COWBOY coffee and he poured his into a saucer to drink it instead of a cup or mug.

    I normally drink mine black but will sometimes add a splash of milk. No sugar for me either.

  45. I’m not a coffee fan at all, unless is doctored up with sweeteners and syrups which is SOOO bad for you so I just avoid it. My husband on the other hand, could have a permanent IV of Starbucks placed neatly in his arm and he’d be in heaven, LOL!!!!!

  49. I want in! I love my coffee, mostly for taste rather than for the caffeine. Thanks for the giveaway!

  54. I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 55! I always liked the smell but thought I didn’t like the taste till I discovered iced vanilla coffee was the most delicious thing ever!

  55. I love coffee for sure! Coffee to me is best served dark with no sugar. I love a bit of chocolate on occasion..

  58. I never liked coffee until recently — now I am hooked on all the “girly drinks” (as my husband calls them) at Starbucks.

  59. I want in! I don’t know much about coffee other than it’s part of my daily routine now that I’m working full time!

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