These five steps to a better cup of coffee will do more than energize you. They will boost your nutritional intake and start your day off right!
I once said I would never be a coffee drinker. I watched my parents drink it daily from the time I was born, but one sip was all I could take. “No way will I ever drink coffee!” I said.
Fast forward to my adulthood and six months into motherhood: I needed something to give me an energy boost right at the start of the day.
Enter: one cup of joe each morning. It’s only one, but since 2008, it’s been an integral part of my morning routine.
At first, I only drank flavored varieties. It’s how I slowly acquired the taste for coffee. Eventually, I started taking coffee with sugar (as much as possible back then!) and creamer.
Now, I’ve made my morning coffee much better than I ever imagined. Here is my recipe on how you can make a better cup of coffee for yourself:
1. Freshly-brewed.
There’s nothing worse than stale coffee. Freshly-brewed each morning is a must!
If you have a grinder, then grinding your own provides the freshest coffee. I have also heard people swear by a french press. I have personally never used one, but I would eventually like to try.
2. Sweetened with a Low-Glycemic Sweetener
For a while, I was only using stevia to sweeten my coffee. Some of my friends prefer pure maple syrup, organic cane sugar, or honey. I’m now using and loving the more subtle sweetness of coconut sugar.
3. A Better-For-You Creamer
Seriously, y’all: I cringe when I look at the ingredients of many grocery store coffee creamers. Instead, I love the varieties and Silk and So Delicious makes. Not only are these brands better for me, but they are also dairy free. I am currently dairy free because I’m breastfeeding a dairy-sensitve baby. These creams make it possible for me to enjoy coffee creamer without upsetting my little one’s tummy!
Hint: You can find the Silk and So Delicious creamers at Target. (What mama doesn’t love shopping there?!) Download and use the Cartwheel app and the 15% off Cartwheel offer on Silk and So Delicious creamers from 4/9-5/6! You’re welcome!
4. Some Kind of Protein
Protein? In my coffee?! Yes, indeed!
I start out each morning with two scoops of collagen in my coffee. It dissolves and is tasteless, and it gives me 11 g of protein at the very beginning of the day!
5. Some Kind of Fat
Especially while breastfeeding, good fats are a must! I add coconut oil or MCT oil to my coffee at the very end.
I blend all of these together and voila–that drab cup of coffee is now better (and better tasting!) than I ever imagined back in my childhood!
How do you drink your coffee? Any tips for making a better cup of coffee?
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk and So Delicious Dairy Free Creamers. The opinions and text are all mine.
Sandi
I agree with everything you recommend. I would also offer up that the best tasting, less junky non-dairy creamer is Nutpods. It contains almond and coconut milks, no weird thickeners and no sweeteners. But it tastes most like half and half or cream! Seriously! And it’s not watery or acidic, something other non-dairy, refrigerated creamers are. You can get the product through Amazon.
Sandi
Oops…I see this is a sponsored post! Well, ignore my comments!
Michelle
With Nutpods I have to use too much to get the flavor I want. It is flavorless to me.
Erin
I’ve never heard of Nutpods!
Rebecca Pettis
Great article. Do you have a recommendation for Collagen?
Will
Rebecca,
Right now, we are using this one: http://amzn.to/2o7WiZZ
Erin
I think Will replied, but we prefer Perfect Supplements or Zint! The THM brand didn’t dissolve well for me.
Rosalie
Yum!!! Thank you! Can’t wait to try this! I love my coffee but can’t tolerate dairy anymore, and don’t like the alternative non-dairy over-processed products. These sound wonderful. I just. Ought the Silk almond coconut for the first time and LOVE it. I haven’t seen the So Delicious products in our market yet.
Erin
I switched to Silk a few years ago when I found out other almond milk brands were using some nasty ingredients in them. It’s the best.
Cindy
On another site that recommends low carb/high fat, they have what they call a coffee bullet. It is a brewed cup of coffee, and 1 tablespoon each of butter (not margarine) and coconut oil. Blend together and enjoy.
Erin
I’ve had it and it’s similar and oh-so-good for you!
Aimee Hadden
I gave up coffee about a year ago but I may have to try this! It sounds delicious and healthy!
Erin
I feel like it’s much healthier and I love having the protein boost first thing in the morning!
Julie
Collagen?
Will
Yes, it adds some great protein and has many other health benefits.
http://amzn.to/2o7WiZZ
Ashley
I have always wanted to try the Silk, but I never remember it when we are at the store. It will be a must on our next shopping outing!
What kind of coffee are you using? My favorite coffee seems to be giving me headaches, more so lately, so I am looking for alternatives to try.
Erin
Hi Ashley! I use the ALDI coffee–fair trade dark roast!
Ashley
Thank you, Erin!! We love Aldi! They are about to open one in our town!!! I will look for this. ?
Regina
We used to CoffeeMate and International Delight but after I read a magazine article about those yucky things we now only use half and half.
Regina
Oops! That should have said “used to use”. Sorry about that!