Tag Archives: coffee

Travel Prep

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Ahh – gotta love those days leading up to a vacation when you’re trying to pack as much as possible before hand…while simultaneously dealing with the fact that most of the stuff you need to pack you still actually need to use!

It’s the little things…like prepping with munchies and coffee …

The last time I used these coffee singles - I accidentally forgot to put water in the cup before putting it into the microwave….we never quite got the burnt coffee smell out of that one…yuck. However, these are super convenient!! Plus, who couldn’t use an emergency stash of high-fiber oatmeal?? :) …Always.Prepared.

I’ve tried to pack toiletries and whatnot. My method? Find an old shoe box and put everything in there. It keeps it compact, secure and will hopefully keep me at least somewhat organized so my makeup isn’t all over my suitcase.

Of course, advice from some fellow bloggies and Ms. Lauren Conrad have been helpful in attempting to keep myself feeling somewhat attractive post plane-ride.

In comes Midol (gotta keep that plane-bloat to a minimum peeps!) and night cream to slather all over myself on the plane to combat the skin-dehydration. My question is…why do planes have to be so dehydrating? You’d think they could do something about that. I went out and bought a new creme because I wanted it to be scent-free. I hate when people use perfume or anything with an intense scent in small, enclosed spaces…do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I already plan on stretchy pants (jeggings), a loose fitting top, a sweater and boots (so I can justify socks!) for my plane attire. Oh, and water…lots of water before hand – and preferably a potty break…I hate being one of those people who keeps having to get up to go to the bathroom.

  • Any other travel advice out there??

The Most Important Meal of the Day

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…servin’ it up Gary’s way. ….yes, that may have been  a Spongebob reference. haha

No shame.

Okay, so overly perky sea creatures aside – breakfast is always deemed the “most important meal of the day.” I have no argument against that.

I just don’t usually listen to it.

I’ll be very honest – I am not that person who is up hours before they need to be out the door…getting that workout in…planning that perfect outfit…primping in front of the mirror (uhh, the ponytail is my BFF)….or making a fulfilling and nutritional breakfast.

Usually – for me – breakfast is coffee (iced) that was made in bulk prior to that morning, it’s is delicous, but slurped down in haste before running out the door, usually a little late (for being early…I’m rarely, actually late).

I’m lucky if I grab a bar on my way out the door.

However, when I’m at my mom’s – I’m able to “make up” for all those days that breakfast is not on my list of priorities.

Nutella is a treat reserved for visits to my mom’s – but I always forget just how much I love English muffins. I need to put them on the shopping list. It’s gotta be the nooks and crannies. …perfect for hiding globs of Nutella (or PB…or cream cheese…or jam…or butter…or cinnamon and sugar).

If I had my way – breakfasts would consists of fresh fruits, spreads and breads. Alas – a lot of the time, 15 minutes of extra sleep takes priority over meal numero uno.

  • Do you always get in your “most imporant meal of the day?”
  • What are your favorite, go-to, weekday breakfasts?

Caffeinated

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Happy Valentine’s Day (again)!!!

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I’m celebrating it with my one, true love – coffee. ;-)

Okay – so we all know I’m coffee obsessed…crazed…addicted – whatever label you want to assign to it. :-D .

It’s been a constant part of this blog since it’s start as Peace, Love & Munchies.

I love trying to new flavors, new brewing methods, new drinks…all that jazz….but you probably know that already.

For Christmas, I received a coffee grinder – yayy!! It’s an appliance I’ve been wanting forever, and it was glorious to unwrap a gift and see it’s little chrome face poking out at me.

I’ve waited so long to use it since my cabinets were already stuffed with different types of ground coffee – however, the other day, I finally used up the last bit of the ground, and set out on a mission to find some whole beans (not really a tough mission though..).

Beans of choice? Green Mountain Coffee’s Southern Pecan. I really can’t get over how good it smells..my kitchen is perfumed with the scent of pecan pie, and I’m not complaining.

I set up to do my grinding!

Approximately 20 seconds later – course ground coffee…perfect for my french press!

Bring some hot water into this mix, and let it sit.

Press.

Pour.

I added some cinnamon just for lil’ somethin’ somethin’ …

…aaand now I’m addicted. Bring on the whole beans – what a difference!

I hope that you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day – whether you’re single, attached, near to your loved ones or far! <3 <3

You’re Turning Violet, Violet!

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Okay, so I may not be blowing up like a blueberry – buuuut I did receive a lovely blueberry treat in the mail from  Miss Leashie Loo!

What is happening, you ask?? Blueberry. Muffin. Lara.

I’ve been waiting to try this sucker, and this morning was the perfect opportunity. I was feeling lazy, I was craving carbs in a major way (umm, we’re not gonna talk about the multiple sandwich and/or bagel things consumed last night in the glow from my television…), and I was running late.

I don’t think I’d be finding a more perfect time for a bar.

I paired it with a nice hot cup of coffee….a mixture of the last bit of grounds of a free sample I received from Starbucks - their Natural Fusions Vanilla (which I really enjoyed and used up quickly!) and Archer Farms Cinnamon Vanilla Nut Coffee…and I figured they both were vanilla-y, and it was delish.

Okay – so let’s get down to business and talk about this blueberry bar! I assume some of you out there have tried it? I enjoyed it! ..I do have to say I haven’t met a Lara I didn’t like, but the fruit flavors have always come second to anything with peanut butter, chocolate or coconut (and any combination of the three). However, this is up there, and definitely one of my favorite fruit bars – to date (no pun intended, consider Laras are full of them)!

This bar also had a softer texture – which I really like. I’m not sure if that was a result of perhaps some squishing while in transit or if other people felt this way about the texture, too! It definitely lent itself to a more doughy consistency, which I found great.

This bar will definitely become a regular my ‘cookie jar’ – it’s good, filling aaaand has  fewer calories than all of my faves out there.

Plus, I love that it’s purple. :-) I’m a simple girl, really..haha

Thanks again to Alicia for sending it my way!

  • What are some of your fave new foods? What do you eat when you’re struggling to make it out the door on time?

Morning Routine

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I’m absolutely beside myself that – *shock* *awe* – I’ve sort of become a morning person! Wait, what? If you told this to my parents (which – they may or may not read this anyway [Hi! *waves*] …I’m a dork) they would be shocked.

From elementary school through high school…getting me up and out the door…was…a challenge – to say the least. School – though, I was a great student and had plenty friends and activities that I loved – was not the place I wanted to go everyday. I don’t know where I did want to go…I think I just wanted to stay in my bed. Regardless, my parents pulled out every ploy of trying to get me out of bed – the echoes of “Good morning, sunshine! – Riiiiiiiise and shine!!” – my dad’s morning greeting (purposefully and jokingly sarcastic and overly cheery) still rings in my head. Now, it is more of a funny memory – at the time, I was like “Ahhh, nooooo!”

So how is it…that here I am – wiiiide awake and raring to go, on a day where I truly don’t have any places that I have to be? Maybe it’s like when you have to wake up at 4 a.m. for a flight, and somehow – your excitement obliterates the fact that your alarm jarred you out of a peaceful sleep. We’ll see how this goes once work and school starts up…

….but honestly, I like this!

Coffee certainly helps.

 

Somehow - I got grounds in my coffee

 

Maybe this was the missing link all those years?

LARA certainly helps out, too – especially in Peanut Butter Cookie form.

I don’t know what’s different – or if I’ll go back to cursing my alarm, and hitting the snooze more times than is advisable when I have places to be…..but for now – I really like this whole “morning person” thing…. I hope it sticks.

  • What about you? Are you a morning person?