Lindy Barcellona
“Grande, double-shot, white chocolate mocha frappuccino, extra whip, and chocolate drizzle.”
“Large caramel latte with caramel swirl, coconut whipped cream, and caramel cookie crumbles.”
“Venti, triple shot, dirty chai latte with heavy cream and cinnamon swirl foam.”
We hear the orders. We have the apps. We all notice the mouth-watering ads that pop up on our social media pages and TV shows when we’re trying to keep our eyes open, our sweet tooth satisfied, and our energy levels high.
Those *guilty pleasure* caffeinated concoctions that fuel our sugar fix and give us a jolt to jump-start our day seem to follow us around… but those sweet treats don’t necessarily align with our health and fitness goals, do they?
We know you might be in denial, but we’re here to help! We understand that it can be hard to kick the habits that keep you buzzin’ and believing you can do anything! Today we’ll break down some simple recipes, tips, and tricks that will keep you caffeinated, focused on your goals, and fueling your fix—guilt free!
KNOW YOUR JOE
According to Shape.com, the body processes caffeine differently based on gender, race, and even birth control use. Make sure to listen to your body and learn how you respond to your coffee intake.
Drinking caffeine in excess may lead you to feel jittery, anxious, and even more lethargic than before you poured yourself a cup! Keep track of how many cups you have per day and always make sure to stay hydrated throughout your coffee kick to avoid adverse side effects.
You can’t judge a book by its cover, and you can’t judge coffee by its color! Dark, medium and light roast coffee actually increase their caffeination as they decrease in hue. Dark roast has the least amount of caffeine, while light roast has the most. According to goodhousekeeping.com, the longer you roast the coffee beans the more caffeine is released in the process.
Looking to lose weight while you fill up your cup? You’re in luck! Several studies have shown that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11% and aid in fat burning. But before you skip the gym and get your brew on, don’t forget that the more coffee you drink the more tolerant your body becomes. While it might aid in boosting metabolism, copious amounts of coffee are not a substitute for healthy eating and exercise.
Did you know that popular drinks from chain coffee shops can have as much as 70 grams of sugar? According to Health.com you can rack up more calories in one caffeinated beverage than you should be eating in one meal.
Who wants to waste their calories on coffee? Not us! Sipping on beverages made of non-dairy milk options and organic protein powders is the ideal solution to feeling energized while also taking care of your body from the inside out.
JUMP START YOUR JAVA
Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of coffee consumption, let’s get to brewing!
VANILLA COCONUT ICED COFFEE
- ¼ cup of organic, unsweetened full fat coconut milk
- ½ cup of light coconut milk
- ½ cup of organic cold brew coffee
- ½ teaspoon of organic, non alcoholic pure vanilla extract
- ½ scoop of organic vanilla protein powder
- Cinnamon to taste
Pour coconut milk into a glass and add in vanilla extract and vanilla protein powder. Stir until well combined. Add in desired amount of ice and a continue to stir until ice is coated. Pour cold brew over ice and milk. Add a dash of cinnamon, if desired!
ALMOND MILK MOCHA MACCHIATO
- 1-1/2 cups of organic, unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop of organic chocolate protein powder (we love chocolate Afterburn!)
- 1 teaspoon of organic cacao powder
- 1-2 shots of espresso
Using a whisk, thoroughly mix together the almond milk, cacao, and chocolate protein powder. After completely mixed, heat the chocolate mixture in the microwave for 45 seconds. Using a manual milk frother, froth the milk until creamy and foamy. Pour into a mug and top with 1-2 shots of espresso of choice.
BULLETPROOF COFFEE
- 1-1/2 cup of hot brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup of organic, unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
- 1 scoop of organic protein powder of choice
- ½ teaspoon organic cinnamon
After brewing hot coffee, use a large blender to combine all ingredients until entirely combined. Ensure that your blender has plenty of room for the heat to expand to avoid combustion.
HONEY CINNAMON LATTE
- 1-½ cups of organic, unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop of organic vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon of organic cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of pure, local honey
- 1-2 shots of espresso
Heat almond milk in the microwave until hot to the touch. Add honey and stir until completely melted. Using a whisk, add cinnamon and protein powder and thoroughly combine. Pour into a manual milk frother and froth concoction until foamy and creamy. Pour espresso shots into a mug and add in milk mixture.
MAPLE CINNAMON ICED COFFEE
- 1-½ cup of organic, unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup of iced coffee
- ¼ teaspoon of pure maple extract
- ½ scoop of organic vanilla protein powder
Using a whisk, combine almond milk, protein powder, and maple extract until completely mixed. Pour over ice until ice is coated and milk is cold. Add in iced coffee and stir. Top with a dash of cinnamon.