Homemade Iced Latte

This is the espresso machine we have. It's the Mueller brand and we use pods for it. Scott bought it last year to keep in his office. He used it for Americanos. He still does. I like making lattes and, with warmer weather, I've found myself making iced lattes lately. It's shockingly easy and they taste just like what you'd get at a coffee shop, to be honest. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't something this professional. 

So, while we don't buy the actual Nespresso-brand pods and the machine isn't "Nespresso", I don't even know that Nespresso would be better. Scott did a lot of brand research and this is what he came up with. He also mentioned that when we get another single-serve brewer, it won't be Keurig, because our Keurig has let us down one too many times. So much so that we packed it away and pulled out the regular coffeepot. 

For this recipe, you basically just need one or two pods of brewed espresso, milk, and ice. 

A few tips for your homemade iced latte...

• Shake, don't stir.
• Use Lactaid milk. This is a weird idiosyncrasy we have: we like the taste of Lactaid so that's what we buy. We don't need it, we like it. It's sweeter and has more flavor. Wells drinks regular 2% but we buy Lactaid for us.  (this started years ago when Scott liked to give the dogs milk to drink but dogs can't have lactose so....)
• Use any sweetener you want. I find that I don't like my iced coffee as sweet as I like my hot coffee. Anyone else? I just splash in a teaspoon or so of liquid creamer. 

Also, this is the year (THIS IS THE YEAR) I may perhaps perfect my iced coffee recipe. Maybe. I feel like I've said that multiple summers at this point. Last year and the year before, we took to buying jugs of Stok and, while tasty, that was not ideal. 

Finally, I tell this to anyone who will listen: Caffeine just like doesn't work on me anymore. Something about body chemistry changing once you have a baby. Some people have to switch to decaf. I had to up it to espresso. 

Even so, I drank that iced latte up there yesterday and took a nap 20 minutes later. Very abnormal, right?

For scale: this is a 16 oz tumbler. I fill with ice, put the shot(s) in, fill to the brim with milk, add a splash of creamer and shake. 

Confesiones

+Scott told me he wanted to buy a new Keurig so he could take the old one into his new office. I initially refused because the old Keurig had been with us for 4 years, through 3 states, 3 houses, and 3 deployments. It's like my friend.

+If America's Next Top Model was on Netflix, I would be in major trouble.  I've seen seasons 1-10 more than once.

+I just bought another planner. I love NEW planners more than I love planners themselves.  So I keep it well under $20 when I buy a new one (so many lovely options out there that aren't EC, PP, or EL and thereby don't cost $50), and that way I can get a new one in July and a new one in January.  Which I realize defeats the purpose of a planner. But maybe I'll like this one enough to keep on with it.

+Sometimes I feel awful for Jett.  Scott won't take him snowgoose hunting because he realized that Jett looks like a fox from the air and the snowgeese won't land. Scout has a little goose-colored disguise that he wears, but Scott said all the disguises in the world won't hide a red fox from a flock of snowgeese. So Scott won't take him and then I told Scott he was just being racist toward our ginger dog and poor little Jett can't help it.

If you are offended by pictures of dead birds, don't ever come to my house. They hang from the porch to "cure" all week after a hunt. I feel bad for the UPS guy. 

+Sometimes I think that we, as bloggers, should disclose when we *don't* use affiliate links. Like, put "No affiliate links" at the top of a post, so I don't have to hesitate before I click.  I often hover before I click. Isn't that awful? Especially with all those holiday gift guides.

+In the last two weeks I've watched more than I can count of those Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel.  They are so bad. But so addictive.

Any confessions to share?

How much caffeine do you drink?

I should preface with the fact that I initially wanted to give up caffeine this week.  I didn't.  I'm already giving up ice cream and maybe that's enough sacrifice for an entire lifetime.  

Take a minute and think about your caffeine consumption. I'm genuinely curious about where I fall on the scale.  Do you drink a lot of caffeine?

Mine is specifically in the form of coffee.  I usually only drink decaf green teas and I'm not a soda drinker. I try to get at least 100 oz. of water a day, so I tell myself that balances out the caffeine. Coffee is a tricky little addiction though. 

A few weeks ago, I had a job interview first thing in the morning and I was a nervous wreck for 3 days leading up to it.  I decided coffee was the last thing I needed, even though I had gotten up at 5am, so I could get ready with time to spare.  I haven't skipped coffee in the morning in a very long time.  Like probably since the beginning of January. I usually have one 6-8 oz. cup and maybe half of a another one and then I sip green tea on my way to school.  

On this day of no coffee, the gross feeling hit me around 10am.  Kind of just like fatigue.  By the afternoon I was ready to fall asleep but I'm usually ready to fall asleep by 2:00pm anyway.  I don't get any fresh air during the day, so I could probably have taken a walk or something and been fine.  But then, by the time I got home, my head was pounding.  However, I knew caffeine would likely keep me up that night.  So I drank some more water, took a Tylenol, and did a Pilates workout.  I went to bed around 9:30 and woke up at 5am again to get ready for school and I felt fabulous.  I actually contemplated giving up caffeine for a week to see what it does to me...but coffee is such a comfort when I have to get up so early in the morning. Once or twice a week (okay, sometimes more) I stop at Starbucks.  I happened to try a flat white from Starbucks (a recommendation from Scott) and it was okay.  I mean, I didn't notice a huge difference between that and an Americano, except that it costs $2 more. Coffeeshop coffee is also a major guilty pleasure for me, as you know. 

Speaking of, I've decided to stop using my reusable K-Cup for awhile and just buy K-Cups.  I made a Dunkin Donuts run and stocked up.  This is the dumbest reason ever for my decision: I'm lazy.  K-cups are easier.  I'm tired of driving the miles to TJ's to buy good coffee every couple of weeks (and remembering to do so because you don't want to run out of coffee) and then grinding it and cleaning the reusable filters.  Again, I'm lazy.  But in a world where I have to manage and take care of everything around me, it's the little things that make the days more pleasant.

So, how much caffeine do you consume?  
I might try the caffeine fast this summer.  Maybe.  

Morning Rituals (with coffee, of course!)

Last summer, I wrote about my coffee habits.  They're still pretty much the same.  I have decided that I'm an Americano drinker and that lattes are fewer and farther between because sometimes they're just too sweet.  When Wayfair asked if I'd share my morning coffee ritual for their #CoffeeMyWay campaign, I was happy to revisit the topic. 

My mornings start inhumanely early.

First, we could talk about how a certain ginger-dog will wake me up at any time between 2am and 5am because he "needs" to go outside.  He just likes to go out and sniff around because he's bored in the middle of the night.

Second, my alarm goes off at 5am.  You see, I have to leave for work at 7am.  Half an hour of my morning time is usually eaten up by playing with the dogs and feeding them.  I feel bad for locking them up all day so I try to amuse them a bit in the mornings.
Another half hour would be me getting ready.

The hour portion of that 2 hour window would be me sipping coffee, eating breakfast, watching the news, and just relaxing before a busy day ahead.

I know it's strange, but I can't just get up and go in the morning.  I used to back when I was in high school and college, and even my first year of teaching.  But now I know that my days aren't really my own because I'm held to a pretty rigid schedule from 7am when I leave the house to 4:30pm when I get home from work.  I don't get a chance to relax or run errands or just be, so I've adapted to becoming a lark (a term from Gretchen Rubin's book) and getting up early so I can fit that time in.

We bought our Keurig in November of 2011 and I love it.  I couldn't see us ever going another way.  In fact, I'm not even sure how to use a regular coffee pot.  I never measure it out correctly. I don't pre-set the Keurig, but I fire it up as soon as I get out of bed.

My favorite mug is this Penn State one that I got around the time we bought the Keurig.  We had two but one broke in the dishwasher.  I care more about the structure of the mug (big, heavy ones are best) than what's actually on the mug. I own prettier ones, but this has been my favorite so far. Odd, right?

My preferred coffee these days is Dunkin Donuts K-cups. To be honest, the first thing I do after I add a tablespoon of Coldstone Sweet Cream creamer to my coffee is sit down at my laptop to see if there's an email from Scott.  Isn't that kind of sad?  But 'tis the life we live I guess.  Sometimes there is, sometimes there isn't.  Regardless, I browse through this or that online or maybe read a chapter of a book while the local news plays in the background.  Checking the weather is a must for me. Then a certain ginger-pup starts whining and that means I need to feed the dogs and start getting ready.

Sometimes I think it's really odd that I've turned into a morning person because this is a recent development, just within the last 3 years.  Before that, I was a get-up-with-just-enough-time-to-get-out-the-door person.  However, I've realized it's now the most relaxing part of the day...here's a day in the life post from last fall.  It's pretty much the same now.

What's your morning ritual?  Where do you drink your coffee or tea?  ASAP in the a.m.?  Or do you wait until you get to work or school? At least once a week, I stop for another drink at Starbucks on the way to school.  

{NO} Starbucks September

Ever since we've moved here, Starbucks has become a really regular thing for me.  I could blame it on a lot of things:  I'm tired.  I drive 20 minutes just to get to the store..I need a pick-me-up.  I get up at 5am. I need to pick up a drink on my way to work at 7am.  It's right there.  Convenient.  

I told Scott about my plan to avoid the 'bucks for a month and he said, "…so you're just going to stop at Green Beans instead?"  I hesitated a bit too long before I said no.  He laughed.  Green Beans is on base.  It's not the best in the latte department, so I see no need to stop there if I'm avoiding pricey coffee shops anyway.  The exception would be Panera because there is not a Panera even remotely near me or my school, so that might be not even be a possibility more than two times in a month anyway.

The problem is that I'm not really sensitive to caffeine in general.  I never have been.  It won't keep me awake at night and I think it might be the idea of it that gets me going in the morning, not the actual "drug".  I can't remember if I heard this from someone in real life or in blogland (sometimes the worlds collide), but a person told me, "Hey, maybe you should stop drinking so much coffee.  Then you wouldn't be so insensitive to the caffeine!".  Uh, no.  I don't think 1 cup of coffee a day qualifies as "so much".  Sometimes I have 2.  Heck, sometimes I don't have any.  I've actually been drinking a lot of jasmine tea lately.  Usually I have coffee when I get up in the morning and then sip tea on my way to work.  But I've noticed that (as was my pattern over the last few years) if I feel particularly exhausted on my way to work, I'll stop for a latte.  However, it doesn't even do much for me!  So what's the point?  If it's not Alaska-strong (I swear they made their Starbucks stronger up there), it's not worth it.

I know I need to go to bed earlier.  That's not what this post is about.  Frankly, sometimes I stop on the way home for a frappucino, especially if I have an appointment or errands to run.  Because I know the work doesn't stop when I get home.  This "project" of remodeling a house is a 24/7 job and sometimes just being here is stressful.

The cost of 3 lattes or frappucinos a week is like $12-15.  I could take that money and save it.  Or buy new boots.  Either/or.

Aside from that, the extra calories aren't something I'm into.  While my lifestyle isn't quite sedentary, the extra sugar isn't doing much for me.  I always order non-fat/no-whip, but I refuse to go the sugar-free syrup route.  Sugar-free syrup is terrible for you.  Therefore, I'm drinking away my calories.

So that's where we are.  No Starbucks for September.  I did this once, back in August 2012, and it worked out okay.

Anyone wanna join?

How do you take your coffee?

As I was writing this post yesterday morning, Scott was actually at Starbucks and he bought me the French press I've been wanting.  Here's to new coffee adventures!  

If you have a Keurig, what setting do you use?  I used to be 8 oz all the way.  Then I realized how much better the 6 oz setting tasted.

I'm pretty sure the reason why we don't use a regular coffeepot is because I'm afraid of messing up the proportions.   I have no idea how to measure out coffee; the refillable K-cup does it for me.

My preferred coffee choice is whole beans from Trader Joe's.  When we go to TJ's, we usually buy 6-8 canisters and those last for quite some time.  I'm just patiently waiting for a trip to Denver (an hour away) so I can stock up.  Until then, I found Peet's at the commissary and I like it well enough.  Our fallback (when nothing else can be found) is Dunkin Donuts.  I found a canister of Folgers in the fridge here, which must have been left over from when Scott's dad was visiting a few weeks ago.  I asked Scott what such a thing was doing in my fridge and told him I would just throw it away.  He said, "Noooo…that's wasteful".  But what do I DO with it?  I mean, I can't drink it.

Anyway.  Creamer…

I prefer Coldstone Sweet Cream from International Delight.  I've been adding a lot lately, maybe 2-3 tablespoons, but if that's my biggest nutritional vice, I'll take it.

Depending on the day, I enjoy 1-2 cups in front of The Today Show.  It's a relaxing way to start the day and why I insist on getting up extra early.  I need that time to unwind before work.

When I'm out and about, I usually seek out a Starbucks or Panera for coffee.  I used to drink the gas station cappuccino (i.e. Sheetz).  It was cheap, tasty, and kept me warm on those cold Pennsylvania and Alaska mornings before school or work.  Then I realized it was all sugar, so I put a stop to that habit back in 2010.  I was never crazy about regular coffee. Then I discovered GOOD coffee and realized the problem wasn't coffee, it was the kind of coffee.

At Panera, my go-to is a non-fat caramel latte.  They can make a non-fat latte taste rich in a way that Starbucks can't.  My favorite coffee really is Panera because of the flavor and richness.  Their iced coffee?  To-die-for.  Black with a shot of caramel drizzle.  You have to ask for that caramel drizzle and they'll give you a weird look at first, but once they get to know you, they'll see you coming and put extra caramel in for you.  Or so I'm told.

At Starbucks, I'm all about non-fat white chocolate mochas in the winter.  They're still pretty sweet, but I'm not crazy about Starbucks' regular coffee.  Their "light" lattes taste like cardboard, and I often try not to eat/drink fake sugar.  So I just stick with the non-fat option and call it even.  No whip.

My preferred Starbucks drink is the non-fat caramel frappucino.  I could drink 2 a day, everyday.  And then I'd be heavily in debt.  The "light" versions of the frappucino are pretty good, but sometimes I'm too lazy to ask for it.  Depends on my mood.  Again, no whip.  They put whipped cream on mine last week and it completely threw me off.  I don't like the flavor/taste it leaves in your mouth. Also, no one needs whipped cream on their coffee.  Once you start drinking without, you don't even miss it. Promise.

So there we are.  My coffee habits.  What are yours?

Iced Coffee, My Favorite Skirt, and a Guest Post!

(But not in that order.)

Kristina at Pretty Rambles is taking some time off to get married (I know.  How dare she, right?), so I'm guest posting over there today.  I'm talking about my own experience with marriage.  It involves a quickie wedding, rain, and the airport.  I'll re-post it here once I start "the series about us" (soon enough!)....but head on over to read my post!
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I'm really horrible at taking self-timer pictures.  This is my best effort.  This skirt is my absolute favorite.  I got it last summer at Old Navy for....99 cents.   That's right.  It totally didn't even have a tag on it.  So I took it to the register and the girl said it was 99 cents.  Sold.  I wear it at least every other week.  The children compliment me on it.  The adults...don't.  
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Maybe it's my waitress background, but I like to think that I'm really good at serving food and drink.

I'm not saying I'm an excellent hostess.  No, no.  Far too awkward for that.  But I'm good at seeing a need for food and drink and filling that need.

Awhile back, at the first church we went to as a married couple, I was tricked into helping asked to help serve the coffee on Sundays.  All in all, I didn't mind it.  I prefer behind the scenes work.  I just had to make the adjustment of getting up half an hour earlier on Sundays to my schedule.  Sacrificial, I know.  So anyway, I had to make the coffee and hot water for tea, lug the containers around, and keep them full during the service.   Free coffee after church usually means that people are willing to stick around longer in the name of fellowship  (i.e. the point of it all).

Now I'm at a different church.  A few Sundays ago, I wanted some tea.  Hot tea.  The pastor had just started making his announcements at the beginning of the service and I thought, "Now I shall have tea."  I went into the lobby, waited in line and, when it was my turn, no hot water came out of the large carafe.  The lady beside me:  "Oh it's all gone."  Me:  "Awesome".  The lady beside me:  *blank stare*.  I turned to the man behind the counter in the state-of-the-art kitchen, "Do you have any more carafes* of hot water?"  The man:  *shrugs no*.  Me:  (to myself this time) Awesome.

I thought about going all Boston Tea Party.

source

Then I realized that I'd totally already done that.

Me. Dropping tea. In Bah-ston Harbor.

So I spent the rest of the service dreaming about how much I wanted an iced coffee.

The only Iced Coffee recipe you'll ever need.

I went through gallons of this iced coffee last summer.  It's easy, cheaper than Starbucks, and will get you through a thirsty church service.  Just remember to take it with you.  It's not included.

*I totally didn't say "carafes".  I said "things".  Yeah, "things" sounds much more like something I would say.

Linking up to:

The Easiest Mocha...

...in the entire world.

Now.  I'm *hoping* that I'm not the first to think of this.  I haven't actually seen this anywhere on the internet, but my faith in humanity will be greatly depleted if I'm the first one to come up with it.

By "humanity", I mean Pinterest.

However, if I am the very first, I claim all rights to this method.  Really.  I do.

I like to drink coffee or something at lunch time.  By "something", I mean hot chocolate.

First thing in the morning?  Not so much.  I like my heavy doses of caffeine mid-day.  It keeps me awake for math class.  Usually, anyway. 

One magical Wednesday, I combined coffee and hot chocolate.

That's right.  I poured my packet of hot chocolate mix into a mug and topped it off with 8 oz. of coffee.  Plain, brewed, whatever-was-in-the-teachers'-lounge coffee.  No water, no milk.  I topped it off with a teaspoon or two of creamer for good measure and that was that.

It was indescribably delicious.

Depending on what kind of hot chocolate mix you use, it's not that unhealthy.  Coffee, black, has less than 10 calories.  That's for one cup.  A bit of (flavored) creamer would run you about 40 more calories.  And a packet of hot cocoa mix?  About 100 calories (right now I'm on a Nestle's kick).  That is a professional-tasting mocha for LESS THAN 150 calories.  And...Oh, this is just the best part!...It will cost you DOLLARS less than a coffee shop.  I buy 10 or 12 packs of hot cocoa mix for less than $2.  Everyone usually has coffee/creamer around (and the creamer's totally optional anyway).  This is unbelievably rich-tasting and too good not to have almost everyday.  If you like your coffee drinks to taste more like coffee, add 2 cups of coffee (16 oz.) to the one pack of hot cocoa mix.  There's your Grande.

You're welcome.

The Easiest Mocha Ever
makes 1 mocha

1 packet hot chocolate mix (or 3 tablespoons)
8 oz. brewed coffee
1 T. flavored coffee creamer or half-and-half
Whipped cream, optional

Put the hot chocolate mix and creamer into a coffee mug.  Add the hot coffee and stir well.  Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Being shared at:
Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Mouthwatering Monday
Mingle Monday 
Tuesday Talent Show 
Crazy Sweet Tuesday 
These Chicks Cooked
Cast Party Wednesday
Mrs. Fox's Sweets Party