Over the weekend I watched the documentary film “Barista”, documenting the lives of 4 baristas on their road to compete in the national competition, I was blown away by the talent. They fling their heart and soul into making coffee an experience, translating it into a comforting and warm feeling that is irreplaceable.

Once (or twice) a week I treat myself to a coconut milk latte, the sloppy cousin of the real milk latte. I love that you are unable to craft beautiful foam designs with milk alternatives (maybe there is a master coconut milk latte designer barista out there). It is perfectly imperfect and I smile every time I sip my symmetrically flawed treat.

Coffee (in some form) has been a staple since high school, I think it was inevitable, my dad always took coffee seriously. There was a moment in university when I would get a Timmies coffee with ¼ hot chocolate because there were no other options on campus (yes, Tim Horton’s coffee sucks…brace of angry Canadians), but that is the extent of my bad coffee phase. I have also cut coffee out of my life for extended periods of time…it was miserable. These past experiences with and without coffee have made Good Coffee a non-negotiable in my diet.

We are all unique, our genes and cells have coded our bodies differently, meaning that we all metabolize food and beverages differently. This is very evident with coffee, I’m sure you know one of those people who has an espresso at 11pm and is fast asleep by 11:15pm. I am not one of those people! As with all things it is important to moderate, for me, it’s one in the morning and maybe a second one before a workout. When I worked in corporate fitness, I would have 2-3 minimum often with a treat and typically later in the day. This led to sleep disturbances and adrenal fatigue causing more sugar cravings and coffee withdrawals. If you are experiencing either of these symptoms they are definitely signs to ease up on the coffee consumption.

Is coffee healthy?

• Coffee can improve energy levels, the result of caffeine.
• Improve cognitive function and alertness.
• Assist in fat burning. Several studies have linked coffee to increased metabolic rate. Caffeine assists fat cells in the breakdown of body fat and its release into the bloodstream, making fat available as fuel.
• Improve physical performance- Coffee stimulates our SNS (sympathetic nervous system), which helps prepare the body for physical exertion.
•  Antioxidants- Coffee is jam packed with nutrients- that’s if you are having good quality coffee (not that instant garbage).

What kind of coffee is good for me?

My rule is to let the coffee be coffee, meaning try not to add a little coffee to your milk and sugar. A Frappuccino is essentially a fancy milkshake with some coffee. My favorites drinks are Espresso, Americano and the occasional coconut milk Latte. I will touch on my favorite recipe at the end.

Coffee doesn’t work for you?

No sweat, there are always healthy alternatives (I am not claiming any of these replace a fresh pulled Espresso but they are great options for someone who wants a similar coffee experience with added health benefits):

• Chaga mushroom: Is associated with numerous health benefits and boasts a large antioxidant profile. It is typically offered in tea form and has a coffee-like taste.
• Dandelion root/Chicory root (combined):  Dandelion and chicory root are rich in vitamins and minerals and great liver detoxifiers. Both taste best (and most similar to coffee) when they are roasted. *** Tip add some cinnamon for some extra nutrients.
• Green tea: although still contains caffeine, is a great substitute, high in antioxidants including polyphenols, flavonoids and catechins.

COFFEE BERRIES, THE BEAN IS INSIDE!

What about Bulletproof coffee? Should I drink it?

Bulletproof coffee was created by Dave Asprey and has exploded in popularity. The formula is simple: coffee, MCT oil and grass fed butter. The high fats put our body into a state of ketosis and we begin burning fats rather than relying on carbohydrates for energy. There is a list of benefits for bulletproof coffee including increased fat burning, increased energy, killing cravings and improving cognitive function. Bulletproof-ers claim to be bouncing off the wall after having this magical concoction.

I personally have tried the MCT oil/ grass fed butter and compared it to coconut oil only. To be honest, I did not notice a difference between the MCT oil (from Bulletproof) and the coconut oil (from nature) in my coffee. MCT oil is derived from coconut or palm oil and the MCT brain octane oil that they extract is essentially “supercharged”.

Do you need to use the coffee they provide? I don’t think so, their claim is the removal of mycotoxins (mold and fungi) during the roasting process, BUT as an avid coffee drinker, any good quality coffee roaster will do this same. What does matter is using high-quality beans.

I love the taste of coconut oil in my coffee and have created a ‘Bulletproof’ recipe of my own:

• 1 cup fresh brewed coffee
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tbsp. Full-fat coconut milk (from the can)
• Sprinkle of cinnamon (*** cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar levels because of high chromium content).

Blend and take on the day!!

Do you have a special coffee ritual? I would love to hear from you!

– Sylvie (OG Lifestyles)