Healthy Food & Snacks

Coffee stimulates the brain when we drink a cup of it. This happens because caffeine is absorbed through the stomach and small intestine into the human bloodstream. Once caffeine gets into the bloodstream, its effects are felt usually within an average of 15 to 50 minutes. The level of caffeine in the blood that reaches the brain is what actually stimulates cognitive abilities and benefits the brain. This level is dependent upon the potency of the caffeine present in the bloodstream, and it varies according to the amount of coffee consumed.

Coffee drinkers talk about getting a lift after drinking coffee. They also mention feeling less fatigued, more alert, less drowsy and sharper in their thinking. People who drive for a living or take long trips favor drinking coffee. They report improved driving abilities and more focused attention on the drive after a cup of coffee. Coffee acts as an awakening agent. It provides the stimulant for feeling upbeat and ready to take on the daily tasks with a positive, can do attitude. For this reason, it is not surprising that millions and millions of people all over the world have a cup of coffee in the morning before starting their daily activities. As the day progresses, millions more repeat the cup experience for the extra lift or simply because coffee tastes so good!

As long as caffeine remains present in the blood stream, it continues to have an effect on the human body. A very positive effect of coffee is the active role its antioxidants play in minimizing or neutralizing the negative consequences of free radicals in the body. Usually, within a period of about 3 to 5 hours from consumption, the body eliminates about half of the caffeine consumed. The rest takes additional time, from several hours to days. Caffeine metabolism occurs through the liver and coffee is excreted through urine, saliva, breast milk, semen and some traces through sweat. read more »

It seems everyday we are bombarded with information regarding what we should and shouldn’t drink. I don’t know about you but I get pretty fed up with all the negative exposure some foods/drinks receive. Its time to put some common misconceptions to rest and start enjoying life and the things which give us pleasure on a daily basis. The good old coffee is about to receive a shot in the arm and this simple (and sometimes guilty) pleasure is back on the menu for all to enjoy.

So, is Coffee bad for your health?

Simple answer is NO. Based on moderate consumption there is no conclusive evidence that there are any harmful side effects. Sure you might get a head buzz from a double espresso on an empty stomach, and feel a little light headed for awhile, but this soon goes away. We don’t advocate having a double espresso every half hour but combined with a healthy balanced diet, coffee certainly can be part of your day.

Does Coffee increase the risk of some diseases?

Coffee is one of the most highly researched commodities in the world, so links are inevitably going to be found between drinking coffee and a one in a million chance of catching a particular disease. Studies in isolation cannot provide us a picture of the true link between coffee and such diseases, it is extremely sensible and logical to look at the total picture which suggests and supports that drinking coffee poses no risk to the consumer. read more »

Brewing French press coffee at home is easy to do and will produce incredible results. Once you start using this method, you will be hooked on its simplicity of preparation and depth of flavor.

Step 1 – Buy coffee.

Because the French press method is inexpensive, you can afford to buy some quality beans. Find a great roaster near you – like JJ Bean in Vancouver or Phil and Sebastian in Calgary – to buy coffee in ½ pound or one pound bags.

I’ll assume that most people don’t have a coffee grinder, so ask them to grind it for a French press. The size of the ground coffee particles should look similar to sand or kosher salt. If you have a grinder (I highly recommend this one) you should grind the beans while you boil the water in step 3.

Step 2 – Measure the coffee.

If your press came with a scoop, perfect. If not, you can just use a regular tablespoon (not a gigantic soup spoon) to do the measurements. Here’s the ratio to use:

- two rounded tablespoons of coffee for 8 ounces of water.

That means if you are using a 3 cup press, you will use 3 rounded tablespoons of coffee, or about 8 for an 8 cup press. You can adjust the amount based on your personal taste, but this is a good guideline.

Scoop the appropriate amount of coffee into the bottom of a clean, dry French press.

Step 3 – Pour the water.

Use water that is just off the boil. Once it stops bubbling, it is ready to be poured into the press.

Pour reasonably quickly while moving in a swirling motion to ensure all the coffee becomes saturated. At this point, there may be some brown foam forming on top – that’s good. This foam is called bloom, and is simply emulsified coffee oils. Pour to within about an inch and a half from the top. read more »