Coffee is a hotly debated drink in today’s world. Is it good for us or not? Coffee, like everything else on the planet, has pro’s and con’s.

5 Benefits of Coffee:

1. Disease Prevention– By keeping dopamine molecules active, it may help to prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
2. Increased Performance– Some research has shown that caffeine decreases the use of the glycogen stores in our muscles up to 50%, allowing for longer workouts.
3. Asthma Relief– Drinking moderate amounts of caffeine may be therapeutic for those of us with asthma. While not a replacement for asthma medication, coffee may be used to prevent an asthma attack in emergency situations.
4. Reduced Muscle Pain– Some researchers have found that caffeine may potentially stimulate the release of B-endorphins and hormones that depress the sensation of pain and discomfort.
5. Antioxidants– Coffee is one of the main sources of antioxidants Americans get today. Obiviously it is healthier to get them from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and include moderate amounts of coffee and/or tea as well.

5 Problems with Coffee:

1. Stress– If you tend to already be a stressed out person, caffeine magnifies your stress levels. Not only physically but also your perception of stressful situations. Reducing your consumption may help you feel less stressed.
2. Blood Sugar Swings– 2 to 2 1/2 cups a day may potentially impair insulin’s action, causing a detectable rise in blood sugar levels.
3. Stomach Issues– Some people’s systems are more sensitive to the stimulant that caffeine is and may react with stomach pain and increased bowel movements. Those with IBS, Crohn’s or colitis should respect their body if they find it doesn’t agree with them.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies-Caffeine inhibits the absorption of certain nutrients and also causes the excretion of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron and trace minerals.
5. Adrenal Exhaustion-Caffeine stimulates our fight-or-flight response, which our adrenal glands are responsible for. A stressed out lifestyle, poor diet plus high caffeine intake can exhaust your adrenal glands. (Learn more about Adrenal Fatigue here.)

In my opinion and experience in working with clients, you know your body best. You can always have too much of anything and moderation is important. Moderate amounts are very possibly not only okay, but beneficial. It is your decision. Personally, I have experimented with eliminating coffee but always find myself incoporating it in again. I drink just 6-8 ounces a day and it brings peace to my soul. It is a comfort “food” for me.

3 months ago I was introduced to an iced latte with honey and almond milk at a local coffee shop. Oh my goodness, it was so delicious it was gone in less than 5 minutes. Then I was sad. (Am I the only one who downs iced coffee in nothing flat?)

Almond milk is usually not my preferred milk substitute in coffee. It often tastes burnt to me. I have no idea why. However, this drink made an impression. As delicious as it was, I am not a fan of spending $4-5 for a drink on a regular basis. It’s expensive! So I broke out my coffee press and started experimenting to make my own homemade version as good as theirs.

I feel like I have perfectly recreated it. It reminds me of honey nut cherrios! As always, I’m excited to share it with you! I hope you enjoy this drink as much as I do.

Live Healthy and Whole,

Marian

Honey Nut Iced Coffee

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Servings 12 ounces

Ingredients

  

• 3/4 cup cooled coffee
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp raw honey
• 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 cup ice (appr. 10 pieces)

Instructions

 

• Take your coffee grounds and mix in cinnamon. (Cinnamon doesn't mix in well with liquids. Adding to the coffee ground infuses the cinnamon nicely.)
• Put honey in the bottom of your coffee mug. Make 6 ounces of coffee then stir to help the honey dissolve.
• In another glass add in ice, pour in sweetened coffee then almond milk. Mix well.

Notes

Disclaimer: A coffee press gives coffee a completely different flavor than a regular coffee maker will. I found that coffee makers gave the cinnamon a burnt taste. I got my press from IKEA for a very good price.