Lifestyle

Hello Healthy COFFEE!

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“Depresso: The feeling you get when you’ve run out of coffee.”

I LOVE coffee. That’s putting it lightly! I can’t imagine a morning where I don’t start my day with a big ol’ cup of joe! Actually, there was that one time I tried to ‘forgo the joe’ and drink some healthy green juice instead… only to end up at Starbucks TWICE that day!

So in honor of my ‘coffee love’ I decided to write a post about some of the health benefits of drinking it. Now, I’m not talking about a sugar-loaded frappuccino with whip cream… I’m talking about plain black coffee, or (how I prefer to drink it) with a splash of almond milk. Simple and sugar-free, dark and rich, satisfying and delicious!

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Coffee is a great source of antioxidants. Also, the caffeine in coffee (which is why we all love it) not only helps to wake you up, it also can simulate your body’s ability to burn fat. Multiple studies have shown that caffeine helps to increase metabolism about 10%.  Did you know that just one cup of coffee has about 11% of your daily Vitamin B2 needs and about 6% of Vitamin B5? And that’s just one cup! (I don’t know about you, but I find it quite challenging to stop at just one cup). Other potential benefits of coffee include a decreased risk for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, cancer and even depression. 

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These are just a few of the many potential benefits of coffee. And YES, I know there will always be studies claiming coffee is bad for you. But what it really comes down to is ‘moderation’ and ‘preparation’. As long as you’re not drinking it all day long or drinking a sugar-bomb that’s mostly calorie dense cream and sweet syrup, coffee can be a healthy, delicious part of any balanced lifestyle! 

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So go ahead, pour yourself a travel mug of deep dark delight before heading out the door for a busy day. Enjoy a leisurely morning all cozy with a tea cup full of the good stuff and a great book. Life’s too short not to, so don’t forget to treat yourself!

What about you? Are you a coffee lover like me or have you never had a cup like my mom…I know, crazy, right?

P.S. Be sure to subscribe to my mailing list! I’ll be sending out a Motivating Monthly Newsletter starting this April!

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22 Comments

  • Reply Sarah @ BucketListTummy

    Can’t live without my coffee – I look forward to it every morning. There are some benefits, absolutely, but like anything – all in moderation. I’ve become absolutely obsessed with Americanos!

    March 28, 2016 at 2:01 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Agreed! It’s all about moderation… coffee in excess is NOT a good idea! And yummy! Glad you enjoy your coffee!!

      March 30, 2016 at 3:59 pm
  • Reply Rach @ This Italian Family

    It’s definitely about moderation! I can’t have caffeine so I stick to decaf coffee just because I like the taste of it. 🙂

    March 28, 2016 at 6:48 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Yes! And I can drink caffeine in the AM, but not after 12pm… otherwise it keeps me up at night! And if you want the BEST decaf, you should try Starbucks blend! I love it!

      March 30, 2016 at 3:59 pm
  • Reply Harriet Emily

    I love the taste of coffee, especially with chocolate – mocha flavours are my favourite! Thank you for sharing such a great post Cailee 🙂

    March 28, 2016 at 8:25 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Yummmmm!! Mocha is such a great flavor! Two of my fave things right there! And no problem love! Hope that you have a great rest of your day!

      March 30, 2016 at 3:58 pm
  • Reply Liz @ I Heart Vegetables

    I love love love loveeeeee coffee!! I usually have one cup at home and a second (or sometimes third…) at work! 🙂 However, my mom doesn’t drink coffee at ALL! haha

    March 28, 2016 at 8:37 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      SAME!! I don’t know how she does it!! I’m just like you! I love to drink some at home, and then when I’m out! Or when I’m driving to class! Just the best!

      March 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  • Reply rachel @ athleticavocado

    I cannot live without coffee!!!!!

    March 28, 2016 at 9:24 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Me either!! I just love it SO much!!

      March 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm
  • Reply Evi @ greenevi

    I am not a big coffee drinker. Actually I used to totally hate it, but something changed in the last months, and I started to have a cup of good coffee a few times (meaning once a month :D). However, I love the smell of coffee, so I can totally understand the addiction! 🙂

    March 30, 2016 at 4:06 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      I LOVE the smell of fresh coffee! There’s nothing better then sitting in a coffee shop and getting a whiff of the freshly ground beans! SO lovely! And I’m glad you’ve been enjoying some joe! Even if it’s just once a month! (being an every-day coffee drinker, I’m not sure how you do it!!) Hehe, glad you enjoy it like you do though!
      xoxo Cailee!

      March 31, 2016 at 7:16 pm
  • Reply Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health

    You’re so pretty! 🙂

    I’m not much of a coffee drinker but I have heard that is has the most antioxidants. I should start drinking it more often!

    March 30, 2016 at 8:30 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Awww! Thanks so much Sarah! And I’d recommend it! (then again, I’m a coffee addict… so I’m a little biased! Lol) Hope that you’re having a great week!

      March 31, 2016 at 7:17 pm
  • Reply Kate Van Horn

    I completely agree. I can NOT live without my coffee. It’s one of my favorite parts of my morning! So rather then focus on the potential negatives of drinking it I think about all the benefits it has! Great post girl.

    March 31, 2016 at 2:58 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Kate! I’m right there with ya!! I’m always about looking on the bright side! …yay for coffee love!

      March 31, 2016 at 7:20 pm
  • Reply Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    I said it last time, but I love your hair! You are stunning in these pictures, as always.
    I’m more of a tea drinker than coffee, but I do enjoy an occasional cup. The problem I can’t stomach it without at least half and half and stevia 🙂

    March 31, 2016 at 5:39 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thank you so much Julie!! You are the sweetest!! And I love tea too! While I always start my day with coffee, I always end it with a mug of tea! Hehe, so I guess I love them both!

      March 31, 2016 at 7:21 pm
  • Reply Pragati // Simple Medicine

    I gave up coffee in February and I’m still going strong. I really do love the stuff. Just black, no milk or sugar. I used to be one of those people who loaded it up with all the cream and sugar I could find but then I moved to Seattle and you can’t be a Seattlite if you put anything in your coffee 🙂

    March 31, 2016 at 6:41 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Haha! That’s so funny! Yeah, I believe that a good cup of coffee doesn’t need all the fix ins, but I do always put a splash of almond milk in my coffee!! SO good… Also, coconut milk is great in coffee too! And good for you on going sans coffee since Feb! I don’t think I could do that!!

      March 31, 2016 at 7:22 pm
  • Reply Beverley @ Born to Sweat

    so many fruits in that bowl of oatmeal! looks so delicious.
    i started drinking coffee more often this past year. i think it was cause i started working with people who LOVE their coffee breaks/walks. I love to add a splash of cream and sip on it all morning 🙂

    March 31, 2016 at 7:23 pm
  • Reply Ashley@CookNourishBliss

    These are great photos of you Cailee!! So pretty!!

    I am also definitely a coffee lover … and I am proud that I have learned to just drink it with a little bit of plain almond milk (no sugar or cream anymore!) – and truly enjoy it that way. Gah it’s part of my morning ritual that I love! 🙂

    March 31, 2016 at 10:00 pm
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