Will Coffee Help Your Hangover?
I am writing about hangovers because it is the last day of the year and we all know what that means – lots of alcohol tonight! Correct me if I am wrong, but you are probably gearing yourself up for that FUN New Year’s party later on. You might even be getting ready for more than one party tonight.
I’m actually at the beach right now, relaxing my butt off. I do have a red face due to two days of island hopping (I know I put sunblock; I don’t know what happened). What better place to usher the New Year in at the beach with a fifth of Jack Daniel’s?
Needless to say, it might be a bit hard to get up tomorrow – for all of us. So how are you going to deal with that inevitable hangover?
Everyone has his own remedy, I think, but one common idea is to drink coffee – black coffee. As much as I value this beverage, though, let me tell you now that it is NOT a good idea.
The thought of sipping a steaming hot mug of black coffee may appeal to you, but it will not help your hangover. The hot liquid may feel good going down, but the caffeine content will do nothing for your head. In fact, it will just dehydrate you even more, making the hangover worse. If you have to have that cup of coffee when you wake up – as I am sure I will – then make sure you drink lots of water afterwards. Now THAT may help with the hangover.
Drink Coffee And You Won’t Die
Alright, that title is quite exaggerated, I know; but I just read something on how coffee can actually help lessen your chances of dying. This is no joke.
Roy Edroso from Village Voice writes about a study that the Wall Street Journal recently published. To make the long story short, the study found out that the more you drink coffee, the less likely you are to die during the period you drink coffee. So let’s say that I drink 5 cups of coffee a day for the next 5 years. This means that my chances of dying in the next 5 years are going to decrease. Sounds good to me!
Of course, the study has a disclaimer – the word MAY. Every time I read a study on anything, the conclusion always includes that word: MAY. If so and so, you MAY so and so. It’s the same thing with this study, I guess.
As much as I love coffee, I know that there are adverse effects if I drink too much – I don’t need a doctor or a scientist to tell me that. More than 5 cups (sometimes even less) and I would need antacids to keep my stomach acidity at bay. I also have to admit that you do develop a dependency on caffeine after being used to taking it into your system regularly. Anything you’re addicted to can be bad…
So what’s the verdict? Chug down as much coffee as you can to lessen your chances of dying in 2010? I think not. I’ll stick to my 3-5 cups a day and see how it goes.
Coffee-themed Christmas Dinner
I only have several hours before our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, and most of my dishes are ready for cooking. This year, it’s slightly different for us as my immediate family is spending the night away from the rest of the extended family. As such, I would have to prepare all of the food. Since we’re not that big of a family, though, I wouldn’t have that much to prepare.
It’s a bit too late for me to put this idea to work for tonight, but maybe we can do this tomorrow or later in the week – a coffee-themed meal. We’re a family of coffee drinkers so I already know that this idea will be a hit, and as I sit here sipping my nth cup of brewed coffee, I am trying to think of how to incorporate coffee into a whole meal.
Is there any sound basis for this idea, though? I mean, I might be biased towards the use of coffee for entrees, main courses, and desserts simply because I can’t get enough of it. I did look it up, though, and many chefs are already using coffee as marinades or rubs for meat. One reason for this is that the enzymes found in coffee grounds work as a meat tenderizer. Of course, the coffee flavor is a BIG plus. As for desserts, it is easy to think of coffee-flavored goodies: brownies, cakes, jellies, and the like.
In the next few posts, I will try to share recipes – I shall start my search now.
Self Stirring Mug For (Lazy) People
No one take offense, alright? I would be the first to say that I can be as lazy as the next person every now and then – maybe lazier than some. For those who are likeminded, check out this self stirring mug from Think Geek.
Forget the spoon. Forget the popsicle stick. Forget the plastic stirrer. You have to wash the spoon and throw away the popsicle stick and plastic stirrer – that will require more energy than necessary. More so, using fewer popsicle sticks and plastic stirrers can be your contribution to the environment!
With the self stirring mug, you don’t need any of these tools. All you need is to pour the sugar (artificial sweetener if that’s what you use) and cream into the mug and you’re good to go! This mug is made of stainless steel – it will go with anything you wear – and has a spinning disk inside. It is powered by two AAA batteries, and the spinning motion is triggered by pressing a button on the handle. The mug has a snap on lid that will keep the liquid from spilling when “stirring” or when you’re on the go. So basically, it doubles as a travel mug. Isn’t that just perfect for when you are in the car? You don’t need two hands to handle that coffee!
The mug’s dimensions are 4 3/8″ H x 3 3/8″ W.
Oh, and what about cleaning? It’s a snap as well – just use liquid soap and water, press the button to stir, and rinse. Energy efficient, that’s what I call it! $18.99 at Think Geek.
Gevalia Pod Coffee Maker One Day Sale At Woot
Depending on where you are, you have got anywhere from a couple to several hours to get your hands on a Gevalia Pod Coffee Maker for a very low price. Woot is offering a one day only sale for this pod coffee maker, which they are selling for a mere $9.99. I should tell you that they will charge you $5 for shipping, so that amounts to $14.99 in total. Since this coffee maker normally goes for around $40, I’d say that this is still a great deal!
So why would anyone want a Gevalia Pod Coffee Maker anyway? This brand, Gevalia, is actually a European brand which traces its roots back to 1853. The founder, Victor Theodor Engwall started his business by importing the finest coffee (according to his own taste) to his Swedish town. For more than a hundred of years, this company has flourished and has continued to branch out.
This particular model on sale at Woot is dubbed the Gevalia G90 Pod Coffee Maker and can actually be used for brewing both coffee and tea pods. Just like other pod coffee makers, you do not need to deal with messy coffee grinds – you just need the pods (coffee or tea in sealed bags). The whole thing is made up of removable parts, making cleaning an easy task. You also have the option of brewing one or two pods at a time, depending on how strong you want your brew to be.
It may not be the best coffee maker out there, but you can’t beat the price!
Drink Coffee, Win A Nobel Prize
Finally – a formula for winning a Nobel Prize! Well, maybe not quite – my excitement shows just how much I am NOT in the running for one of those prizes, but it does show how passionate I am about my favorite brew, doesn’t it?
Anyhow, the current winners for the Nobel Prize in three categories (namely chemistry, economics, and physics) have let the word out: coffee is instrumental to their success. The say that – alongside intellectual freedom and independent research – coffee has contributed to their achievements in their own fields.
The benefits of coffee have long been known to many. Coffee stimulates you, giving you that often much needed jolt to keep you going. If you ask these distinguished intellectuals, though, it is not the caffeine that they hold in high regard. As a matter of fact, it is the idea of coffee breaks that they praise. They say that these breaks provide time to discuss ideas, to air out them out, and to sort out a cluttered mind. Indeed, it does not matter if it’s coffee or tea that you drink – heck, maybe even fruit juice will do the trick!
What’s this got to do with us coffee lovers then? I guess it’s about time that we realize that our favorite drink is not the end all be all. Those times that we get together with friends for coffee should also be recognized for what they really are: enjoying each other’s company and spending time with people who matter. The coffee is the icing on top of the cake!
Here’s to a Nobel Prize in our futures?
Would You Pay $12 For A Cup Of Coffee?
Right now, definitely not. I am so broke that I will not even buy a cup at Starbucks or Coffee Bean. I am currently going through a Krispy Kreme smooth coffee phase anyway. Ask me again in a couple of months and maybe – just maybe – I would be willing to shell out $12 for a cup of coffee.
If you are located in Melbourne, though, and you have some extra money that you want to burn, try visiting the Sensory Lab at the David Jones city store. This coffee shop is the newest café in town, and has already made a name for itself in the world of fine coffees.
By no means does the Sensory Lab consider itself a part of the “ordinary” cafes that one can find on almost every corner. Their coffee menu is so selective that it is being likened to posh wine places where – in terms of “classiness,” that is. Their most expensive cup, as you probably already guessed, costs $12!!!
Nope, it’s not made of gold (though it might as well be), but the beans come from Costa Rica, and they’re hand roasted. It’s also brewed in a special manner, which you can observe yourself when you buy a cup. I say I better get all the perks if I were going to pay that much for a cup! Oh, and don’t ever make the mistake of asking for sugar and cream if you decide to visit this shop. Chances are you’ll see people looking at you derisively!
