Thursday, March 4, 2010

coffee.

So I'm thinking of changing the name of my blog to, "Watch Me Eat My Words", because everyday I am finding new persepctives on things I used to be sooo opinionated about.

The topic today is Stumptown Coffee. I thought this coffee was just another excuse for Portland hipsters to feel better than the rest of us meager suburbians who drank Starbucks. I remember visiting a Stumptown cafe circa 2004 and being disgusted at how snobby the hipsters were who worked there, and the hipster who I overheard complaining about not being able to make rent for her apartment on Belmont; yet she ordered a $3.50 drink and was wearing Citizens of Humanity jeans.

Fast forward to 2009/2010. When I host family get togethers (which is often, much to my delight) my wonderful sisters often bring a pound or two of Stumptown coffee. I always secrety enjoyed it and would be sad as soon as it ran out and I would have to go back to my cheap Trader Joes coffee or the Starbucks roast I had picked up on sale at Safeway. I also came to realize that for whatever reason; Stumptown coffee doesn't give me stomach/colon issues. Sorry for oversharing, but I am quite happy and amazed by this.

So I finally decided that I would now be a Stumptown drinker. I figured that we could even save money by me brewing at home more often. More often became every day, and now I can't even remember the last time I had a latte. Lattes and mochas are soo milky and sweet and don't have enough of that smooth coffee taste. Now, I am at the point where sometimes at night, I am looking forward to brewing a pot of coffee to enjoy in the morning.

Does this kinda sound like an addiction? I think so.

I also realized that I am going through almost a pound of coffee a week; and a pound of coffee is $10, which equals $40 a month. So no, not saving money on coffee by brewing at home. Not good. Not good at all.

So as I sit here and sip liquid gold with a splash of half and half, I realize I need to create a game plan. There must be some weaning involed. I am thinking of brewing 3 cup pots instead of 6 cup pots (even though 6 cup pot of coffee equals about 3 full mugs- which is still too much!)Plus I almost always never finish the last mug and dump it out- what a waste. There is just something about a bottomless cup of coffee. But its time to stop giving into this excessive habit. Its not good for my health either- it stains teeth and raises blood pressure. Ick.

The tenative game plan: Coffee only on work mornings (Tue, Wed, Fri) and Saturday and Sunday morning. I realize thats all but 2 days, but I have to make the goal attainable! And no more 6-cup pots. They will now be 3 cup pots. Herbal tea will be sipped in the meantime.

4 comments:

Xenia Kathryn said...

Wow, I just reheated my cup of Stumptown from this morning as I sat down to read this. Obviously this topic is near and dear to my heart! hahaha.

I have a 4-cup coffee pot, but I usually only brew about about 1.5 cups a day. I like to drink it with extra half and half. I bought some cute cups and saucers, and I enjoy sipping out of them (they're smaller than mugs, so I don't end up drinking as much, but I still feel like I"m "drinking a cup or two").

More half and half + smaller cups = less coffee used, but just as satisfying :D I end up using about a pound a month.

Not that you're asking for advice or antyhing. But you could also defile your stumptown a bit by preparing it with some cheaper stuff from Trader Joe's for something. Sort of stretch out the good stuff :)

Yeah, I can't believe I used to get sugary lattes and mochas nearly every day. Can I have a little coffee with my sugar, please? :) I cringe now at the idea of a flavored mocha... way too much sweetness!

Sorry I'm always commenting, and sorry I'm such a geek about some of this stuff!!! :D

The Chandlers said...

I was just watching Jillian Michaels tell someone that Latte's and Mochas were taking years off of her life and adding inches to her waist line.

It made me cringe a little. She's such a meanie!

Amy said...

Katie- no thank you for the tips and for commenting! Its nice to get feedback :) And if you're a geek about this stuff- I am a mega super geek.

Alena- yeah I had to stop the 30 day Shred because Jillian just made me cringe too much. That's a terrible lie-actually, I just got tired and lazy...but she is pretty hard core!

Deirdre said...

Mmm...I totally agree that there is nothing better than a good dark cup o' joe with a splash of 1/2 & 1/2.
Since Jay isn't a coffee drinker, I just have the little 3 cup pot, and I find that two cups is plenty for me. Maybe instead of limiting days you can just limit cups? :-)