So This Is Christmas

Merry Christmas is such an infectious feeling I like to feel that way all year around.

So if you are visiting just before Christmas, just after Christmas or even here on Christmas day I am sure you will find something of interest for you and in the spirit of Christmas.

It may be said that Christmas is no longer a celebration but this must be spoken by people that have never had trouble closing their eyes on Christmas Eve in an expectation of what maybe left for them on the carpet under the tree.

I continue to look forward to the surprise on my Grandchild's faces to this day at Christmas events.

Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas - Merry Christmas

Monday, December 7, 2009

Coffee Starts Your Day the Right Way

By Damian Papworth

For thousands of years the bean of this plant has been harvested and utilized by various cultures for its plentiful health and taste properties. Today it is also utilized by students, executives, and moms-on-the-go for its beloved caffeine benefits. Yet whether it is consumed for its practical health and caffeine properties, or simply for a love of its bold, rich flavor, coffee is a staple in the diet of millions of Americans.

Today coffee has been transformed from an everyday beverage to a sort of cultural phenomenon. Gone are the days when ordering a coffee meant something as simple as a black cup of joe or a pot of mud. Today, coffee connoisseurs all over the world enjoy the luxury of customized coffee drinks, which allow consumers to tailor every aspect of the recipe and flavor combination to their specific palate. For bold coffee lovers, a simple double black espresso, with a touch of foam, and a dash of cinnamon will likely do the trick. For those who prefer a more subtle coffee flavor, numerous drink options allow for the pairing of espresso or drip coffee with chocolate, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and countless other flavors.

The rise of major coffee retail shops, such as Starbucks, Caribou, and Seattle Coffee, has helped to make coffee bars a mainstay on the western world's dining scene. More and more people are beginning to get into the coffee routine, as new retail locations pop up in even the smallest cities and regions across the world. For those who were not previously hooked on the benefits of straight, black coffee, the availability of a plethora of customized, flavored coffee drinks is quickly winning over hearts and stomachs. Moreover, the often convivial atmosphere of many of these retail chains has helped to ensure that customers feel as though their daily coffee is more of a small vacation than a rushed errand.

In this economy, in particular, more and more people are taking solace in enjoying small, more cost-friendly, quality-of-life indulgences, and forgoing more expensive habits such as dining at high-priced, four-course restaurants.

Yet while coffee is enjoyed by many solely for its savory, rich, bold taste, there are also a number of people who additionally depend on coffee to make their mornings a bit brighter. Coffee has long been known to contain a concentrated amount of caffeine, a property which helps make college students' study periods a bit more productive, and lawyers' morning reviews a bit more jovial.

Recently scientists studying the chemical composition of coffee also found that it contains some properties that were not previously known.

Much of the focus on the healthful properties of coffee has been centered around the fairly recent discovery of the abundance antioxidants found in coffee beans. Coffee beans, which are dark brown in color, are said to be close to blueberries in richness of antioxidants. As a result they are believed to be beneficial in preventing premature skin aging, among many other benefits to the body.

While many men and women certainly look to antioxidant-rich diets to help with skincare maintenance, the most important health benefit of foods rich in these relates to their cancer prevention properties. Antioxidants help to prevent the onset of numerous forms of human cancer. As a result of the rich concentration of antioxidants found in it, more and more people are thus beginning to incorporate a cup of morning coffee into their dietary regime.

Whether it is enjoyed for its health properties, its delicious flavor, or its ability to perk up one's morning, coffee is quickly growing in popularity among Americans today.

About the Author:

No comments:

If You Are Unable To Be There But Want To Show You Love Them Then Send -