Tag: Coffee

• When I’m Not

  Posted at 5:47 AM by Brittany, on June 22, 2015

  One of my favorite things about blogging is having a space to purge all the random thoughts that swarm inside my brain. Doing this also allows me to connect with other like minded bloggers, forming lifelong connections and genuine friendships.

  

  My number one friend.

  Sharing my love for plant based food and cats allowed me to connect with Kayse, a creative girl with a green thumb and a hand for art. After lusting over her art work for months, she kindly sent me a customized dapper cat portrait of my dude.

  

  Words cannot express my gratitude. Please do yourself a favor and check out her online shop, the art she creates is so unique and fabulous.

  Ok, time to purge some thoughts.

  When I’m not blogging, or having a stare off with my cat, I’m usually eating. I haven’t posted a recipe on the blog in MONTHS, simply because I’ve been enjoying exploring OTHER peoples food. I’ve found a few companies that cater to walking science projects like myself, and I happily support them. Local eats are my favorite.

  

  Local pizza, I’m all about that pie life right now.

  When I’m not eating I’m running. 100 mile May gave me my recent running mindset. I’m in a fantastic routine where I am excited about my daily runs, and on the off chance I’m not I skip it for something else. It’s a beautiful thing.

  

  There’s also more room for cupcakes when I have a consistent running routine, that’s also a beautiful thing. Balance in bliss.

  

  You’d never guess these cupcakes were dairy free, gluten free, soy free, rice free, nut free, egg free, dinosaur free, spinach free, & broken glass free.

  They fall into the “if one doesn’t take up your entire hand you need two” category.

  

  Just like these donuts.

  I think I need to make these two hand treat photos a thing.

  When I’m not eating or running I’m playing with coffee at work. I haven’t created any of my own coffee tastings lately, but I have been putting together mini ones at work for my coworkers with featured coffee’s and Starbucks food. 
  

  

  This blend has a beautifully complex flavor of red currant, with a bright and sparkling acidity typical of African grown coffee. I don’t prefer these tasting notes, but I try to explore other options once in a while.

  When I’m not working I’m still spending time with my coworkers. We’re family.

  

  My fellow coffee master ❤

  We all love to drink coffee.

  

  When I’m not with other people I’m exploring alone.

  

  My happy place.

  I love blogging, but lately I’ve been enjoying life away from it all more. Eating, running, working, and exploring have taken top spot which is typical of the summer months. I just can’t soak up enough adventure fast enough!

  On that note, I’m off to explore. I mean…off to work.

  Q: What things take up most of your time?

  

  | 59 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Cats, Coffee, Coffee Master, Cupcake, Donuts, Plant Based, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• 100 Mile May

  Posted at 6:52 AM by Brittany, on June 3, 2015

  Last month I committed to running 100 miles. I think this is the most I’ve run in a single month, but my memory isn’t always the best. I ran everyday except for two, and took those two days off because my quads needed a rest day.

  To celebrate, I ran my final three miles and took myself on a date to the mountains.

  

  Running everyday wasn’t hard, and I think it’s because my usual runs were 3-4 miles, with a few longer ones in the mix. This made daily runs totally manageable.

  

  Per usual I learned some things the last month, and also reminded myself of things I already knew yet somehow forgot. It’s time for another round of running rambles.

  

  Recent Running Realizations

  1. Having a goal gives you motivation, like seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

  2. Running makes you leaner, as long as you don’t eat cupcakes after every run.

  

  Though I’d sure love to have one of these every morning…and night.

  3. Running uphill is necessary, because life is all about steady progress towards a positive slope. No time for stagnant straight lines. Improvements spark success.

  4. Carbs….

  

  …on carbs…

  

  …on carbs…

  

  5. A run, is a run, is a run. I had complete peace about a couple “only two milers,” and never stressed about my pace. In fact my pace improved! Hard work gets results.

  6. Running makes you rich. Physically, mentally, spiritually, and sometimes literally.

  

  Always finding money on my runs.

  7. Running is the perfect way to de-stress. I’d be lying if I said this supervisor stuff wasn’t stressful at times during the learning process.

  8. Doing things with other people keeps you accountable. One of my coworkers was running allllll the miles too, and we would send each other completed run photos.

  

  Then we would go to Starbucks and Whole Foods, because runners need fuel.

  9. Running with short hair wins everything.

  10. Good shoes are like good friends. It’s always sad to say goodbye.

  I’ve been running in the same pair of shoes for…SIX years (with other shoes rotated in for a few of those years)!!! YEARS people. Runners know shoes need to be rotated every 5-6 months (or 500-600miles) so this is HUGE. Barefoot running has completed me in every possible way. The holes indicate it is now time for another pair.

  

  I think 100 mile months are a new thing.

  

  My last words of wisdom for the day are…

  You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to, so go out there and DO IT!

  Q: What have you set your mind to and accomplished lately?

  

  | 50 Comments Tagged Coffee, Cupcake, Garmin, Hike, National Running Day, Run, Vegan

• Keeping Busy

  Posted at 7:56 AM by Brittany, on May 26, 2015

  As I mentioned in my previous post I’ve spent the last couple weeks training to be a supervisor. This keeps me busy while I am at work, but there are things that have kept me busy when I’m away from work too. Things like…

  …house/Pet sitting. I spent last Sunday-Friday with the fluff ball shown below, and we spent a lot of time soaking up the sun. My Jun/Jul are both full of sitting.

  

  She’s much fluffier than the last time we spent time together.

  …running everyday. I’m feeling quite fantastic. I think once 100 mile May is over I’ll need to set another running goal for June to keep the party going.

  
  

  …putting time and effort into my dinners. Despite the fact that an apple and pretzels always sounds like a good option, potatoes are better.

  

  

  There are six in this photo, though hard to see. For those of you that wonder where non meat eaters get their protein, this meal had a solid 20 grams. 😉

  

  Potato heaven.

  …figuring out what to do with the growth atop my head. After realizing my mop was turning into…a mop, I chopped it off. Sometimes I’m very impetuous.

  

  View from the back..

  To keep it real though here is how I will look the remainder of my days.

  

  

  The above photo of it straight, along with my main blog photo were both taken the day I got it cut (blog photo was last May’s haircut) because my stylist straightened it. Then it never see’s the flat iron again. I don’t like it straight, and I’m lazy.

  …spending moneys. I never spend money, so this is a big one. Except on food, which I do plenty of. REI knows how to work a bargain though with their anniversary sale. I walked in for new running shoes, and walked out with a jacket, a bag, and no shoes.

  Both were on sale, and when you see a forest green back that doubles as a backpack and a handle bag, you buy it. It was time I upgraded my overnight bag from a reusable Whole Foods bag to something a bit sturdier.

  

  I like busy, busy is good.

  Q: What’s kept you busy lately?

  

  | 75 Comments Tagged Coffee, House Sitting, Potatoes, REI, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• Bye Bye Barista

  Posted at 7:23 AM by Brittany, on May 21, 2015

  This past Monday I said goodbye to my job as a barista, and hello to my new job as a supervisor. In the Starbucks world once you become a supervisor you are no longer considered a barista. However, in the textbook world I will forever be a barista as long as I am with the company because I will still be making beverages for customers, but I now have a few extra tasks and responsibilities added to my day. I digress…

  

  In typical Brittany fashion I spent the days leading up to this change enjoying the “carefree” barista life both in and out of work. I spent my days exploring, eating, meeting blog friends, and drinking good coffee. My kind of perfection.

  

  { Exploring }

  A 9.5 mile hike through the Olympic Forest with perfect weather, and good company.

  

  

  

  { Eating }

  Whole Foods in Seattle carries baked goods from my favorite local bakery, and naturally I had to hoard them stock up.

  

  I balanced out the sugar with vegetable rolls.

  

  { Meeting Blog Friends }

  After years of blog reading, texting, letter writing, package sending, and patience, I finally got to meet my Canadian soul mate, Britta.

  We met up at the Starbucks Roastery, because…Seattle.

  

  What a gem. We drank great coffee and talked like old friends.

  

  Side note: The coffee I had at the roastery (photo above) literally blew my mind. This roast has a medium body, & a low acidity giving it a sensationally silky mouth feel. The chocolate notes were the strongest I’ve ever experienced in a coffee. It was like the beans were flavored, but they weren’t. What a beautiful coffee.

  { Drinking Good Coffee }

  Good enough segue? As if that Brazil reserve roast wasn’t good enough, I snagged myself a bag of Pike Place Reserve beans from the first Starbucks store in Seattle.

  

  Not to be confused with the traditional Pike Place roast served at any and all Starbucks locations, these beans are ONLY sold at this location, and one other store a block up from the original Starbucks. Darker than the standard Pike Roast and SO much better. It’s a real treat when I get this as my weekly coffee markout.

  Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a French press of Pike Place special reserve to drink while I enjoy my day off from training. Back to the grind tomorrow.

  Q: How do you like to spend your free time?

  

  | 68 Comments Tagged Barista, Bloggers, Coffee, Food, Reserve Coffee, Starbucks, Vegan

• Facts

  Posted at 6:00 AM by Brittany, on May 12, 2015

  Fact: A good human being gives you food. Lord help them if I get hangry…

  

  These CORE bars are complete meals on the go, and they are SO good! My favorite part? They perish. 1 week on the go, 1 month in the fridge, and 9 months in the freezer: Real food goes bad. Perfect for hiking, biking, or running late to work.

  These were gifted to me, but you can find them online or at a select handful of Whole Foods locations. Eat good, feel good.

  

  Fact: Potatoes are the essence of life. I cannot stop eating them. All of them.

  

  Sweet potato the size of a walrus with veggies. I then ate half with almond butter and honey.

  

  Sweet potatoes with rosemary.

  

  Russet potato along side this plate of color explosions

  

  Sweet potato with veggies. And then another one for dessert. Can’t stop, won’t stop.

  

  Gold potatoes with spinach and asparagus.

  Fact: I’ve become the Mary Poppins of pet sitting. Four pets in the last 2 months.

  

  Said goodbye to this guy…

  

  …and said hello to this guy (again)

  Maybe I’ll quit my day job….

  

  Maybe not. I did just get promoted after all. #ifinallysaidyes

  Fact: Summer is coming. I’ve started prepping for minimal clothing season by partaking in a running “challenge.” 100 mile May. Amateur stuff for those ultra runners, but it keeps me running daily even if just 3-4 miles.

  

  

  It helps balance out the potatoes…

  

  Fact: Bananas are under-appreciated. I’ve been dipping mine into a mix of seeds: hemp, sunflower, and pumpkin. Or with a Core bar…or both. 😉

  

  Scratch that…fruit in general. I’m literally eating at least 6-7 servings a day right now.

  Fact: I sometimes change out of running clothes, but it’s rare.

  

  Fact: This post was nothing more than a giant excuse to purge random photos I’ve taken the last two weeks in a format other than my usual Early Morning Confessions.

  I’ll leave you with a photo of some of the worst coffee I’ve consumed in months. Tasted like foot soaked bath water. I still drank it.

  

  Waiting for an oil change is a luxurious event. Fully equipped with PJ’s and terrible coffee.

  Q: What’s your fact for the day?

  

  | 59 Comments Tagged Cats, Coffee, Facts, Garmin, House Sitting, Random, Run, Running, Vegan

• Love Yourself, Love Your Life

  Posted at 8:38 AM by Brittany, on April 30, 2015

  I spend a solid amount of my time alone, simply because I enjoy spending time with myself. When I’m alone there is no one around to dictate what I do, or where I go. I can leisurely wander new locations, and I can eat at places I want to to eat.

  My favorite ways to explore are through food, coffee, wandering, and nature. Not many people think kale is Gods gift to earth, most people drink coffee and it all tastes the same to them, and only a few people I’ve come in contact with think spending an entire day (or days) in the mountains without a shower sounds like fun.

  Being alone means I worry about no one but myself. Go on, be selfish for YOU.
  

  

  I find great joy in the simple pleasures of life like walking along the water with the sun kissing my face, or meandering through antique shops soaking in the history.

  

  

  Discovering what makes you tick is like stumbling upon a $100 bill outside your front door. It’s a gift that you have no choice but to accept.

  

  I love the handful of friends I have, which is really more like a finger full these days, but I’ve become quite comfortable spending time alone. I wasn’t always this way, so I consider this a long awaited blessing. If you rely on other people for your happiness, what would happen if you were forced to be alone?

  

  I’m a simple person, living a simple life. I don’t work a 9-5 stable job, I don’t own a mansion in Italy, and I don’t have a strong mountain climbing husband to rub my feet after a long day. I work a job I enjoy (for now), I follow my heart when it leads me to things that make me happy, and I trust my gut when it tells me life is good.

  I (try to) love what I have instead of dwelling on what I don’t. At the end of the day life goes on whether you have a rolex on your wrist or tattered jeans on your legs.

  

  I don’t know where all this inner tree hugging granola talk comes from, but when it wants to escape I let it. Holding things in almost always results in discomfort. Case in point: the morning after a dinner full of cruciferous vegetables. Let it out..let..it..out.

  

  

  If the idea of being alone scares you, I challenge you to face the fear. Go somewhere alone like a coffee shop or a park. If you’re feeling wild go to a restaurant or a movie. Love yourself enough to be alone, and life becomes a new adventure full of light.

  

  They say you can’t love someone else until you love yourself, and I finally get it.

  Bring on the love. 😉

  

  Q: Do you enjoy spending time alone, or do you rely on others to go do things? I enjoy being alone perhaps a bit too much…. #loner.

  

  | 102 Comments Tagged Coffee, Life, Random, Vegan, Wander

• Lately I’m Loving…

  Posted at 6:45 AM by Brittany, on April 27, 2015

  …garlic, roasted and lathered in olive oil and herbs laying atop vegetables.

  

  …weekly lake runs, the only run consisting of further than 4 miles lately.

  

  …handmade vegan soaps, because they SMELL SO GOOD.

  

  …Wayward Vegan Cafe. I don’t eat a lot of bread, in fact I don’t even keep it in my house. When I do eat bread it’s usually in the form of a baked good, and often it’s gluten free. This keeps things moving right inside my tubes, and helps to ensure I don’t crash like a kamikaze plane.

  

  Stolen from YELP

  I’ve been dreaming about waffles for…forever, and I decided it was time to get one.

  I didn’t take a photo, because I was too busy conversing with the adorable solo diner to my left. This place just draws you in to feel comfortable dining solo, which was prime opportunity for sparking up a conversation with my fellow diner.

  My waffle was everything I’d hoped for, full of doughy bready goodness. Looks like I’ll need to go back for another one, oh darn.

  …sunshine and coffee. Slowing down to sip and savor.

  

  …alarm free wake up calls. I’ve been training a new hire at work, and he isn’t available until the afternoon. This means my early morning start times have been pushed to afternoon start time a few days a week. I don’t hate waking with the sun.

  

  Aka waking up at 6am instead of 4am.

  …giving back. My Starbucks family and I volunteered with our local park volunteers to help pull up one of the many noxious weeds – scotch broom!

  

  …life. Pretty self explanatory.

  

  Q: What are you loving lately?

  

  | 63 Comments Tagged Coffee, Random, Running, Starbucks, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:06 AM by Brittany, on April 21, 2015

  1. I know you’re all waiting on the edge of your seat to find out how my dental appointment went to get a foreign chunk of matter cemented to my tooth, also known as a crown. Well I’m jazzed to report I did not need one after all, and instead my tooth was stuffed with a composite filling. Big fat win because you can’t even tell I had a hole in my tooth, and I can now successfully move forward with my life.

  2. I’ve been spending a solid chunk of my time with other peoples fur children. Back to back to back house/pet sitting is keeping me busy. Meet my current time filler, Lobby.

  

  3. A customer came into Starbucks last Friday and handed me $100. He then leaned in and whispered to me, “I know this is a total pain in the a#$, but can you use this for the people after me until it’s gone?” Good Samaritan, it is no pain in my a#$ at all to pass on feel goods to the world. And for that, I thank you.

  4. I’ve had an insatiable craving for both cinnamon rolls and apple fritters lately. The kind you’d buy at a bakery laden with sugary glaze. I tried to combat these cravings by making my own cinnamon rolls. I put ground coffee in the center because why not.

  Well I’ll tell you why not…I put TOO MUCH coffee!! I never thought I’d type those words. I ate all of them, but they need some work.

  

  Before going into the sauna.

  5. I’m already wishywashing my current plans for my future. I’m a lost cause.

  6. When I’m not wrangling other peoples children pets I’m spending time with mine.

  

  7. I’ve been enjoying spending one of my days off each week in Seattle. I go run around Greenlake, walk around it, and then I eat. I eat all the things.

  8. I’m loving walking around my town lately, and pretending I’m somewhere else.

  Like Italy.

  

  I think this is what a rustic Italian building would look like.

  

  9. I seem to have some kind of digestive intolerance to nuts, specifically peanut butter. This is a very depressing discovery. I’m going to avoid nuts for a bit and see how it goes incorporating certain types back into my diet in the future.

  10. With that said, I tried a random new rice cake combo. Instead of my usual nut butter and fruit combo, I swapped in coconut oil. I tried it with cinnamon and dried figs, and loved it so much I ended up dipping the figs straight into the oil.

  

  My mind was blown all the way to mars. Obsessed.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 61 Comments Tagged Cats, Coffee, Confessions, Random, Running, Teeth, Vegan

• Music for the Soul

  Posted at 6:56 AM by Brittany, on February 19, 2015

  Music is a powerful thing. We all have our styles and reasons behind the types of music we enjoy, but every so often we come across a song, an album, or an artist that completely changes our world. For me that artist would be Gregory Alan Isakov.

  

  LIVE at Benaroya Hall!!

  I had always enjoyed his music, but it wasn’t until nearly two years ago I really immersed myself in his magic. Listening to him helped me not only blossom after a breakup, but gave me a sense of hope that I hadn’t had before.

  OK enough mush, time for a recap! From the top.

  

  These treats were actually mine, brought to me by my wonderful boss all the way from Portland. I resisted the urge to eatallthesugar and saved half for my mom.

  As if my birthday weekend wasn’t enough, my mom happened to be born two days after me. Well two days, and a few years ago or so. For Christmas I selfishly purchased two tickets to see Isakov play with the Seattle Symphony, because when you’re already a fantastic artist having the symphony back you up just happens.

  

  Her birthday fell on the day of the show, but to ensure that this was not her birthday gift, we made a day of it. Starting with the coffee and treats from above, followed by a hop, skip, and a twirl over to Seattle for a trip to the Roastery, Pike Place, & dinner.

  

  

  

  Drinking good coffee makes you glow. It’s a fact.

  

  After satisfying my monthly sugar quota with a vegan cinnamon roll the size of my face, we wandered like two lost souls in search of a land filled with glistening eggplant and oven crisped potatoes. Isakov will want to hire me after reading that sentence.

  Lyrical genius.

  

  HOLY yum to my face. Glazed Tofu Banh Mi: Glazed 5-spice tofu, char-grilled eggplant, house-pickled carrots, white cabbage. Fresh jalapeños, basil, cilantro, mint leaves.

  Dinner knocked my non existent socks off. I felt the overwhelming urge to roll around in a sea of mint and basil leaves. This flavor combination was insane. Equally insane? The inside of Benaroya Hall. It was a shame I left my opera glasses at Walmart.

  

  

  I was excited enough to take an awkward bathroom selfie. And the concert?…

  He was fantastic, and he is the most humble artist I’ve ever met. Yes…met. Shook his hand and everything. I wanted a photo with him, but we weren’t allowed. It was a shame I had already broken all my allotted rules for the day.

  

  He.Is.Adorable. His poster had trees on in and we talked about gardening while he signed mine.

  His performance was so fantastic my eyes started to swell at times and this liquid stuff filled into the corners. I also looked like a fearful cat thanks to the hairs on my arms standing up from the chills the acoustics gave me. What an experience.

  Q: What’s the best concert you’ve been to?

  

  | 73 Comments Tagged Coffee, Gregory Alan Isakov, Music, Seattle, Starbucks, Vegan

• My Kind of Party

  Posted at 6:46 AM by Brittany, on February 16, 2015

  Just like that another year has been added to my timeline. Yesterday I celebrated my 26th year of life with a lovely morning shift at work full of coffee and good company, followed by a run, and ended with a mom cooked vegan meal.

  I like to keep it casual these days when it comes to my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t do fun things the few days leading up to yesterday. Birthday weekend.

  Thursday – Took a trip to Seattle to visit the Starbucks roastery again, and it was just as fun this time as the last. I made sure to stop by Pike Place Market for a muffin to pair with my coffee, because coffee tastings happen anytime, anywhere.

  

  I got a cup of west java preanger. When a coffee has tasting notes of milk chocolate you drink it. It’s the only milk chocolate flavor that will pass through my facial orifice.

  

  Friday – Ran 6 carefree miles and reflected on my years of life. Said goodbye to the dog, and settled back into life with my cats. Oh how I missed them.

  

  

  Saturday – Worked 5:30a-2p and was immediately whisked away for a valentines day adventure. We ate good food and saw a movie. I’ll let you guess which movie. 😉

  

  My hot date.

  Sunday – Birthday! Was greeted at 5:30 am by a cup of delicious Sulawesi Pango Pango (my Starbucks doesn’t sell this coffee, so it was a real treat.) Two chocolates in the shape of coffee beans, and a blueberry protein oatmeal courtesy of Starbucks.

  

  Came home from work, got my workout done, and prepared for my feast.
  

  

  My mom > Your mom. A side of steamed broccoli and raw bell pepper to keep room for all the chocolate.

  Homemade buns, burgers, and cake – all gluten free and vegan. My mom is the best.

  

  

  As you can see I’ve been hibernating in an attempt to become the next Snow White.

  

  That cake…ohhh that cake. We ate over half between three people. Chocolate w/a hint of lavender. I had my cake with strawberries, because that made it healthy.

  Tomorrow you can find me at the Seattle Symphony being serenaded by my future husband, rounding out the perfect week of events. Life is good.

  Q: What do you typically do for your birthday? I usually enjoy running a race for mine, but figured my half marathon next month was close enough. 

  

  | 93 Comments Tagged Birthday, Cake, Cats, Coffee, Run, Starbucks, Vegan

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