Tag: Starbucks

• When Life Has Another Plan

  Posted at 5:00 AM by Brittany, on May 18, 2016

  SOO…my manifestation didn’t come true, but it’s OK! To summarize, I’ve been somewhat unhappy with my current job role at Starbucks, and I started seeking something new. I applied for a job at the Starbucks corporate office not thinking I’d hear anything, but I DID! To be honest it all happened very fast.

  After meeting with the department manager, I sadly discovered that because this specific role was a time limited assignment my pay would stay the same. I’d also be loosing tips, and I’d be paying $$$ to commute to Seattle costing me a couple thousand bucks for the 6month period. Long story short, it wasn’t meant to be. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying though, and I know this means something better is coming.

  Let the manifesting continue.

  Since I’ll be staying where I am for a bit, I want to highlight the things I can still do in my current role.

  I can still…take mid week adventures to the beach for a run.

  

  I can still…walk this dude three times a week.

  

  I can still…”easily” ride my bike to work.

  

  I can still…avoid the crowds of the mountains by hiking on a Tuesday.

  

  I can still…wear this black apron to work. (Or the obnoxious Hawaiian shirt during frappuccino happy hour.)

  

  I can still…take off on a jet plane to visit my family knowing there are plenty of other people that can cover while I’m away. Tomorrow I’m off to Arizona for a week.

  

  Sometimes life has another plan than what we might hope for, and in time everything makes sense. I’m actively manifesting a change, which I wasn’t doing before. That alone is a fantastic place to start!

  Q: Do you give up when things don’t go as planned? Nahhh, I fight even harder.

  

  | 90 Comments Tagged Dog, Gizmo, Hike, Run, Starbucks

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 7:00 AM by Brittany, on February 2, 2016

  1. Anytime I write a post, I ensure it’s posted on the hour, on the half hour, or if all else fails a time ending in a 5. Minor OCD moments. I also like my radio/TV volume to be on an even number. OK I’m going to stop now.

  2. After randomly discovering that my most popular recipe was made by a “famous Youtuber” I felt inspired to bake some muffins.

   

  

  Buckwheat banana chocolate muffins.

  

  3. I was happy with the results of my muffins on the first attempt at this recipe which almost never happens. The flavor is mild making it more versatile.

  1.5 cups buckwheat flour

  1/2 cup rolled oats   

  1/2 tsp baking soda

  1 tsp cinnamon

  3 ripe mashed bananas

  half a pinch of stevia 

  1/4 vanilla almond milk

  1/2 cup chocolate chips

  Combine all dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl mix together the bananas and milk. Slowly pour dry ingredients into wet until well combined. Bake at 350F in a greased muffin pan for 16 minutes, after 16 minutes I turned off my oven but left the muffins in the oven for 3 more minutes. Makes 9 muffins.

  Note: the mildness of these muffins means they aren’t overly sweet, which makes them the perfect transport vehicle to top with nut butters/jams/coconut oil/pudding/you name it. To make these sweeter simply add some sugar.

  4. I’m jazzed to start riding my bike more with nicer weather, but finally realize why when I bought it they suggested I get fenders. I was all like “ppppppffftt fenders schmenders.” Until riding in the rain and getting soggy bottoms and mud everywhere.

  

  5. I tried BBQ jackfruit for the first time – stopppppp. So much yes.

  6. Sometimes I unintentionally match my friends.

  

  7. Along with making sure my posts go up on “happy times” I also like my paragraphs to end by filling up the entire line. I don’t like when a new line is created for a couple words. Like this paragraph would have looked without this last sentence.

  8. I love Starbucks because they treat me so damn good. As if paying for my college education wasn’t enough, they sent me a pin and a bag of coffee as a congratulations gift. Oh and I have a dank 401K, benefits, stock options…yeah.

  

  9. I alluded to my ASU adventure last March, and it took me nearly another year to finally bite the bullet. What gave me the final push? I abandoned everything medical/nutrition/science based and went for something else. Feels great.

  10. Two words: homemade waffles.

  

  I’m just gonna leave that last photo right there for ya.

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 98 Comments Tagged ASU, Confessions, School, Starbucks, Vegan

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 8:35 AM by Brittany, on November 24, 2015

  1. As I write this my back is exposed to the public. My favorite standing table at my favorite Starbucks (other than my own of course) is occupied, thus I must be vulnerable until my table is available.

  2. It’s gotten cold in my woods. This means my favorite vest is worn…everyday.

  

  Creature of habit.

  3. OK, it’s not that bad. We’ve been hanging out between 35-45F.

  4. My nutrition has been on point lately.

  

  Carbs, on carbs, on carbs.

  5. What’s changed? I stopped eating so much fruit. I know, the horror.

  6. After two months of minimal running, I signed up for a Thanksgiving day 10K. I decided I should make sure I wouldn’t die and went for a 6 mile run. It was amazing.

  

  Fueled by oatmeal and coffee.

  7. I’ve never run a race on Thanksgiving, and I haven’t run a single race in 2015.

  8. I am obsessed with romaine hearts. Like, eat an entire bunch every day obsessed.

  

  9. I’m OK with this obsession, it’s like eating the sun for a natural and legal high.

  10. Speaking of high, I once ate a spoonful of catnip just to see what would happen. Turns out catnip is actually brewed like tea to help things like anxiety, indigestion, and stress. No wonder my cat loves it.

  

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 60 Comments Tagged Coffee, Cold, Confessions, Food, Race, Running, Starbucks, Thanksgiving

• Early Morning Confessions

  Posted at 8:00 AM by Brittany, on October 4, 2015

  1. I have two more posts about my trip to Ohio, (sheesh Brittany, talk about draaagggging it out) but in an attempt to break up the monotony and ensure other recent happenings don’t get forgotten I’m throwing one of these in the mix.

  2. Things like National Coffee Day. You didn’t think I could go without posting something about this did you? My favorite blonde haired coffee master and I got to do a two hour coffee tasting at work where we drank, ate, and laughed with customers.

  

  

  3. Fall is my favorite time of year, and pumpkin is one of my favorite vegetables. After consuming an entire can I quickly realized I am not one of pumpkins favorite humans. I could have floated to the moon with all the air trapped in my belly.

  4. I lost all my morals last week and ate the most amazing scone. It was the size of two, topped with frosting fit for a donut, and I ate the entire thing.
  

  

  

  Chocolate espresso scone from the heavens.

  5. I also ate an entire jar of Costco sized PB, because clearly that was a smart thing to do. My skin disagrees, and thanks to the new planets discovered by NASA on my face I won’t be eating nuts for a bit. The body doesn’t lie folks, skin rebellion is REAL!

  6. Solo hiking to soak up the change in season.

  

  

  7. I’m using the coin counter app again to keep track of the change I find. I want to see how long it takes me to pay off my new running shoes. Most of the $$ I find is while running, so it feels like the right thing to do. 

  8. I.AM.SO.OBSESSED.WITH.MULBERRIES.

  

  9. I’m going to climb Mount St. Helens on October 17th and I am so excited. 

  10. 100 mile September didn’t happen. Right before my trip to Ohio I lost all desire to run so I skipped a day. While in Ohio I ran 12 happy and free miles, but when I returned home the motivation escaped me again. I honored my lack of motivation and 100 miles turned into something like 75 miles. Not at all upset about it.

  With that said, I stayed true to my goal of trying to break into the 8 min mile range. I’ve never run for speed, and tend to coast in my comfort zone, but I decided it was time to push my boundaries a bit and I successfully ran 3.5 miles at an 8:41 pace.

  Boom.

  

  My first 3.5 miler at a sub 9 min average pace!

  Q: What’s your confession?

  

  | 58 Comments Tagged Coffee, Confessions, Garmin, Random, Running, Starbucks, Vibram

• Freedom

  Posted at 2:15 PM by Brittany, on September 15, 2015

  I feel very thankful to have a lifestyle that offers me a great amount of freedom. I have somewhat of a unique mindset in that I truly believe life is too short to be unhappy in any way, shape, or form, and I believe it’s up to us to create the lifestyle we want.

  Often when I have discussions with my parents about my future and my career desires I’m told: “think about the life you want to live, and how to make that a possibility with your job choice.” Well what if I’m currently living the life I want outside of work, but I know I’m not in my “end all be all” job?

  

  I admit that lately I’ve been feeling a bit burned out at work, but my job right now is allowing me to live the life I want when I’m not immersing myself in the world of coffee. I find with the proper adjustment of my mindset, the positives can always be found. Working this kind of job allows more time for…

  Running/Hiking/Exploring

  I thrive off of routine, and the one thing I don’t have while working at Starbucks is a routine. My schedule has been even wonkier since becoming a supervisor. I’ve tried to spin my up and down schedule into a positive by realizing it’s much easier to have a relaxing morning at times and go for a longer run when I have a closing shift.

  

  

  

  I’m also able to easily escape to the mountains should I feel the urge, which is often.

  

  

  Spending time with clients

  Aka my house sitting buddies. This has become a legit third job for me, and I spent a lot of my time taking care of other peoples fur babies. I enjoy the freedom of having certain weekdays off, or really any days I ask for off.

  

  This is Emma, she is a regular in my life these days. Her mom travels a lot, and one day I strive to be like that. A life full of love and travel sound fantastic to me.

  That haunch fluff kills me. So does the word “haunch.”

  

  Reading

  When I leave work, I leave completely. 100% gone mentally and physically. I don’t work a job that requires extra work when I get home, nor requires restless nights due to stressful thoughts about projects or deadlines. This opens more doors for other mental actives like blogging, and reading.

  

  My current read. A classic about a man that escapes to the woods to live off the grid before it was “cool.” A life of self sustainability and tiny homes is a life I would love to live.

  

  So much yes. I dig his style, I think we would have been great friends.

  Spending time on meals

  Piggy backing off the previous bullet point, I have time and energy to invest in the meals I eat. This is a key part of my life, because food IS life.

  

  

  Potatoes are also life.

  

  Cinnamon wheat bundles, cinnamon puffin squares, a spoonful of almond butter, a frozen banana, all on top of some homemade apple sauce. So good, but sadly my insides weren’t so happy. Worth it.

  When it comes to eating, I’ve taken a step away from my obsessive paranoia with trigger foods, and have focused on the foods that make me feel good. My food allergy test came back with results that didn’t help much, so the true test is how I feel after eating things. The foods that don’t cooperate will continue to be ditched, or moderated. Simple as that.

  Travel

  I have a fantastic boss, that gives great flexibility when it comes to the schedule. From school to travel, she has accommodated everything I’ve asked of her, and I am immensely grateful for her. I’ve planned some travels to balance my need for freedom.

  

  I’m off to Ohio tomorrow for a weekend of shenanigans with Meghan and I couldn’t be more excited. This has to be the biggest perk of my current job, the flexibility. Follow me on Instagram to see what shenanigans I get myself into on the other side of the country. Something tells me my Birkenstocks with socks will stick out like a sore thumb in the Midwest.

  Now if only I could find a job that gave me both the freedom to do all the things I love, AND allowed me to thrive while working. It’s out there, I just have to find it. 🙂 For now, I’m just going to keep riding the caffeine wave. Unless any of you reading want to pay to me travel, make you food, take photos, and share it all online.

  Anyone…anyone…Bueller…

  Q: Have you found your passion? Are you living the life you want outside of work?

  

  | 64 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Coffee, Explore, Food, Running, Starbucks, Vacation

• Random Rambles

  Posted at 10:06 AM by Brittany, on August 14, 2015

  I ate a pancake and 7 tons of sweet potatoes last week. What’d they have in common?

  

  

  The prettiest darn berries you ever did see. Note, those blueberries on the tater were baked, giving them that purple color, and a gooey decadent flavor.

  I also ate at least 4 homegrown tomatoes.

  

  I didn’t see anything more beautiful that day.

  Seattle with two of my favorites for a Starbucks Roastery adventure. 

  

  

  I decided to get a cup of tea because it was after 1pm, and if I drink coffee too late I’m like a lab rat that’s been injected with cocaine. My tea tasted like Thanksgiving and Christmas had an unwed lovechild. It was fantastic.

  I tried to learn how to play the piano a handful of times in my life, and never made it past the first few pages of the beginners book. 

  

  Should I finally learn to play, I want a piano in my house with hand painted trees like the one I stumbled across at Green Lake in Seattle.

  I had no intentions of participating in National Smore’s Day until the monster in my stomach that starts to crave sugar after dark reared its head. 

  My angelic mother not only had graham crackers tucked in the pantry, but vegan marshmallows as well. I of course had an 85% dark chocolate Theo bar in the fridge because these days I’m never without.

  The best part? This was annihilated eaten at 10:30….PM! I never used to eat that late.

  Funniest photo of the week goes to my dad. 

  

  I sent him a birthday card with a cat because he hates them adores their independent way of life. This photo was sent with the words “negatory.”

  I have the next four days off from work. 

  

  So much excitement. I see Portland, hiking, and sleep in my future. This mini break is the first of a few to come. Livin la vida loca.

  Q: What’s your random ramble for the day? Any Portland readers!?

  

  | 50 Comments Tagged Explore, Food, Gardening, Random, Seattle, Starbucks, Vegan

• Little Bits of Love

  Posted at 7:30 AM by Brittany, on August 3, 2015

  There are a handful of things I am loving right now, and not just watching my cats UFC fight while I dip popcorn into almond butter and mustard.

  SEPARATELY.

  

  

   Lately I’m loving…

  • Too legit to quit runs.

  

  Recipe to come for this pie.

  As you can see/know if you follow me on Instagram I ate a fat piece of raw pie last Monday and went for a run from my town, to the next town over. I had no idea if I’d make it as I haven’t run more than 6 miles (and only a handful of times) since March.

  • Creepin in a coffee shop

  

  I hadn’t spent time blogging in a coffee shop for…so long I can’t recall when the last time was. It’s always fun to be in a Starbucks that isn’t the one I work at.

  • Features on popular websites.

  

  Hey look, those are my balls!

  I am not a famous food blogger, nor do I aspire to be one. My recipes don’t travel the web at the speed of light, and I don’t have people knocking at my door begging to try my random creations. With that said, it has been like the work of a wizard adding coffee to the energy bite world. These bite sized balls have been a hit since the day I first shared them. Adding coffee to treats makes the world a better place.

  • New shewwwss.

  

  I stalled long enough with buying a new pair of Vibrams, so I ordered these online because they were on sale. I can’t say I love these yet because they haven’t arrived, but I’m hopeful that by sacrificing my pride with that “up the ankle” look they’ll be extra comfortable. If anything they won’t have holes in the toes like my current pair.

  • Coffee

  

  Is this a shocker? Do you know what I do sometimes with my days off? I drive out of my way to get a good cup of coffee. Yesterdays cup was Brazil Santa Ines, a Starbucks Reserve roast with tasting notes of milk chocolate and plantains. It sang in my mouth.

  • Blogging

  

  Despite today’s somewhat random attempt at a post, I have a few posts in the draft bin ready to go. One mountain adventure, one recipe, and one product review.

  Piggy backing off of that I also love blogging for the people I meet, and places I go.

  

  click image for photo source

  Like that time I went to Taiwan…

  Just kidding, but this girl did and she sent me that awesome mug with a bear on it. I am traveling soon though to visit this girl. I’m stoked to stomp all over Ohio and drink all their coffee, and eat all their food. All the all’s.

  Q: What is one thing (or five) that you’re loving right now? I’m loving how sore my legs are from yesterdays five hour hike. 

  Disclaimer: No felines were harmed in the making of this post.

  

  | 66 Comments Tagged Bloggers, Coffee, Energy Bites, Pie, Random, Running, Starbucks

• Summer in the PNW

  Posted at 7:18 AM by Brittany, on July 16, 2015

  During the summer months, Starbucks likes to reserve Friday’s for themed attire. 90% of the time I want nothing to do with this high school nonsense because I am 80 years old and have no soul, but last week I was all about “Aloha Friday.”

  

  Mainly because this vibrant blue shirt is the most comfortable thing to wear second to my own skin. When it’s hot outside, black clothing raises the temperature at least 5 degrees, even when you’re inside. When it’s hot outside, I want to be somewhere cool.

  

  

  I’ve become that person that enjoys my days off more than I enjoy my days at work. This is normal for most, but I don’t want it to become a normal for me. I want to thrive in my workplace just as much as I do when I’m off exploring the mountains.

  

  On one of my days off last weekend I escaped to another town to spend the day with one of my closest childhood friends. I figured spending all my time with animals can’t be healthy, so once in a while I surround myself with my own kind.

  I’ve now met my human interaction quota for the month.

  

  Any restaurant that says “EAT” on the side has to be good.

  It was a perfect PNW summer day. We walked around a street festival, ate some food, and walked to the Ballard Locks. I had never been to the locks, and it was fun to play tourist in my own area. Plus the weather was perfect for wandering.

  

  Basically what this place does is keep the salt water of the Puget Sound, and the fresh water of Lake Washington separate from each other. It’s a spot for boats to cross over from the sound to the lakes in an efficient and safe way. Quite unique if you ask me.

  

  The big boats go in this spot.

  I would love to find a vocation that ties my passion for exploration together with my passion for food. I do love coffee, and don’t plan to leave my spot at Starbucks, but my mind wheels have definitely started turning.

  Oh the adventures of life. 🙂

  Q: Do you live for the weekend, or do you enjoy spending your time at work? I’ll blame the summer for my desires to be out exploring!

  

  | 47 Comments Tagged Explore, PNW, Starbucks, Washington

• 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

• 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

• 

• 

• Search for:
• BRITTANY- Self proclaimed minimalistic nomad striving to maintain a balanced, healthy life with good food, long hikes, deep connections, exploration, and lots of potatoes.

• If this blog does not meet your standards, please lower your standards.

• Contact: blissfulbritt@yahoo.com

• ¿Quieres Más?

  Like my witty attitude and delightful charm? Enter your
  e-mail below for the party to come straight to your inbox!

  Email Address:

  Follow the adventure

  Join 4,725 other subscribers
• 

•