heaven in a jar

Someone introduced me to the phenomena of aloe tea. She brought me a cup on one of the recent hot days we've had. It was so cool, refreshing, and light that I had to find out more about it. All I knew was that she got it from a Korean grocery store. Today, she brought me a jar and finally, I understood what I was drinking- honey aloe tea. It's so yummy that I want to consume it all.

It just takes 2 spoons to a cup (whatever that means) and mixed together. Teaspoons, tablespoons, 8 oz. cup, what? I just played around until I got it right.

If anyone knows how to make it from scratch, do share.

6 starbucks gift cards and counting

For some odd reason, I'm a magnet for Starbucks gift cards. People keep giving them to me for Christmas, for birthdays, etc. They give them to my husband, too. Out of the gazillion different gift cards out there, why do people think that Starbucks is the perfect choice? At first, I used them. They did come in handy when I ran out of coffee at home. But now, they are just starting to collect. So far, I have found 6 of them but I think there are more lingering around my home somewhere.

So why do I keep getting them? Yes, I love coffee. You probably figured that out being it was my first post. But, I don't like Starbucks coffee. It kind of tastes like dirt to me. If I go there, I lean towards the frou frou options.

What am I to do with all these cards? One suggestion was to regift them. That was a thought that ran through my mind for a second. At the same time, I didn't want to continue the torment of "Why another Starbucks gift card?"

At first thought, I wanted to use them for stainless steel travel mugs. After months of trying to find a similar one to the one I already love, I have lost hope. The options pretty much suck.

Now, I have a new plan. I'm going to use them to get a coffee or tea press or both. I'm just not sure which one to get. Here are the options I'm considering:

Assam tea press tea pot $24.95

This one has a black plastic handle. I kind of like that.

Assam tea press pot $39.95

$15 more and I can get it in stainless. Do I really care?

Assam cast iron tea pot $89.95

$65 more and it can be cast iron. It has a nice aesthetic to it. I have enough gift cards to cover the expense. If I'm going to get a press, might as well go all out, right? Oh, and it's got that Asian thing goin' on. Maybe, it will make me feel more Asian.

Columbia thermo press $79.95 or $99.95

I'm leaning towards this option because it's perfect for tea or coffee. Plus, it will keep it hot for a few hours (so they say). I just don't know what size to get? The smaller one is more than enough. The larger one would serve guests we never have. Hmmm?

I would love to hear what you think I should get. This, that, or this and that? Why?

coffee, please

I don't know why I didn't do this sooner. I've wanted a food blog. I'm no amazing cook but I do like food (don't we all?). So here is my first entry...

I don't see the point of denying myself of coffee. We all need our vices and this is one (among several). I love the stuff (practically since birth). It must come from having a French influenced family. We want our cafe sua da.

I remember being a very, very little girl and my mom forcing coffee down my throat. I think she thought it would help her sick little daughter so coffee-soaked french bread was pushed down my throat. Of course, I didn't enjoy it at the time... you can't make me do what I don't want to do. Anyways, the coffee bug stuck...

I know it's not the best thing for me... the caffeine, the teeth staining, etc. So what? I don't really care. It tastes good and it makes me happy.

Over the years, I've always had some form of a coffee maker starting with the cheap crap that will do in college to what I have now. I'm going to be using the one I have now until the thing dies on me.

When I first saw the machine, I was in awe. It seemed like the perfect kitchen appliance for me... a single cup coffee maker and a nice one at that. I'm talking about the Breville single-cup coffeemaker. It didn't take long from the time I saw it for it to land in my kitchen. Of course, I wasn't going to have such a nice coffee maker without accompanying it with an equally nice coffee grinder- The Breville Ikon burr grinder.

Then I started to use it. When it says you have 4 sizes, it doesn't just mean 4 sizes. It also means coffee strength because you need to fill the K-Cup thingy with 2 tablespoons of coffee no matter what. Once I figured out what size I want (which was the largest; I know, I like my coffee on the weaker side), I've been in coffee heaven.

The machine is beautiful to look at, it's easy to operate, and it makes the perfect cup of coffee every time (amount and strength). I'm equally happy with the burr grinder. I don't know what I was thinking buying my coffee already ground. It's just not the same.