“Baby, it’s cold outside”… I love that song and it always seems to stick in my head right around this time of the year. So, when it’s cold outside there is no better time for a nice warm cup of White Chocolate Vanilla Latte…
I admit it…I am addicted to caffeine. So every morning is a great time for coffee. I am like a robot. I wake up and head straight for the Keurig. Well, this morning my alarm went off and instead of getting out of bed I decided that I would lay in bed for 5 more minutes. Ever done that? Um, 5 minutes turned into 30 minutes!! My son came into my room and asked if was a snow day (aka no school). Aaahhhh! I jump out of bed and I have 5 minutes to get him to school on time. Errr, 5 minutes= no time for coffee!
The thing with caffeine is once you have it regularly, you need a larger quantity to feel its effects. You see, we have these receptors on our brain that normally get filled with adenosine, which make us tired. Caffeine occupies those receptors blocking adenosine, so you don’t feel tired. Problem is adenosine really wants to occupy a receptor so…we make more receptors! Ahhh, more receptors mean we need more caffeine to beat adenosine to all those receptors. That’s why it is so easy to be addicted to caffeine!
Caffeine does have benefits such as…
- It can help keep you more alert if you are sleep deprived
- Caffeine can improve performance during endurance exercise
- Caffeine contracts blood vessels to relieve the pressure of headaches
- For non-regular users, it can increase mental stimulation
- 2 oz white chocolate bar, chopped
- 2 cups fresh hot brewed coffee
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup o% fat milk
- Over low heat melt chocolate in a medium saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
- Slowly whisk in hot coffee to the chocolate.
- Add vanilla extract.
- Pour in milk and stir to combine.
- Heat for 2 minutes.
Now, if you want to get fancy you can froth your own milk. Just pour a quarter cup of milk into a small jar with a lid. Seal it tightly and shake vigorously for a minute. Remove lid and place in microwave for 15-20 seconds. Voila! …frothed milk. I use fat-free milk and it works every time.
Once my kids have made it to school, it is time for some coffee. This White Chocolate Vanilla Latte is a nice treat for a stressful morning. Once you make this you won’t need to visit that coffee shop that uses syrups for flavoring anymore. I love that this White Chocolate Vanilla Latte is pure natural goodness.
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