What are the affects of drinking coffee

Nothing is more amazing than a cup of fresh diner coffee.

Some say it helps build strong bones, others say it weakens your heart.  Still others argue that coffee helps lower blood pressure.  Whatever the real answer is, to me the affects are life changing.  You know how Superman has his kryptonite?  Well coffee is the exact opposite for me.

Confused? Well if you are the Greek Girl, the affects of coffee are similar to the affects of the blood running through your veins.  Or no different than jet-fuel to an aircraft.  Neither the jet nor the Greek Girl can get off the ground without either.  Now, I know what you are thinking, "You're not that addicted to coffee are you?" - Ahh... yes, yes I am.  If there were such a thing as a 12-step program for coffee-oholics, I would be a candidate, not that I would ever go to one.  Just the thought of standing there and saying, "Hi, my name is Ava Aston and I am addicted to coffee" as if it were a bad thing doesn't sound like something I could ever utter in all seriousness.  I see the word addiction here as a negative.  I am also addicted to breathing and that's not a bad thing.  What I feel my relationship with coffee is, is more of a lifestyle, or as my manager Mr. Bricks would call it a "love affair".  Coffee to me is like my centuries worth of Greek heritage all brewed up into one little 8 oz. diner mug that I can enjoy one slow sip at a time.

So in honor of my addiction I will share the affects coffee has; on the Greek Girl through a collection of images.

Here is where it all began: My Dad. Here he is at home in Greece and he's as Greek as they come. Notice all the coffee cups on the table. Enough said.

Now, sometimes my dad adds a little Ouzo or Sambucca to his. I tried this once. The affect was, me making a horrible face and spitting it out.  Let's just say, it's not how I roll. This is a part of my coffee heritage I don't mind neglecting. Besides, I think the alcohol kills the enzymes in coffee that keep me so young and my skin looking so good. ;o)

How does the Greek Girl start her day? Coffee in Bed of course.  The affect, helps make the day go great.

Here is a glimpse into my coffee stash. The great thing is that I have choices. The affect this has on me is I have to make a choice. I don't like making choices especially first thing in the morning. Do I do espresso, k-cup, drip or french press? Then it's a matter of what mug because of the size of the coffee drink I have. Then it's a matter of what flavor. See what I mean? Decisions.

Now once I am up and out and ready to go, I have my coffee to go. This way, I can enjoy my home brew out and about. The affect this has on me is I can't get the door for the car. Can someone get the door please? My hands are full of hot magic and this amazing Michael Kors purse I got at TJ Max. Which was probably where I was headed when this was taken.

Now, before I head out I happen to check the mail. Here I see Mr. Bricks sent me some coupons for Dunkin Donuts! Woo-Hoo! The affect of this is obvious, the Greek Girl is happy. Now not only am I gonna find some deals at TJ Maxx but I am also gonna save on my next 3 cups of Dunkin Donuts. Not quite a record deal but you did ok this time Mr. Bricks.

Here I am at Dunking Donuts clutching my large cup of happiness like Smeigel from Lord of the Rings and his Precious. Yes I did use one of Mr. Bricks coupons. Affect of this was pure elation. As you can see by the smile on my face.

Now, I know this looks really, really bad on so many levels, but bare with me on this. I can explain. The affects of drinking a hot cup of starbucks is what can help me get through a trip to the Palisades Mall. Being that the mall is so big I need that extra dose of caffeine. But because Starbucks Coffee is so strong I needed to sweeten and dilute it with a frozen yogurt. The affects of this are that I can get out of the mall unscathed with treasures in my clutches.

Then when the day is almost done and it's time for me to unwind it's best served in the form of a decaf Nespresso Cappuccino topped off with whip cream of course. The affect this has on me is called heaven in a mug. It allows me to unwind after a long day of shopping and stuff.

Blessings, love & Music ~
Ava xox :D
www.avaaston.com

Where In The World is My Coffee

Where in The World Did I Get This Perfect Beverage?

I decided to take my love for coffee and do something really fun with it. I'm going to start tweeting twitpics of me and my coffee from where ever I am at. So now it won't matter if I am in Manhattan or if I am at the Matterhorn (Disneyland or Switzerland) or if I am in Auckland, New Zealand  or in Oakland, California you can now virtually share that cup of happiness with me through the magic of Twitter.

If you don't already follow me on Twitter make sure you add me   @avaaston

I was trying to explain to my manager Mr. Bricks, who is a NCD (non coffee drinker) what the special allure of coffee is with me and I think it comes down to the smell. I simply love the smell and taste of coffee. It's my crack. If the PoPo ever started doing random caffeine testing I would fail for sure.  I am pretty sure this Greek girl is over the legal caffeine limit 24/7.

I will be the first to blame my coffee addiction on my Greek heritage. Drinking coffee in Greece is like going to a Yankees or Mets game in New York. It's the national past time. It is not uncommon for Greek people to sit in a diner and drink coffee and chit-chat for hours. I think that is why of all of the coffee I can get, I like coffee from a Greek diner the best. Its part taste, part smell and part atmosphere. When it comes to making coffee, they know how to get the job done - it's how the Greeks roll.  This coffee is sipped, often loudly, quite slowly. One cup of coffee often lasts a few hours, however recently, Greek coffee has become popular with the younger generation who order "doubles." Now that's what I am talking about!

Demitasse Cup & Saucer with Greek Coffee         Photo © Jim Stanfield

Authentic Greek coffee is a stronger thick coffee that is cooked on a stove in a little pot called a briki.   In Greece it is not uncommon to see a bunch of older ladies sitting around drinking coffee in these tiny cups and when they are done with their coffee they flip it over onto the saucer. And then when it is all dried they flip it over and by the mark or stain line from the coffee that was in the cup they can read into your future. I am not sure how accurate it is because in all of the times I have had the stained crusty grinds read from the bottom of my coffee cup no one ever mentioned I would someday have a manager who is addicted to McDonald's. I would have loved to see that one coming at me.

Spoken like a true addict, I don't care where I get my coffee from just as long as I get my coffee. I am not a coffee snob because I like just about all coffees. I do love Dunkin Donuts and also McDonald's coffees. So when Mr. Bricks decides to have his McRib fix and wants me to join him at McDonald's, I will decline the spongy fake pork sandwich on a roll, but I will enjoy  a cup of McDonald's Premium Roast Coffee that is made with 100% pure Arabica beans, which gives their coffee a rich medium roast taste. Yummo.

I Love McDonald's Premium Roast Coffee

I am not fond of Starbucks hot coffee, but I do like a good Cafe Americano espresso, and love their iced coffee .  I also love love love their Mocha Double Shot in a can. You can't go wrong with that for an afternoon pick me up after a long Jillian Michael butt-kicking work out.

Always good for a 2:30 pm  pick me up!

When I am at home I have my own machine that I can make all sorts of Greek magic with. No top hat, rabbit or magic wand needed

Home stash for when I don't want to venture out

Sometimes you also can't beat a slice of NY Pizza and an Ice Coffee. If I did an official in-depth study of how much coffee I actually drink, I think I would end up realizing I drink more Ice Coffee than hot coffee.  But when I drink hot coffee it must only be with fat-free half & half creamers and a splash of sugar. No milk or skim milk for me. I don't roll like that.

Have Coffee, Will Travel

So follow me on Twitter and enjoy a cup of coffee with me. If in your hometown or in your travels you have found a place that serves a good cup of coffee, let me know as I'd love to hear about it! I'm on a coffee quest!

Blessings,

Ava

xox