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Morning Coffee Ritual–The Best Necessities
As I’ve remarked earlier, my son wakes up early; and now, it’s looking as if my baby is going to follow in his footsteps. As a result, coffee means a lot to me. I have to have it every morning, and if for some reason we are out, I seriously panic. Who wants to change out of their pajamas and hop in the car to get a cup of joe at 5:45 AM? So, I’m always stocked, and feel like I have the best equipment (while still on a budget) for the job. See below and let me what you think. –Alex
Cuisinart Grind and Brew 12 Cup Coffee Maker, $104.00
Last Christmas my wonderful husband picked up on the fact that I was not happy with our current coffee maker. (I say OUR coffee maker, but it’s really mine since he, ummm, doesn’t drink coffee). So, Christmas came and this gem was under the tree. If you’re partial to having your coffee freshly ground seconds before it brews, this is the machine for you. The cool thing, though, is that if you aren’t partial (I’m not) then it makes fantastic coffee from pre-ground grinds too. The only thing that they could do to make this puppy better is to somehow make it so there aren’t so many pieces to clean. This only goes for when you grind the beans. When you do, there are a few different parts that all need to be washed. Everything else is fabulous. And it really does brew a good cup.
Don Francisco’s Coffee, $7.50
Some people may be turned off by the price but they really shouldn’t be. This coffee is good, damn good. And for the low price, you can keep it stocked until kingdom come. I am a flavored coffee fan, so the Vanilla Nut and Hawaiian Hazelnut are my top choices.
Aerolatte Milk Frother, $18.95
This is a Breezy Mama must-have–read Chelsea’s review of it here. The gadget is so awesome, who ever invented it is a pure genius in my book. You heat up your milk for 30 seconds, dip the Aerolatte in it for about 10 more seconds, and TA-DA–you have a frothy sensation that makes you forget you are only in your kitchen, the sun isn’t out yet, and the first tantrum of the day has already happened.
Starbucks Travel Mug, $10.95
I’ve gone through my fair share of travel mugs, and the ones from Starbucks really are the best. Easy to clean (it can go in the top rack of the dishwasher) and it keeps your coffee warm for a good hour or two. Great thing to have when you barely have time to sit down for more than one sip.
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Reader Comments
Love, love, love the Cusinart coffee maker too.. as well as the frother (which by the way makes Hot Chocolate a real treat too!). My new passion for my AM cup of joe is the Keurig coffee maker and the wide variety of K-cups I can use with it as my coffee mood changes. As a mom of four under the age of six (a six, five and 18 month old twins) I too live for my java and have become very spoiled about it being fresh… (can’t control my kids, but I can control my coffee!) The Keurig provides me the perfect cup every time.. yikes… gotta go, my mug is empty! (and no – I don’t work for Keurig- just live for caffeine!!)
I’m am all about the milk frother. I heat my vanilla soy, froth it up and I have a “latte” better than, believe it or not… Starbucks. I even use it to make my boys their tea “lattes”. I make their’s with Roobois tea which is a naturally decaffeinated tea from South Africa that is very high in anti-oxidants. Half tea, half frothed soy milk. Delish!
We’ve had three Cuisinart Grind & Brew Coffee Makers in the past 12 years! Worth every penny!
Laurie–I’ve looked into the Keurig maker but what stops me is that it does one cup at a time–is this a pain when you have company over? I just love the idea of all the varieties it gives you.
Sara–I’ll have to make a tea latte for my son–never thought about doing that! I have Vanilla Roobois–SO good.
I’m with you on the Don Francisco,you cant’ beat it for the price! Often times it’s on sale for under $5. For you preggo Mommies out there missing your morning coffee…I found the most selection of delicious flavored DECAF coffees as my local Farm to Market. Chocolate, raspberry, hazelnut and many more. I’m sure you can find a great selection at any of these types of natural food markets. What a lifesaver that was!
Hey Sara Hooper – Any recommendations on the Vanilla Soy?? Anna
Can anyone recommend a good espresso maker on a budget?
Patrice, Yes, I have the answer for you! I have the Bialetti electric espresso maker. I bought it at William Sonoma and I just looked on their site and they no longer sell it but its all over the web and on bialetti’s site and its $100. I researched extensively last year as I bought it for Father’s Day and I use it every other day. Its so easy, easy to clean and makes a great espresso. Its awesome because it makes 6 cups at a time, which is hard to find. I make my hubby iced lattes every morning so I make a pot and use half that day and then refrigerate the other half for the next day (think venti iced latte and that is what I make). I have been using it for a year and its easy and cheap (compared to the crazy expensive $1000 machines). The stovetop version is used all over Italy and its really so easy and no parts to replace or come apart. It doesn’t do other things so if you want something fancy this isn’t your maker but for a simple espresso its perfect.
I LOVE a good strong cup of drip coffee. Not the French press, just the funnel over a cup with grounds and pour water over top. One day when my kids are done dominating the frantic one hour in the morning I have in between the time we get up and have to get out the door…I intend to make my coffee cup by cup drip….and read the paper!
I’m a French press gal, but that definitely throws me when company is here… which, with our family size, is quite often! And my FAVORITE — I’ve said it on Breezy Mama before, but must say it again — is 2 tablespoons Hershey’s unsweetened coco, 2 tablespoons of sugar and stir. Pour your coffee on top, then use the aerolatte on your heated milk, pour on top of the coffee/chocolate mix… I jump out of bed for it!
Anna-I buy the Organic Vanilla Soy by the case at Costco. You can’t beat the price!
I am on a dairy free diet so I have learned to enrich the taste of rice milk in my coffee to add gluten free vanilla and lots of cinnamon. It’s awesome.