No Coffee? No Problem. Here Are Three Delicious Morning Alternatives ( courtecy;-Pacific Foods Sponsored by Pacific Foods ) & To Help Save The World With Your Next Cup Of Coffee ( courtecy;- Megan Faletra By Megan Faletra _)

No Coffee? No Problem. Here Are Three Delicious Morning Alternatives

Sponsored by Pacific Foods

Photo: Pacific Foods

June 29, 2018 — 8:50 AM

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Ditching coffee can have many positive effects, including improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety. The issue with coffee for many is that it’s such an ingrained part of the day, making it extremely difficult to break the habit—unless you replace that habit with something else. So if you’re looking to cut back on coffee, don’t deprive yourself of your morning ritual; find a replacement drink that will fill the gap with new flavors and health benefits.

For many, getting their caffeine fix goes hand-in-hand with dairy milk. When you decide to make a break from your morning coffee, you can also open up to a bunch of new and delicious plant-based and dairy-free drinks that will have you starting the day on a high note.

The keys to making an a.m. drink that competes with coffee:

• Find an energy-boosting ingredient like teas (try matcha or black tea), cacao, and adaptogens (cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane mushrooms are all great places to start).
• Find a good-quality plant-based beverage to replace the dairy component. Made with ingredients like organic oats, coconut, and fair trade cashews, these dairy alternatives can actually enhance the flavor of your drink while packing in some extra nutrients.
• Take time to enjoy it. Make your new habit special by taking just 5 minutes to sit quietly with your drink and sip slowly.

We have three different plant-based drinks made with Pacific Foods’ dairy-free beverages for you to try out on your coffee-free journey. Experiment with these ingredients to find the right ratios that work for you.

Cashew Matcha Latte With Cashew Plant-Based Beverage

Photo: Pacific Foods

Combining matcha powder with maple syrup and cashew beverage gives you a subtle caffeine buzz. The cashew beverage has a mellow flavor and creamy texture that helps the matcha and maple shine. Plus, there are varieties like Pacific Foods that are made with organic, fair-trade certified cashews.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pacific Foods Unsweetened Cashew Original Plant-Based Beverage
• 1 teaspoon matcha powder
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Method

1. For a hot matcha, in a small saucepan, heat cashew beverage over a medium-low heat until warmed through. Whisk in the matcha powder until dissolved and bright green. Whisk in the maple and cinnamon if using and serve.
2. For an iced matcha, combine all ingredients in a blender until everything is well-combined. Pour over ice to serve.

Mushroom Hot Cacao With Organic Coconut Plant-Based Beverage

Photo: Pacific Foods

This recipe includes a blend of adaptogenic mushrooms and cacao for focus, energy, and stress reduction—all at once. When combined with cacao and an organic coconut plant-based beverage to add richness and natural sweetness, these ingredients create a powerful, delicious tonic.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Pacific Foods Organic Unsweetened Coconut Original Plant-Based Beverage
• 1 heaped teaspoon of cacao or cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon of a blend of medicinal mushroom powder (ideally, it should include reishi, cordyceps, lion’s mane)
• 1 large Medjool date, pitted
• Pinch of sea salt

Method

1. Combine ingredients in a high-powered blender until powders are well-combined and the dates are completely pureed.
2. Heat in a saucepan over a medium-low heat until heated through.

Chai Latte With Organic Oat Plant-Based Beverage

Photo: Pacific Foods

A blend of warming spices and black tea make this drink a favorite for those looking to cut back on added sugar. Cinnamon and cardamom add a natural sweetness, while the oat beverage has heart-healthy benefits. This one can be prepared warm or iced.

Ingredients

• 1 black tea bag (English breakfast tea works great)
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup Pacific Foods Organic Oat Original Plant-Based Beverage
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon each cinnamon and cardamom

Method

1. Brew black tea first (can be made ahead) by pouring the boiling water over the tea bag in a mug and letting that brew for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove tea bag.
2. For an iced chai, combine ingredients in a blender and serve over ice.
3. For hot, whisk together ingredients in a saucepan over a medium-low heat until spices are infused into the oat beverage and tea mixture.

#BREAKFAST#COFFEE#DRINKS#PARTNER#PLANTS

Pacific Foods 

How To Help Save The World With Your Next Cup Of Coffee

By Megan Faletra

Photo: Angel Mato

July 6, 2018 — 9:15 AM

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In America, it feels like there are coffee shops on every city corner, and for good reason: Each morning over 200 million people in the United States wake up and drink a cup of coffee, with the average American enjoying not one but three cups of joe a day and spending more than $1,000 on them every year.

Yep, based on the most recent consumer data report, more Americans are drinking coffee than ever before. But for something we seem to love so much, few of us stop to think about where our coffee comes from or the people who grew it.

The story behind our brew.

Photo: @restafoto

I first fell in love with coffee while working in rural Guatemala. I was there as a global heath dietitian to help assess the current state of food insecurity within the country and gain a deeper understanding of how the local food systems affected the health and overall well-being of the Guatemalan people.

It didn’t take long for me to realize just how ingrained coffee is in Guatemalan culture. I saw firsthand how heavily treated conventional coffee crops can be—pumped with synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that threaten the health of farmers, most of whom don't have access to appropriate safety equipment. Surrounding communities are then exposed to farming chemical residues, which can taint the water supply, land, and air.

After working there, I could no longer look at a cup of coffee without remembering the Guatemalan people I had met, the stories I had heard, and the inequitable system I had seen transport this bean from a coffee farm to a $5 fancy latte. While I understand that most people will never have the same opportunity to witness how some of their favorite foods or beverages are grown around the world, we can all make a difference every time we choose a bag of beans or a cup of joe. Here's how:

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How you can make a difference as a consumer.

Photo: @rainforestalliance

There is no doubt about it, coffee is a cash crop, and it isn't going anywhere. And like with any financially lucrative resource found in the developing world (Honduras, Ethiopia, and Indonesia are a few of the top producers), there is a lot of room for exploitation to go unnoticed in the coffee industry.

But think about what a positive impact it would have if all of us made a few simple tweaks to ensure that the money we spent on our morning brews went directly back to the farmers and communities who grew it. Here are a few ways you can make a positive impact on the global coffee industry, both for your health and the livelihood of farmers and communities around the world:

1. Choose organic.

Since coffee has historically been a heavily sprayed crop, it's important both for your health and the health of farmers to choose organically grown beans. Look for a coffee brand that has been certified organic by the USDA, or reach out to smaller roasters in your area and ask where they source their coffee from and how it was grown.

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2. Go with fair trade.

Photo: @rainforestalliance

The global coffee industry employs more than 25 million people worldwide—many of them live in countries where workers don't have the same rights and protections as you and me. At its core, the fair trade certification exists to make sure that coffee farmers are paid and treated fairly for their work. Look out for the little green frog of the Rainforest Alliance's Fair Trade label the next time you're shopping for coffee beans in stores.

3. Choose direct trade.

The term "direct trade" was coined to describe a direct relationship between a farmer and a coffee buyer and is viewed by many coffee lovers as a sign of great taste and quality. But since direct trade connotes a private relationship between farmer and buyer, it has no third-party certifying organization. It is important to do your homework and look into the transparency standards of the direct trade company you are looking at.

Many of us consume coffee every single day, multiple times a day, and I personally think we can do better. The more demand there is for ethically produced coffee that supports both positive environmental and global health, the more the industry can change for the better.

Check out how larger brands like Starbucks are starting to do their part contribute to a sustainable future for coffee.

#COFFEE#ENVIRONMENTALISM#ORGANIC#ORGANIC FOOD

Megan Faletra