Military Appreciation Month – Show Your Love

With more than 2.2 million men and women serving in the U.S. military, military appreciation month has lots of individuals to recognize.

Approximately 400,000 are stationed abroad in one of the 150 countries U.S. military bases are maintained. That’s 400,000 reasons to send a care package from home. And, of course, we’d suggest a little cup of home — a delicious cup of coffee goes a long way to provide comfort and support to our U.S. military men and women who show us what it truly means to go beyond every month.

To that end, Community Coffee Company doubles orders for overseas military personnel. Customers order four bags or boxes of Community® coffee from CommunityCoffee.com and the company doubles the order, ships the extra 4 boxes or bags at its cost, and sends a total of eight bags or boxes of coffee plus a signature Military Match mug to the overseas address (APO/FPO) of the customer’s choice.

Customers have the opportunity to choose one of their favorite blends. Just this month, based on feedback from military personnel, 12 new options have been added to the program including single-serve blends and flavors. Customers can go to http://www.communitycoffee.com/militarymatch to select from the Military Match program options and place their order.

This past year, in partnership with its customers, Community Coffee Company reached a new milestone with more than 20,000 pounds or 10 tons of coffee shipped to overseas military personnel over the past 5 years.

Show Mom Some Love

There are 84 million moms in the United States but you just have to focus on yours. On Mother’s Day, the third most popular holiday, any woman that has attributed to your growth deserves a little recognition.

In addition to mom, wife and grandma, card companies offer a wide-selection of cards for close family members and friends who have facilitated a mother-like role. Make sure you pick out something special for the influential moms in your life.

Beyond your Mother’s Day card, no one wants mom to cook on her special day which is why every year Mother’s Day holds the distinction of being the busiest day of the year for restaurants. So, if you plan to dine out, expect to wait or better yet find a location that takes reservations. Don’t forget your Community® coffee with dessert; it will help to enrich the experience.

Does your mom love coffee?  Click below to shop our Mother’s Day gift sets!

 

Spotlighting Coffee on Lifetime

This Fall, we’ll feature our uniquely delicious coffees on The Balancing Act, which airs on Lifetime Television. Our focus — the art of the brew… what really goes into making a great cup of coffee?

We’ll give you a sneak peek. It starts with the selection of the beans. We use only 100% Arabica beans. And we utilize only the top 10% of beans in the world. To ensure quality, our coffee experts taste the beans. We taste the beans before we buy them, again when they hit the port, again before we roast them and then finally after roasting to ensure that the quality is never compromised.

“Enjoying a great cup of coffee is an experience to the consumer as it is also a gift in starting their day… We are delighted to partner with Community Coffee Company who over generations deeply understands what goes into creating an artfully imaginative and flavorful cup of coffee,” says Joseph Ciminna, Associate Producer, and Meta Circhansky, Director of Branded Entertainment, The Balancing Act airing on Lifetime TV.

We couldn’t agree more.

Now in its 6th year, award-winning popular morning show, The Balancing Act®, empowers women in all aspects of their lives. The mission at The Balancing Act® is simple — the show strives to help today’s modern woman balance it all by bringing them exceptional solutions to everyday problems. Entertaining, educational and trusted by women, viewers can watch America’s premier morning show, The Balancing Act® on weekday mornings on Lifetime television at 7 am (ET/PT).

Stay Buzzing

Everyone knows that coffee buzz that helps you get your day started but how long the buzz lasts depends on your ability to metabolize caffeine. “In 50 percent of people, caffeine has a half-life of two to three hours, which is why some of us can have a coffee after dinner and still sleep soundly that night,” says Jim Lane, PhD, professor of behavioral medicine at Duke University Medical Center, who studies caffeine.

“In others, caffeine’s effects last 6 to 10 hours, so even a cup of coffee after lunch can make it difficult for them to fall asleep.”

No matter how you metabolize the stuff, a morning joe gives most people the biggest jolt of the day. “By the time you pour your second cup, many of those receptors in the brain may be saturated with caffeine, so the effects aren’t as potent,” explains Jeffrey Mechanic, MC, president of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

Another reason to really savor your morning cup of coffee.

March Madness: Get Your Party On!

Three weeks, 67 games, four network channels and no overlapping coverage prodding network producers to move an audience from one game to another based on the scores.

March Madness kicked off on “Selection Sunday,” when 64 NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball teams were selected to go to the “Big Dance”—the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship tournament. So it’s time to plan your big dance or big party if dancing isn’t your thing. You’ll want to celebrate your favorite college basketball team as early as possible. I’m sure your team is going to win, but just in case, plan your party in the early rounds so you don’t fall out of the bracket before your festivities get in full swing.

Here are some ideas to make your March Madness party a success:

• Tip Off: Send game brackets invitations. Have the guests fill out the brackets before they arrive at the party, so you will be able to start the fun off with a basketball pool. Each guest should guess the winner of the game and score for each team.
• Hoop dreams: Decorations. Orange and black are neutral basketball colors to use when decorating for your March Madness party. Buy inflatable basketballs or foam balls and set up a basketball hoop in the room where people will be watching the game. If your guests will all be cheering for the same team, by all means, decorate accordingly.
• Full Court Press: Feeding your team. Make sure you have enough food. Here are some tasty recipes to razzle dazzle your guests – Coffee Braised Beef Short Ribs, Coffee & Chili Rubbed Steak Tip Skewers, Spicy Coffee Bourbon BBQ Wings and for those earlier games or maybe just dessert, how about Mocha Waffles with Cinnamon Whipped Cream.  Also, consider making dishes that can be created ahead of time by using casserole and slow cooker recipes.
• Game Time: Dress the part. Make it easy for your guests to find you by wearing a referee jersey and carry a whistle to get their attention—just for fun.
• Time Out: In between games, play your own basketball game in the driveway or in the park down the street. Too cold outside? Have a dribbling contest in the basement or bring out the video games. However, guests won’t mind helping pick up when you put a basketball hoop over your trash can.

Remember these upcoming game dates and plan your party accordingly:

• Sweet Sixteen is on March 28-29
• Elite Eight is on March 30-31
• Final Four, is on April 6 and 8.

Feel the Coffee Burn

Certain foods torch more calories than others.

You burn an average of 26 calories per cup of coffee, that’s 16 more calories than chomping a red chili pepper and 18 more calories than sipping water.

 

Speaking of burn — here are some of our calorie-burning customers after they finished running 26.2 miles at the Publix Georgia Marathon this weekend. Savor the flavor, you totally earned it. We’re so proud of you and proud to sponsor health and wellness in Atlanta.

 

 

 

 

Spring In Your Step: Why Java Revs You Up

Coffee’s popularity dates back to goats: Legend has it that the ninth century, an Ethiopian farmer discovered that his flock became giddy after eating coffee plants. Thank caffeine, of course, for coffee’s stimulating powers.

“On a molecular level, caffeine binds to the receptors in the brain to block adenosine, a chemical that makes you sleepy,” says Andrea Giancoli RD, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Caffeine also stimulates that central nervous system, keeping you wide-eyed and improving your concentration and focus.

So put some a little spring in your step with a jolt of java.

Community Coffee Company is the proud sponsor of the Publix Georgia Marathon. Look for our delicious, handcrafted blends in 12 ounce bags and single-serve cups. Fuel up for the Marathon in your life.

Perk Up Your Workout

A better workout: More than 70 studies have found that drinking two cups of joe one hour before exercise can enhance performance and make workouts seem easier, notes Nancy Clar, RD, author of Sports Nutrition Guidebook. “Caffeine activates the central nervous system,” she says, “and gives you a blast of adrenaline that helps you work out harder and more efficiently.”

Caffeine provides a nice jolt of energy when you’re feeling a little blah, and research shows it also enhances both cardio and strength endurance. You can read more in our previous post but for now perk up your workout by enjoying your coffee.

Need a good workout??? We’ve partnered with @GeorgiaMarathon. For more than 90 years they’ve been crafting an artisan cup of  coffee using only the top 10% of coffee beans in the world. Serious marathon fuel!

Storage Secrets

If you’re grinding beans, use them within 10 days for the freshest cup. “Once ground, the beans begin to oxidize and lose flavor,” says Ric Rhinehard, executive director of the Specialty Coffee Association.

Storage is integral to maintaining your coffee’s freshness and flavor. It is important to keep it away from excessive air, moisture, heat, and light — in that order — in order to preserve its fresh-roast flavor as long as possible.  Avoid storing in the refrigerator, which is too humid and has lurking odors that could seep into your coffee. Coffee beans are decorative and beautiful to look at but you will compromise the taste of your coffee if you store your beans in ornamental, glass canisters on your kitchen countertop.  Doing so will cause them to become stale and your coffee will quickly lose its fresh flavor. Store single-serve cups away from heat – as in, not in the cabinet above your stove.

Buy Right: It is wise to purchase coffee in amounts proportionate to how quickly it will be used. Coffee begins to lose its freshness almost immediately after roasting so it is far better to purchase it in smaller quantities. Purchase freshly roasted coffee frequently and buy only what you will use in the next 1 or 2 weeks. And because exposure to air is your coffee’s worst enemy, it is a good idea to divide your coffee supply into several smaller portions, keeping the larger, unused portion in an air-tight container.

Storing Larger Quantities of Coffee: If you’ve purchased a large quantity of coffee that you will not use immediately, small portions, wrapped in airtight bags, can be stored for up to a month in the freezer.  Only unopened bags of ground or whole beans can be stored in the freezer. Once you have removed them from the freezer, however, do not return them. Instead, move them to an air-tight container and store in a cool, dry dark spot.

Have a Cup of Joe

Nearly 400 million cups of coffee are downed each day in America. That’s a lotta lattes!

It’s our favorite fix, and there’s more of it than ever: Coffee shops are the fastest-growing restaurant business, according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America. Meanwhile, the number of people who own single-serve coffeemakers has shot up by 900 percent since the first ones hit shelves seven years ago. As long as you’re not guzzling it by the gallon, coffee is one habit you don’t have to break; some experts event consider it a superfood (see our previous blog for more info).

“Coffee contains compounds that have anticancer benefits. We’re not even close to learning its full potential,” says neuroscientist Chuanhai Cao, PhD, a researcher at the University of South Florida. So feel free to read the good news over a cupful.