MOVEMBER ... SUPPORTING "MO BROS" EVERYWHERE

Following closely on the high heels of October's pink ribbons, "Movember" (the slang marriage of the words November and  moustache) is dedicated to Handlebars, Dali's, Imperials or Freestyles, all grown by "Mo Bros" in a campaign to raise awareness of diseases that affect men, particularly prostate and testicular cancer.  The Movember movement traces its roots to a group of men in Melbourne, Australia who conceived of the idea in 1999.  Also known as "Novembeard," the idea spread quickly around the world. 

Mo Bros are expected to follow specific guidelines:

1)  They should register at www.movember.com prior to the 1st of November.

1)  All participating males must kick off Movember with a clean-shaven face.

2)  Mo Bros are expected to grow, groom, trim and wax their mustaches throughout the entire month of November.

3)  Moustaches are not to be joined to sideburns.

4)  Handlebar mustaches cannot be joined to the chin (this is technically considered a goatee).

5)  Lastly, participants must conduct themselves as "true country gentlemen"

 

In support of their men's health, women who wish to participate (called Mo Sistas) can opt to refrain from shaving their legs and underarms for the 30 days of November (somehow, an idea that probably does better in European countries).  Funds raised in the United States through Movember events go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.  In 2010, over 64,500 U.S. Mo Bros and Mo Sistas raised approximately $7.5 Million to further  men's health awareness.

So support the men in your life by becoming a Mo Bro or a Mo Sista, or just by encouraging our men to go for regular physical exams and to NOT ignore signals their bodies may be sending them.  In praise of men, we raise our K-cups to the males of the species  - you go, Mo Bro's! May you live long, healthy, cancer-free lives! And if you are a Mo Bro or Mo Sista, we invite you to chronicle your Movember participation on Coffee Break - we'd love to hear from you!

FEMALE COFFEE LOVERS REJOICE!

According to the results of a study released this week by the Harvard School of Public Health, women who regularly drink four or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily have a 20% lower risk of suffering from bouts of depression than women who stick to decaf beverages. This is great news for us gals since, reportedly, we are more likely to suffer from depression than our male counterparts. While the accuracy of these findings could probably be debated ad nauseam, most coffee lovers (female and male alike) will tell you they really do need that morning cup of coffee to get their bodies out of bed and their brains in motion! 

No bones about it, we at One Cup Connection love our k-cups and enjoy a great cup of coffee no matter the time of day. This recent Harvard study is just one of many positive reports on coffee drinking that have been published over the years by such sources as the Mayo Clinic and the American Heart Association.  According to these esteemed organizations, daily coffee consumption results in:

• Improved mood, alertness and energy.
• Reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
• Increased longevity.
• Better athletic performance.
• Decreased risk of cancer.
• Lower incidence of gout in women.
• Fewer deaths from coronary heart disease.

The only drink consumed more frequently than coffee is water, so the whole world can't be wrong! And though we don't know for sure if it makes us healthier, we positively know it makes us less grumpy, kinder people!  If you had to choose between giving up coffee, chocolate or sex, which would you choose?

DELICIOUS ANYTIME ....

 

For many of us, summer conjures up thoughts of lazy days, soft breezes, bright sunshine and a tall cold glass of iced tea out on the back  porch ... that is, until Keurig made it so easy for us to enjoy a tall, delicious, good-as-gourmet iced coffee! No matter what flavor or roast of K-Cup you prefer for your iced coffee, we have several tips guaranteed to make this great treat even better!

Tip #1: Never brew iced coffee into a glass cup containing ice cubes as the glass cup might just crack.  Instead use a non-glass container.  There are many attractive 16-oz. personal size drink cups available in just about every kitchen department of your local department store or specialty shop.

Tip #2: Never again wind up sipping a watered down drink when you make ice cubes ahead of time using the same K-cup flavor you plan to use for your iced coffee. 

Now for the best part .... two of our favorite recipes:

HERE'S MUD IN YOUR EYE ...

 Fill a tall 16-oz. cup with ice (made ahead of time with Gloria Jean's Mudslide K-cups) and place under brewer.

Place a Gloria Jean's Mudslide K-cup in your Keurig brewer. Choose the brew setting of your preference (we like the 6-oz. setting) and press brew.

Add a generous helping of chocolate syrup, 1/2 cup of whole milk (or half 'n half, if you prefer) and a tspn. of raw sugar. Stir, top with a dollop of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon and enjoy the yumminess!   

Looking for a late-night treat? Add some Bailey's Irish Cream and you have a little taste of heaven!  Or if you prefer a non-alcoholic treat, add a scoop of premium French Vanilla ice cream instead.

IT'S ESPRESSO TIME

Fill a tall 16-oz. cup with ice (made ahead of time with Green Mountain's Fair Trade Organic Espresso Blend K-cups) and place under brewer.

Place a Green Mountain Fair Trade Organic Espresso Blend K-cup in your Keurig brewer. Choose the brew setting of your preference (we like the 8-oz. setting for this) and press brew.

Add 1-1/2 cups half 'n half (or whole milk, if you prefer), 1 tspn of finely shredded orange peel and sweeten to taste (we use 2 tablespoons of raw sugar). Top with 1 tspn grated semisweet chocolate and garnish with orange peel strips .... so pretty it's almost a shame to drink it!

Do you have a favorite iced coffee recipe?  Please share. We'd love to try yours!

... AND THEY'RE OFF! (to college, that is)

It's here - that time of the year when we send our future business titans, doctors and professors off to college. Exciting? Yes. Traumatic? For us, absolutely! Regardless of our feelings, we really don't want our children to be traumatized by their first experience at living away from home. Instead, we want them to have a fun-filled, best-time-of-your-life experience and teaching them how to stretch a dollar goes a long way to making that a reality.

 Remember how hard it was to teach a little one the mechanics of money? How many pennies make a nickel? How many nickels make a dime? That's nothing compared to the arsenal of money handling tips kids today need to make it through the month/semester/year without running out of money. Some of these tips are super easy, like don't get talked into signing up for a credit card. And most students learn pretty fast to buy used textbooks instead of new ones. Harder, though, is learning how to make a budget, and harder still, is learning how to stick to it. The ability to budget is a skill that will last your scholar a lifetime. Here are some of the less common budget in's & out's that may be helpful to your college student:

1) Act and spend like a college student, not like a college grad with a job. Going to class and studying is your job and your #1 priority.

2) Everyone also needs "fun" time.  Check the college schedule for free activities. When going out, frequent local restaurants that feature happy hours where drinks are less expensive and snacks are free.

3) If you see something you want, ask yourself if you really need it. If the answer is "Yes," wait a week and then ask yourself again. If the answer is still, "Yes," then comparison shop for the best price before actually making the purchase. Avoid impulse buying at all costs.

4) Track your spending. Take a few minutes at the end of every day or every week to mark down what you've spent, along with when and where you spent it.

5) If you're not living on campus, get a roommate. Furnish your shared apartment with thrift store finds or bargains that can be had at local garage and tag sales.

... and our last tip: Instead of spending chunks of cash at Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, ask mom and dad to send you off with a personal Keurig brewer. The B130 is small yet mighty and brews a perfect 8 oz. cup of coffee in less than 3 seconds. You'll save tons and you'll be able to enjoy your favorite kcup coffee any hour of the day or night while you're studying for an exam or finishing a term paper.

Note to mom & dad: One Cup Connection is offering you the chance to purchase the Keurig B130 brewer on special from now thru August 31st for only $59.95. Use Coupon Code: KB130. And check out our website for money-saving deals on kcups. Your college student will love you for it!

LUNCHBOXES WITH PIZZAZ

The Wall Street Journal recently reported on a whole new phenomenon that's arisen from our country's current economic conditions -  it seems that even executives are looking to cut pennies by bringing their lunch to work! Never a nation to overlook ways to "make a million," enterprising designers are busy producing lunchboxes that don't look like lunchboxes but instead disguise themselves as laptop bags, wine cooler totes or even fashionable purses. 

At more formal companies, secret brown-bagging managers carry cases roomy enough to hold an adult-size meal, functional enough to keep food from getting soggy and cold, and stylish enough to be mistaken for a pricey accessory.

While we understand the importance of maintaining a certain appearance, do you find it humorous that self-conscious executives will go to these extremes? Or do you applaud the proud brown-bagger who doesn't give a fig if we know he's bringing a peanut butter & jelly from home? Would we try to mooch some of his chips? What's your opinion on this newest development in the fascinating world of Big Business?

Coffee and Conversation

You’ve planned a small get-together for an intimate circle of friends and you’re trying to decide on just the right finishing touch ... the perfect dessert to complement an afternoon or evening of shared laughter and lively conversation. How about a Cappuccino made with any one of the delightful extra bold k-cup roasts available from One Cup Connection paired with your favorite biscotti or gelato?

Cappuccino is a coffee drink traditionally made from espresso topped with warm milk followed by a layer of foamed milk. Developed by the Italians, cappuccino was originally consumed as part of their breakfast menu and was generally paired with sweet pastries. Today, people around the world enjoy cappuccino at any time of the day or night. For an added touch, cappuccino can be garnished with shaved chocolate, raw sugar or cinnamon. While professional baristas take pride in creating artistic shapes when pouring the steamed milk on top of the espresso coffee, you might want to try this simple recipe that’s easy to do and sure to please:

QUICK & EASY CAPPUCCINO

(1) 6-oz. cup of your favorite extra-bold roast k-cup coffee
1/2 cup skimmed milk
1 tsp sugar

Mix the sugar and the milk together and thoroughly heat the mixture in your microwave. Then pour the hot milk in a blender and blend until the milk develops a thick layer of froth. (Some people prefer to whisk the hot milk.) Brew the k-cup in your Keurig machine using one of your favorite coffee roasts. Pour the frothy milk and sugar mixture on top of the coffee and add a pinch of cinnamon or, if you’re in a gourmet mood, garnish with shaved chocolate. Voila!  (Makes one individual serving)
Have a favorite recipe?  We urge you to share with all your K-cuper friends here at One Cup Connection.

CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE ...

This July 4th marks the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s ratification by the members of the Continental Congress. Although approved on July 4th, the Declaration was not actually signed until August 2, 1776 when fifty men affixed their signatures to the document. Six more signatures would be added afterwards and in January 1777, Thomas McKean was the last of our founding fathers to sign the Declaration. The absence of signatures did not stop the people of Philadelphia from celebrating our separation from England.  On July 8, 1776, Philadelphia rang the Liberty Bell summoning its citizens to Independence Hall for the first public reading of the Declaration by Colonel John Nixon.  In point of fact, the 4th of July was not declared an official federal holiday until 1941.

More than 81 Million Americans will celebrate the day with a barbeque or back yard party. We hope your menu will include lots of traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and watermelon, as well as a variety of K-cup coffees from One Cup Connection.  Here’s a simple festive dessert recipe that’s sure to complement whatever flavor of k-cup coffee you like best:

INDEPENDENCE DAY POKE CAKE

Ingredients:  
        1 pkg white cake mix
        1 (3 oz.) pkg cherry flavored gelatin mix
        1 cup boiling water
        1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
        Home made whipped cream topping
        Fresh blueberries
Directions: 
Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for a 9 x 13 cake pan. After removing cake from oven, poke holes through it using a long pronged fork. Holes should be spaced at approximately 1” intervals.

While the cake cools, combine gelatin with boiling water and pour the mixture over the cake. Top with cherry pie filling and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.  Just prior to serving, top cake with home made whipped cream or use a 16-oz container of frozen whipped topping, thawed. Sprinkle fresh blueberries over the topping or serve on the side.

Wishing all our friends and customers a fun-filled 4th!

IN PRAISE OF FATHERS

 

 "A father carries pictures where his money used to be."

Poor Dad! He rarely gets the recognition he so richly deserves! Although the United States is credited with establishing Dad's special day, the holiday did not even receive official recognition by our Federal government until 1972 when Richard Nixon signed it into law. Dates for Father's Day celebrations vary around the world and while the majority coincide with our holiday, others take place in August, September and even December. Reliable statistics show that although more phone calls are made on Mother's Day, Father's Day is credited with more collect phone calls than any other day of the year! 

Historians credit Sonora Smart Dodd of Creston, Washington with the establishment of a special day to honor fathers.  Inspired by the first  Mother's Day festivities in 1905, Ms. Dodd sought to pay tribute to her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who single-handedly raised six children on his own.  This year, Father's Day falls on Sunday, June 19th, the same day as the first Father's Day celebration in 1910.

While a new tie might be the first thought for a Father's Day gift, recent trends favor power tools, sporting event tickets and electronics.  At One Cup Connection, we ask why not give Dad his very own Keurig brewer? Our Coupon Code B145 special is sure to bring a smile to Dad's face with all the available great K-Cup flavors to choose from and a superior Keurig brewer that Dad will appreciate almost as much as you appreciate him! 

GETTING IN SHAPE ... COFFEE'S A BIG "ZERO"

Summer is upon us and if you're like the millions of Americans who are fighting the battle of the bulge, you know what a drag it is to count calories. Yet there's no getting away from the fact that portion control and exercise are the key ingredients to any successful diet. But take heart! There are virtually "0" calories and no fat in a cup of coffee, even the flavored K-cups from OCC that you use in your Keurig! You'll also be happy to know that coffee has no carbohydrates, no sodium and no cholesterol.  In fact, coffee is exempt from Federal food label programs precisely because of this plethora of zero's. The only time coffee becomes fattening is when we start adding other "stuff" to it.  For example, one tablespoon of heavy whipping cream adds 52 calories; a tablespoon of table sugar, 49 calories; the same tablespoon of either half-and-half or fat free milk will add 20 or 5 calories, respectively. Some gourmet coffees from specialty chains have so many added calories, just one cup can use up over 700 of your daily calorie allotment!

Newest aids on the diet scene? An ingeniously clever, although not entirely perfect, app for your iphone or ipad called Meal Snap that allows you to take a picture of your meal and get a calorie count before you eat it! The app also allows you to indicate whether your snapshot represents a specific meal or a snack and keeps a running tally of your daily caloric intake.  Next step to calorie control?  How about a robot that eats your food for you and another that energetically performs your exercise routine - sounds perfect to us just as long as those robots keep their paws off our cup of coffee!

ODE TO THE MONTH OF MAY

Unquestionably one of the most beautiful months of the year for those of us living north of the equator, May was named for Maia, the Roman Goddess of Spring and Growth. Originally the first month of the year, May found itself moved back to fifth place in the calendar lineup when the ancient Romans decided to bestow the title of New Year's Day on January 1st.

While May hosts a variety of well-known holidays, including Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day and the recently celebrated Kentucky Derby Day, the month also owns some less celebrated observances, including Oak Apple Day on May 29th and Arbor Tree Day on the last Sunday in May. Lewis & Clark began their famous expedition to reach the Pacific Ocean on May 14, 1804. Amelia Earhart took off on the first solo flight by a woman across the Atlantic Ocean on May 20, 1932, and the Brooklyn Bridge was opened to traffic on May 24, 1883.

May also has its fair share of superstitions. In early days, young girls would rush out into the garden on the first of the month to begin May Day celebrations by washing their faces with the May dew. This was supposed to guarantee them a beautiful complexion all year round. May was also considered an unlucky month for getting married - "Marry in May and you'll rue the day."

May is also National Hamburger Month; National Barbecue Month; National Peace of Mind Month; National Egg Month; National Strawberry Month; National Asparagus Month; and National Salsa Month. May 1st is National Chocolate Parfait Day; May 3 is National Chocolate Custard Day; and May 12 is National Nutty Fudge Day! And like any other day of the year, it's also a wonderful time to toast the Merry Month of May with your favorite coffee from One Cup Connection! Please feel free to add to our celebration of May by telling us other fun facts or light-hearted trivia you know about this wonderful month. We also invite you to share your favorite Chocolate Parfait or Custard recipes!

MAKING MOM’S DAY SPECIAL ....

What can we say about our Moms that hasn’t already been said a thousand times over?  She’s the one who always calmed our fears, boosted our egos, defended our honor (even when we were wrong), kissed all our boo-boo’s and cheered us on every step of the way.  She’s also the one person we probably take for granted.  Thankfully, there’s Mother’s Day!

The celebration of Mother’s Day dates back to the early 1900’s when Anna Jarvis, an Appalachian homemaker, organized a day to raise awareness of poor health conditions in her community, a cause she believed would be best advocated by mothers. She called it “Mother’s Work Day.” After her death in 1905, her daughter, also named Anna Jarvis, began a campaign to memorialize her mother’s charitable works.  That eventually led to the adoption of a Resolution and the eventual Bill that was signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, officially declaring the second Sunday of May as “Mother’s Day.”

Stumped for a special gift for your mom this year?  Why not take advantage of our special offer on the Keurig Pro brewer?  Mom’s sure to love this one-cup coffee maker that comes with three free boxes of K-cups!  That's 66 FREE K-cups plus free shipping anywhere in the U.S.  This deal is too good to be true ... Just like your incredible Mom!

Coming Soon ....

The Royal Wedding is right around the corner, and we’re just as obsessed with the event as everyone else!  Broadcasts of the ceremonies will begin at  5:30 am EST here in the States on April 29th.  We’re going to be watching, sipping a hot cup of English Breakfast Black Tea and eating a crumpet (not really).  Will you be watching and what will you be drinking?

Meantime, back at onecupconnection, we’re busily working on some new features that we think will make our site and our service even better! Check back frequently for news about the upcoming Flavor of the Month Club, where you can sign on to automatically receive a featured K-cup sampler with every order  you place.  This is a great way to ensure that you get to try seasonal favorites and exciting new flavors.

Welcome, Coffee Lovers!

We get it.  Coffee isn’t very exciting. Sure there are people out there who can tell you about the subtleties of taste, character of the roast and the origin of the bean right down to the name of the farmer who picked it. And maybe those things are important to you. But if you’re like us, they’re probably not. All we really care about is starting our day with a great cup of coffee.

That’s why this blog won’t always be about coffee. Sure, we’ll keep you up to date on our business and the latest industry trends, but we’d much rather get to know you and have some fun along the way. So think of this as more of a place to chat with friends and talk about current events or anything else you might find interesting. And we promise to offer you some great deals with almost every post.

So go ahead, jump right in. Share your stories, tell a joke or ask a question and we promise to do the same.  And check back often to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the great deals, fun contests and interesting content that make onecupconnection a really cool place to buy coffee!