Coffeeeeeee Time

Isn't it just lovely to wake up and enjoy a nice cup of warm, energizing coffee! Especially on those cold mornings like today. Mmm.. coffffeeeeee, it's my vice. Coffee in a nice oversized cup with some Splenda and a touch of hazelnut cream for flavor. I used to enjoy it with the Today show in the background but these days it's more of the Sprout channel, Avalyn's cartoons overides the news these days--I'm ok with that. Research now supports coffee as being a helpful and healthy component in our diet, in moderation of course (1-2 cups a day). Coffee may have benefits, such as protecting against Parkinson's disease, type 2 diabetes and liver cancer. And it has a high content of antioxidants-- it's a natural food source ground from beans. But this doesn't mean you should disregard the old saying "Everything in moderation." Although coffee may not be very harmful, other beverages such as milk and juice contain nutrients that coffee does not. Also, keep in mind that coffee accompaniments such as cream and sugar add fat and calories to your diet. Finally, heavy caffeine use — on the order of four to seven cups of coffee a day (like my mother-in- law) — can cause problems such as restlessness, anxiety, irritability and sleeplessness, particularly in susceptible individuals. ' So on these colder Fall and Winter months enjoy a cup (or two) of your favorite coffee roast and savor that bean taste and soothing aroma..with the news or cartoons! ;)