I’ll Have a Latte and a Hack: No Thank You!
We all do it, find our favorite cafe with a “hot spot”, sit down with our computer and work, or play, the afternoon away. But is our daily indulgence becoming a little risque? Maybe so!
Enter the HACKER! While we are sitting there cup deep in blissful liquid gold, some of us are being violated by a good for nothing hacker. Well, that is a date I would rather not have, thank you very much! I’ll drink alone, maybe I’ll have a scone while I’m at it, me and my computer, by myself or with friends, but no uninvited guests.
A New York Times articlefrom February 16th drew attention to the new vulnerabilities faced by Wi-Fi users. In particular, a free program called Firesheep. Firesheep makes hacking your fellow cafe-goer a simple, user-friendly, DIY affair. It takes advantage of a lack of end-to-end encryption, allowing hackers to grab your cookies which are the bits of code that identify your private information. This enables hackers to act as you on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, or eBay. Sites that use HTTPS, rather than HTTP, are safe from this sort of hacking. Banking sites generally use HTTPS, but Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and EBay do not.
New York is advising people of this Internet cafe issue. Senator Charles Schumer spoke at Birch Coffee in Madison Square Park in Manhattan. He described the HTTP protocol as “a welcome mat for would-be hackers” and a “one-stop-shop for identity theft.” Its important to note that when you are using Internet hot spots, you are taking a risk if you are using HTTP.
Until the larger companies that store our data stop using HTTP, and start using HTTPS I suggest that you be aware of any unusual activity that might show up on your account. Be your own watchdog!
KIND Healthy Snacks Adds Two New Flavors
KIND Healthy Snacks (KIND) introduces two new flavors at Starbucks, Apple Cinnamon Nut + Fiber and Blueberry Vanilla & Cashew.
KIND sent me a few of these to try, after reading the label and seeing how healthy they were, I was skeptical. But after I had one, I was amazed at how good they were.
These healthy bars are all natural, low in sodium, gluten free, wheat free, dairy free and non GMO. (almost too healthy)
KIND says be kind to your body, which is great, but the taste is good enough that I’d eat it if it wasn’t healthy. When you open the package you can actually see what type of fruit and nuts you are about to eat.
These two new flavors are only available at Starbucks, but you can check out some of their other offerings online @ http://www.kindsnacks.com
Save Money Making Coffee at Home
Wake up, smell the coffee, and save almost $100. However, do it in your own kitchen. If you begin your daily grind by picking up your morning brew from a coffee shop, you’re spending about $2.45 per day for most foamy concoctions, more if you typically go for super-sized or signature varieties. The second cup to get you over the afternoon hump brings this spending figure up to $98 each month.
Making your coffee at home will run about $0.12-0.28 per cu — small beans compared to store-bought. Assuming the higher end of that estimate calculates to just $1.40 per week or $5.60 each month. For that sweet price, you can afford to take a refill to the office in a reusable travel mug ($11.20 per month) for a later pick-me-up.
Here’s how:
Invest in a no-frills coffeemaker ($15 and up), if you don’t already own one. Coffee prices vary, but even fair-trade, organic coffee can be found for less than $15 a pound. The cost of a splash of milk or flavored creamer is minimal. Keeping the disposable coffee cup out of landfill: priceless.
Study Shows Coffee Reduces Diabetes Risk in Women
Coffee produces a protein which appears to regulate sex hormones in women, in turn, reducing their risk of developing diabetes, according to a study released by UCLA. The protein has been shown to protect against diabetes.
The study found women who drank four cups of coffee a day were less than half as likely to develop diabetes than those who did not drink any coffee. Decafinated coffee did not appear to produce the same effect on the risk on diabetes.
Is Starbucks Trenta Size Making Us Fat And Do We Really Care?
As most of you know, Starbucks has released a new size of coffee, the Trenta, which bosts 916ml of liquid bliss, available in all markets on May 3rd. Apparently it has been a success in the test markets, despite the large calorie punch that it can pack on the waistline.
This is causing some stir given the obesity crisis that now faces the United States. The average human stomach cannot hold 916ml. The average capacity is only 900ml. Given that number, its best to pass up the pastry or risk exploding, or at least being in desperate discomfort, neither of which I am a fan of. I love coffee, don’t get me wrong, but this is one big cup of Joe. It puts it into prospective when you consider that the average bottle of wine is 750ml. Now you see what I mean.
Given the sugar content of some of the drinks, this is likely to send us into a diabetic coma. Although I know it cannot be “good” for me, I will most likely drink it anyway because, lets face it, we here at CoffeeSage like our coffee, A LOT! I’ll just try to sip it over a long period of time and do my best to pace myself. Perhaps this new super-sized marvel will become one of those “drink/food challenges”. I might just be able to win that competition!
Melitta Ready Set Joe – Single Cup Coffee Brewer
Any Coffee lover who doesn’t have a Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer is missing out. As long as you have hot water you can have a fast delicious cup of coffee in minutes. I don’t always like to committ to a full pot of any one coffee and with this device I don’t have to. Considering you can get one of these for about the price of a Latte, it’s a an easy decision to have one in the cabinet.
I know a lot of coffee purest who swear by press pots, I love a good press pot too, but it’s not the right solution for every coffee. The Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer is the best of both worlds. You get the convenience of a single cup with taste profile of a coffee pot, also clean up is easier than both.
If you get a chance you should also try Melitta’s packaged coffees. They are extremely affordable and have a mild taste, suited to any coffee drinker. They also have some more of the popular flavored coffee selections.
Overall, the Melitta products are affordable and tailored to anyone from a coffee novice to a coffee expert.
Coffee Cups and Thermoses Have Been Added to Terror Weapons List
If you are carrying a thermos or coffee cup in the airport you can expect to be looked at a little more closely than those who don’t because such items could be used to conceal explosive materials, according to an official advisory
Passengers travelling with insulated beverage containers can expect to see additional screening of these items using procedures currently in place, including X-ray screening, physical inspection and the use of explosives trace detection technology,” states an advisory issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Its best to leave a little extra time when you are traveling, especially during the holiday season, due to increased security measures.
The New TASSIMO T20 by Bosch Brings the Coffeehouse to You
PRESS RELEASE:
Single Serve Home Brewing System Features Maximum Variety with More Value per Cup
(Chicago, Ill. – March 14, 2010) – Whether it’s a latte in the morning or an afternoon cup of tea, there may not always be time for a trip to the coffeehouse. The new TASSIMO T20 by Bosch makes it even more convenient for people to enjoy their favorite barista-quality beverages without leaving the comfort of home. With a slimmer design and price, the T20 expands the TASSIMO lineup to three brewer options, enabling individuals and families to enjoy the perfect cup of their favorite brewed beverage whenever and wherever they like.
“The T20 delivers coffee shop-quality beverages in about one minute per cup with virtually no heat-up time, so more people can enjoy their favorite flavors without having to brew an entire pot,” said Michael Traub, president and CEO, Bosch home appliances. “The TASSIMO brewer’s compact design is ideal for apartments, dorm rooms and countertops that have little space to spare.”
The TASSIMO system utilizes patented T DISC technology to brews single cups of premium coffeehouse-quality beverages, including cappuccinos and lattes made with real milk creamer, espresso, crema, tea and hot chocolate – with more flavors to come. To create an unprecedented level of variety and value, Bosch partnered with Kraft Foods to offer more than 40 hot beverage T DISC flavors from some of the industry’s most popular brands.
The TASSIMO T20 by Bosch will be available March 30, 2010 at Target stores and Target.com for $129.99 with promotional pricing available.
Bosch will showcase it’s current TASSIMO brewer lineup at the 2010 International Home
+ Housewares Show, Lakeside Hall #12737.
About Bosch Appliances
Bosch home appliances is part of BSH Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group, the third largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Known worldwide for raising standards in appliance efficiency and quietness, Bosch is the only US appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR® qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration. With US headquarters in Huntington Beach, CA, the company operates an appliance park in New Bern, North Carolina comprised of state-of-the-art factories for washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens and cooktops.
For more information, visit www.bosch-home.com/us, call 800.921.9622 to request a catalog. Connect with Bosch on Twitter @BoschAppliances or become a Facebook fan facebook.com/BoschAppliances
About Kraft
Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoodscompany.com) makes today delicious in 150 countries around the globe. Our 100,000 employees work tirelessly to make delicious foods consumers can feel good about. From American brand icons like Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings, Maxwell
House coffees and Oscar Mayer meats, to global powerhouse brands like Oreo and LU biscuits, Philadelphia cream cheeses, Jacobs and Carte Noire coffees, Tang powdered beverages and Milka, Côte d’Or, Lacta and Toblerone chocolates, our brands deliver millions of smiles every day. Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) is the world’s second largest food company with 2008 revenues of 42 billion. The company is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor’s 500, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the Ethibel Sustainability Index.
Ashley Tisdale & Scott Speer Love Coffee!
On December 11th, Asley TIsdale and Scott Speer were spotted at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Los Angeles.
Tis’ the Season
Tis’ the season for flavored coffee!!!! This year, more regional and grocery store brands are participating with holiday blends of their own according to Bloomberg Business Week reports.
Starbucks has Peppermint Mocha Latte, Gingerbread Latte and Eggnog Latte. They also carry a lower-calorie version of the Peppermint Mocha Latte in select markets.
Dunkin’ Donuts has added a low-cal version of its gingerbread-flavored drip coffee to its holiday lineup.
Caribou Coffee has Fa La Latte and Ho Ho Mint Mocha.
Maxwell House is offering a Peppermint Mocha Latte mix.
Get your holiday flavor on!
Kona Coffee Faces Quarantine Due to Pests
Hawaii had decided to go ahead with an “emergency administrative rule” to quarantine Kona coffee. They hope to keep a coffee berry borer, which is a tiny beetle that is smaller than a sesame seed, from spreading to the other islands.
The beetle bores into the coffee cherry, which contains that coffee bean, to lay its eggs. The larvae feed on the coffee bean and reduce the bean’s size and quality, agriculture officials said. Agriculture officials have found 21 areas in south Kona that are infested with the pest.
The quarantine would require green, non-roasted coffee beans to be treated with heat or insecticide before they’re shipped off the island. “Depending on how it comes out, the effects of the quarantine could be disastrous for those of us who grow Kona coffee,” said Bruce Corker, president of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association.
Those who would be most severely impacted is the organic Kona coffee farmers. The Kona Coffee Farmers Association is calling for a ban on the import of all foreign green coffee beans into Hawaii, because they believe that’s how the bug got here.
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