Tag Archive for Coffee

| June 7, 2023
Comments Off on A Coffee Nap Can Boost Your Energy

A Coffee Nap Can Boost Your Energy

A Coffee Nap Can Boost Your EnergyThe next time you need a power nap to make it through another long day, try a coffee nap. A coffee nap combines to of my favorite things, coffee and a nap. A coffee nap involves drinking a cup of coffee and then taking a short nap of 15 to 20 minutes. This combination can help you feel more alert and refreshed than just having a coffee or a nap alone.

How does a coffee nap work?

caffeine to reach your brainA coffee nap works by taking advantage of the way caffeine and sleep interact with a chemical in your brain called adenosine. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter that signals tiredness and promotes sleep. As you go through the day, adenosine levels build up in your brain, making you feel sleepy. When you sleep, your brain clears out adenosine, making you feel more awake.

Caffeine is a stimulant that blocks the effects of adenosine by binding to the same receptors in your brain. This means that when you drink coffee, you feel more awake and energized. However, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes for caffeine to reach your brain after you drink it. This is where the nap comes in.

adenosineBy drinking coffee quickly and then taking a short nap, you can make better use of the waiting time for the caffeine to kick in. During your nap, your brain will clear some of the adenosine, making more receptors available for caffeine. When you wake up, you will have less adenosine and more caffeine in your brain. This gives you a  double boost of feeling less tired and more alert.

The benefits of coffee naps

Coffee naps have been shown to improve various aspects of cognitive performance, such as reaction time, memory, attention, and learning. They can also help you overcome the post-lunch dip that many people experience in the afternoon. Coffee naps are especially useful for people who are sleep-deprived or work night shifts, as they can help them stay awake and alert.

Coffee naps are especially usefulOne study found that drivers who consumed 200 milligrams of caffeine (about two cups of coffee) before taking a 15-minute nap performed better. Another study showed that those who took coffee naps had better memory recall than those who only had coffee or napped.

Another study showed that participants who drank 200 milligrams of caffeine before taking a 20-minute nap were more energized and performed better on computer tasks than those who just took a nap; took a nap and then washed their face; took a nap and then were exposed to bright light upon waking; and those who just rested.

How to take a coffee nap

How to Boost Your Energy with a Coffee NapTo take a coffee nap, follow these steps:

– Drink a cup of coffee quickly. You can use any type of coffee, but avoid adding sugar or milk as they may slow down the absorption of caffeine.
– Set an alarm for 15 to 20 minutes and lie down in a comfortable and quiet place. Try to fall asleep as soon as possible. If you can’t fall asleep, just relax and close your eyes.
– Wake up when your alarm goes off and enjoy the benefits of your coffee nap.

Tips to make your coffee nap more effective

– Avoid taking coffee naps later than six hours before bedtime, as caffeine can interfere with your night’s sleep.
– Avoid napping for longer than 20 minutes, as you may enter deep sleep and feel groggy when you wake up.
– Experiment with different amounts of caffeine and nap durations to find what works best for you.

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A coffee nap is a simple technique that can help you boost your energy and performance during the day. By drinking coffee before taking a short nap, you can enhance the effects of both caffeine and sleep on your brain. Coffee naps can improve your alertness, memory, reaction time, and mood. Try it out next time you need a power nap and see how it works for you.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| August 20, 2022
Comments Off on Seven Quick Tips For Better Coffee

Seven Quick Tips For Better Coffee

Seven Quick Tips For Better CoffeeFor the longest time, the coffee I made at home never tasted like the brew I got at my local coffee shop. That meant I stopped a Tims a lot. However the cost of coffee at the drive-up has exploded. According to Tasting Table the price of coffee has been steadily increasing. In October 2019, coffee’s average price per pound in U.S. cities was $4.17. It has increased 38.8% by June 2022. The price per pound of coffee increased to $5.79. After much research and experimentation  I have identified 7 quick tips make a bold and delicious cup of coffee at home or work.

Store your coffee right

SStore your coffee righttore your coffee in a container with an air-tight lid, like a mason jar. You can or store a bag or can of coffee on a shelf or back of the pantry. You should find a spot free of humidity. Avoid the freezer – it’s humid in there. I use the OXO Airtight 1.7 Qt for Coffee and More Food Storage, Good Grips POP Container.

Warm your mug

If you pour hot coffee into a mug at a lower temperature, it won’t stay hot for long. You can prolong your coffee sipping pleasure by pre-warming the cup. Pour some hot water into the cup and let it sit while the coffee is brewing. Pout off the hot water before filling the mug with coffee and enjoy a longer-lasting hot cup of coffee.

Use the right coffee cup

the right coffee cupUse a diner-style white coffee mug with thick walls. Thick-walled mugs maintain the coffee’s steaming hot temperature for longer. Avoid those dainty china teacups. They are going to drop in temperature quickly, leaving you with room-temperature coffee. Sturdy handcrafted ceramic mugs are fine too.

Too much water

A weak cup of coffee can be caused by too much water—or not enough coffee—for a good cup of joe. Start with two heaping tablespoons of coffee per cup of brew and then tweak the coffee/water ratio if needed.

Use good water

Tap water is convenient, but if you don’t like the taste of your tap water, don’t use it for coffee. Tap water impurities can affect the taste of your morning brew. Switch to filtered water or bottled spring water. Filtered water is free of minerals and are not acidic.

Clean your filter basket

This one would seem to be a no brainer, but have you ever checked the machine at the office? Make sure that you remove the used grounds directly after brewing. If they sit in the filter for a few days, they can get moldy and you’ll need to thoroughly clean the machine before using it again.

Clean your coffee machine

Clean your coffee machineYour coffeemaker needs to be cleaned regularly. Wash the carafe, filter basket and lids in soapy water after every use. And at least once a month run a brew cycle with equal parts water and vinegar. Get full instructions on how to clean a coffee maker here.

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These seven quick tips can help you make your coffee taste like your favorite coffee shop brew.

 

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| June 16, 2022
Comments Off on Tim Horton’s Caught Collecting Private Data

Tim Horton’s Caught Collecting Private Data

Tim Horton's Caught Collecting Private DataThe mobile app from coffee shop Tim Horton’s has been collecting vast amounts of users private data without consent. The Canadian federal privacy commission investigation began two years ago after the Financial Post reported on Tim’s contract with Radar Labs Inc. Radar Labs is a third-party U.S. firm that provided enhanced location tracking services for the app.

What Private Data Did Tim Horton’s Collect?

Tim Horton's app collected users' geolocation without their knowledge.Between May 2019 and August 2020 the Tim Horton’s app, which has four million users, collected users’ geolocation without their knowledge. The app collected personal data from users even when the apps was not being used. People who downloaded the Tim Horton’s app had their movements tracked and recorded every few minutes of every day, even when their app was not open.

Radar was able to use the information it collected in the app to identify personal location data. The app could identify a user’s home, place of work and when they visited a competitor of Tim Horton’s. Reports are the app noted when users entered a Starbucks, Second Cup, McDonald’s, Pizza Pizza, A&W, KFC or Subway. The Tim Horton’s app was even able to figure out if users had been traveling. The app generated an “event” every time users entered or left a Tim Horton’s competitor, a major sports venue, or their home or workplace. Canadian Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien said in a statement

Tim Horton’s clearly crossed the line by amassing a huge amount of highly sensitive information about its customers

What Happened to Tim’s?

delete the granular data it collected, and any further data derived from itAccording to the report, Tim Horton’s collected granular location data for the purpose of targeted advertising and product promotions. Even though Tim’s never used the information for those purposes. The investigation also found that there were inadequate contractual protections for users’ personal data. Commissioner Therrien commented,

The location tracking ecosystem, where details of our daily lives are treated as a commodity to be exploited to sell us products and services such as a cup of coffee, heightens the risk of mass surveillance

Based on its findings, the OPC ordered Tim Horton’s to delete the granular data it collected, and any further data derived from it and to order all third-party providers to do the same. Tim Horton’s has since complied. Additionally, the company agreed to create a privacy management program for the app and all future apps to prevent another privacy violation. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner noted, there “is a real risk that de-identified geolocation data could be re-identified.“

Tim Horton’s has more than 5,100 stores in 13 countries. Most are in Canada, but there are more than 600 in the US, mostly in New York, Michigan, and Ohio.

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Tim Horton’s was caught collecting illegitimate data via its app. It is a safe bet that many more apps are doing much the same with dubious consent. It is essential to always read through a user agreement before consenting. Both Apple and Android offer options on their phones to restrict how their apps track them. A step in the right direction.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| April 19, 2022
Comments Off on Eight Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2022

Eight Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2022

If everyone had a reusable water bottle, then this number would decrease greatly. If you don’t already own one, then go out and buy a bottle that you can take with you everywhere you go.Earth Day is Friday, April 22nd, 2022. Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Invest In Our Planet.” Here are 8 investments you can make at home today. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.

Use A Reusable Coffee Cup

Saving five cups and lids over the course of a week amounts to nearly 300 during the year. Multiply that times the number of people who work just in your office, and it quickly adds up to less waste for Earth Day 2023.

Plant a Tree This Earth Day

Trees and forests are extremely important for providing oxygen, homes, and resources to animals, which includes us. Trees can help with soil erosion and contribute to dealing with carbon emissions, Deforestation contributes to greenhouse gases, with an estimated 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions due to the cutting down of trees.

Plant a Tree This Earth Day

Trees not only cool things down – they can help decrease a city’s temperature by up to 10 degrees. They also clean the air and give off more oxygen. Trees have proven to increase your property value by 15%.

This Earth Day, if you want to help make your area a bit greener. Help reduce deforestation and climate change. Plant a tree or even a forest! You can buy saplings from garden centers or the Spruce has a way to get free trees for your Earth day celebration.

Give Up Chewing Gum

Give Up Chewing GumYou might think that chewing gum is environmentally friendly. However, it is actually made from synthetic rubber, which is plastic. Around 100,000 tons of this plastic is thrown away every year, and a lot of it ends up on the street and on the bottom of your shoes. Next time you want minty-fresh breath, just brush your teeth rather than chewing on a piece of plastic.

Shop a Local Farmers Market on Earth Day

Buy local. Buying local produce reduces shipping distances from food sourced overseas. Buying local supports local businesses and communities. Check out a local farm or local restaurant this Earth day

Shop a Local Farmers Market on Earth DayVisit a local farmers’ market. Not only will you be supporting growers in your area, but buying local helps save transportation energy and fossil fuels. That’s because food in the grocery stores travels an average of 1,500 miles to get to you. All that shipping can cause pollution plus an increase in fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Farmers markets also tend to use a lot less, or even no plastic packaging compared to supermarkets, which helps reduce waste. Finally, the products are grown or made locally so transport distances are very short and CO2 emissions are low. Community Supporter Agriculture, or CSA, is also a great way to get local, seasonable produce delivered to your door. Sign up for one in your area.

Use a Refillable Water Bottle

Fish eat plasric - we eat fishAmericans buy 1 million plastic bottles every minute. The water extraction for these water bottles is harmful to wildlife and whole communities. There’s no reason to use it.  In 2016, over 480 billion plastic bottles were sold, which is over 60 for every person. It takes over 1.5 million barrels of oil to manufacture all of those bottles each year. There are still over two million tons of water bottles that have ended up in U.S. landfills.

If everyone had a reusable water bottle, then this number would decrease greatly. If you don’t already own one, then go out and buy a bottle that you can take with you everywhere you go. Buy a reusable bottle, preferably one that has a  water filter attached to it, so you’ll be getting fresh water every time.

Stop Using Plastic Straws on Earth Day

Stop Using Plastic StrawsPlastic straws contribute greatly to the plastic waste in our oceans. The next time you go to a bar or restaurant, make sure to say no to straws and even encourage them to stop using straws completely. If you have to use one, then buy an environmentally friendly one that is reusable. You can buy bamboo, metal, and glass straws online that you can wash and use rather than always buying plastic ones. Swap plastic straws for reusable straws made from silicone, bamboo, or metal.

Switch to eBills and Online Invoices

Switch Your bills to eBills and online invoicesRather than being sent your monthly bills by post, switch to online statements to reduce paper waste. It’s really easy to do and can save millions of trees every single year. With online bills, you are sent an email when your bills are available online to view. Decreasing the demand for paper will hopefully decrease the rate of deforestation.

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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| September 27, 2021
Comments Off on 31 Free Coffee Treats on National Coffee Day!

31 Free Coffee Treats on National Coffee Day!

30 Free Coffee Treats on National Coffee Day!Happy National Coffee Day! Wednesday 09/29/2021 is free coffee Day. Here is a hot steaming list of coffee sellers that are offering free coffee on nation coffee day. Some of the deals require an additional food purchase, most offer free coffee—especially if you order through their rewards apps. Support the folks who are offering a caffeine fix for free in celebration of this most wonderful time of the year – Free Coffee Day !!!!

National Coffee Day!National Coffee Day!

  • 7-Eleven is offering a hot coffee of any size, with the purchase of a fresh-baked good at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide. Also, customers who order through the 7-Eleven app can receive a free hot coffee of any size, with any purchase.
  • Atlas Coffee Club This online coffee shop is offering a free bag of coffee. It has to be ordered through their site (shipping not included), with code “COFFEEDAY2021,” through Oct. 2.
  • Barnes & Noble is offering a free tall hot coffee Wednesday with the purchase of any item from their “bake case.”
  • Biggby CoffeeBigby coffee drinkers can get a free 20-ounce hot brewed coffee Wednesday.
  • Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters is offering 29% off online orders with code “COFFEEDAY” through Sept. 30. The Wisconsin-based company is also running a sweepstake for a year’s worth of coffee. The national sweepstake runs through Oct. 4. The winner will get a year’s supply of its coffee. You can nominate yourself “or anyone you believe deserves a little flavor added to their day for an entire year.” Go to Flavoryourday.com to learn more and to enter.

More free coffee

  • Caribou Coffee logoCaribou Coffee All Caribou Coffee Perks members who visit in-store Wednesday will get a chance to win rewards. The rewards include free coffee for a year, free size upgrades, free beverages, and more.
  • Casey’s is offering a free small coffee with any purchase using Casey’s Rewards at the Ohio-based pizza chain on Oct. 2, 
  • Chameleon Organic Coffee, the online coffee brand has an Instagram contest through Wednesday with a chance to win a “special prize bundle of coffee and branded merch.” To enter, follow @chameleoncoffee on Instagram, like the brand’s sweepstakes post, tag a friend in the comments with #ChameleonSweepstakes.
  • Circle K customers can receive a free cup of hot or iced coffee on Sept. 29 by texting “FREE” to the shortcode 31310 to receive a digital coupon for a free cup of coffee at participating Circle K stores.
  • The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in California is offering a free regular size brewed coffee. With any $2 or more food or beverage purchase on Wednesday.
  • Duck Donuts registered loyalty members will receive an app reward for a free medium cold brew or frappe. The coupon can be redeemed in-shop or online at this national chain. Wednesday through Friday. To get this deal, guests need to download and register for the app by 11:59 p.m. EST Tuesday.

Even more free coffee

  • Dunkin logoDunkin’ will offer a free medium hot or iced coffee through their app.
  • Dutch Bros Coffee, this west coast chain is giving free “Dutch for a Year” to 100 winners. Beginning Wednesday, customers who download and use the Dutch Bros app will have a chance to win. The promotion is scheduled to last until Oct. 31 or until 100 winners have been selected, whichever comes first. When a rewards member scans their app to make a purchase or redeem a reward, they’re automatically given an entry to win. Maximum of one entry per day. Learn more here.
  • EG America – All SmartPay Rewards app users for this convenience store chain across the company. The brands include Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Tom Thumb, and Turkey Hill. Customers will receive a digital coupon for one free coffee Wednesday. The coupon is for any size, hot or iced coffee.
  • Einstein Bros. Bagels The chain says every day is a free coffee day when you order ahead in the app. Get a free hot or iced coffee with app orders.
  • Green Mountain Coffee Roasters is running a contest starting Wednesday and through Oct. 4. You can enter for a chance to win the company’s “Pumpkin Spice for Life” contest. One winner will be randomly selected to win the seasonal flavor by entering their email on the site that launches Wednesday.

Yeap more coffee

  • Jack in the Box logoJack In the Box offers a free regular coffee and Jumbo Egg Roll if you use code “JUMBOROLL2021” in the company’s app.
  • Kahwa Coffee, a Florida-based chain, will give out free small coffees on Sept. 29.
  • Kolache Factory Get a free 12-ounce coffee Wednesday from the Texas-based firm with a coupon that will be emailed and posted on social media. No purchase is necessary but the coupon is not valid on espresso drinks. Limit one coupon per person, per visit.
  • MAPCO All guests can get a free 16-ounce coffee Wednesday from this Tennessee-based chain.
  • Nescafé – The coffee brand has an Instagram sweepstake through Wednesday with a chance to win the “ultimate coffee prize pack,” including a year’s worth of instant coffee and signature red Nescafé mugs. To enter, follow @nescafelatino on Instagram, like the brand’s sweepstakes post, tag a friend in the comments, and include #MomentoNescafe and #Sweepstakes.
  • Panera is giving out free coffees to parents or caregivers on National Coffee Day—you just have to tell a cashier at the time of purchase that you qualify.
  • Pilot Flying J is offering any size dispensed hot, iced, or cold brew Pilot coffee free with the chain’s rewards app Wednesday.
  • PJ’s Coffee is offering a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew Wednesday with the chain’s app with code COFFEE.

Free coffee!

  • QuickChek rewards members can get a free 20-ounce hot or iced coffee Wednesday from this east-coast convenience store chain.
  • Rebel Hard Coffee drinkers of the alcoholic coffee brand can visit Winwithrebel.com to enter sweepstakes. They could win a trip to Costa Rica and other prizes through Oct. 17.
  • Scooter's CoffeeScooter’s Coffee is celebrating with a free small brewed coffee Wednesday.  You will need a coupon from the Nebraska-based company’s Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter feeds. Or ask for the deal in-store. The offer is available in-store or curbside but not online.
  • Sheetz rewards members can get one free coffee Wednesday. The offer is for any size self-serve coffee and no purchase is necessary.
  •  Starbucks is offering a free cup of brewed coffee for National Coffee Day when you bring in a reusable cup.
  • Wawa is handing out free coffee (of any size) to teachers and education administrators through all of September. Iced coffees are not included and the deal is limited to one per customer.
  • Wendy’s will offer a free coffee with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich on National Coffee Day.

Stay safe out there!

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Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.

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