Most Important Meal of the Day

Last week we talked about treating yourself to special gifts throughout the week. However, the one treat you should not miss out on each day is breakfast.

Breakfast acts as brain fuel to get your head in the right place for the start of the day. In addition, maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight depends on eating a breakfast in order to fill the body up and prevent overeating later. Breakfast keeps the metabolism working throughout the day and helps the stomach stay at a normal size instead of stretching to fit a large meal.

When stopping for your morning cup of coffee, don’t skip out on breakfast. It could help you work harder throughout the day and provide you with a healthier lifestyle if trying to lose or maintain your weight.

Treat yourself!

After the “Parks and Rec” episode where Tom and Donna teach others to treat themselves to special gifts and massages throughout the day, I jumped on the bandwagon. I am often a cheap shopper. I do not overly enjoy shelling out my hard-earned cash. However, as the day or week drags on, it becomes more difficult to remember the idea of treating yourself in order to support a happier, more satisfying lifestyle.

In a struggling economy, too often I hear of nay-sayers rejecting the daily cup of joe as an excessive expense. “Cut out your latte and you can save hundreds a year!” they proclaim. In all actuality though, these critics are not looking at the emotional value invested in the latte. A small gift to yourself through out the day raises your spirits, gives your encouragement to finish your work, and reminds you that you are an important person.

While looking for healthier options might be helpful, drinking a special cup of coffee a day increases my self-confidence and reminds me to treat myself more often.

Drink to your health

Swimsuit season is right around the corner, and I don’t know about you, but I haven’t prepared for it at all. Summer seems like the perfect time to workout, start training for that marathon you’ve always wanted to do and eat fresh fruits. But what are your options when drinking coffee or energy drinks throughout the day?

Monks Coffee Shop is offering several healthy drink options for you to choose from in order to gear up for summer and get beach body ready. Protein shakes for those slimming down or bulking up are available. Sparks energy drink enhances mental energy and focus for a long day, plus its under 50 calories. Smoothies made from fruit puree are under 200 calories each and taste delicious. Plus choose from lemonade sweetened with honey or green tea smoothies for another refreshing option.

Its never too late to start drinking to your health.

Iced Coffee with a Twist

It is unseasonably hot in Abilene already. Rather than crank up the air conditioning, I’ve been looking for fun ways to cool off as I prepare for summer. Although smoothies are a sweet treat, and lemonade is on special at Monks this month, I tried a little home recipe I thought you might like.

Iced Coffee with a Twist

First, you buy Monks coffee grounds to make in your coffee pot at home. After brewing and cooling a pot of coffee fill your ice trays with the brown, delicious liquid and place in freezer.

After the ice tray freezes your coffee ice cubes to perfection, fill your favorite glass with the chilly blocks.

Pour some milk (I prefer almond milk) over and drink with delight on the front porch.

If I don’t have time to make it out to the coffee shop, I chill at home with my iced coffee and soak up the coming summer.

Baristas are Celebrated

April 26, Monks employees traveled to several coffee shops throughout town, spreading the love and cheer of “Celebrate your Barista Day.” The gift baskets delivered to fellow baristas included chocolate covered espresso beans and eclectic mugs – a Monks signature piece.

Back at the coffee shop, customers snacked on cinnamon rolls and cupcakes throughout the day. And Monks baristas honored their dedication to the job with a community lunch. In addition to all barista revelery, Monks Coffee Shop celebrated the dedication of one barista in particular – Grant. Grant has been with Monks since April 2007. He has spent many hours perfecting foam art, sampling flavors, and cleaning machines. Without his expertise and contribution to the store, Monks would not be the same place you know and love.

While everyday is “Celebrate your Barista Day,” taking time out of the normal schedule to appreciate those who support our society in caffeinated ways made for a fun event.

I can’t wait to see how we’ll celebrate next year!

Celebrate Your Barista Day, April 26

Saint Drogo (1105-1185), the patron saint of coffee houses and baristas, was known for his miraculous talent to bi-locate – he could be in two places at once. Drogo mesmerized his fellow faithful Catholics through his dedication to work and the church. Witnesses claimed seeing Drogo working in the fields while simultaneously participating in Mass. Saint Drogo serves as the patron saint of baristas because he is known for his multi-tasking. Not only do baristas work wands, pour shots and delight customers all at once, baristas enable customers to become multi-taskers as well. After consuming daily cups of coffee, customers leave the coffee shop ready to tackle the day and multi-task with ease. In honor of Saint Drogo’s feast day in April, we celebrate baristas all over with a “Celebrate Your Barista Day.”

We understand that baristas are some of the most important people in the everyday life of society. Baristas acts as artists, counselors and friends to the community. Although not usually recognized for their unique role, every barista takes pride in the craft of his or her work and the compassion with which he or she serves. In honor of these unsung heroes who keep us awake, we created a day to say “Thank You” for all baristas do. Throughout Thursday, April 26 Monks will be offering special treats for customers and encourage a thankful atmosphere for those who serve delicious cups of joe seven days a week. Stop by Monks for sweets, meet the baristas and try out some of their infamous drinks.

In addition to delicious drinks, Monks Coffee Shop will be honoring one loyal barista. Grant has served drinks, literary advice, and interesting insights on music at the coffee shop for 5 years. To celebrate his dedication to the art, we are serving Grant’s favorite drink throughout the day – the Grant – an intricate Irish Cream latte stirred with whipped cream in the espresso. There will be a special presentation honoring Grant at 12:30 PM and all are welcome to attend as we celebrate his dedication and the dedication of all our talented employees.

Take time on April 26 to celebrate your favorite barista by offering a smile, tip, and special conversation. Can’t wait to see you there!

Monks Regulars Share Stories: Artwork

If you haven’t been in the shop lately, you need to stop by and see the new artwork. Our barista and artist, Alyssa, painted images of Monks regulars to showcase the community feel you get when entering into the warmth of the coffee shop. I talked with Alyssa about her inspiration behind the beautiful project.

What inspired you to create these inventive images? I have the advantage, as a barista, to meet others intimately downtown. Serving coffee creates an easy relationship with those working and living in the area. Monks, as a coffee shop, creates a laid-back, fun-loving culture for all to enjoy. The coffee shop creates community, and that’s what I tried to portray in my artwork.

Do you know all of the people you painted? I know of all the people in my artwork. They come into Monks often, we have conversations, and they are important figures in our establishment. After I started the project, other baristas began recommending some of their favorite customers as well. In the end I had too many faces and not enough time to paint all the people who are appreciated by Monks employees. Although I may not spend time with these people outside the caramel colored walls, I and the other baristas know and care deeply for all of the regulars who walk through our doors. They make up the community.

What medium did you use to create such unusual paintings? I brewed coffee and espresso to paint the images of different people. Coffee is very thin, sometimes weak, so I had to use several layers to create the shading you see. In some paintings I incorporated actual coffee grounds to give it a natural, gritty look.  I felt it was appropriate to create the people we appreciate so much out of their favorite drink, Monks coffee.

Our talented baristas took time to recommend paintings to Alyssa in order to express our appreciation for those who make Monks a special place. Come see the community for yourself on the walls and seated in chairs.

Monks Regulars Share Stories: Mario

Local community members share their favorite things about the coffee shop on our blog this month. Mario found Monks Coffee Shop when looking for a local place with free Wi-fi. He quickly became famous among the baristas for his homemade desserts he often shared.

What initially attracted you to Monks? The atmosphere is incredibly friendly and there is always activity. If you want or need something to do in Abilene, you should stop by Monks.

What is your favorite drink? I order a bottomless cup everyday. I’ve tried every type of direct trade, organic coffee the shop has to offer and my all time favorite is the Italian. It is dark and smooth.

What does Monks provide for the Abilene community? Monks provides a great opportunity to meet interesting people from the community. You can network with other professionals while enjoying the atmosphere. Abilene maybe known as the friendly frontier but that doesn’t mean it is antiquated. There is a wealth of talent in this town – and I’ve met most of them at Monks.

The Monks slogan is “Keep Abilene Boring.” What would be your recommended slogan for Monks? I’d keep “Keep Abilene Boring.” It says it all in a quirky way.

Monks Regulars Share Stories: Jessica

Local community members share their favorite things about the coffee shop on our blog this month. Jessica found Monks Coffee Shop when she moved to Abilene and went looking for a locally owned coffee shop. After opening her own boutique, Betty and June, downtown she has become a Monks neighbor and regular. Check out her store for great gifts and special purchases for yourself!

What initially attracted you to Monks? When we moved to Abilene, I wanted to find a locally owned coffee shop with a great atmosphere. The low-key space brought me back every time.

What is your favorite drink? Although I usually order a 12 ounce latte, my real favorite is the Dirty Chai.

What does Monks provide for the Abilene community? Monks provides great coffee, and knowledgeable and friendly staff in the local community. 

The Monks slogan is “Keep Abilene Boring.” What would be your recommended slogan for Monks? “Be cool in downtown”

Monks Regulars Share Stories: Phil

Phil found Monks Coffee Shop during the summer of 2011. Over the next few months, Phil’s face was a regular welcome to baristas in the shop. He is a connoisseur of coffee and a fixture around the hand painted tables.

What initially attracted you to Monks? We moved into the neighborhood over the summer. After noticing Monks while taking our dogs for a walk, we stopped in for a look. Inside we found a community of welcoming faces and friends. This is the central hub of our lives. Our friends spend time here, and we feel a part of Abilene because of the friendships we found at the coffee shop.

What is your favorite drink? Americano with cream. And on a crazy day, I’ll have a Dirty Chai.

What does Monks provide for the Abilene community? Monks provides opportunities for students to hang out, performers can find a stage at Open Mic night, and those in need of a welcoming community can find friends and places to be themselves. Plus there is free Wi-Fi… if you purchase a drink.