I think it’s time for an official post for the 1 year (6/15 so a little late). I’m excited to share some numbers and things we’ve accomplished.
Before we get started, I want to thank all of you who have participated in the weekly polls, contests in the past, or have even just dm’ed me for a recommendation. It means a lot and it pushes me to keep on going everyday. I appreciate you all so much!🙏🏼
Okay cheesiness aside, it’s time for some numbers!🔢
•As of today we’ve visited 92 coffee shops. Out of those 92, we recommend 39.👍🏼
•Our smallest poll had 170 views with 34 votes & our biggest poll had 312 views with 90 votes.📊
•We reached and exceeded our goal of 1,000 followers. 🎉
•Our average amount of impressions per month is roughly 22,000.📈
•We had our first group trip ever to Chicago & we’ve booked another for Seattle this September. 🛫
•I love meeting new people and am proud to say with confidence I’ve met some amazing baristas, owners, and other coffee drinkers during this period.☕️
I’m thankful for all of the support you’ve given on this journey & am excited for what’s to come.🙏🏼
Photo Credits: @songjohansen 📸 Special Thanks To: @songjohansen @grace.mcdonald @matt__frat @laurenpahl_ 👏🏼
Today we’re at the Cafe Astoria on Grand in St. Paul.
This place has never failed to please. The employees are so warm and friendly every time I enter, the ambiance Astoria brings is unique, and all of the paintings and plants just gives it a real cozy feel.
I’m glad Astoria is open again. They’re here everyday with dine in and patio seating from 7AM-3PM. Bring a mask!
Today’s drinks: Pumpkin Pie Frappé (Hot/Cold) & 24k Latté 🎃 (Hey thanks for hooking it up!)
Today’s lunch break brings us over to Lululemon in MOA. They’ve got a nice little shop hidden in the back of the store, yes in their own store!
Someone welcomed me as I walked into the clothing area and let me know about the promotions and what they had going in today.
I love their clothes, but today we came for coffee. I headed in back bobbing my head to the upbeat music and approached the coffee shop.
As I began to look at the menu, two very kind baristas greeted me and helped me out with deciding what to order. I wasn’t sure if If I should have gotten a coffee or a smoothie.
The first barista explained that they get their coffee locally @pennyscoffee_ and that the smoothies were good too. I ended up trying both. They did not disappoint.👌🏼
Today’s drinks: Strawberry Nice to Meet You & a classic Americano. 🍓
Today’s lunch break brings us over to the South Saint Anthony Park Neighborhood’s Dogwood Coffee.
I actually went here with my old bud @christopher.cho last year and it was really good. Everyone’s kind of just doing there own thing here.
One of the biggest things that make a coffee shop good is how you are treated when you walk in. The baristas here were very friendly and even helped me schedule a walk-in reservation!
The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone is doing work so hey, here’s another good study/work spot for ya!
Goood Morning Coffee Addicts! How much caffeine can you fit into four 5oz glasses? The results may surprise you!🤯☕️ —————————————————— THIS WEEK’S WINNER/LOCATION: Newly opened on October 1st over on Lyndale in the Lynlake neighborhood is this week’s winner @thirdspacecafempls ! Thank you to @allcoldbrews for the recommendation!🎉 —————————————————— THE SCOOP: So I’ve actually met the owner Erin before! If this flight looks familiar to The Last Drop’s, it’s because she used to manage there and is the original creator! With 12 years of experience under her belt she was finally able to fulfill her dream & open up her own shop, bringing her ideas with her.🛠
Everyone has 3 spaces: 1. Their home or place they stay 2. Their public participation (school/work) 3. Their third space-somewhere they can fully be 100% themselves (Favorite spot/doing a hobby/what makes you feel at peace) 😌
Erin is trying her best those who want to focus on making a full time career in the coffee industry. Rosie (barista) has worked with Erin in the past and feels strongly that she knows what she is doing. They both love their team & the community. 🙏🏼
*Fun fact learned yesterday*: In Italy being a barista is seen as a prestigious level career because over there making coffee is an art.🇮🇹 —————————————————— FINAL THOUGHTS: Nice natural sunlight, “I Love You Always Forever”, a super high ceiling, coffee flights, a propagated plant cutting wall, & an LED Happy Lamp to help fight your SAD. Those are just a few of the many good things about this shop. They’ve got events on Thursday evenings for the social people, a reading area for the quiet ones, & an overall huge space for everyone in between to catch up over a nice cup (or flight). Great shop, add it to your list.👍🏼
To all of those who celebrate, I hope you had a warm and cheerful Christmas with your friends and family. 🎄
Today, Mr. Songathy and I scouted a few spots around downtown Minneapolis for a shoot. We ended up right outside of The Emery where of course we also snagged some coffee. ☕️
It’s always a fun time at these shoots. For all of you who don’t know Song; he’s my go to photographer, my little, and although we don’t talk all the time he’s one of my closest buds.
I also want to give him a quick shoutout for just getting signed onto the Twin’s baseball team as one of their newest interns. 📸⚾️
I love seeing my friends succeed and I couldn’t be more proud of you guy. Congratulations. 🎉
————————————————— Please sponsor me @spyhousecoffee .🙏🏼 Today’s Drink: Family Room👨👩👦👦 PC📸: @songjohansen
Today’s lunch break brings us over to the Saint Anthony East neighborhood.
Five Watt Coffee is today’s shop. Walking in you’re immediately hit with an industrial feel, indie/alternative music, and very friendly baristas.
I’ve heard about this place from a while back but never had the chance to come here. Very laid back environment. I’ve noticed almost everyone here is working on their laptops both inside and outside so if you’ve got work to get done, this isn’t a bad place to go to!
Guys we just hit a freaking milestone! We’ve got our first ever event w/@vitalityroasting coming up to support their new coffee bag launch!🎉
Here are the details: ————————————————— Where: Black Coffee & Waffle Bar (Como Location-1500 Como Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414)
When: Sunday, September 12th from 12pm-2pm.🕛
What to expect: 1. Drop in & meet up w/16ozDays x Vitality Roasting coffee community.🗣 2. A giveaway with Vitality’s new coffee bags.👝 3. A 16% discount on your entire purchase!💰 ————————————————— Guys, for the good of the people, skip the Starbuck’s Frappe’s for a day to taste some of FINEST QUALITY COFFEE for a FRACTION of the cost.☕️
Today’s lunch break brings us to the corner of Fairview and Randolph’s Due Focacceria! (Right across from St. Kate’s)
I spoke with a barista named Patrick who kindly shared a little but about the Italian establishment.
Due has been around since Summer of 2019. They specialize most of their meals around this type of bread called Focacceria (a style of Italian flat bread).
Today I tried their Formaggio & Carne board. It came with an assortment of goodies that included delicious spreads, vine ripened fruit, and bread to die for.
Something cool that Patrick also mentioned is they try to focus their establishment in an aperitif style.
I learned today that Aperitif is the time before dinner that you usually have a drink and chat, usually for an hour or so. This fun segment of time occurs in most European countries, but mainly in Spain & Italy
Needless to say, Due likes to enjoy their meals. And with their presentation and seating I’d say it’s pretty easy to enjoy a meal around here.
Today we’re at one of my old favorites. Located over in the Lowry Hill East neighborhood is @thelynhall . Guess what? They’re open for dine in again.
Man did I miss it here. The Lynhall is a go to spot for my buddies and I for a cup of light signature coffee and a sublime brunch.
Let me share my experience today. I was greeted and seated within 30 seconds of entering. MJ’s “I Want You Back” was playing, old friends were catching up, and the smell of fresh pastries was in the air.
I sat barside and had the best customer experience. Charles was my barista/bartender today. He walked me through some great menu options and was very patient with my choice (Shakshouka). As requested, they also timed my second cup of coffee with my meal perfectly. Very welcoming and kind staff here.
Great meal, even better service. 10/10 experience here. If you’re ever in uptown, give them a chance, you won’t regret it. Definitely a top 5 pick.
I’m a big fan of Spyhouse Coffee Roasters and guess what? Another Spyhouse location has re-opened!
Today I’m at the North Loop location in Minneapolis right off of Washington Ave.
This one is a little smaller compared to the others, but it’s upbeat. The choice makes you want to nod your head and the staff here are great. As a small chain, the drinks are similar, but with each location brings a different character.
Expect more Spyhouse posts to come!
Oh and hey, have a great Labor Day Weekend. 🎉
Today’s Drink: Frost Bang and Solid Gold 🏴☠️ . . .
I’m sure some of y’all have already heard or seen, but yesterday we went to @honourtheday for some coffee, juice, and s’mores for their Grab and Go event!
Located in Stinson BLVD in the Como neighborhood in Minneapolis was where we had this fun experience. They had music, a bonfire and some great deals on their drinks, soup, and even their skin care products!
We had a nice squad swing by yesterday to start off our morning and hand a grand old time. They never seem to disappoint! ——————————————— Today’s Drinks: Vanilla Latté & Morning Dew🌾💧
Swipe right to see the perfect marshmallow 🥚🪵🔥
***A big thanks to @songjohansen for these amazing photos, always a pleasure sir📸***
Today’s lunch break brings us right on over to Spyhouse at the Emery Hotel in Downtown Minneapolis on 4th Street.
This is my favorite Spyhouse location by far. It has a huge open area with high ceilings. It’s a big space, but a very welcoming space.
You’re instantly calmed with the soft classical music and can feel the warmth from the fireplace as you enter. It almost feels like you’re in a small chateau or manor.
The barista was very friendly when greeting me and even introduced me to this new Elote Danish (surprisingly very tasty).
They have been open since early September, but recently extended their hours to: Tues-Sat: 7AM-4PM Sun-Mon: 7AM-1PM
I highly recommend this spot as a place to get your work done as there are is an abundance of seating complimented with a relaxing work environment.
Gooood Afternoon Coffee Addicts! We’ve got a new face in North Loop today!📰 —————————————————— THIS WEEK’S WINNER/LOCATION: They’re formerly known as Bootstrap Coffee. Right off of Washington between 5th & 6th ave is @BackstoryCoffee 🌆 Recommended by: @sxtatianna 🗣️ —————————————————— THE SCOOP: •Established 2014 whole selling beans. •2019 Brick & Mortar in St. Paul off Wabasha. •October 28th grand opening in north loop!
Today’s space is absolutely gorgeous. Ambiance-wise imagine extremely high ceilings, repurposed wood with antiques to fill the spaces, a plant wall, & a vast majority of seating options all being complimented by natural sunlight.☀️
I had the pleasure of speaking with @kinseychristine (manager) today. The two locations compliment each other, a Ying to St. Paul’s Yang if you will.⚪️⚫️
This is definitely a sit & stay spot. Backstory roasts their own beans & receives them fresh from their original location fresh twice every week. They have chia pudding/parfaits, pastries, as well gluten free options. Lots of choices for you & your friends.🍽️
Fun Fact: They have 3 seasonal drinks every season + 1 new rotating specialty every weekend until the end of the year🧐🔬👩🏼🔬 —————————————————— FINAL THOUGHTS: First impression was holy moly the line. On a typical day the wait is closer to 15 minutes or so. Regardless of the fact, the space is pleasant to be present at & there are many pieces for your to admire which makes the time pass by pretty quickly. Despite it being packed, the baristas still took the time to share their recommendations & how they were made. Delectable signatures, great service, & a solid foundation into Minneapolis as a new face.👍🏼
I left yesterday’s event with a smile on my face. I can’t express my gratitude for those who were able to swing by.😄🙏🏼
Whether it was our first time chatting, us being complete goobers together, or some reminiscing of the good old days, it was an absolute pleasure to have been able to spend that time with you all. 🗣💭
I hope everyone was able to sample some of the delectable coffee and make some new friends!🤝
I’m still in awe that this was our FIRST event. This is just the start guys. The coffee only gets better & our community only grows bigger. We’re only going up from here”.📈
A final thank you to the 16ozDays Coffee Fam, @vitalityroasting , & @bcwb_mn for all of the support on this collaboration. It has a gratifying experience and is definitely one for the books.☕️🙏🏼 ———————————————————— *The Raffle* Shoutout to those who ordered drinks, Vitality’s new coffee bags, or subscribed to the 16ozDays Blog!🎉
Winners for the raffle are tagged!—-> Congrats everyone!🎟🎊 (@laurenpahl_ twice😂) ———————————————————— #16ozDays #VitalityRoasting #BCWB #CoffeeGathering #CoffeeCommunity #CoffeeDate #CoffeeBags #MNCoffee #Minneapolis #MinneapolisCoffee #CoffeeBeans #Raffle #Prizes #CoffeeBlog #CoffeeBlogger #BlogEvent #coffeeblogevent...
I’ve just started a new career and have been trying my best to well... Do my best there. I apologize as I’ve realized it has taken some time away from 16ozDays.
But good news! I finished my case load a tad early today so you bet your boots I went to grab me some coffee. Black Coffee and Waffle bar down on Marshall in St. Paul is grannnnd. Takeout yes, but they are now also doing dine in!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been here on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Great place for curing hangovers and even better place if you’re a waffle fanatic!🍻🥂
The year is 2020 and more people are hopping on the train of following health trends. Why? Well, who doesn’t want to feel great and energized everyday and be more healthy overall? While it may sound like you can easily make the decision to choose healthy options when eating and drinking, it in fact can be pretty difficult. We see fast food joints, restaurants, coffee shops and so much more on just about every corner when we’re out and about. Of course, if you are hungry or thirsty and one of these places is right at your convenience, you are more than likely going to stop to grab something and continue on with your busy day. When you’re in need of a pick me up from some coffee, are you going to grab something convenient if it’s right within reach? Will you be more likely to splurge and get something unhealthy because the menu says it’s seasonal, new, part of a deal or simply makes it look too tasty to resist?
As a coffee consumer you may want to learn more about how you can choose the right options to align with your health goals. You may be trying to get better sleep, be more naturally energized, you’re dieting, looking for organic options, etc. Whatever it may be, here are some things to think about to be a health-conscious coffee consumer.
Timing Your Coffee Consumption
One of the most important parts of staying healthy is getting enough sleep. Many health problems are related to getting inadequate amounts of sleep, so it’s best to stay on top of it and be aware of your habits. If you’re staying awake too late because of a lasting caffeine buzz late into the night it’s harder to get the sleep you need. Some may say you shouldn’t drink any caffeine after 4:00 pm. Others may say cut it off by 2:00 pm. There may even be some who say get your fix of caffeine whenever you need it, even if that means it’s 10:00 at night. As a college student, I can say that it’s definitely okay to get that late night caffeine kick on a rare occasion if you need the energy to get work done and meet a deadline. Just make sure to get back into a normal rhythm as soon as you can so it doesn’t become a habit.
The bottom line is that you can do whatever you figure out is good for your well-being, but make sure to be aware of the effects your caffeine intake has on your sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant, and even if you start to feel some physical effects wear off, your internal system may be in a sense of heightened alertness far past when you want it to. If this is the case, you will find yourself completely awake while laying in your dark room trying to shut down for the day. If you want to drink coffee simply because you enjoy the taste, opt for decaf if it’s starting to get late into the afternoon or evening. If you typically drink more than one caffeinated beverage, try cutting down to one. There are many small ways that you can start to change how your caffeine intake affects your sleep.
Incorporating Various Ingredients
There are a lot of ingredients that could be in your coffee order that might be holding you back from your health goals. If you’re dieting for any reason, trying to lose weight or trying to keep it off, it is important to keep the calories, sugar and fat low. Additionally, you may have allergies to certain ingredients whether you’re aware of them or not.
Sugar is one of the tough ingredients. It can be found in just about everything. Sugar is high in fructose and can create some issues. Excess amounts of sugar can lead to the collection of fat, and a long term excess can sometimes lead to obesity or diabetes to name a few. Now this doesn’t mean you need to cut the sugary frappuccinos out altogether. A few don’t hurt, and you most likely don’t have to worry about becoming overweight from your coffee alone. Just make sure to switch it up and get something on the less sugary side sometimes or take a few days off from consuming any sugary beverage. Artificial sweeteners can help lower calories, but the long term effects can also be damaging and many people believe the extensive use of artificial sugar can be linked to a higher risk of cancer. At many coffee shops, you can ask for a natural sweetener to be put into your drink instead, or you can get it completely sugar free.
Fat is another component that you might want to be aware of. If you like drinks with a lot of cream, fat will be much more present in your drink than in a drink like black coffee or an americano. Just like with the sugar you don’t have to completely cut out drinking beverages with some higher fat concentrations. Make sure to limit your intake and be aware of it. Some people opt for an artificial creamer, just like artificial sugar. There are not as many conclusive studies on the long-term effects of artificial creamer, so it’s best to stay away when possible. Although there may be more fat and calories than you want in a milk product mixed into your coffee, there are other health benefits such as receiving the calcium your body needs to build strong bones and keep your heart and muscles functioning properly.
Now what if your coffee order makes you feel sick in some type of way? You might be trying many different beverages at different places in hopes of finding one that you can stomach, but maybe you feel like you’re out of luck. This is where we talk alternatives, specifically with milk. Oat milk and almond milk are widely available at coffee shops, and if you have any degree of lactose intolerance, substituting for one of these could help you out. Even if you don’t think you’re lactose intolerant, it doesn’t hurt to try! You might find that you like a new alternative anyway. Other alternatives that can be offered include cashew milk, coconut milk, rice milk and soy milk. If you try something new and end up feeling better, you’re another step closer to being a happier and healthier you.
Coffee and anxiety
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Anxiety is a common mental health issue people face, and coffee consumption, or caffeine in general, can actually be related to it. This is because caffeine is a stimulant that speeds up bodily functions. Consuming more than roughly two cups of coffee in a day can be enough caffeine to catalyze feelings that mimic anxiety, such as faster breathing, rapid heartbeat, or headaches. Sometimes a high consumption of caffeine can result in panic attacks. Do not worry, though. If you drink two or more cups of coffee often and do not experience any feelings of anxiety, you won’t suddenly start to. You know your body best, so do whatever feels good for you. If you do experience anxiety with or without coffee, it may be beneficial to try reducing your intake and make note of how your physical and mental feelings change, though.
wrap up
In a world of an increasing focus on living healthier lifestyles, consumers are looking for more ways than ever to be good to their bodies. For those of you who want to do this while enjoying coffee, you’ve come to the right place to at least get a good start. The first step is simply being more conscious of what may be good and bad for your body, and what you decide to put in it. From there, you could decide to focus on better sleep, better ingredients, better mental health and so much more. Hopefully you are able to find one aspect to focus on the next time you enjoy a caffeinated beverage and begin the journey towards being your best self!
-Written by my friend, Lauren
Hey There Coffee Addicts,
I hope you’ve all had a good week. I’ve never really thought about what’s in my coffee, just how it tastes. Lauren did a great job of highlighting being mindful of what you consume and when you consume it. The cool thing is this can apply for more than just coffee!
As always, I hope you learned a thing or two from the blog today.
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