Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Best Coffee Ever... and 21 Day Fix Approved!!!

Ok, so I was introduced to this coffee "recipe" couple months ago from some coaches on our team.  So this is NOT my creation, but it's definitely my coffee love that I crave each morning!!

So I used to be a Splenda-holic, embarrassingly, I would use 4 Splenda in my coffee (grande size at Starbucks)...FOUR!?!?!  Do you know how ultra sweet that is?  Oh my goodness.  It was absolutely SO sweet and because I was using artificial sweeteners it actually would make me crave more sweet things!
21 Day Fix Approved Coffee, clean eating, The Best Coffee Ever... www.HealthyFitFocused.com
The Best Coffee Ever

So, about a year and a half ago, I decided enough was enough...I was starting to eat clean and decided this was one area I needed a MAJOR change!  So, I decided to go cold turkey!  I cut it out completely and stopped using anything to sweeten my coffee.  It took me a while to get used to it, but I really just needed to lose that propensity for so much sweetness.

The other thing I needed to majorly change with my coffee was adding 1/2 and 1/2 to my coffee!  I would add about 4 tablespoons of cream to my coffee each morning.  Do you know how many calories and fat that is per year?

4 Tablespoons of 1/2 & 1/2 per morning:
   -- 25,550 calories/year
   -- 2,190 grams of fat/year

This is equal to an extra 7.3 pounds per year just from my cream in my coffee ALONE!!!

This was absolutely MIND BLOWING when I sat down and did this math!  I couldn't believe it!  Do you know that was enough to make me change what I was doing.

Now, I do understand that there is still fat and calories in my recipe below, however, this fits perfectly into my 21 Day Fix meal plan and I simply use a "fat" teaspoon for this!!!  1/2 & 1/2 is NOT 21 Day Fix friendly!!!



So...here's my "Best Coffee Ever" recipe...21 Day Fix Approved!!!

  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp Coconut Oil - depending on amount of coffee (equal to 1/2 teaspoon on the Fix)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Coffee

Hand blender or blender with glass container.

Put the coconut oil and vanilla extract into your coffee (I place it directly into my coffee pot) and blend!  I have a Cuisinart Smart Stick (hand blender) and stick that directly into my pot and blend!

UPDATE:  I've gotten a lot of questions about suggestions on what to do if you don't have a hand blender or glass container, or if you're at work and can't use a blender.  

  1. Get a larger mason jar (like a 4 cup one) and put the lid on and and get a good arm workout by shaking it up!!!
  2. Get an IKEA, $5.99 frother...these things are awesome.  They are cheap and small but work really well.  WARNING:  You've got to have some space in your mug for it to whip the coffee around or it will be all over you and you'll have a burned hand!!  So again, a mason jar may be a good investment for your morning cup of Joe!  Click HERE to see the IKEA Frother  


I want to hear from YOU...did you try this?  How did you like it??  Share with your friends!!

39 comments :

  1. @Super Second 423

    I just tried your coffee recipe, and I can definitely go with that instead of sweetener. Thanks for sharing!

    I accidentally deleted your comment instead of publishing it... I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! :)

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  2. You're welcome! I absolutely love this recipe and totally look forward to it each morning! One suggestion for "blending" it... IKEA has a little hand-held frother that I've used before. We have one and it works great. You could always get that and use that at work. :)

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  3. Suggestions if I don't have a hand blender or one with a glass cup?

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    1. Hi Jessica, so yes, a couple things you could do...get a larger mason jar and shake it up!! It may not get as frothy but will still mix it up...the other thing I love is a little frother from IKEA...it's $5.99 and works super well!
      http://www.ebay.com/itm/IKEA-milk-frother-cordless-coffee-foamer-whip-latte-hand-blender-mixer-Produkt-/221137763247

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  4. Oh my goodness!!!! I finally bought some coconut oil today and I LOVE this coffee!!!! I've been missing it since I started the 21 day fix last week....because I too like cream in my coffee. WOW, thank you soooo much for posting this.

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    1. Tina, I'm so glad you love it! Isn't it amazing! Seriously I crave this stuff. Glad you like it and thanks for sharing!!!

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  5. Just tried your coffee recipe and well lets just say I didn't hate it!! :) I could actually get used to it. I am a half and half 4 tbsp. girl too. No sweetner. I made this with the coconut oil, vanilla and a dash of cinnamon and it's pretty good - considering there is no cream. I think my husband will like it - I'll switch his sugar out for stevia.

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    1. That's awesome!! Seriously if we could all get rid of the 1/2 & 1/2 it would be HUGE!!! I was right there with you with that stuff...but I'm telling you, this grows on you! ;) Thanks for sharing!

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  6. coconut oil, really? what about all the Saturated fat in only one spoon? that's kinda crazy. My husband got heart surgery and during his rehab he was told coconut oil is not that great. What do you know about this? I use coconut milk SoDelicious creamer but I don't even know in what container this item would fit. because is not canned.

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    1. Johanna, I'm not a doctor or dietitian, however there's tons of research going both directions on it. Personally, my thinking is to take a look at what you're using and the specs on that. For me personally, I went from using 4 TBSP of 1/2 & 1/2 in my coffee every morning which is 4 grams of saturated fat, to using 1/4 tsp of coconut oil (which I believe has far greater health benefits than 1/2 & 1/2 in it) which equals 1 gram of saturated fat and only 10 calories and 1.2 grams of fat (for a 1/4 tsp of coconut oil). So it has to be a personal decision. Personally for me, I'm saving myself 65 or more calories and at least 5 grams of fat per day by switching to the coconut oil! It is definitely something I would check with your doctor about if you have concerns about it. As for the coconut milk for the containers, I'm not sure what she counts that as. I don't know the macros on it. I know Autumn drinks her coffee black. :)

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  7. I have read in a blog called moniques fitness that the program comes with 2 orange containers, but to only have 1 no matter what calorie intake level. So why is there 2? Does it mean 1 of each orange container? Also with shakeology, does that replace any of the other containers or is it extra? If it’s extra, wouldn’t it be extra calories etc slowing results? I’m excited to start, I just want to make sure I’m doing everything right

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    1. I have yet to figure out why it comes with 2 orange containers. I'm not really sure. You only get one, however in any of the calorie levels. Shakeology is considered a RED container for protein. It is not "extra".

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  8. How many cups of coffee does this recipe make? I have a keurig and normally make one cup (usually 8-10 oz) at a time. What adjustments to the measurements of coconut oil and vanilla extract would you suggest for just one cup? Thank you!!

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    1. Kayla, I usually use about 8-10 oz of coffee as well. I'll even play with the amount of coconut oil I use each time, sometimes I'll use 1/4 tsp, other times it will be more around 1/2 tsp. It all depends on my mood to be honest! LOL...as for vanilla 1/4 tsp is good!

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    1. I have tried coconut milk in my coffee, I still prefer the coconut oil, personally! But give it a shot! :)

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  10. I tried this today for the first time and it was great... I was a coffee mate splenda had to have my coffee blonde (if that makes sense) kinda person... today that changed! :) I loved it... I however used a teaspoon of the coconut oil... but only because its one of the listed options in the Fix book. Is that ok or should I use less... I didn't add any vanilla to the coffee

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    1. YAY!! That's SO exciting to hear! I too used to be a splenda girl...blah, now I can't even stand the taste! So exciting you can get off that other stuff now!! Congrats girl! 1 tsp is totally fine if you want to do that! It's super flexible!! :)

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  11. I tried this and it just tasted like black coffee, must have done something wrong

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    1. Did you blend it? When I've not had it blended or "frothed" then I notice that it just tastes like black coffee. What I notice is that it really helps to take the bitterness away from the black coffee. It's creamier than just black, but it may take some getting used to too! :)

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  12. What's your prep suggestion for iced coffee? I can't do hot coffee, not a fan. Thanks in advance!

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    1. Hi Jill, I would suggest brewing your coffee, chilling it and then making it the same way as listed above! I think it would still be frothy!! I've never done it this way but may give it a try!

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    2. It wouldn't work unless you're making it like a Frappuccino. You're putting coconut oil into cold coffee, it'll just start to solidify. If you do cooking picture putting melted butter in cold milk-that's what it'll do.

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  13. Can you only use Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and not the organic type that comes in the jar?

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    1. I think the stuff I use is organic. I get the big giant 2 pack from costco!

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  14. So excited to try this tomorrow morning!! My "coffee" (more like half and half and sugar with a touch of coffee) is my biggest weakness in my diet. Prior to this week, I put a couple teaspoons of sugar and 3 or 4 Tbsps of half and half. Awful! This week I completely cut out any sugar and just did a dash of half and half and its tasted so gross :( hoping I can learn to like it the way you make it! It would be so much better for me! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Jenna, I'll be honest, it will take time to adjust to this. That's no joke! When I switched to this coffee I had already weaned myself off of 3 splenda in my coffee and lots of cream! I had been off that for about a year before I discovered this mixture. Durning that year I had been adding almond milk to my coffee instead and didn't really like that either. If you need it sweet, try liquid Stevia...that's going to take getting used to. Honestly, I prefer with no sweetener now vs using Stevia. My hubby has switched to the Stevia though!

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  15. Do you make a whole put of coffee and add the mixture or are you adding that amount per cup? How much coffee are you using per 1/2 tsp coconut oil and vanilla extract.

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  16. You have definitely been the best source of knowledge and encouragement that I have found without a fee. Thank you for facilitating these conversations that help us make smart choices about fitness and health.
    I am getting ready to order this now. I am wondering how to know which package is right for me. Do you suggest the Essential, Extreme, Ultimate, etc. ? a blog called be fit with janet recommends the ultimate package, what do you think?

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    1. Mary thank you for your kind words. Before you order let's connect. Will you send me a message and we can discuss your goals and needs. Without knowing that it's hard to recommend something to you!! Healthyfitfocused@gmail.com

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  17. I am attempting this now. I must have disgusting coffee. Because there is nothing I can find to do with it except for creamers. What coffee do you recommend?

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    1. Rachel, I like my coffee strong. I usually use Starbucks or Peet's Coffee. Maybe a Kirkland brand too! I don't like weak coffee that's for sure! If you're used to lots of sugar and cream in your coffee, then it WILL take some getting used to! If it's important enough for you to get off of creamers then you're taste buds will adjust! :) I was at that point where I realized that I was poisoning myself with tons of Splenda and needed to make a change!

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  19. Hey Julie, my wife just started the 21 day fix today. How does your coffee recipe work itself into the whole container idea? Is there a container she needs to substitute out in order to fit this coffee in? Thx for your help.

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    1. Hi Mike, so the coffee with the coconut oil will count as a "teaspoon" for the 21 day fix containers! You can do as much or little coconut oil as you like, just have to count it. so if you use 1/2 teaspoon, count it as a 1/2 tsp for your containers! :)

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  20. This was ok but I'd still prefer milk or changing to coconut milk instead of oil. Not to mention it's inconvenient to make when you're at work, nor do I want to buy a handmixer just to make a coffee in the morning.

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    1. Sarah L, glad you tried something new! Just another way to make it and change it up! To each his own for sure! It took me a while to get used to it, but before I tried this, I was putting almond milk in my coffee and it was just NOT cutting it for me. For me, this was a better alternative to the almond milk! Hope you find something you enjoy!! :) Ps.. I already had the hand blender from when I was making lots of baby food from years ago...It never got used after that, until now! :)

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  21. I was a half and half junkie! I was probably at 5-6 Tablespoons a cup × 4 or 5 cups a day. Not good! I cannot drink black coffee I have tried so many times, it ain't happening! I also do not like just milk or almond milk in my coffee. I signed up for a 21 day fix challenge and immediately started freaking out about my obsession. Found your recipe and it saved me! Thank you! I have been using this recipe for over a month now and don't miss the half and half at all! I have 2 cups of coffee a day now. I put 1 tsp in each cup, I like hazelnut or vanilla extract. I have also been putting 1/4 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder. I use my Magic Bullet. So frothy and decaden....and good for me! Thank you!

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