Kick the Caffeine Habit With These 3 Coffee Alternatives

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Kick back, relax and feel better and healthier with coffee alternatives.

I wonder how many people in the world drink coffee every day. (If you have the stats, let us know!) We're sure it's millions, and I used to be one of the many who have made the ol' cup of joe a daily habit. I still drink coffee (I just can't resist the aroma), but in moderation.

No, I'm not going to go and on about some of the benefits of coffee nor its disadvantages to our health. (There are already so many sources out there that can tell you that.)

It just hit me that there is always a better, healthier, greener alternative to things that we're all used to, and this is why today we're sharing some of the best alternatives to coffee if you're trying to kick the caffeine habit.

If you've already started replacing coffee with say, a green smoothie, well good for you! But for those who are just starting out, here's our advice: it's not easy to say goodbye to something you're used to doing (or in this case, drinking) every day of your life, so take it slow. Start skipping coffee a few days a week, and do it at a pace you're comfortable with. No pressure here.

Enjoy these healthier substitutes to coffee - without that caffeine jolt!:

Green Tea

This one's perhaps the best substitute for coffee. And for very good reasons! According to research, green tea is loaded with cancer-fighting compounds, lower cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. It's also packed with antioxidants so you get nothing but healthy goodness in a cup!

Green smoothies made from fresh fruits and/or veggies

Friends of mine who live a very active lifestyle swear by the green smoothie. It's a favorite of many athletes and health buffs, and here's why: it's a powerhouse of nutrients! There's nothing quite like the zing of fresh fruits to wake you up and energize you, plus all those nutrients from veggies are doing wonders for your brain and organs.

Cereal drink

This one's rising in popularity. Cereal drinks combine the amino acids of oats and rice to those of soya. You get your dose of fibers and protein from a nourishing cereal drink, and it's a delicious and refreshing alternative to coffee and milk.

Now we know it's hard to go cold turkey. It may be hard to break you relationship with your local Starbucks or coffee house, especially when you're on a first name basis with the barista. In that case, maybe you can order one of their non-coffee alternatives, or try ordering a decaf version. Once you can get over the physical addiction to caffeine, you'll find it is a lot easier to switch.

What other coffee alternatives do you drink or can you think of?

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Traditional Coffee Cake Recipes

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As with many other treats, coffee cake has evolved throughout the years. Nowadays, coffee cakes have been combined with a variety of fruits and ingredients, such as sour cream or banana walnut. However, one of the best coffee cake recipes remains to be the traditional cinnamon coffee cake. Here's how to make one.

Before starting with the actual coffee cake recipe, you should first gather the necessary ingredients. These include:

5-6 cups of flour

2 eggs

6 tbsps of butter

2 cups of sugar

3 tsps of cinnamon

4 tsps of bulk yeast

1 tsp of salt

a cup of cooking oil

warm water

Bundt-type cake pan

When you've already gathered the materials, you are now ready to start making your cake using your traditional coffee cake recipe. First, dissolve the yeast in 2 cups of warm water. Let it stay for several minutes. Next, add a cup of sugar, a teaspoon of salt and the cooking oil. Make sure you mix these ingredients well.

The next step is to add the 2 eggs to the mixture. Beat the batter until the eggs are completely blended in. Next, slowly add the flour. Start with a cup of flour and mix it until the texture is smooth. Do this with every cup of flour. When all the flour has been added, stir the mixture until the batter becomes sticky. Then, let the mixture stand for about 20 minutes.

While waiting for the 20 minutes to finish, start on the glaze. The glaze will give the coffee cake the right flavor. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter, and mix the 3 teaspoons of cinnamon and a cup of sugar together.

After the 20 minutes are up, get small portions of the batter. Roll these portions into small balls in between your palms. Dip these balls into the melted butter and cover it with the cinnamon sugar glaze. Next, lubricate the Bundt-type cake pan with a dab of cooking oil. Put the balls onto the lubricated pan. Finally, place the balls into the oven at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes.

During this 40 minutes, you can start brewing your coffee, so that you can have it ready by the time the coffee cakes are done.

After 40 minutes, take the pan out of the oven. Arrange the cakes and add some garnishing. You can also stick toothpicks on the cakes or even add icing or syrup. Voila! You now have your very own homemade coffee cakes! These are perfect for midday coffee breaks. Try this simple coffee cake recipe, and share it with your friends!

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