Samantha K Schmidt

After dealing with depression and anxiety for many years, self-care moved to the top of my priority list. It didn't take long for me to realize that the key to my happiness was putting myself first in the mornings. I had to learn to slow down, take my schedule less seriously, and leave room for the things that bring me joy. Here are 5 things I've made a part of my morning routine. 1. Calm Alarm The Bedtime feature on my iPhone has been a lifesaver. I love how I can set my optimal amount of sleep, and it will remind me when to hit the sack. Then it slowly wakes me up in the morning with a gentle sound. If you don't have this feature, I highly suggest finding a calming ringtone or even investing in a specialty alarm clock that will wake you up without the jolt. Don't forget to get at least a full 7 hours of sleep. Otherwise, even the fanciest of alarms will be... well, alarming. 2. A Little Thing I've learned overtime to value the little things in life. Coffee...

The most important thing to know about coffee grounds is it's best to do it at home. Grinding coffee releases all of the wonderful flavors in the bean. The longer it sits the less fresh it will be. A coffee grinder is a pretty inexpensive tool that every coffee snob should own. Now on to the grinds and how to use them. Extra Course Grinds - best for cold brew systems Course Grind - french press Medium-Course Grind - large pour over brewing methods such as Chemex Medium Grind - Drip pots such as your home coffee maker Medium-Fine Grind - pour over cones (this is a single serve pour over method) and vacuum pots Fine Grind - espresso Extra Fine Grind - Turkish coffee (creates an almost muddy consistency) Source: https://ineedcoffee.com/coffee-grind-chart/

Whenever you're around coffee snobs you may notice that they seem to speak another language, or perhaps you've tried to order your favorite Starbucks drink at a non-chain coffee shop only to find that your idea of macchiato was completely different than theirs. The Coffee Snob Dictionary is here to help. The following lingo is just a starter guide to the kinds of words you will likely hear in your local coffee shop. There is a plethora of language that you may never need, but are welcome to google to find more information. aeropress - a form of brewing coffee that uses a plunger type device. Hot water is poured over the grounds, stirred for 10 seconds then pressed through a microfilter. body - the feeling that the coffee has on the tongue (i.e. oily, grainy, watery, etc.) cappucino - 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 frothed milk chai - spiced tea and milk crema  - lighter colored foam layer on top of espresso drip - a traditional form of brewing coffe...

Over the next few weeks I will be starting a series about one of my most favorite things on the planet... coffee. I love coffee, but I've never been the super hipster gal that knows all the lingo and what to order. However I have a few friends who I almost seem to offend when I talk about coffee. They are coffee aficionados and the perfect coffee snobs. I love them, but let's be honest I kind of envy them. I mean what coffee lover doesn't want to find a way to get the perfect cup every time? But how can you possibly order or make the perfect cup of coffee when you don't know the lingo? That's what this series is all about! I'll teach you the basics of coffee snobbery so that you can stop offending the coffee gurus and start soaking up the deliciousness. I'll be posting every Monday for the next 6 weeks so that you can become a pro. Schedule:  August 22nd - The Coffee Snob Dictionary  All the coffee lingo you need to know August 29th - Get You...