Fail!

In my last episode, I told you that I may have reconciled with 'Bucks but I didn't get the bonus stars as I had expected. 

After I ordered my drink, I noticed that I had exactly the same number of stars after my drink as I'd had before. I thought that maybe the stars would only be awarded at the end of the promotion period which was still a few days away, not that there had been any precedent for this. But, no. It turns out that I hadn't ordered a latte as was required by the promotion offer. (The promotion was for 30 bonus loyalty stars when I purchased a latte within a certain timeframe.)

I ordered this:

Instead of this:

See the difference?

That light foam at the top is what makes coffee and milk a latte. Without it, it's called a flat white.

I ordered a flat white - a latte without the light foam - which IS NOT A LATTE!

Really?

I guess I really had forgotten how to order at Starbucks. But, to be fair, I didn't know a flat white was not a latte. In fact, when the flat white was first introduced on the Starbucks menu, it was listed as a latte. But, whatever, it's not a latte now.

My grandkids like Starbucks so later in the week, I found myself there buying them sugary drinks just before I returned them to their parents. That was enough to push my star balance up over 300. (I already had nearly that much already.) That allowed me to get a pound of whole bean coffee FOR FREE. Which is like gold. 

I wonder what would happen if I order a latte, hold the foam?

Meh.

After I had my latte Hubby asked me, "How was it?"

I had to think about it.

Which is to say, not memorable.

Um. A medium, please?

It’s been so long since I’ve been to a Starbucks that I forgot how to order!

I’ve been boycotting Starbucks ever since they started to throttle their loyalty stars program under the leadership of their new CEO. If Starbucks didn’t want to reward my loyalty then I wasn’t interested in giving them any. It was a standoff. 

But the standoff had its benefits. I saved money by not going to Starbucks and I reduced my calcium intake, which benefits me in other ways. I got used to having either an iced coffee or doppio at home for my mid-morning break although I missed the extra calories that the milk in my regular latte would provide. It was like a small snack just filling enough that I could put off lunch for a little while. 

I soon got used to the new routine and thought, if loyalty stars never come back I’ll be fine. In fact, I should start giving my loyalty somewhere else! Support local businesses!

But then a few weeks ago this showed up in my Starbucks notifications. It was for a drink that I would never order. 

Not long after a second offer appeared. This one was more interesting in that I could order something that I liked, but I had to go twice and the reward was minimal for my effort. 

Today I got this offer. I could order any latte and get 30 extra stars and the offer was at a convenient time for me. How did they know? 

I was a conflicted at this point. I felt successful in changing my habits. I no longer needed that milk latte every day whether I was out or at home but there I was buying a Starbucks on a day when they were willing to give me 30 extra stars for ordering a cup of coffee. Well, I thought, if I was trying to deliver a message to the CEO that stars were important to me then I thought I’d let him know that I approved of the new direction they were taking by sending another message: Yes, I will have a cup of coffee for your stars. I will take it that you have received my message. 

Hopefully, you get this one too.

Under the bleachers

 

Pick me!

Coffee brewing methods can have a big impact on heart health

" The method used to brew coffee can significantly affect levels of natural cholesterol-raising compounds called diterpenes, according to a new study. It might be that the way your coffee is made is affecting your heart health. "

Drip coffee through a paper filter is best so if you already make your coffee this way, you're probably fine insofar as coffee-related diterpenes go. But to be absolutely sure, researchers need more data.

" To determine the precise effects on LDL cholesterol levels, we would need to conduct a controlled study of subjects who would drink the coffee. ”

Hm...