A well-stocked 'breakroom' improves morale and productivity

You might think coffee is a trivial matter, or that a granola bar does not equal a happy employee.

Perhaps this is not the case. Results of the survey indicate that the quality and ambiance of a breakroom has an impact on employees’ mood and motivation. They need and enjoy having a place to relax and rebuild energy.

Another online survey, this one by Staples.com in the United States, found that half the people in a typical office leave at least once a day to go on a coffee or snack run, and some reported doing this five or more times a day. That’s a lot of lost productivity, and that affects the bottom line.

“Our job is to help our customers – workplaces of various sizes – give their employees everything they need for best performance,” says Ilada Boriboun, a category manager for Staples Advantage (www.staplesadvantage.ca). “We know that breakroom supplies have to be high on that list, whether it’s coffee brewers, cleaners, tea, or crackers. Small investments in your breakroom will be seen as big gestures by employees.”

She says the bare bones of the breakroom include a refrigerator, microwave, sink, and eating area with comfortable seating, and that dishes, utensils, cleaning supplies and drinking water also need to be provided.

Free coffee and tea, and healthy snacks like mixed nuts, take it up a notch. If you can’t afford to provide beverages and snacks at no charge, Boriboun suggests using an honour box to collect some change.

“This is the place your employees gather to fuel up,” she says. “They do that by eating and they do that by making connections with other people. I think this is an easy one for leaders in organizations. People tell us often how important their breakrooms are.”

www.newscanada.com

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Celebrate the springtime stress free

(ARA) – Nothing helps celebrate springtime more than a gathering with loved ones. With the season’s longer days and warmer weather, hosts and hostesses alike are looking for ways to increase the fun as family and friends get together and cut down on stress. You can do a variety of things in advance to make sure you’re prepared for spring holidays, graduation parties and the start of barbecue season.

Jeanne Benedict, lifestyle and entertaining expert and author of popular books including “The Sophisticated Cookie,” “Sophisticated Entertaining” and “Celebrations,” shares her advice to help get you ready for spring events. Here are some easy remedies for common entertaining challenges:

* Last-minute hostess gifts. Need a clever hostess gift? Find inspiration while grocery shopping. For example, pick up a bag of Dunkin’ Donuts (R) packaged coffee, available where you buy groceries. Limited time, seasonal flavors like Strawberry Shortcake and Toasted Almond make a great gift when paired with a seasonally inspired mug.

* Create a quick party atmosphere. Pick up a new set of votive candles and glass holders for an instant and elegant atmosphere. Expert tip: A little water in the bottom of the candleholder will help prevent melted wax from sticking to the glass.

* Low-cost festive touches. Utilize fresh, seasonal produce. Freeze strawberries, blueberries, fresh mint or citrus twists in ice cubes to add a hint of flavor to beverages when unexpected guests drop by.

* Keep the kids occupied. Be sure to have plenty of frozen sugar cookie dough on hand, along with sprinkles and seasonal cookie cutters, as a last-minute baking activity to do with little ones.

* Keep the adults occupied. For easy group entertainment, make sure you have a selection of classic board games available. Take a minute to make sure all the playing pieces are intact, cards are accounted for and pencils are sharpened.

* Contain the spills and thrills. Have a stain stick handy for the inevitable table mishaps. On picnic tables, weigh down tablecloths with condiment containers or heavy vases of fresh flowers.

Adds Benedict, “By being prepared ahead of time for common party mishaps, you’ll have more opportunities to enjoy your guests, the great party you’ve prepared, and celebrate springtime stress-free.”

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Chocolate Panna Cotta

Panna cotta (from Italian cooked cream) is an Italian dessert made by simmering together cream, milk and sugar, mixing this with gelatin, and letting it cool until set. It is generally from the Northern Italian region of Piedmont, although it is eaten all over Italy, where it is served with wild berries, caramel, chocolate sauce or fruit coulis.

In this version the host of the video makes a coffee panna cotta that sounds utterly heavenly! To make the recipe you will need the following ingredients:

2 cups of heavy cream
2/3 cup of espresso coffee
1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 oz of gelatin sheets
1/2 vanilla pod
For the sauce to pour on top you will need the following ingredients:

3.5 oz chocolate
1/3 cup of espresso coffee
This is a dessert with some kick and is truly so simple to make! I actually have all the ingredients on hand to make this and think I’ll try a go at it tonight.

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Asian Palm Civet poop = Kopi Luwak coffee

One very popular gourmet specialty coffee, is Kona coffee. Kona coffee is grown in a mountainous region of Hawaii. The balmy days of sunny morning, light mist in the afternoon, and very mild soil climates are perfect for growing this type of coffee.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is also grown in a mountainous region; however, it is a region in Jamaica. This tropical environment is also perfect for growing delicious gourmet specialty coffee. The result is a coffee that is perfect on the palate with delicious body and virtually no bitterness.

Kopi Luwak is the considered the world’s most expensive coffee! It is harvest from the feces of the Asian Palm Civet, which is a rodent-type animal, and sells for hundreds of dollars per pound.

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Blueberry Coffee Cake Muffins

In this video she makes blueberry coffee cake muffins. Ina Garten knows how to entertain with simplicity, style and fun. In this video you can visit with Ina at home in the sumptuous Hamptons of New York to discover her shortcuts and strategies for make-ahead menus, fabulous food and memorable parties.

This recipe would be perrrfect with a cup of Kona coffee or Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. In fact when I go to the grocery store tomorrow I think I’ll pick up the ingredients to make this delicious recipe! Check out the video below that gives step by step directions on how to make this wonderful blueberry coffee cake muffin recipe:

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A Wonderful Afternoon Coffee Klatch

In case you’re not familiar with the term coffee klatch, it simply means a casual gathering or party with friends for conversation and of course, to enjoy coffee! It was so much fun and since that time I have thought of throwing one myself.

The great thing about her coffee klatch was she served a variety of coffee – even the good stuff like Kona coffee and Jamaican Blue Mountain. She had an espresso machine, a Keurig and even a French Press to brew coffee to taste the different methods. She had several different roasts of coffee from regions all over the world and we all enjoyed sampling different flavors and roasts. In addition to the coffees she also served a variety of delicious foods.

She played some wonderful music and had a variety of board games, such as chess and checkers, for her guests to play and socialize with. It was so much fun I’m excited to throw one of my own!

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French Press

If you’re looking for a simple way to make coffee with lots of flavor and body, look no further than the French Press!  It is easy, it is inexpensive, and it makes some seriously freakin’ good coffee.

Here’s what you need to make this divine coffee:

• Some freshly roasted whole bean coffee
• A French Press (DUHHHH)
• A Kettle
• A coffee scoop or scale
• A grinder
• A DESERVING mug.  Something cute that makes you feel happy!

The following video shows step by step instructions on how make coffee using a French Press, which happens to be the method I use daily.  Enjoy the video and go make some coffee with a French Press, like now!

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How to Make Latte Art

Latte art is a result of pouring steamed milk into a a shot of espresso making pretty patterns and designs emerge.  Exquisite latte art is quite difficult to achieve as you have to the perfect consistency and be able to create these drinkable masterpieces in no time flat.

I have always been curious about latte art, but have never actually seen it done.  I found this video on Youtube today and it is amazing!  I like that they repeatedly mention it will take a lot of practice and patience to make successful art!

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International Delight Iced Coffee

So today while I was walking the aisles of the grocery store, I decided to pick up some creamer.  Yes, coffee snobs, I have to admit I like to add flavored creamer to my coffee from time to time.  Not everyday, but quite often.  This time I decided to pick up “Cinnabon Creamer” and I’m not ashamed of it!  So what if I like a little cinnamon, cream and sugar in my coffee.  Let me be.  Do I seem defensive?  I sure hope not, but I’ve been shunned before, so I digress.

There I was in the cold section of the store, the dairy section, when I stumbled across International Delight Iced Coffee.  I had to stop in my steps and just stare, dazed and confused.  Why has this not been invented before?  Finding the perfect iced coffee is so hard, and requires so much work.  This seems to good to be true.

So, I stopped and lingered, and I looked.  International Delight offers three flavors:  Original, Mocha and Vanilla.  These are made with 100% premium Arabica coffee,  and are ready to drink.  You simple pour over ice and voilà you have perfectly lovely iced coffee magic.

I decided to purchase the Mocha and promptly returned home where I poured some over crushed ice.  The anticipation was intense.  I plopped in my straw and started sipping.  Honestly, my first thought was this tastes a lot like chocolate milk.  It was sweet, and rich with just a hint of coffee flavor.  I decided to brew a cup of coffee, and once it cooled I added some of it to the iced coffee. Since it was morning I was needing that extra kick.  However, I can see myself enjoy it just as it is in the afternoon or evening for a sweet treat.

Overall, I honestly really enjoyed it!  I think next time I will purchase the vanilla, or perhaps the original flavor.  I’m impressed by the sheer simplicity of it and how it will now be so easy to have iced coffee whenever I damn well please.

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Kona Coffee

Kona coffee is the market name for coffee cultivated on the glorious slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. Beautiful Hawaii, would of course produce beautiful coffee.  It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world and considered a special treat . Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be described as “Kona”. The weather of sunny mornings, cloud or rain in the afternoon, little wind and mild nights combined with porous, mineral rich volcanic soil, creates favorable coffee growing conditions.

For a little humorous break from you day, check out the video below!

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