Cheer up this' blue Monday we've got some tips & tricks to enhance your mood and fix your Monday blues! What is Blue Monday? Blue Monday is a term that refers to a day in January that is often seen as "the most depressing day of the year" because it falls on the third Monday in January. It is thought that the combination of feeling guilty about holiday overindulgences, post-holiday blues, and the fact that many people have broken their New Year's resolutions by this point, can contribute to feelings of sadness and low mood.  So whether you’re having a Blue Monday or just feeling a bit down on any other day of the year, we have some tips and tricks to help you get through it. 1 - Get out! Get outside and spend some time in nature. Even a short walk or a few minutes spent enjoying the outdoors can improve your mood. Why do the outdoors have such a positive impact on your state of mind? Here are some reasons: The sights and sounds of nature can help to distract the mind from negative thoughts, and the fresh air and sunshine can help lift your mood. The sunlight can help to improve your body's production of vitamin D, which is important for maintaining energy levels. Engaging in physical activity in nature, such as walking, hiking, or biking, can help to improve your mood through the release of endorphins. These chemicals, known as "feel-good" hormones, can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Spending time in nature can also help to promote a sense of connection to the world around you, which can be a powerful mood booster. 2 - Get active! Exercise or engage in physical activity. Physical activity has been shown to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety while also improving sleep quality which contributes to a better mood. 3 - Slow down and experience mindfulness Practice mindfulness or meditation. Taking a few minutes to focus on your breath or engage in a guided meditation can help you feel more present and calm. By focusing on the present moment and letting go of negative thoughts and worries, mindfulness practices can help to calm the mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. By paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without judgment, mindfulness practices can help us develop a more accepting and compassionate relationship with ourselves which also helps to boost self-esteem. It's important to note that the benefits of mindfulness and meditation may not be immediate and may take time and regular practice to be fully realised. It's also important to find a practice that works for you and to be patient and consistent in your practice. 4 - Connect with others Spending time with friends and loved ones, or even just chatting with a coworker, can help boost your mood. Social connections can provide emotional support. Having strong social connections can provide a sense of belonging, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. It also provides practical support. Having people to turn to for help and advice can provide a sense of security and make it easier to cope with challenges. It is especially powerful for personal growth! Building and maintaining relationships with others can help us develop new skills, learn new things, and grow as individuals. Our favourite way of connecting? Around a cup of coffee of course! 😉 We might be biased on this opinion but we can all agree that there is nothing like a coffee date to properly catch up with a friend! More than that, coffee on its own can connect people through love for the beverage and mutual understanding of how crucial this substance can be to your day-to-day functioning. If you’re a dedicated coffee drinker you’ll know what we mean. 5 - Get enough sleep This is an obvious one. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability and low mood, so make sure you are getting enough rest. 6 - Drink coffee  Again, this could be slightly biased coming from us… but let’s not overlook some widely known benefits of drinking coffee. Here are some ways in which coffee can potentially improve your mood: Coffee can increase alertness and energy. The caffeine in coffee helps to improve alertness and energy levels, which can improve mood and overall sense of well-being. Coffee can improve cognitive function. Caffeine has been shown to improve memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions, which can lead to a better mood. Caffeine can also improve physical performance, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment and improve mood. Coffee can be a social activity. Drinking coffee with friends or loved ones can be a social activity that helps to improve mood through social connection and bonding.   Bonus TIP: Learn from Blue Zone Lifestyles Ever heard of Blue Zones? Blue Zones are areas of the world where people tend to live longer, healthier lives. They are called Blue Zones because they were originally identified by demographer and researcher Dan Buettner, who used a blue pen to mark them on a map.  Blue Zones are characterised by several common characteristics, including a high number of centenarians (people who live to be 100 years old or older), a strong sense of community, a focus on healthy living, and a diet that is rich in plant-based foods. Some examples of Blue Zones include Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; and Loma Linda, California. Dan identified 9 common denominators to identify lifestyle habits of the world’s healthiest, longest-lived people. These include: 1 - Move naturally Some of the world’s longest-lived people live in environments that constantly nudge them into moving without thinking about it. In a sense, it’s about deviating from the mechanical conveniences of house and yard work and going back to basics.  2 - Purpose According to Dan, knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy. 3 - Downshift What the longest-lived people have that we don’t are routines or rituals that help shed stress.    4 - 80% rule Essentially it’s about eating until you are about 80% full to keep a 20% gap open between feeling hungry and full that could be the difference between gaining and losing weight. People in the blue zones eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and then they don’t eat any more the rest of the day. 5 - Plant Slant Beans, including fava, black, soy and lentils, are the cornerstone of most centenarian diets. 6 - Wine at 5 o’clock We all deserve a glass of our favourite drink after a long day. 7 - Belong Belonging to a faith-based community seems to increase life expectancy. 8 - Loved ones' first By putting family first, ageing parents, life partners and children are receiving support and care that increases overall life expectancy. 9 - Right tribe The social networks of long-lived people have favourably shaped their health behaviours. The world’s longest-lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviours, Okinawans created ”moais”–groups of five friends that committed to each other for life. To learn more about Dan Buettner’s research have a look at his article Power 9® Reverse Engineering Longevity With these tips in mind, we hope your Blue Monday turns into a happy Monday, and that you will manage to improve your mood and enhance your lifestyle for a happier & longer life!

Learn how to make your own Espresso Martini, using Caffeluxe Nespresso Compatible Pods or Dolce Gusto Compatible Capsules. Create the perfect brew that will make your espresso martini burst with intense coffee flavours and take your cocktail making skills to the next level. Our Nespresso Compatible Signature Range and Dolce Gusto Compatible Coffee Pods come in different flavours and variants for all coffee lovers. You can add a touch of excitement to your beverages every time by experimenting with various types of coffee, impressing your guests with the delightful and unexpected flavour combinations you create with each swirl of their drink. Espresso Martini Recipe Serves 2 Ingredients For your simple syrup 170g Brown or White Castor sugar 1/2 cup water   For your Martini Ice 100ml Vodka of your choice 50ml Espresso shot of any of your preferred Caffeluxe coffee pod 50ml coffee liqueur of choice Garnish with a topping of your choice   Method - syrup Boil the kettle Once water has boiled, add the sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Let it cool completely   Method - Martini Step 1 Place your 2 Martini glasses in the fridge to chill. Step 2 Starting with your simple syrup is the first step in creating this amazing martini. Simple syrup is a staple in any cocktail journey. Combine castor sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil by stirring constantly. Step 3 Make your espresso shot with our Limited Edition Aluminium Range Nespresso Compatible Pods or one of our Dolce Gusto Compatible Coffee Pods. Depending on your coffee preference, you may enjoy this martini in your own way. Place our Nespresso compatible capsule in your machine and brew 50ml (espresso shot). Step 4 Once your simple syrup has cooled down, add a tablespoon to a cocktail shaker. Fill it 3 quarters of the way with ice. Now add your vodka, coffee liqueur and your caffeluxe espresso. Shake the mixture until it feels extremely cold to the touch. Step 5 Time to strain your martini into the glass that you chilled. You can garnish with coffee beans or any topping of your choice. Don't have a Nespresso machine? Not to worry! You can also use our Friends Instant coffee or pick from our wide range of beans & ground. Enjoy!   Recipe adapted from: Miriam Nice Source: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/espresso-martini Reference: Nice M 2018, Espresso martini, BBC good food, Viewed 7 December 2022<//fheoggkfdfchfphceeifdbepaooicaho/html/site_status_block_page.html>

Ordering your coffee these days can be a little intimidating, but not with the Caffeluxe Coffee Guide. Let us teach you our ways, brew!   A – Affogato Espresso poured on vanilla ice-cream. Can be served in a cappuccino cup.   A – Americano Espresso with added hot water (100-150ml) Often served in a cappuccino cup. This drink is preferably made when the espresso is added to the hot water rather than all the water flowed through the coffee that would lead to over extraction)   C – Caffe Latte A tall ‘milk’ coffee. An espresso with steamed milk & only a little milk foam poured on top. Sound like too much? Try our Caffeluxe Dolce Gusto Compatible Caramel Latte Coffee Pods. One Drink, at a touch of a button. Perfect every time.   C – Caffe Mocha A Caffe Latte with chocolate & whipped cream. Pour chocolate syrup into a tall glass, followed by an espresso shot & steamed milk.   C – Café Au Lait The perfect French morning coffee. This delicious coffee is made by mixing dark roasted filter coffee (usually made in a French press) and warm milk. But again, Caffeluxe is to the rescue. Try our delicious Caffeluxe Dolce Gusto Compatible Café Au Lait Coffee Pods.   C – Cappuccino A coffee drink consisting of espresso & milk foam mixture. Served in a cappuccino cup. Caffeluxe also has made life easier for you by creating this delicious Caffeluxe Cappuccino Crème Coffee Capsule. Perfect Cappuccino every time, without the fuss.   C – Cold Brew Coffee Cold brew coffee is a smooth cold beverage prepared by brewing freshly ground coffee in cold water. Perfect on those scorching South African Summer days.   D – Double Espresso Also known as Doppio. Doppio is Italian Multiplier, meaning ‘double’. This is a double portion of espresso, served in a larger espresso cup or cappuccino cup.   E – Espresso (pronounced with an ‘S’ not an ‘X’ – unless referring to the morning TV show) Espresso, the beauty of a quick single shot. Usually around 40ml, served in an espresso cup. Why not try out our Caffeluxe Nespresso Compatible Dark Roast Espresso from our Signature Range?   E – Espresso Con Panna A shot of espresso topped with creamy whipped cream. Sounds good, doesn’t it? E – Espresso Macchiato Espresso with a little milk foam, served in an espresso cup.   F – Flat White A coffee drink with a double espresso & light frosted milk. Again, this luxurious drink with silky foam can be found conveniently wrapped up in our Caffeluxe Dolce Gusto Flat White Coffee Capsules. Now there is truly no excuse to spoil yourself at a push of a button.   F- Frappe Rich iced coffee made of espresso, milk & ice. Flavoured Syrup can be added is desired. This drink is mixed in a blender & served in a latte glass. (300ml)   F – Freakshake News to you? Well carry on reading! A Freakshake is basically anything that is blended/mixed/stirred with various toppings, making this the most ‘Instagrammable’ coffee at the moment. Coffee Freakshakes are made with cold brew coffee.   I – Iced Latte Ice, cold milk and your favourite espresso in a latte glass (300ml). Feel free to mix some sugar or flavoured syrup for that extra kapow!   I – Iced Mocha Cold Caffe Mocha. Prepared like an Iced Latte, but garnished & flavoured like a Caffe Mocha. Served in a 300ml glass.   I – Irish Coffee This classic is always a winner. Classic coffee Cocktail where Irish Whiskey is mixed with filter coffee and gently topped with a layer of freshly whipped cream. For those who don’t enjoy the occasional tipple, try Caffeluxe Nespresso Compatible Irish Cream Espresso Capsules. You’ll thank us later.   L- Latte Macchiato Just like the traditional Caffe Latte, but with a thicker, more generous layer of foam. Often made by pouring an espresso last into the milk. This tall (300ml) drink is served in a Latte glass.   L – Lungo An espresso pulled long. Meaning that this is generally served up to 100ml, flavour depending. Caffeluxe Dolce Gusto Compatible Americano Lungo Pods or our Caffeluxe  Nespresso Compatible Dark Roast Lungo Capsules take out all the guessing. Helping you to get your fix without any hassles.   O – Open-Pot Method A brewing method is as old as the hills. Ground coffee is steeped (not boiled) in an open pot, and then separated from the brewed coffee by straining.   R – Ristretto A very short shot of espresso. Usually enjoyed in an espresso cup, but only at about 20ml.   T – Turkish Coffee Coffee ground to a powder & sweetened, brought to a boil & then served, grounds & all! That’ll give you a ‘Get Up & Go!’   V – Viennese Coffee This coffee is brewed by drip or filter method, usually topped with a delicious helping of whipped cream.        

You may love drinking your cup of black coffee every day, but how much do you know about its health benefits?  Black coffee is the purest form of coffee that is brewed without any additives such as sugar, milk, cream or added flavours. According to Statistic Brain, up to 35% of coffee drinkers in the US drink their coffee black. So, let’s look into some of the great benefits of drinking black coffee.   Coffee’s nutritional value Black coffee is one of the best drinks in terms of nutritional value. Typically, an 8-ounce cup of black coffee contains 0% fat, 0% cholesterol, 0% carbohydrates, 0% sodium, and only 4% potassium.   Black coffee is additionally rich in nutrients and full of antioxidants.   Cleansing your system  Coffee is a diuretic beverage, that helps your body get rid of salt (sodium) and water. This means that the more coffee you consume, the more often you will need to relieve yourself. This helps in flushing out toxins and bacteria from your system every time you visit the loo.   Helping you burn fat  We all want to burn fat as easily as possible. Black coffee helps in burning fat rapidly by improving your performance during workouts, if you consume it 30 minutes before your workout.  It assists your body in releasing adrenaline into your bloodstream, which prepares your body for physical exertion. It also boosts your metabolism, which takes care of burning your belly fat.    Benefitting your liver The liver is an essential organ of the body which helps in digesting food and getting rid of toxic substances from your body.   People who drink 4 cups of black coffee every day are at a lower risk of developing liver problems such as liver cancer, fatty liver disease, hepatitis, as well as alcoholic cirrhosis.   Coffee can reduce the risk of Diabetes Drinking black coffee can help reduce the risk of diabetes. A study showed that people who drank two cups, or less, of black coffee were at a higher risk of developing diabetes, compared to those who drank two or more. Meaning; the more black coffee you consume the lesser your risk of developing diabetes.   Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee help equally in controlling diabetes, by increasing the production of insulin in your body.    A great alternative Some of us can’t enjoy some classic milk-based coffee products due to digestive disorders like lactose intolerance. Black coffee is a great option for people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to it. You can satisfy your taste buds and also keep your health in check by consuming black coffee.  Did you know that approximately 65% of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy?    Coffee helps in reducing stress We’re all swamped with stresses of all kinds. Sometimes it can be a little too much to take and can lead to serious mental health conditions like depression.  Drinking black coffee is a great way to uplift your mood and make you feel better - as caffeine increases dopamine in the brain. An increase in dopamine will make you happier and therefore help in reducing stress.    Decreasing the risk diseases  Black coffee has many great benefits. Not only can it help in making you feel energized but it can also lower your risk of Parkinson’s by 60% and Alzheimer’s by 65%, protect you against gout disease, and reduce your risk of cancer.  Drinking a few cups of black coffee every day can also help your heart, as it has a similar effect as going for a walk. Therefore, it helps in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases including stroke in the long run and reduces the inflammation levels in your body.   So, what are you waiting for? Go pour yourself a nice cup of black coffee and enjoy its great benefits.