Coffee Madness @ Starbucks

There’s nothing like a daily doze of caffeine rush into my blood stream! 

I look forward to a cup of coffee the moment I wake up, whilst on the move or at work.

I can’t imagine myself going through a full day without my morning and mid-day cups. 

Yup, I’m hooked on the stuff and it’s a habit of mine which is very  hard to break!

Going to a coffee shop has become part of my daily routine. It is a place to meet with 

friends, spend time on my own and read/write, or just sit and enjoy the ambience. 

It can just be a place to hang out or hold business meetings.

There are a lot of different cafes in the whole island of Cebu.

It can be just a local coffee shop or an internationally well-known brand.

Whichever this may be, each has it’s own way and unique style in magnetizing a customer.   

I know coz I have visited up to 6 coffeeshops with many branches all over Cebu.

How to grab hold of a Coffeemaniac?   Plain & simple …. The Triple ”A” style !

A = Aroma  …    smell of coffee                 

A = Appetizing… sweet & tasty pastries

A = Ambiance … scenery that makes the mood so tempting

Or maybe it’s the Key Senses Theory which are the Eyes, Nose & Mouth approach!

Whichever technique, this certainly works like a hypnotic spell pulling you into the shop.

Anyway, on top of my A-list is definitely STARBUCKS! 

It’s a household name!… and it would be crazy to know that someone out there doesn’t know about  SSssttaaarrbbuuuuccckkksssssssss!

So I decided to do some research … check out all Starbuck branches in Cebu!

First, I checked Facebook Starbuck Philippines but it didn’t help a bit coz this site only featured photos of Manila branches.

To help out our Cebu Starbuckers, I’ve visited 9 different locations and took some photos for you to look at.   

Oakridge Business Park Branch

      ... Starbucks Oakridge opened it's door at the heart of A.S.Fortuna, Mandaue City.  After closing Paseo Arcenas & Benedicto Center branches, this one is more bigger, more spacious and much more cozier place to hang out.  And it's nice to see a familiar face too ... Barista Cathy from Paseo branch!

Garden Row, Ayala Cebu Branch     

UF, North wing, Ayala Cebu Branch  (inside the mall)

  
Benedicto Center, A.S.Fortuna Branch

 

               ... Starbucks Benedicto has been transferred to Oakridge, A.S.Fortuna.


Marina Mall, Lapu-lapu Branch 

Paseo Arcenas Branch

     … just love it here (especially on weekends).  it's small but so so so cozy, the ambiance to die for ... 
and  wonderful baristas (chloe, cathy, jenny, starsi, leo, daisy and 2 more familiar 
faces) that never fails to give me a warm welcome. In fact I'm sitting on my favorite seat and writing this piece.  (But I’m very disappointed to know that they will be closing doors by the end of February)

Northwing, SM City NRA,Cebu  

I.T. Park, Lahug

Crown Regency, Fuente Branch 

      I'll share more photos on my future visits with the other branches.

There are things you need to know …

Research shows drinking a few cups of coffee a day can be good for you. It not only protects you against a variety of serious diseases, but can also bring a lot of pleasure into your life. 
So, to all of our fellow addicts out there, you don’t have to feel guilty anymore! Below are reasons why we think it's okay to stay hooked on the stuff.

Health Benefits:

1. Coffee is the #1 source of antioxidants in the American diet
While fruits and veggies are still the richest sources of antioxidants, Black tea and bananas came in second and third place, respectively. Surprisingly, both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee provide similar amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants help your body repair damage to cells caused by free radicals.

2. Coffee increases your metabolism
Studies also show that coffee is very beneficial in terms of weight loss. It is a common misconception that coffee is an appetite suppressant, however, your morning cup can significantly speed up metabolism by about 10 percent. 

3. Coffee can improve short-term memory … keeps you awake & alert
According to studies published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, caffeine is a cognitive stimulant that actually boosts brain functioning and concentration. Furthermore, coffee reduces levels of beta amyloid, a protein in the brain that is responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Coffee lowers the rates of some cancers
According to WebMD, coffee drinkers are 50 percent less likely to get liver cancer. By drinking 2 cups per day, you’re also slashing your risk of getting colon cancer by 25 percent. Some studies have also found ties to lower rates of breast and skin cancers as well.  Lowered risk of advanced Prostate Cancer. Lowered risk of Alzheimer Disease by 65%.  Cut the risk of Gallstones by almost 50%. Cut the risk of Stroke by 43% for women.  Cut the risk of Parkinson Disease by 80%.

5. Coffee is actually good for your teeth and prevent dental cavities
We all know that one of the biggest cons of drinking coffee is a stained smile, but  the beverage can also have a positive effect on teeth. People who drink coffee are less likely to have cavities. Roasted coffee beans have antibacterial effects against microorganisms like Streptococcus, which play a hand in causing tooth decay. 

6. Coffee can help prevent/ stop headaches.  Caffeine is often use as a medicine to treat headaches, especially migraine and cluster headaches.

7. Coffee protects you from cold.   Caffeine acts as decongestant as it opens narrowed bronchial tubes.

8. Coffee can be a relief for asthma.  Manage asthma and even control attacks when medication is unavailable.

9. Coffee can be a relief for pain.  Two cups of brewed coffee may reduce post-exercise muscle pain by up to 48%. In fact, a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine, have shown that adding about 65 milligrams of caffeine to aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen increases pain relief by around 40%.

10. Coffee can boost mood.  Moderate intake of caffeine boosts energy and cuts depression, thanks to dopamine.

Risks:
• Increases blood pressure among people with high blood pressure.
• Causes insomnia, anxiety, and irritability.
• May worsen symptoms of PMS in some women.
• Can reduce fertility in women trying to conceive.
• Can cause heartburn and indigestion.
• May increase the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
• May increase blood levels of homocysteine and the associated risk of cardiovascular disease.

Benefits outweigh the risks.  So keep in mind… "LIFE IS ABOUT BALANCE." 
"NEVER GIVE IN TO EXCESS, BUT LET MODERATION  BE YOUR GUIDE."