Life Lessons from a Coffee Cup
Filed under: About Happiness, Everyday Happiness, Happy Food
When I bought a cup at the airport coffee shop, I expected warm caffeine. What I got was a list of life tips written on the cup. It made me smile, and thought I’d share:
And it didn’t stop with the cup. Even the napkin carries some life wisdom:
Stay awake for:
…maxing out your passport
…ghost stories around the campfire
…playing an instrument
…break dancing
…Luscious, oh-so-delicious chocolate
And finally, a reminder that:
Life’s too short for:
…grudges
…Fake anything
…putting profits before people
…over-roasted coffee
…crabby people
…WiFi you have to pay for (I was typing this on an airport wifi signal I had to pay for, grrrr)
…waiting for change to happen
All this life wisdom for just $1.19. And they even threw in some hot coffee!
Enjoy your day. I will.
Coca Cola and the Happiness Machine
Yes, a high-fructose, corn syrup-based soft drink that is currently under attack for being a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic has gone on the Happiness offensive. First, watch this delightful video, then keep reading.
Coke = Brand Mastery
I must admire Coke for their masterful work in Brand Management. I mean, how can you hate a product that makes you smile like this?
What’s YOUR Brand?
I think there’s a lesson here — but it’s not about sugary soda. It’s about things YOU can do, every day, to enhance your “brand” in the world, and change the impact you have on other people:
Do the unexpected. Share joy. Do things that give people a reason to smile. Send flowers. Serve “community food” that brings people together (like pizza or a long sub). Be random. Create a positive environment. Give hugs. When people ask you for something, occasionally give them more than they asked for. Laugh. Share with friends.
Yes, I may be a Coca Cola Grouch when it comes to their product, but I LOVE their message. Share some Happiness today!
Happiness is a Great Mac-N-Cheese!
Met a client for lunch today at a little gem of a restaurant in Tremont (a ‘comeback’ region of Cleveland) called Lucky’s Cafe.
I’ve had many meetings at this location over the past year, but they’ve always been “meet for coffee” events, so my experience of Lucky’s is as a coffee shop — with a great patio in the summer.
Today was my first lunch meeting at the place. I knew as soon as I looked at the menu what I was going to order — the macaroni and cheese is legendary, plus I’ve got a warm spot for comfort food.
But I have to tell you, I was completely unprepared for how UTTERLY FANTASTIC a plain old dish like macaroni and cheese can become in the hands of a food artistan.
This was not ‘just’ a variation on comfort food. It was decadent. It was the very definition of Creamy. It was a macaroni and cheese Dessert. It was a ‘dive in and swim around in it’ entree. It was a little bit of bubbling cheese heaven on a plate. It was a Stop-The-Conversation-So-I-Can-Experience-Sensory-Pleasure dish.
Did I mention it was really good?
And that the side of homemade applesauce was just the perfect thickness, with a hint of cinnamon?
Ironically, just before the entrees arrived, my client and I were discussing the distinction between pleasure (fleeting) and happiness (more enduring). So the question becomes, can macaroni and cheese create true happiness?
Well, I’m willing to go back to Lucky’s Cafe to find out!
(from their menu)
Baked Mac-N-Cheese
Cheddar, Brie, Parmesan, And Mozzarella Cheeses, Baked With Pasta And Cream, Topped With Brioche Bread Crumbs.
Served With Housemade Apple Sauce.
Jim’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
By popular demand:
Jim’s Dark Chocolate Peppermint Fudge
Making the Fudge
Put 4-5 candy canes into a plastic bag. Bang with a hammer till in small pieces. Set aside.
In non-stick saucepan, mix the following over low/med heat:
- 1 lb bag confectioner’s sugar
- ½ cup powdered cocoa – Hershey’s Special Dark is wonderful. If you can’t get Hershey’s try to use dark chocolate, dutch process cocoa
- 6 Tablespoons butter (3./4 of a stick — margarine also works)
- 4 Tbl milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
Heat over low/medium heat, stirring constantly until JUST starts to boil. Mixture will be dark and silky.
Remove from heat. Pour in crushed candy canes. Fold into mixture, and immediately pour into a buttered 9×9 inch pan. Let cool, then refrigerate a couple hours. Once set, can remove from fridge.
Storing the Fudge
Remove and cut into 1 X 1” squares. It’s very rich. Keep in sealed container. Hide from strangers. Maybe even hide it from yourself, as you’ll find yourself eating a piece every time you walk thru the kitchen…..
Eating the Fudge
Oh, sure, you can just pop a square of fudge in your mouth, chew and swallow. But where’s the joy in that?! Here are my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Take a single square of the fudge, and bite it in half. Let the fudge lay on your tongue. As it melts, press it up against the roof of your mouth and let your tongue bathe in the sugary-grainy smooth chocolatey-ness of it. Close your eyes and breathe in the wonderful, chocolately sensuality of the fudge. Be one with the fudge. Ommmmm.
- Sit down with a steaming cup of hot coffee, freshly brewed (I make mine strong, with a french press). Sip of coffee, pop fudge into warm mouth. As the fudge melts, sip gently on the coffee and let the coffee/chocolate combo swirl smoothly down your throat. Do not try to speak — it will ruin the moment.
- Try it with a short mug of Trader Joe’s Dark Sipping Chocolate. Follow same process as with coffee, but be warned — this option is not for the weak! You must have a strong tolerance for dark chocolate-ness. Have a glass of ice water nearby, in case someone needs to toss on you to bring you out of your ecstasy.
Enjoy the guilty pleasure!
Happiness, the BOOK!
The 13 Principles of Happiness