Nuge* Life

What's The Deal Thanksgiving Blend?

2010-11-23T05:42:00.000-08:00

Every year, since Starbucks first released their incredibly limited edition Thanksgiving blend, it has been a race to get ahold of some. The first year it came out, we made the mistake of assuming it would still be around after Thanksgiving day - and on sale. Wrong. Totally vanished without a trace. Last year we got lucky and were able to pick some up after Thanksgiving day, but only because Alabama doesn't have as many coffee snobs as Retiree-ville, Florida I guess.

Fast forward to a couple days ago, The dear Hubbsters wanted to surprise me with a pound for my birthday which is almost a week before Thanksgiving. Plenty early to pick some up. Ahhh wrong again. This year, Starbucks decided to stop selling it a week before Thanksgiving and stock the Christmas Blend early. Keith called every Starbucks in the area (about 5 I think, maybe more) and was able to lay claim to the last pound in Brevard - at a humble Target Starbucks location. Sheesh.

And so, as I sit here and sip my rare, hard to get caffeinated cup, I wonder what's up with that Starbucks? Do you, or do you not want me to give thanks for your masterfully blended beans as I savor pumpkin pie? Would it be too much to ask to have Thanksgiving Blend on Thanksgiving? Maybe my thinking is way off here, but it seems absurd to force me to purchase it weeks in advance only to experience a stale, lifeless version of what is the Thanksgiving Blend goodness - on Thanksgiving day. And for what? an extra week of Christmas Blend sales? I do make it a point not to begin my Christmas festivities until Thanksgiving has passed. So stop shoving the Christmas blend down my throat until - well - Christmas, and then by all means, you can shove away!

26

2009-11-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

This past Friday - Nov 20, '09 - baby Nuge* and I both turned 26! I was both 26 yrs. old and 26 weeks preggo on the same day. How crazy is that? :-)

It was a great birthday, we had a blast. Thanks to everyone who made it so. Make sure to check out the Baby Pool and add your guess if you didn't get to do that.

Baby Nuge* Pool

2009-11-21T10:07:00.001-08:00

Here are the guesses for how and when the wee babe will arrive. There will be a prize for whoever guesses closest. To add your guess to the pool, leave it in a comment at the end of the post.

Michael Preston - March 2, Boy, 8lbs 1oz

Jaime Ostrander - March 1, Boy, 8lbs

Lindsey Evans - Feb. 23, Girl, 7lbs 6oz
Casey Porta - March 3, Boy, 9lb 8oz
Lynn Roth - Feb. 26, Girl, 6lb 5oz
Jacob Roth - Feb. 24, Boy, 7lb 10oz
Taylor Nugent - Feb. 25, Boy, 7lb 14oz
Dewey Nugent - Feb. 26, Boy, 8lb 6oz
Kaylee Merwin - Feb. 27, Boy, 7lb 13oz
Jessica Nugent - Feb 28, Boy, 8lb 2oz
Mom & Dad Nugent - March 1, Girl, 7lb 2oz
Brady Denger - Feb 28, Boy, 8lb 3oz

Game On!

2009-11-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

Time for amusing baby story #2!

Yesterday evening we had an appointment with the Midwife. It went really great, everything perfect. She was able to feel exactly where the baby was and how it's positioned, and then she showed us. I got to feel some cuuute baby buns! Of course our kid would be sticking its butt out... but that is a side note.

Sooo remember the little game we like to play with the kiddo? When we press on the belly, he likes to kick back. Well Pam (our midwife) went to listen to the baby heartbeat with her stethascope, and as soon as she did the baby started kicking at her. Every few seconds he would kick at the scope. She said the heartbeat would speed up every time he kicked, quite excited at this little game he was trying to play with Pam. I'm not sure she was able to get the full heart rate count, but obviously the kiddo is doing just fine!

I find myself amazed at the amount of intelligence and personality that are already so evident in one so young. Truly an amazing miracle and an awesome God.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

2009-11-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

So I got a mini cheesecake pan for my b-day from my dear mum. Never thought I would get so excited over a pan haha! Of course I went strait for the pumpkin. Made these last night and had one for breakfast this morning. They are so good - and way too fun.

2 things I did differently (because I just can't make a recipe exactly like it says to) - I only used 1 egg, and I omitted the maple syrup (in the filling) because it was plenty sweet without it. I thought the taste to be very comparable to cheesecake factory. Close enough anyway!

Go To Recipe

2009-11-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

25 weeks and holy belly! :-)

Kicked In The Head

2009-11-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

Kicked in the head is how you feel every day when you are preggy. Although that is not what this post is about. In this story it is more literal.

We have reached 23 weeks and the kiddo is growing like a weed. Its movements are getting stronger and more frequent all the time. We have noticed on occasion that pressing on the belly to try and find a head or a butt will illicit a swift kick in response. So we have started doing this sometimes on purpose - like a game. Its fun.

Well with so much going on in there, several times Keith has put his ear to the belly to see if he can hear something, and also to talk to the lil Nuge in there.
Yesterday as he was doing this, he said hello to the baby, and got a swift hard kick to the side of his head. It was enough to make his entire head jump. Quite impressive, and the funniest thing I've ever seen - future soccer star maybe?

Stay tuned...
A-

Baby Journal: Entry 1

2009-10-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

At the advice of my dear mom, Ive decided to post the occasional Preggo update. She said she can't remember all the little nuances - mostly just the end - of her pregnancies, so any info I write down could be useful (and perhaps sentimental) in the future. I'll give this a try.

RECAP:
Early on I had very mild queasiness followed by 2 or 3 weeks of really bad stomach sickness. No vomiting - just hurty sicky feeling. And then it stopped very suddenly around 11 weeks, which was early according to my Midwife. I actually lost a lot of weight in the beginning because of this, but gained it back steadily after I was feeling better and regained some energy. I was back to my average weight at my 2nd prenatal of 135.

The hip pains started very early, around 2 months, as did the cramp-like pains of things rearranging and stretching.

Cravings - only during 1st Tri:

really hot and spicy food especially Mexican
meat - notably chicken, only had this one a couple times
coconut - only for a day, and it immediately became a strong aversion the next day
coffee - DIDN'T want it until about halfway through 2nd tri.

I stayed pretty dead exhausted all the time until after the 1st trimester. I noticed my energy levels and feeling more "human" returned very gradually over the 1st weeks of 2nd tri.

Once I entered 2nd trimester the song line "hungry like the wolves" comes to mind.

I 1st started feeling tiny baby kicks around 17 weeks, although I wasn't sure what it was at the time. :-)

At about 18 weeks baby hit a growth spurt while vacationing in the mountains and again returned the dead tiredness as well as muscle stretch pains. Luckily this only lasted a few days.

1st ultrasound was at 20 weeks, the little love was VERY active for the camera, it was fun.
At 21 weeks I weighed 140 on the dot.

AT PRESENT:
Here we are at 22 weeks and 5 days. Baby is growing rapidly again, and again I have been feeling completely zonked for the past 2 days. The hip and lower back pain are my biggest complaints, much worse now. It is getting harder to sleep, hip pain and discomfort keep me tossing around. The baby is big enough that Keith has started to feel all the squirming and kicking which is really cool!

The New Nuge*

2009-10-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

Well I can see this blog quickly becoming "baby" central instead of coffee central, but that's okay :-) I'm sure no one will mind. Perhaps later down the road our coffee project will find a new home on its own blog. But for now...baby's first pics and videos! Enjoy...

Why Fresh Roasted?

2009-04-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

because any other coffee is stale coffee.

That's right, even that brand new pound you just brought home from the store. Truth be told, once coffee beans have been roasted, they quickly begin to lose their flavor. Fresh coffee is at its peak of flavor between 12hrs. to 5 days after roasting. After 2 weeks it will have noticeably lost flavor. By the time the coffee is roasted, packaged, shipped, delivered to the store, stocked on the shelf and you finally pick it up - it's already stale.

Pre-ground coffee is a bad idea. Coffee's worst enemy is air. Once ground, much more of the bean is exposed to air as compared to the whole bean. The finer the grind, the greater exposure to air. Ground coffee stales VERY quickly, so it's best to grind it right before you're ready to brew. Ground coffee will stay good for several hours if kept in an air tight container. We don't recommend buying pre-ground coffee from the store.

Don't know what I mean? You will once you have tried truly fresh roasted coffee!

Quick Asparagus With Brown Rice

2009-04-03T07:18:00.000-07:00

This recipe came from a blog I found that is quickly becoming a regular visit for me - 101cookbooks.com. I love her recipes especially when im having a creativity block and am wanting something different. This one is a new favorite staple for both of us. Makes a lot, quick & easy, very filling, and we LOVE it, especially with the dressing. YUM.

Description From 101Cookbooks:

I made this with brown rice, but you could certainly substitute other grains. I suspect quinoa or millet would make nice substitutes (or even a short whole-grain pasta?). As I mentioned above, seeking out the pre-cooked brown rice in the freezer section helps shave quite a lot of time in this recipe. But feel free to go from scratch with your favorite rice. Use two cans of chickpeas/garbanzo beans if you love them like I do - one can if you're only a general enthusiast ;)...

Go To Recipe

Brewing Suggestions

2009-03-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

The best way to brew fresh roasted coffee is with a french press. The french press method allows the coffee grounds enough time and exposure to the hot water to "bloom" and fully release their flavors. We recommend using a rounded tablespoon of coffee per 6oz. of boiling water, and brewing for 4 minutes. Pour the boiling water over the grounds and give it a good stir. Then put the lid on to keep in the heat. Adjust the amounts of coffee and water as desired for weaker or stronger coffee.

If you do not have a french press don't worry, your coffee will still taste great from a standard drip coffee pot!

Fresh Roasted Coffee

2009-03-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

Current Bean Selection

-Fully Leaded-

Brazil Beija Flor - New Arrival!

Colombian Supremo Valencia
This lot is a very full bodied Colombian, with an almost buttery texture. Dark chocolate overtones with a sweet balanced acidity.

Costa Rican Dota Select
The quintessential Costa Rican coffee is known throughout the world as a perfect triangular balance of body, flavor and acidity. Dota is one of the most well known and sought after Costa Rican coffees. Very smooth, rich and clean, this is a great everyday drinker!

Costa Rican Monte Crisol PB
The quintessential Costa Rican coffee is known throughout the world as a perfect triangular balance of body, flavor and acidity.

Espresso Blend
A rich full flavored cup, great for espresso or Americanas. This coffee is chocolaty and sweet with a nutty base, moderate acidity and a full body, with just enough kick to get through those milky drinks.
It has the perfect amount of robusta to raise the caffeine level and add great crema.

Ethiopian Sidamo Natural Organic
This is a very unique and special coffee. "Natural" means the coffee bean was not removed from the coffee cherry before it was dried. This process has infused the beans with a delightful hint of black cherry flavor which, along side its chocolaty notes, makes this coffee sensational. A must try. Very clean, rich, floral and sweet. This Ethiopian has a very unique acidity, mild yet it adds a lot of character and definition to the cup.

Guatemalan Vista Hermosa - New Arrival!

Hawaiian Kauai Estate
Kauai is one of the richer and fuller bodied coffees of Hawaii.
Medium to full bodied, rich chocolate bottom. Clean, balanced and smooth.

Mexican Malinal Natural Org. - New Arrival!

Mexican Malinal Organic
Lighter bodied, a super smooth finish, and a sweet fruity taste. Similar in character to Island coffees.

Papau New Guinea PB
A full bodied smooth cup, with interesting fruity overtones coupled and delicate hints of cocoa, caramel, spices.
The aroma is very pleasant, sweetness with a bit of spice.

Peru FT Organic - New Arrival!

Rocket Fuel
100% Pure. Excellent on its own or blended with your favorite coffee. This is a unique high energy brew for those that want a high velocity boost in the morning. A rich full body blend with caramelly chocolate overtones and a very smooth finish. This is the coffee that will definitely get you moving.

Sumatra Organic - New Arrival!

Tanzanian Hope PB
Rich and full bodied, this is a chocolaty cup of coffee. Being an African, it does have some acidity which gives it a more complex taste with some minor spice notes. Very clean and rich.

Tanzanian Ruvuma PB
A rich full, coffee with a subtle dark chocolate flavor, excellent for blending with the more acidic coffees.

-Unleaded-

Decaf Brazil WP
Has a very fruity wet aroma. Medium bodied with a dark chocolate nuttiness. A smooth, rich, clean cup perfect for those decaf espresso drinks.
Great as a single origin Americana or Espresso, also works well in decaf espresso blends. Try it with our decaf Sumatra (15%) and our decaf Guatemalan (15%).

Decaf Colombian

Decaf Costa Rican Dota Select WP
The quintessential Costa Rican coffee is known throughout the world as a perfect triangular balance of body, flavor and acidity.
Dota is one of the most well known and sought after Costa Rican coffees. Very smooth, rich and clean, this is a great everyday drinker!

Decaf Espresso Blend WP
This cup is very full bodied, rich and smooth with a strong chocolaty flavor. Perfect for espresso, this coffee will cut through the milk to create your favorite beverage.
It is hard to tell it’s a decaf when drinking it straight and even harder to tell when it’s mixed into a latte.

Decaf Ethiopian Sidamo WP
Dark fruity aroma, very pleasant. has a strong sweetness that fades into a smooth and rich cup with a hint of citrus. Every sip is packed full of flavor. Medium to full bodied with a sweeter top.

*Please note that this Ethiopian is not a "Natural," meaning it wasn't dried in the cherry like its caffeinated counterpart. This decaf is excellent and absolutely worth a try. We just didn't want any disappointed folks who thought they were getting the decaf version of our "black cherry" favorite.

Decaf Guatemala
Rich, clean and balanced! A full bodied cup, with a very smooth chocolate bottom with delicate fruity overtones.

Decaf Panama WP
What a full rich decaf!
This Panama is a complex cup with a good mix of sweeter and chocolaty tones. Very clean and rich and balanced.

Decaf Sumatra
This is a dark and smoky decaf that is full of flavor. Very sweet with a hint of spice. The cup is very full and rich with a medium body and dark chocolate tones. For any Sumatra fans, you will love this one!

Decaf Uncertain Blend
If your feeling adventurous this is the blend for you! Never the same twice! Contains the remainders of beans that didn't
have enough to make a full pound. We have picked out Sumatra, Panama and Guatemala beans within the blend. It's really very good!