My mornings always start with coffee! I love coffee any time of the year, but especially when it’s cold outside. It’s so nice to crawl back into bed on the weekends with a warm cup and read or even get a little blogging done. Black coffee is not my thing…I’ll take my coffee with cream and sugar, but why not make it extra special with a few additions. Whether you take your coffee black or you like it with “the works”, you’ll love these suggestions for jazzing up your morning cup a joe!

Cinnamon. Cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice, and adds a warmth to your already brewed coffee. Cinnamon can reduce nausea, inflammation, and rev up your metabolism. Added bonus – its antibacterial benefits help to ward off colds year-round!

Coconut Oil - You’ve heard of bulletproof coffee, so now you can put it to the test. Adding one tablespoon of coconut oil (or grassfed butter) to your hot coffee allows for the coffee to be released more slowly into your bloodstream, for a longer stream of energy throughout the day.

Coconut Milk - Keep a can in the refrigerator to thicken your morning coffee. This dairy free alternative adds a subtle coconut flavor and also makes for a rich cup without using artificial creamer.

Ginger - Christmas in a glass. Adding a small scoop of this warming spice, or infusing a small hunk of raw ginger into your coffee mimics a gingerbread latte. Ginger is great for soothing inflammation and promotes healthy cholesterol. It also protects your liver - maybe the best thing after a night out.

Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean - A quintessential addition to your cup - vanilla and coffee go so well together. Rather than using processed vanilla simple syrup, add a few drops of vanilla extract (a little goes a long way), or add a split vanilla bean pod into your pot as you brew to infuse flavor.

Peppermint Oil - Just a drop will do - adding peppermint oil to your coffee can substitute for a healthier alternative to a winter peppermint latte. However, it can be easy to overdo this, so just start with one drop and go from there. Peppermint contains a host of vitamins and aids in digestion, which is a perfect pair for coffee.

Dark Chocolate - If you love mochas, you’ll love this! Drop a few shavings or a small square of dark chocolate into your hot coffee and let it slowly melt. You’ll get all the antioxidant benefits from dark chocolate first thing in the morning, and the sweetness will curb cravings for the rest of the day.

Honey - Another sweet option (I love the strong flavor of buckwheat honey) - rather than choosing your usual white or brown sugar, try honey. This more natural form of sugar contains less sucrose than regular white sugar, which means it tastes sweeter and you’ll need to use less to get the sweet boost.

Kosher Sea Salt - A pinch of kosher sea salt (very different from your usual table salt) in your cup can help offset some of the bitterness. Put a pinch in your grounds before brewing for a smoother taste.

For an extra special cup of coffee, try this recipe for a Mexican Mocha. I made a short video with Holly Treadwell, owner of The Blend & Co. to show you step by step how to make it! However, if you’re local, stop by The Blend & Co. for one of their fabulous coffee drinks!

This week is flying by and I’m leaving tomorrow for Atlanta to meet my new grandson! I’m so excited that I’ll be there when he’s born! I’ll be blogging from Atlanta as much as Hudson will allow, so be prepared for lots of proud grandmother pictures! Thanks so much for reading today!