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I have a very active and varied schedule most mornings, but the one unifying factor that gets me up and keeps me going is COFFEE! And, just in case we ever meet up for a cuppa joe, you’ll need to know that I take mine verrrrry creamy. Read on to find out how coffee AND Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half Unsweetened are helping me live my best life!

I bet your weekly schedule is just as busy or busier than mine (although, this is just a partial list, haha)! I love to accomplish all I can, and a few mugs of creamy coffee (or iced coffee in the summer), and I’m always turning to this elixir of life for the win!

• Monday: Sunrise Yoga + Coffee
• Tuesday: Track Workout + Coffee
• Wednesday: Client Meeting + Coffee
• Thursday: Gym Day + Coffee
• Friday: Bike Ride + Coffee
• Saturday: Long Run + Coffee
• Sunday: Rest Day + Coffee

If you’ve visited the blog before or followed me on Instagram, you’ve probably figured out that I’m lifelong competitive athlete who is all about using food and drink as a way to optimize performance and fuel and active lifestyle. The benefits of coffee and caffeine are a popular topic with me (check out this past post, Coffee Consumption in Athletes – Performance Perks and Timing) and I like to joke around about how it’s not just a proven performance enhancer in sports, but nearly every aspect of life life . . . like the challenge getting out of bed!

Let me quickly share with you the talking points I use when presenting caffeine use for sports performance to runners and other athletes. Of course, the caffeine can come via coffee or any other number of products. But I love coffee . . . I think it’s the OG of pre-workout drinks and I’m a tried-and-true kinda gal!
Caffeine is legal ergogenic aid, meaning a “performance enhancer.”

• Caffeine works through the central nervous system and has the ability to blunt pain, increase mood, reduce fatigue and improve mental cognition.
• Caffeine can make you feel happier and potentially less phased by difficult efforts.
• Some research says caffeine can increase performance as much as 12%.
• For optimal performance, consumption should be around 1.5 milligrams per pound (3 mg/kg) body weight.
• As a general rule, caffeine benefits max out at 200 to 250mg, so more not necessarily better.
• Individuals metabolize caffeine at different rates (it’s a gene thing), so know your tolerance.
• Always test the use of caffeine in training to figure out dosage and to see if it helps or causes distress.
• Consult with a doctor or dietician if you have questions or are experiencing difficulties.

While I may actually dream about my morning coffee before a run or workout, I don’t find black and bitter coffee dreamy . . . AT ALL! I like coffee be sweet and creamy. But, sweet and creamy coffee can be a challenge for those of us who follow specific diets like paleo, keto, low-carb, dairy-free, sugar-free or vegan. Now we can all have our cream and drink it too thanks to Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half Unsweetened – it’s an unsweetened, plant-based half-and-half that is PERFECT for keeping everyone happy!

I LOVE how this coffee creamer is unsweetened (0 grams sugar), allowing me control the type of sweetener and total amount that I put in my mug. Because I try to avoid sugar and excess carbs, I can sweeten up my creamy coffee with Stevia, Allulose, Monk Fruit or other no- to low-carb options. Thank you Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half Unsweetened for offering an all-natural, plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO way to add richness to coffee and other beverages without compromising taste. Now, if you don’t mind a touch of sugar, Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half Vanilla is a yummy choice.

These plant-based coffee creamers are made with a blend of almond milk and coconut cream can be found in the refrigerated creamer section of your local Walmart (usually near the milk products).

Plus, if you use Ibotta (and all us smart shoppers are), don’t miss the offer to earn $1 off any 1 Coffee mate® natural bliss® Plant Based Half & Half (16oz). Get the Ibotta Offer HERE

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