My mom has taught me many important things in life: Treat everyone fairly. Always have a no thank you portion. Don’t go to bed mad. Talk it out. Always sit down for a family dinner. Appreciate everything you have. Don’t be afraid to speak up for what you deserve. Give yourself more credit. Taking a personal day can cure all. All that matters is that you do your best. Always drink your coffee black.
It’s true. Ever since I started drinking coffee in high school (yes, I was an early adopter!), I’ve been drinking it black. Why? Because that’s how mom and dad always did it. Drinking coffee black means that the coffee needs to be good coffee because I don’t use cream or sugar to cover up the taste. I’ve always been a fan of Stabucks, but never order their flavored coffees because I can’t stand the sickeningly sweet syrups. But now? Starbucks has a line of Natural Fusions coffees. The natural ingredients are ground right in. Have you tried them yet?
When I was asked if I wanted to host a Mother’s Day brunch with Natural Fusions coffee, I jumped at the chance. They sent me plenty of samples of their Natural Fusions flavors in caramel, cinnamon, and vanilla and believe me, I tried them all! I’m a major coffee fiend.
The whole family came to my apartment for Mother’s Day brunch and my sister and I prepared a delicious spread. When the guests arrived at my apartment, we served cups of Starbucks Natural Fusions caramel coffee.
Caramel is a coffee flavor I’m not used to having and I loved the subtle hints of flavor without being over-powering. Everyone else was raving about it, too. By the way, my entire family drinks coffee black now. Including my sister’s husband and my fiance. It’s contagious 
I’m that girl at brunch who has a ton of glasses in front of me. I need my coffee, a glass of water and, of course, a cocktail! My mom loves St-Germain, so my sister and I decided to make this Elderflower Champagne Cocktail. Great choice! Champagne to celebrate, mint for added flavor, and St-Germain to top it off with a cucumber slice on top.
For an entree we made Real Simple’s Asparagus and Soft Eggs on Toast. This dish was awesome, but upon reflection, it was a bit difficult to make for 6 people and have ready all at once… and still hot! The eggs were soft-boiled, but poached would have been much easier since peeling the shells off was a pain! Also, it was my first time making soft-boiled eggs.
Though a casserole that’s easy to put together and throw in the oven would have been easier, this certainly was delicious!
My sister made a coffee cake, with actual coffee! She used the Starbucks Natural Fusions cinnamon flavor. It was super moist and all-around awesome. Better than any typical coffee cake I’ve ever had!
And pretty, too!
If you know my family, you know we always have to have bacon at brunch! And we added in some maple sausage, too.
And, of course, a great big fruit salad.
*Some* members of my family are really hard to photograph in “normal” poses. Trust me, I tried.
I ended up making 2 huge pots of the Starbucks Natural Fusion coffee, most of which we ended up drinking before even sitting down for brunch. The 6 of us are big coffee drinkers!
The guest of honor!
Though this coffee cake was kind of like a guest of honor, too.
I can honestly say my mom and I have always had a pretty fabulous relationship. For some reason, I never really went through a rebellious stage and for the most part, we always got along. These days, I can happily say my mom is one of my very best friends!
I feel so lucky to have my family living so close in proximity…. and just plain being so close. Do we look alike?! Growing up, people seemed to either think my sister and I were twins or that we looked nothing alike.
Again, happy Mother’s Day! It was so fun having my family over for brunch to celebrate. And, of course, thank to Starbucks who provided all of the Natural Fusions coffee and compensated me for the brunch groceries. As you know, all opinions on this blog are my own and I would never say I like something just because I’m being compensated
Ooh and the day before Mother’s Day brunch, Chels and I went to visit our friend Julie and her beautiful little baby. Chels brought the rum cake and I brought these coffee cake muffins I made with the caramel Starbucks coffee. Caramel in coffee cake? Delicious!
Now for the fun part…
Giveaway!
Are you a coffee lover? If so, you NEED to try Starbucks Natural Fusions. You can buy it in stores… or you can enter our giveaway and win a prize-pack to try all three flavors of Natural Fusions. All you have to do to enter is tell me, how do you drink your coffee? Black? Cream? Sugar? I want to know!
For extra entries, tweet about our giveaway (we’re at @wearenotmartha) and/or fan us on Facebook!
Make sure you leave an extra comment for each way you enter! You have until Friday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m. to enter.
Good luck!
[Sues]
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With milk & equal!
I like my coffee with just a little bit of cream in it- no sugar. And I’d love a cup of that coffee with all of your wonderful brunch dishes. Those asparagus and soft boiled eggs on toast look so good to me!
Ooh ooh ooh! LOVE this giveaway! I’ve been drinking coffee since I was 10, and I’m 22 now.
Starbucks is my got to coffee but I haven’t tried their fusion kind yet. I almost always drink mine with both creamer and sugar (preferably raw) but my fiance drinks his black and is trying to influence me to drinking it the same way.
I think I’ve tried all 3 of the fusions, and I’m a fan. I drink my coffee with a teensy bit of sugar and milk. Occasionally I’ll have it black. Sometimes when I make the coffee I’ll put a touch of some spice in the coffee grounds before I brew it. Ground cinnamon and cloves around the holidays are really tasty!
Yum, all of your brunch dishes look awesome. We love the caramel Starbucks infusions the best. Great flavor and smell. I just wish the stuff came in larger bags! We go through it miiighty fast. I like mine with a little non fat or almond milk in it.
I think I was at the wrong house, brunch looks amazing! Did you know I was from Washington? They put Starbucks in our baby bottles…it’s the law! No wonder I like milk in mine
Black as night!
I drink my coffee with creamer.. I would love to try those Strabucks Natural Fusion coffee!
Black with sugar.
I always wished I drank mine black! I usually add almond milk (or regular milk if I’m out) and maybe a little sweetner. I’d love to try the cinnamon blend. What a great brunch. All the food looks yummy. I want a slice of your sisters coffee cake!! And my Mom also taught me to Always sit down for a family dinner. Such a great lesson
I like my coffee with cream. With summer right around the corner I will switch from hot to iced coffee. Yumm!
I like just a splash of milk with my coffee (to cool it down). Thanks for a fun giveaway! eringustafson@live.com
That coffee cake does look amazing! I drink my coffee with skim milk or almond milk and a little bit of sweetener
milk and two splendas. Used to be three splendas.. but I’m trying to cut down!
I started drinking coffee in high school also! And it was starbucks…I mean, I DO live in NYC where there’s one on every corner so it would have been impossible to avoid. Oh and my mom is a Starbucks addict…she won’t drink any other kind of coffee, so I know she’d love these! What a super fun brunch!
I drink my coffee with a hint of half and half and some sweetener!
I drink my coffee with So Delicious coconut milk creamer and sometimes a bit of agave syrup but I’ve been working on eliminating sweetener entirely.
oh my gosh, what a fun brunch!!! i drink my coffee with a little bit of soy creamer
Skim no sugar! But somehow coffee houses never seem to understand that I want nothing to do with sugar in my coffee!
That is a beautiful brunch! I have not heard of those coffees, but would love something with a subtle flavor as opposed to super sweet. I drink my coffee with skim milk, but I love a plain shot of espresso after dinner.
My coffee is always with a little bit of sugar and LOT of half and half.
i love coffee and love brunch! i drink my coffee with a little flavored creamer (always add first, so i don’t have to stir – it’s like a cocktail-making trick or something…). i don’t like a lot of sugary/sweetness, but i don’t think i can do it black. we did dinner (pasta, sauce, meatballs, etc) for mother’s day. i missed the whole brunch thing a lot. guess that needs to happen another day instead!!
I made eggs and asparagus for mother’s day too, seems like such a perfect spring brunch.
i drink my coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar (or stevia if available).
laura
I like my coffee with almond milk and a few packets of splenda. I’ve been really wanting to try the infusions… right now we are just finishing up Starbucks Tribute Blend and it’s sooo good.
Love Starbucks! I drink my coffee with a little fat free vanilla creamer- sweet enough so I don’t need sugar!
FF Half and Half with Truvia or Splenda!
The food for the brunch looks wonderful!! Love the coffee cake…and love hearing what a good relationship you have with your mom!!
I drink my coffee with cream…and I prefer flavored cream…my favorite… vanilla caramel!!
fun! that looks like a delicious brunch – and COFFEE in the coffeecake? I need to try this
I drink my coffee either black (if it’s really good, fresh coffee) or with just a splash of milk or cream.
Black coffee for me!
whole milk, two splenda! i love the rich flavors that they are offering!
Black or if its too piping hot with a little skim milk to cool it down!
Beautiful brunch and tribute to your mother! She gave you very good advice! Unfortunately, I need cream in my coffee, flavored cream in fact but no sugar as those creamers are sweet enough!
With soy or almond milk and splenda or sugar.
That asparagus and egg dish looks delicious!
I love coffee! LOVE IT. I drink it with a splash of fat free half and half. Yum.
lots of cream LOTS of sugar
(probably more of each than I should….)
the asparagus looks so good too, and maybe you can post the coffee cake recipe?!
After “quitting” coffee for 2 years I’m back on the bandwagon and love it black! p.s. love the mother’s day brunch! I wish I had thought of doing a brunch for the card party, it looks like such a fun morning…. maybe next one I host.
I like my coffee with hazelnut creamer if it is not a flavored coffee or; regular creamer if it is a flavored coffee.
I drink my coffee black with an Equal of Splenda!
Awesome giveaway! I LOVE coffee!!!!
I was the first one of my friends to start drinking coffee in high school, and slowly but surely converted all the rest. I usually go for a splash of skim milk, but with some flavored coffees, black can be the way to go. Love.
with just a little bit of cream!
Mmmmm, I LOVE coffee! Usually I have it with a splash of milk and one splenda!
I love black coffee – crazy person that I am!
I drink my coffee with cream only. Since moving to New England I have learned to say “cream, no sugar.”
Both of my parents drink black coffee only and both of my siblings drink sugary lattes only. I drink coffee, but must have a bit of milk and sugar. Clearly, we did not follow my parents lead in the coffee department!
Great idea for a giveaway. I will definitely tweet!
I love coffee! Just a splash of non fat milk works for me. I can drink it as late as 11pm and still get a good nights’ sleep. I’d really like to try these new Starbuck’s infusions because I usually don’t care for flavors in my coffee.
I do FB like you! Lovely ladies that you are!
I love a bit of skim milk… but of course it depends on the quality of the coffee.
I usually put a little warm unsweetened almond milk in my coffee just because straight black coffee tends to sit a little rough with my stomach. I’d love to try those flavors!
Always, always black =D
I like mine with just a splash of half and half.
ooh those eggs!! you look a lot like your sis
COFFEE! I love flavored coffee, but you’re right, the syrups are too dang sweet! These fusions sound absolutely perfect! I like a good hearty coffee with some skim milk. Not as simple as black, but very close behind.
And of course I’m a fan on FB!
Loove coffee. I drink it with a little milk (usually almond or soy), and some sugar in the raw. Mmm.
i have an unlimited bruegger’s coffee card… all the coffee i can drink for a whole year! their newest flavor is island coconut, and i love it… with some skim and 2 splenda! (i know, i know)
I drink mine with milk and sometimes sugar, but I have tried to cut that out. So mostly just 2% milk. I have had coffee addictions in the past, so I try to limit to one (sometimes two….) travel mugs a day.
I like to drink my coffee with a bit of cream. Delish!
when i make it at home…black! when i drink the mud they provide free at work, soy milk and splenda.
That looks like a fantastic brunch! You’re making me think that me and my girlfriends may need to hold a poltluck brunch sometime soon. I have to say, I’ve never been a black coffee drinker. I like mine with a little milk and splenda, but I still like strong coffee so I usually make mine with more grounds than usual so even when the milk & sweetener goes in it’s rich and luscious.
I love my coffee!! I’ll try different flavors – but most def. I like my black – I want to enjoy the “coffee” taste. But I would love to try these new flavors Thanks so much!!!
Lattes are my fave coffee drink
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/marciebeth/status/68733692708790272
i too, am a fan of GOOD coffee. i take mine with a little bit of milk (preferably soy). YUM.
yummmm looking breakfast. and you’re hardcore! i’ve never been able to drink coffee black.
Looks like a wonderful and successful brunch!! Even though the eggs were time consuming to make, they looked really wonderful! And I’m glad your whole family loved the coffee. I usually take mine with milk and sugar, but I’m more of a purist when it comes to tea, leaving that unsweetened for the most part.
I have also been drinking coffee since high…er, middle school!
I always drink my coffee iced with milk and one sugar. And for me, flavored is always the way to go!
I drink my coffee with cream AND sugar!
I liked you on FB-Elisabeth G
tweeted here http://twitter.com/#!/egood33/status/68749362674679810
I love this giveaway! I always have my coffee iced with a splash of milk. Yum!
I love coffee! I add a little half n half and some splenda. Im trying to eliminate the need for sweetner and maybe eventually the creamer. We’ll see!
maybe a touch of splenda, but otherwise black!
I drink my coffee with a little heavy cream.
Strong! With a generous dollop of Silk soy original creamer.
A vanilla latte is my favorite.
I usually like a little milk in my coffee – but if it’s really good coffee I will drink it black
Vanilla soymilk
Black and LOTS OF IT!
I rely on my morning latte!
soy milk and sugar in the raw
Also, I would love the recipe to that coffee cake- It looks amazing
Two giant mugs of strong, black coffee first thing in the morning is the only way I exist. If I need an extra pump of caffeine in the afternoon, but don’t want to murder my stomach, I’ll go the cafe au lait route–but definitely no sugar.
I like french vanilla soy creamer and a little truvia.
Black or sometimes spiked
I like my coffee with milk and Splenda.
littlegray88@yahoo.com
I like you on FB
littlegray88@yahoo.com
Adam and his entire family drink coffee black, too! It was not contagious for me as it clearly was your fam because at every family gathering, they have to bring out the cream and sugar JUST for me. yep. but I don’t over do it, one cream, one sugar.
It was so fun to read about your mothers day. brunch looks awesome.
I am a coffee freak as well. I’ve been a Keurig coffe maker fan for years now and have given one to everyone in my family. My favorite is the caramel vanilla cream. I do have an insert for the machine that you can add your own coffee grounds-so I can’t wait to try the Starbucks caramel. I do drink it with non dairy cream-I haven’t been able to do without it and have it black. Love all the brunch items and the pictures with Mom are great!
i drink my coffee with a quiet moment in the morning and a cat on my lap.. doesn’t matter if it’s black, has cream or sugar in it, as long as it’s got those 2 things, it’s all good..
What a beautiful-looking breakfast! The egg dish looks amazing, even though it was difficult to pull off for a gathering.
Major coffee drinker here in the morning. I need mine laced with fat-free half & half, though
You have a wonderful-looking family!
Cream and sugar or even better Bailey’s Irish cream!
I’m a facebook fan!
with soy milk and a little bit of natural vanilla flavoring.
I just found your blog, just in the nick of time! My favorite way to have coffee, is to add half and half and hot water to espresso, to make an Americano! And an amazing thing to eat with it would be your coffeecake. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love mine with sugar and french vanilla creamer!
I’m a Facebook fan. Thanks!
With soy milk and truvia!
I am a sweet girl!! I would say, I love coffee milk,lol!! Give me extra cream and extra sugar. Not the healthiest way, so need to keep it for a treat.
Skim milk, two splenda. Unless I get a speciality drink and in which case I get a iced caramel macchiato.