Dunkin vs. Starbucks- A Quest for Health

Water or Oil? 

I am guilty as charged in wanting to rid the world of corporate businesses and support the smaller ones. However, in my lifetime, I don't think that will occur.

 In the meantime, these businesses are continuing to pop up in neighborhoods across America. I am simply informing you that if you 

choose to venture into them, be aware of what you put into your body. I 

venture to Starbucks, because it is convenient (when I'm not working 

there.) That is why these companies are so successful. The more they place themselves around, the more we go to them.

My time at Starbucks is coming to an end. With one more week remaining at the Corporate conglomerate, I decided to take a look at and inform you of this massive coffee company. Other coffee corporations such as Dunkin Doughnuts 

competing for equal recognition, healthier choice options are available. Here is a look at what to order and what

 to steer clear of.

They now have oatmeal

 Yes, now instead of buying your own box of yummy oats, you can have it on the go. This tasty breakfast includes your choice of nuts, fruit, and brown sugar. Its tasty, except you will think as you eat this, "I could have made this at home."

Protein Latte

Yuck! These lattes are gross! First of all, why would you want more protein in your latte? Its a coffee drink and you're ruining it! The workout maniacs are forever changing the way we drink simple coffee. Let me inform you of how we make these muscle maniac lattes. A protein powder is used and dumped into the milk pitcher with one's choice of milk. Next the milk an

d powder are steamed together. Espresso is added and voila you have yourself a chalky muscle building, wake me up latte. If you don't believe me, you can try one but be warned... I can't see this sticking around too long.

Dunkin' Doughnuts

 First of all, their coffee tastes like water. If you are a serious coffee drinker this co

ffee will taste like water... did I already mention that? This could be attributed to the fact that Starbucks literally turns into oil after it has been fermenting in your cup for 20 minutes. 

What to steer clear of at Dunkin:

-The coffee- Be sure you inform them exactly how much milk and sugar (if any) you want inside your coffee. Otherwise, they dump the entire sugar bag and gallon of milk into the drink.

-Doughnuts- They won't even let you purchase one doughnut hole, one! You have to buy 6 in order to make a purchase. ( I know, because I tried to buy a few.. I mean one.)

-If the Dunkin' is connected to a Baskin' Robbins, just don't even look over there.

What is actually pretty healthy and tasty:

 - The egg white panini. They have a veggie one, that is my fav and a sausage one. It is made entirely of egg white and you get a coffee along with it. In my opinion it can be a little blan, but that cuts down on the calories. 

* Make sure they toast it all the way. Last time I had one, it was still frozen in the middle. 

So why are these two companies suddenly trying to be healthy? It is actually a health requirement to list all calories on food. When a person sees 480 calories on one doughnut, there are not that many sold anymore. I think they've finally realized they are a large factor in obesity in this country. I don't think we can blame these companies for what we choose to eat. We make the choice to throw that apple fritter into our mouths and wash it down with a coffee. Now, we have healthier options. Just keep in mind, however, that you CAN just as easily make the oatmeal at home. 

Do you know the Muffin Man?

A fellow barista and friend of mine at Starbucks, encountered the Muffin Man yesterday. When I say Muffin Man, I don't mean a nice jolly old man who sells muffins or a large muffin walking the streets just giving them away. This Muffin Man is unnerving and lives in New York City. I cannot legitimize the actions of my fellow barista, I can only tell the story...

Let me set the scene: The day was moving fairly slow inside the cafe and not many customers were wanting caffeine at 5 Pm. Outside the cafe, however, it was bustling with cars and people were  walking home from work on busy Broadway. 

One barista says to another, "I guess these muffins should go into the pastry case?"

Another barista glances at the box of fresh oat bran muffins and replies, "I have a better idea."

Barista one is curious. 

Barista two says, "I dare you to throw a muffin outside."

Barista one is still curious. He does not question, does not glance around, only opens the box of muffins to retrieve one, and walks towards the door. 

Barista two smiles mischieviously and watches barista one walk out to the street.

With hat and apron still displaying 'Starbucks', he chucks the bran muffin into the air. 

*Now, if this were a movie it would be flying through the air in slow motion

Finally, the muffin surrenders to gravity and falls towards the crowd of people below. The muffin chooses its destination onto.... a toe. The muffin exploded below on the Muffin Man's right toe. This Muffin Man stood about 5'11, with receding hair the color of, well oat bran! Silver wire frames held the glasses on his crooked nose, and his raspy voice could be compared to the male version of Joan Rivers. 

In his Joan Rivers voice, he howled, "I WAS JUST HIT WITH A MUFFIN!"

Meanwhile, my friend barista ran like a 12 year old child to the back of the store to hide from the screaming Muffin Man.

No one knew what to think. This man was obviously distressed about a bran muffin coming in contact with his precious toe. (This is also a great time to mention that his toe was covered by a shoe of some sort.)

Anyway, Muffin Man was not happy. Suddenly, in the midst of his screaming fit, he eyed the box of bran muffins and noticed the vacant spot where the fourth muffin once lived. 

"I KNOW IT WAS A BRAN MUFFIN!" He shouted. The store manager came over to the man and tried to console him, by offering free drinks, coupons, coffee mugs, bags of coffee, baristas, etc...

The next day, the store was busy and there were lines of people out the door. Then, the Muffin Man walked through the cafe doors and demanded to see the manager again. I only heard bits of valuable information and went in search of my barista friend. He was steaming milk at the espresso bar. I warned him that the Muffin Man was inside the cafe and to not look over at him. He ducked behind the bar, his eyes wide with fear. 

My manager asked the Muffin Man if he could further get him anything and again apologized for the "inconvenience".

The Muffin Man rubbed his bald head and looked around the cafe in search of barista. His raspy voice dripped from his mouth as he said, "Well, I would love to string that guy up and beat him with muffins!" 

The store manager bit his tongue, to contain laughter and just stared at the Muffin Man.

"Obviously I have no muffins to do this, so I would just like a coupon." Then he left the store with a free coffee in hand. 

The moral of this story: Next time you decide to throw a muffin, take off your hat and apron and throw it away from the Muffin Man.