STAY VOCAL, a ReUse company, designed this coffee shirt, complete with coffee stains. Photo: STAY VOCAL

As mentioned, these garments either come from thrift stores and are washed and treated or they are rescued from being destroyed by merchandise companies. Like repainting your house, they have given these shirts another life.

For more details click here.

Soappuccino chock-full-o-coffee soap. Photo by Greg Dawson

Soappuccino is 100 percent pure all natural and made with cruelty-free ingredients. It’s safe, nontoxic and biodegradable, and comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Soappuccino’s design was born out of a mistake. One day back in 1998 Rand Hill Naturals company founder Randie Hilliard was playing mad scientist in the kitchen when she accidentally whipped too much air into some white soap and it looked very similar to whipped cream. At that same time she was also working on a coffee soap for its odor eliminating properties.

“That’s when the proverbial light bulb went on and I had Soappuccino,” exclaimed Hilliard.

A relative coffee newbie, Hilliard didn’t start drinking it until she was 48 years young.

“I started drinking it while I was working a temp job in a very cold warehouse and I haven’t looked back,” mentioned Hilliard. “I have a lot to learn about the different types.”

In addition to being available on the web, Food Front Cooperative Grocery (6344 Southwest Capitol Highway; (503) 546-6559‎) is now carrying Soappuccino.

• Retailers interested in carrying Hilliard’s products can reach her at sudsup@randhillnaturals.com.
• Know a retailer that might be interested in carrying this product? Contact Hilliard for more information on her referral program at sudsup@randhillnaturals.com.

It's tough to choose just one at Boyds Coffee. Photo: Greg Dawson Photography

From their dark and delicious French No. 6 to their chocolaty sweet Blend Caribe, their roasts are products of years of practice.

[Check out photos from the visit.] [Follow Boyds on Twitter.]

My favorite of the tasting was their Rip City Coffee roast:

Boyds Coffee, 100% Organic Rip City Coffee
Portland, OR

Reviewed: February 2010
Overall Rating: 96 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 8
Body: 9
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Roast: Medium

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and Rainforest Alliance Certified. Boyds Coffee is based in Portland, OR and was founded by Percival Dewe Boyd in the very early 1900’s. In fact, he first peddled his wares from a red, horse-drawn wagon he purchased for $5. With three Portland retail locations and its roots firmly set in Portland, it is no wonder why they offer a roast named Rip City Coffee.

Now, I must admit, I’m a big fan of full-bodied darker roasts. And even though I was reassured by old school veteran baristas Jayme Gantz and Meagan Turvey that I would be pleasantly surprised, I still had my doubts about how much flavor Rip City could pack.

To say the least, I was more than pleasantly surprised.

The Setup: Medium roast with intense flavors and very smooth finish.

The Delivery: There is no denying the medium-roast coffee has a flavor intensity that rivals most darker roasts, yet finishes softly and leaves you wanting more.

Boyds Rip City Coffee maybe the most underrated coffee in the city.

Grab a cup at one of their three Portland coffee shops:

- Pearl District: 404 NW 11th Ave; 503-226-2590 – Free Wi-Fi
- Cultural District (Eliot Tower): 1229 SW 10th Ave; 503-241-4226 – Free Wi-Fi
- Roastery Store: 19730 NE Sandy Blvd; 503-666-4561

“Java Jones, in conjunction with neighboring Sam’s To Go, is remodeling its Isla Vista location in order to implement “green” technology.

Java Jones to implement green technology. Photo: Jon Kopecky / Daily Nexus

Co-owner Brett Winslow established Java Jones in 1992 when he was a second-year student at UCSB. Although the coffee joint has used organic beans since it first opened and has practiced fair trade standards since 1999, the owners hope to raise their eco-friendly standards even higher through methods such as natural lighting, recyclable coffee bags and solar power generation.”

[Via DailyNexus.com]

Stay tuned for a review of one of their latest small-batch offerings. And don’t forget to follow them on Twitter.

Citizen Bean's January offering, Sumatra ACEH from Victrola Coffee Roasters - Photo: Greg Dawson

January’s coffee offering featured Sumatra ACEH, from head roaster Perry Hook of Victrola Coffee Roasters located in Seattle, WA.

It is one thing to be a member of a coffee of the month club. It is another to be a citizen of one. Citizen Bean offers its “citizens” a combination of its love for art and design, superior complex coffee and food parings into a monthly gift item. Best yet, they are either fair trade, organic or shade grown coffees.

Each gift is more of adventure, introducing citizens to some of our country’s finest small roasters along with a sample food pairing and handcrafted extras. An espresso option is also available.

And here’s how the Sumatra ACEH performed in the taste test:

Victrola Coffee Roasters, Sumatra ACEH (Takengon, Sumatra)
Seattle, WA

Reviewed: January 2010
Overall Rating: 96 points

Aroma: 8
Acidity: 8
Body: 9
Flavor: 9
Aftertaste: 9
Roast: Dark

The 411: This roast is certified organic coffee and certified Fair Trade coffee. Victrola Coffee Roasters began roasting their own coffee in the tiny back room of their café in 2003 because they wanted to have a direct hand in the quality of their coffees before they made their way into the espresso hopper or the french press.

The Setup: Grinding releases a smoky, black-pepper fragrance, with a spicy sweetness in the finish.

The Delivery: Full bodied with smokey, black-pepper and smoked cedar, hints of spicy sweetness and a lingering finish.

The new light Starbucks ready-to-drink beverages contain less than 130 calories and 4 grams of fat. Photo: Starbucks

The new flavors include the New Starbucks Frappuccino Light Vanilla, Starbucks Doubleshot Energy+Coffee Vanilla Light, Starbucks Doubleshot Light – Espresso and Cream, and Starbucks Frappuccino Light Mocha.

Each light version contains per serving 130 calories or less and 4 grams of fat or less.

I’ve always been a big fan of the original Starbucks Frappuccino Vanilla for its creamy and very tasty flavor. Now that there’s a light version, I’ll be stopping in to pick up one more often.

These new light versions are available at local convenience, drug and grocery stores as well as Starbucks stores:

- Safeway, 1030 SW Jefferson St, (503) 721-9150
- Starbucks Coffee, 601 SW Washington St, (503) 226-8286

Photo: FreeWine from Flickr

I won’t be around too many cafes because I’ll be with my client TCC Adventures working on their six-day adventure/ultra marathon. I’ll be in the remote and dry Northwestern coast and volcanic regions, inland lakes, windswept highlands, jungle and tropical dry forest. The course is set in Costa Rica’s driest area.
 Terrain: jungle and rainforest trails, rough and winding dirt roads, farm roads and some asphalt; mountain trail and some single track across ridgelines, passes and highlands; beaches and rocky outcroppings or reefs, dry tropical forest and rainforest, open lands including river/water crossings and more…

I’ve learned a lot this morning about Costa Rica coffee from Costa Rica Coffee Shop. Apparently coffee dates back pretty far in history for the Costa Ricans. In fact, on their site they say:

“In July 2008, Costa Rica celebrated its 200 years of coffee production; it’s been the backbone of Costarican economy since the 1850s. The national government believed in the importance of this bean to such extent that it’s been called Costa Rica’s – Grano de Oro – or grain of gold since then. This millenary tree, which roots go as far back as 10th Century Ethiopia or – Abyssinia, has allowed us to use, experiment, cultivate, but most of all enjoy coffee in many different ways.”

Well, here’s to a great cup of coffee in my very near future! Check out these related Costa Rica coffee pictures on Flickr.

CCP's offerings are entirely gluten-free fare to complement their fantastic coffee and expresso. Photo: Greg Dawson

Rumor has it that their gluten-free wraps have been reworked to a fluffy, mouthwatering texture and there are always sweet or savory treats ready to experience. And don’t forget to check out the small refrigerated case on the baking side of the shop for cakes, tarts and other chilled treats.

Coffee Plant has also added Heather Arnold to the baking team.

“Heather brings fantastic experience and personality to the group,” said Coffee Plant owner Michael Miller. “Also, a stronger baking team means even more desserts!

- Flying Elephants Deli located at 812 Southwest Park Ave, Portland, OR 9705, 503-546-3166
- Fehrenbacher Hof cafe located at 1225 Southwest 19th Ave, Portland, OR 97205, 503-223-4493

CCP – Gluten Free Baking
Inspired by his eldest daughter’s fight with Celiac, which doesn’t allow her body to process gluten, and with access to extra space, Miller started a gluten-free bakery at the Corbett location.

“CCP offers entirely gluten-free fare to complement our fantastic coffee and espresso,” said Miller. “Our lead baker Kim Larson does such a fantastic job that people can’t even tell the difference. They just taste that good.”

Know of a place where you’d like to see more delicious gluten-free treats? Encourage them to contact Michelle (michelle@ccpgf.com) and Miller promises to see what they can do.

Coffee Plant Locations
- Corbett Coffee Plant (CCP) located at 5915 SW Corbett, 503-293-3280
- Downtown Coffee Plant located at 724 SW Washington, 503-295–1227

Keep your head warm with a stylish hat from NYC-based Block Headwear. Photo: Block Headwear

Enter Block Headwear. Give the gift of warmth and style from a NYC hat collection that pays homage to the centuries-old art of hat making, where material is molded and steamed around a piece of wood – a “block” – to give the hat its shape.

All hats are available at Saks Fifth Ave. Prices range from $33 to $58.

Of course, no holiday shopping list is complete without something that goes bling, especially when it involves one or the most beloved chocolate makers, one of the trendiest designers and a jewelry store that’s giving back for a great cause.

The Hershey’s Kiss Jewelry is a lovely way to show your love… (with a kiss). Available in solid sterling silver and diamond, these necklaces, bracelets, and earrings start at $49.99!

Hello Kitty by Simmons Jewelry Co. has several beautifully artistic and trendy accessories available at Zales like the Hello Kitty Crystal Earbuds ($75), a perfect accessory for long car rides or airplane rides, the Hello Kitty Mirror Compact ($125)… small and cute, this item fits in a purse or a pocket.

Also, the Hello Kitty USB Port ($125) eases your workload with school or work and allows you to get stuff accomplished while on the go and in style. Cover your iPhone in style with the Hello Kitty Crystal iPhone Case ($195).

Simon Jewelry Co.’s Green Collection features the green malachite bracelet that benefits the Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F) and retails for $125, donating at least $20 for the sale of each green bracelet to the D.E.F.

Happy holiday shopping.

Start your morning off right with a positive affirmation coffee cup from Keeping it Positive.

Its Pleasant Dreamz product line contains 16oz. Ceramic Barrel mugs ($12.99) with positive affirmations such as hope, confidence, self-esteem, etc. Talk about throwing your “case of the Mondays” right out the door.

“By saying affirmations daily, this conditions your subconscious mind to think more positive, be more confident, focused, and can change your life by affecting your attitude, thinking, and your reactions…  making you more successful,” said company rep. Debbie Oser.

Changing your thinking patterns to be more POSITIVE starts with saying Affirmations every day,… and our products provide that, having the Affirmations right there to read!

They started Keeping it Positive after seeing how positive affirmations changed their sons’ attitude and behavior to be more self-assured, and Confident.