I’ve been cramming glycolysis reactions into my brain all day, and now all I can think about is glucose and pyruvate. Tomorrow morning is unfortunately the day I take another biochem midterm!

However, thankfully this morning I was able to enjoy a delicious triple berry muffin from the local cafe across the street! Common Grounds Coffee!

Although Common Grounds doesn’t stay open late, it’s one of my personal favorite places in town to get ICED TEA!!! They brew all their teas on the spot. It takes just three minutes for them to brew and ice. And believe me, they have a great variety of teas! All kinds of black including apricot and peach flavors, all kinds of green, and all kinds of herbal! Basically any kind of tea that you can think of, they have it, and they can ice it!!! Ever thought of what an Earl Grey tea would taste like iced??? Well, probably DELICIOUS!!! But my personal favorite so far is the Apricot Infused Black Tea.

Another personal favorite iced tea place is… PEET’S!!!! Especially in the summer when they have all their iced tea coolers!!! Berry Pomegranate Tea Cooler, Jasmine Lime Tea Cooler (fave!), and Hibiscus Breeze Tea Cooler. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!!

And now that we are are on the topic of Peet’s let’s talk about labeling. Peet’s has coffee labeled as “Fair Trade Certified.” What does that mean???

“Fair Trade Certified” is a registered trademark owned by FLO International. This “Fair Trade Certified” claim is third-party verified, addresses multiple issues, and meets tough standards developed by an open or consensus-based process. Members of this fair trade commits to biodiversity-enhancing methods, ensures children’s rights, supports safe working conditions and other fair-trade measures and policies.

Peet’s is also Rainforest Alliance Certified. What does that mean????

Rainforest Alliance is an independent body working to conserve biodiversity as well as ensuring sustainable living. Rainforest Alliance works with people whose lives depend on the land, which develops the way they grow food, harvest wood, and welcome travelers. They set high standards for environmental protection, worker rights, and the interests of local communities. Some pesticide use is allowed.

Interested in what other labels mean… including labels on you milk, wine, fish, meat, eggs, produce, and processed foods???

When processed foods are labeled as “natural,” is that claim true? and what does it mean?

The claim “natural” on processed foods is not a reliable claim! “Natural” is not defined by the USDA or FDA for processed foods. According to the USDA, meat and poultry labeled “natural” contain no added colors or artificial ingredients and haven’t been processed or altered. Neither the USDA nor the FDA regulate the label “natural” for any other food products, leaving the decision to use the label “natural” up to the manufacturers.

Still interested?? I found yet another app for that!!! “Label Lookup” and it’s free!