THE BEAUTY OF GIVING BACK

THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE GIVING

As we look to the year By Yolanda F. Johnson ahead and think of the hope we have for the future, it’s also important to look back on the Black Benefactors reactive nature of 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic, racial justice movements, Founded by Tracey Webb, Black Benefactors is a giving circle based in civil unrest, economic uncertainty—you name it, it seems to have occurred in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of Black children, 2020. And, whatever came our way, we had to remain resilient, flexible, and youth and families by encouraging philanthropy, community service and we had to pivot! In fact, I call 2020 “The Great Pivot,” where we needed to advocacy in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. continuously tap into our skill sets and talents in order to reinvent ourselves BlackBenefactors.org into whatever was needed to get the job done, survive and thrive. When it comes to the “good work” of giving back, it’s important to recognize how so many people, namely women, were able to reinvent their philanthropic endeavors through giving circles. Collective giving has seen a great resurgence over the past year. First, due to the congenial nature of it, and second, because it allows one person to stand together with many others in order to make an even greater impact. A giving circle is a group of people who pool their dollars together to ultimately give to designated organizations or causes. Often, members of a giving circle are all committed to the same cause or are often part of the same ethnic background. Because of this, the circle eventually also begins to offer professional and personal development programming, networking and more, as everyone comes together for a common good. Some giving circles require a minimum “buy-in” amount, and have periodic voting cycles when the group decides where the money will go. So, while your $200 would have certainly done some good for an organization, just imagine what 50 $200 gifts could accomplish via a giving circle? While you can usually find a giving circle anywhere you’re located across the United States, here are a few options of some of the most successful giving circles, should you be interested in joining one. Impact 100

Impact100 is a collective force for good; uniting and empowering women to give together, creating transformational impact, locally and globally. Impact100 was founded by Wendy Steele in 2001 in response to feeling as though women’s roles in philanthropy needed a new way to be expanded and encouraged. Wendy launched the organization with the goal of empowering women to see themselves as activists through utilizing large grants to make an impact within their communities. Impact100council.org

Asian Women Giving Circle

Asian Women Giving Circle is an all-volunteer group of Asian American women in New York City who are passionate about amplifying the transformative power of arts and culture to advance an equitable and just society. They pool their resources to fund projects led by Asian American women artists and community groups. They take risks by investing in emerging and cutting-edge change makers. They stay rooted in the community, learning and innovating together. They believe funding can be a form of activism. AsianWomenGivingCircle.org

Philanos

Can’t find a giving circle but want to learn more about them or find resources for starting your own? Look no further than Philanos, the leading women’s giving circle network in the United States. Philanos supports the creation, development, and expansion of collective giving circles by giving a national voice to the high-impact collective giving movement.

Philanos at a glance: • More than 17,500 women strong • More than 75 member organizations worldwide • Granted more than $140 million to nonprofit organizations Philanos.org

However you choose to reinvent your personal way of giving back this year, be inspired and hopeful that there are many ways to shine a light on the good work that is needed in the world today. We’ll explore a few of these in upcoming issues, but hopefully, if a giving circle looks like the right fit for you, you can find the resources you need to move forward.

BELLA CHOW BELLA

WHOLE WHEAT COFFEE MUFFINS ∙ HEALTH, HAPPINESS & HYDRATION ∙ CAFFEINE CHIC

Whole wheat coffee muffins

By Kimberlee Ho of kickassbaker.com

What better way to kick off your morning than with a muffin that’s healthy and contains gutfriendly kombucha plus everyone’s early morning fave— coffee?! Spread some coffee-infused butter on these breakfast muffins for an extra infusion of your morning Joe!

Yield: 6 muffins Prep time: 10 minutes Bake time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Coffee-infused butter (optional): • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee • 2 tablespoons whole coffee or espresso beans (not ground)

Whole wheat coffee muffins: • 1½ cups whole wheat flour • 2 teaspoons baking soda • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 tablespoons espresso powder • ¼ cup Greek yogurt • ⅓ cup honey • ¼ cup strongly brewed coffee • 6 ounces plain kombucha (or plain seltzer/sparkling water)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Optional: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter or ghee. Immediately add the coffee beans and cover. Set aside to steep while you prepare the muffin batter.

2. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°F). Grease a 6-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and espresso powder. Set aside. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, honey, and brewed coffee until well incorporated. Add mixture to the dry ingredients then pour in kombucha, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

4. Scoop the muffin mixture into the prepared muffin tin. Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes then lower oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) for another 8-10 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of muffin. Toothpick should come out clean or with just a few crumbs stuck to it. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin.

5. Meanwhile, strain the coffee beans from the melted butter, pressing on the beans with a spoon or back of a spatula to extract all the butter that you can. Place butter in the fridge until solidified. Spread on muffins and enjoy!

NOTES: • Wrap cooled muffins in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for two days or in the fridge for up to one week. Freeze individually wrapped muffins for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature or warm gently in the microwave or toaster.

• Store butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one month.

ow more than ever, we crave the uncomplicated, unadorned, and Quality over quantity untainted—especially when it comes to our Water shouldn’t be complicated—I mean, it is just water! It’s a natural resource, yet it seems like there is a lot of processing, enhancing, and well-being. The new year is typically a time manipulation that goes into the final product we consume. Various for reinvention and promising resolutions, other top-name water brands discuss the processes they exploit to strip like getting our health and wellness in check. the water bare, later adding the electrolytes back in, or the multiple From binging on spin classes to stocking up on vitamins, our health becomes the focal point of our lives come January 1. But there is one thing we tend to overlook in our quest for mind and body domination, and that’s sources their water is derived from—in other words, you don’t actually know what you’re drinking or where it’s from. 1907water is purely, naturally occurring, and their bottles are made from 100% recycled materials. The water in each and every bottle of 1907 is sourced from 680 feet underground and arrives at the surface under its own natural pressure—no Cheers to a new yearhydration. The amount and type of water we are consuming is the most important factor in creating a healthy lifestyle. One brand in particular takes the cake (or fruit platter, in the spirit of new year’s filled with health, happiness—and hydration! pumping or energy required. The 1907water plant is also run on hydro and thermal generated electricity, which means no fossil fuels are required for production. More importantly, the chlorine- and chemical -free water, with a naturally high sodium content, acts as a natural electrolyte, aiding in faster and resolutions)—1907water, more effective hydration. which is family-owned, By Jennifer DeCillis high-quality, packed Unique taste with health and beauty benefits, and guarantees a guarantee naturally sourced and unique taste. As 1907water’s production manager explains, “We are extremely fortunate to have discovered this deep protected aquifer—at 680 feet through solid rock, Family-owned this spring rushes to the surface for the first time in 50,000 years. The flow is consistent 1907water is one of the last family- and strong, bringing much-needed purity owned water companies on our to an otherwise contaminated planet. supermarket shelves. They are 100% New Zealand-owned and operated— In today’s modern polluted world, it is no major corporations or large private very rare to find an aquifer that has never equity companies here. With a small before had any interaction with civilization. staff of 16 employees at their bottling For over 50,000 years, this aquifer has fed facility in Paeora, plus a staff of four from uninhabited snow-covered mountain at the head office and two more peaks, also a national park, which gives employees in the U.S., 1907 Water is it enduring protection and gives us the truly a small business you can feel good privilege of indulging in its unique and about supporting. wonderful taste.”

Wake Up WIDE-EYED

in the NEW YEAR

By Amanda Mactas

Whip it good

Try your hand at the trend that took the internet by storm in 2020: Dalgona Coffee. Family-run Sussex Tea and Coffee Company gives us some tips on how to make it at home:

• Grab a medium mixing bowl and add ½ tbs. sugar, 2 tbs. granulated coffee and 2 tbs. hot water.

• Whisk vigorously. (Your best bet is to use an electric hand-held mixer.) Whisk until the mixture become smooth and shiny and continue until it thickens and holds as a foam.

• Fill a glass most of the way with milk or a milk alternative and ice and then dollop the coffee mixture on top.

• Consider topping your drink with coffee powder, cocoa, crumbled biscuits or honey.

Coffee is going beyond the cup—or shall we say, mug— this year, with people getting their fix from more than just their average cup of Joe. Alternative ways to consume coffee are infiltrating the market, and now those who are looking to get the taste and jolt of java can look to their pantries, bars, and beyond for that sweet, sweet caffeine.

Stir it up

Crystal Head Vodka Night Cap

• 1½ oz. Crystal Head Vodka

• ½ oz. premium coffee liqueur

Add some sweetener

See’s Candies Café Latté Lollypops ($21.75)

La Maison du Chocolat Coffee Beans Box ($18.50)

The Cookie Cake Company Cold Brew Cookie Cake ($53+)

Half Day Coffee CBD Gummies ($19.99)

• 1 freshly brewed espresso shot

• Chocolate shavings or coffee beans

Directions:

• Pour Crystal Head, coffee liqueur, and espresso into shaker filled with ice.

• Shake vigorously to create froth then strain into a martini glass. Bubbie’s Chocolate Espresso Mochi Ice Cream ($14/box of 6)

Negranti Creamery Black Coffee Chip Ice Cream ($8.99)

Objective Wellness Wide Awake Dark Chocolate-y Caffeine Squares ($25/15 pieces)

Caffeinate your cocktails

Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee:

The king of shots branched out a year ago with its new iteration featuring strong cold brew coffee. In addition to the 56 botanicals found in their original herbal liqueur, Arabica coffee and cacao add a new taste to this fun drink that’s perfect for cocktails.

Cafe Agave Spiked Cold Brew:

This canned cocktail packs a punch with its combination of gourmet coffee, alcohol, cream, and agave syrup. Made using 100% Arabica coffee, these spiked brews come in four different flavors, including Espresso Shot, Caffe Mocha, Salted Caramel, and Vanilla Cinnamon. Tia Maria:

Used in the first ever espresso martini recipe, Tia Maria liqueur is comprised of Jamaican rum, cold brew coffee, Madagascar vanilla, and cocoa, resulting in a sweet liqueur with a caffeine kick. FEW Spirits Cold Cut Bourbon:

Cask strength bourbon soars to new levels with the addition of cold brew coffee. While this definitely tastes like whiskey, it finishes with smooth, cold brew flavor, delivering a deep, bold sip.

Espresso Cabernet by FUN WINE:

The new collection from FUN WINE, Hard

Bubbly, features an array of *fun* flavors, but none quite as peppy as the Espresso

Cabernet. Lightly carbonated, the wine clocks in at only 59 calories per serving.

Pack & Brass:

Pennsylvania brewery Wallenpaupack Brewing

Company teamed up with Black and Brass Coffee Company for a coffee-forward IPA. Yirgacheffe coffee beans and hops come together in this award-winning brew.

Photography courtesy of SaltWorks

Find the perfect blend

The Sazerac House in New Orleans partnered up with PJ’s Coffee in order to create a truly unique line of coffees. The result is Merchant’s Exchange, a line of coffees flavored to taste like some of your favorite cocktails, minus the booze.

SaltWorks, makers of—you guessed it, salts—has a great addition to your home spice pantry. Espresso Brava Salt uses freshly roasted Italian espresso beans and pure sea salt, making it a great rub for your favorite red meats, or even as a topping on delicious desserts.

Spread the love

Your daily dose of almond butter just got an upgrade. Abby’s Better, the familyoperated clean snack food brand, will rev up your day with its Coffee Almond Butter. The gluten-free, peanut-free, paleo and plant-based spread is best with fruit, cheese or in a smoothie.

Make it international

“For us Italians, morning coffee is a real ritual, right when you awake and before going to work—but also after lunch and dinner. Usually, you see it paired in the morning with a croissant and jam or biscuits (biscotti). The same goes for the end of lunch or dinner at a restaurant, where it is usually served with baked biscuits or a small chocolate praline.

“The most popular coffee in Italy is espresso. Generally, when we talk about espresso, there are very few variations or ingredients added in very small quantities; these include milk foam, a drop of liquor (usually anise or grappa), and hazelnut cream. The secret to a good Italian espresso is high quality coffee, the grind of the coffee beans, the pressure that is applied during preparation, and the water, which is best if decalcified.

“Personally, I recommend investing in a great coffee machine, there are so many on the market but the thing I would give more attention to is the type of coffee that you can brew with it—although it’s easier now that roasters produce pods of all kinds and that are suitable for any type of coffee machine.”

-Executive Chef Silvia Grossi of Il Salviatino in Fiesole, Italy

“The most popular coffee in Guatemala is that which is home grown. We are very proud to have great coffee here in Guatemala, and we like to drink local blends, not only to support our own growers, but because the quality is one of the best. In fact, Guatemalan coffee has won numerous awards.

“People in Guatemala drink coffee throughout the day, traditionally black with a splash of milk and some sugar. If you’d like to put an international twist inspired by Guatemala, try drinking coffee with a nice piece of sweet bread—that’s a ritual here!

“Black coffee is popular here because the flavor is so unique, but people definitely enjoy variations like cappuccinos, lattes and more. I think we are getting more and more creative with our coffee and culinary scene in general here in Guatemala.”

- Chef Marcela Jongezoon of Casa Palopò in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala