esspressotrips

Something about coffee

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Espresso Shot with a Sidecar?

Espresso at Vigilante Coffee in Hyattsville, MD

Vigilante Coffee: “Uplifting others through Specility Coffee”

This coffee house is one of my favorites in the DMV! Located in Hyattsville, MD; Vigilante is a whole vibe. It has an industrial-look with an airy feel. A roastery and cafe serving artisanal java made from organic and fair-trade beans.

The cool atmosphere allows one to settle into an amazing cup of coffee. Oberving the roasting process is an added bonus.

I personally got to know the proprietors Chris and Ashely years ago when I had the awesome opportunity of supplying the shop with my fresh made granola. One of my best jobs ever! Their passion for the coffee industry shines through in every cup. And the staff are some of the kindest and most professional I have experienced in all of my MANY visits to coffee houses around the world.

On today’s #esspressotrips, I enjoyed an espresso shot with a sidecar! The sidecar was sparkling water. This was a first for me. So, I decided to do a bit of research. It turns out that sparkling water is served alongside an espresso to improve the customer experience. In fact, Jason Reed Miller, director of coffee at Mazarine Coffee in San Francisco’s bustling financial district told Maggie Spicer at Edible magazine (July 2015) “The act of serving water as an unexpected accompaniment expands the experience of drinking espresso in a café.” This resonates with me because I was able to cleanse my palate before I enjoyed the flavor burst of the morning!

If you are ever in the DMV I highly recommend you visit Vigilante! Check them out on Instagram @vigilantecoffee

Thank you Vigilante for another great and different coffee experience!

Yours in coffee,

Alicia

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Joyful moment

Writing and publishing your memoir is one thing but when your husband supports you and actually reads it! Now, that is something else!

My husband Kenneth Dalton said to me, “I read your book today, Babe. It was really good; good job.” I looked at him and smiled real big.

There is no emjoi that could ever describe how my husband makes me feel.

If you haven’t gotten your copy of I Can’t Keep Calm He Gave Me Beauty for Ashes, you can purchase it here:

http://bit.ly/ickc2021

Hugs,

Alicia


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New book release!!

Exciting News!!!

If you have been following me for any length of time then you know that my posts are primarily about coffee. Well, I wanted to share some more good news with you. My new book release! I recently published my memoir: I Can’t Keep Calm: He Gave Me Beauty for Ashes. So, grab a cup of coffee and see below for the deets!

I Can’t Keep Calm: He Gave Me Beauty for Ashes is a Powerful story that will make you hope for and believe in love!!

Order your copy today by clicking the link below:

http://bit.ly/ickc2021

All the best,

Alicia


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Bitty and Beau’s Coffee House~Willimington, NC

A great cup of coffee is even better when every cup supports a meaningful cause. On our Father’s Day 2021 road trip my husband said, “find yourself an esspressotrip in Wilmington, NC.” He didn’t have to ask me twice. After a quick Google search, I found Bitty and Beau’s- a unique coffee house whose proprietors describe as a “human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop. Although the goal was to find a blog-worthy coffee; It was their mission that intrigued me to visit them.

It’s more than a cup of coffee!

Ben and Amy Wright- owners of Bitty and Beau’s are the proud parents of 4 children; two of which have Down syndrome:” A condition in which a person has an extra chromosome. Chromosomes are small “packages” of genes in the body. They determine how a baby’s body forms and functions as it grows during pregnancy and after birth.” The Wrights are advocates for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place for their children and others living with disabilities. 

“Two of Diamonds!” My order was ready! My husband had a cold brew lightly sweeten with brown sugar-cinnamon syrup and a splash of oat milk. I had an Oat Milk brown sugar-cinnamon latte. And the girls had frappes: Cotton Candy and Cookies and Cream. We also enjoyed a lemon cranberry muffin. Everything was delicious.

During our visit, I had the pleasure of speaking with the cashier Jesse. We spoke at length about the rich mission of Bitty and Beau’s. She shared that working there provides her and others a place of employment that is radically inclusive and without judgment. Jesse says; “it is the card we are dealt in life but it doesn’t limit us at all”. This explained why customers are dealt a card after placing their order. So, instead of calling a person’s order out by name, the barista says, for example, “Five of Hearts”

The service and coffee at Bitty’s and Beau’s were amazing. But what also stood out was a warm atmosphere full of blessings and gratitude. 

I was also happy to learn about other franchised locations, such as Washington, DC, Annapolis, MD, Savanah, GA, and more. 

My future travels to Willmington, NC will always include Bitty and Beau’s.

Check out the website for more information: https://www.bittyandbeauscoffee.com/

Yours in coffee,

Alicia

References: “What is Down Syndrom?”,6 April, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html


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The Roasted Boon ~ Washington, DC

This New Eritrean-Owned Coffee Shop opened in July 2020 in the Shaw neighborhood on the northwest side of DC; just months after COVID-19 reared its ugly head in the US. This must have been a challenge but they seem to be working through the ups and downs of this pandemic. I had the opportunity to visit this coffee house today and was very pleased with my Iced Oat milk Latte. If you have been following me for any length of time you know I love this drink. And the fact that they roast the beans in house is a win-win for me. But this latte had a unique depth about it. It was rich, earthy and subtly sweet with subtle notes of dark chocolate. On my next visit I plan to try their signature beverage: The Shaw Latte; which is made with French vanilla syrup and nutmeg. Lightly sweetened for me please! They also serve a variety of pastries, frappes, smoothies and wine too.

Besides my love for coffee and supporting local shops; I must admit the name intrigued me. Boon? Not bean? It’s not a typo my friends. A “boon” is a traditional coffee-making ceremony in Eritrea. It is performed for events such as a birth, death, when having over special guests, or just to pass the time away. Now, I really like the play on words and the logo which has two coffee beans in place of the o’s in boon.

With adequate “social distancing” seating (inside and out), I look forward to visiting this shop again during the warmer weather. This is truly a place that I would frequent often if I lived close by. Are you in the DC or planning a visit? Check out this gem located nicely in the Shaw neighborhood.

Coffee love,

Alicia


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Author’s Copies Now Available!

Are you ready to Elevate your Destiny? Is it time for you to forgive that unimaginable event that occurred in your life? You can start the process by getting a copy of this book.

I’m excited to announce that author’s copies are now available.

Order your signed copy today by emailing: dalton.alicia@gmail.com

Please include your name, address, quantity and special instructions for signing (ie. if the book is a gift include their name too).

Start your forgiveness journey today!

Warmly,

Alicia