November 12, 2009

Starbucks Christmas

verabear Food Trip, Health - Losing Weight 13 Comments

In Christmas 2007 and 2008, I joined the many others who patronized Starbucks just to earn the stickers for the planners to be used the next year. Last year, I skipped it. It was mainly because I found the design horrible, but also because of Peppermint Mocha’s absence in last year’s holiday drinks lineup.

I tried to make my own personalized Starbucks planner; but then realized just when I was about to print them out, that I didn’t want them anymore. I spent hours going through the design using my digital scrapbooking stash, only to give up on it.

This year, the tandem is back:

My favorite Peppermint Brownie and Peppermint Mocha! I just had to have these two while we waited for Vanessa at the Starbucks at the Sky Garden, SM North.  I got to see the 2010 planners too, and I like what I saw. Liked it even more when I found out that there are freebie/discount coupons in them 🙂

So I completely fell off the bandwagon this week, as I found myself heading for a coffee and cake fix everyday after shift.  I had a ‘fun’ time people watching and looking at others who were there with their laptops, and their Promotional flash drive hanging around their necks, and small groups who were having meetings over brunch.

On Monday morning, this was my meryenda:

That’s a Dark Cherry Mocha and a slice of Chocolate Toffee Nut Loaf.  I read about Dorothy’s adventure in Oz while enjoying these and waiting for the boyfriend.

The next day, as I was leaving the office, I had an internal debate about passing by Starbucks yet again or heading straight home. My mind was telling me to stay away, that I could still save myself – both my weight and my wallet – from this pre-Christmas disaster. BUT all those new treats were just too difficult to ignore. My heart led me to ELJ’s other entrance, and eventually inside the cafe. This was what I tried next:

The Chocolate Molten Cake is their version of a lava cake. Once you dig in, more gooey chocolate plus caramel oozes through. There’s also a surprise marble of a choco truffle inside. 🙂 It might prove to be a little sweet for those who aren’t really chocoholics. I definitely had to ask for water to flush it all down. I love it, but I don’t think I’ll be having this again. The 110 peso price tag is just too much for someone who needs to learn to be more thrifty.

The very next day, despite having other plans, I found myself in the same spot. I just could not stop thinking about the Crepe Cake. I had to have it. So I did. It has eighteen layers. I counted (although I’ve seen others say it has only seventeen).

If the Molten Cake is very sweet, this one is just right. You will definitely recognize the taste of crepe that is alternating with cream filling, and finally finished off with chocolate ganache frosting. I’d love to make something like this! It is so yummy, I had to twit about it real time. Haha 🙂 Sadly though, it costs as much as the molten cake does.

Thankfully, I stopped myself from heading to the cafe yesterday. But that was only because Alfred and I went to Greenhills right after shift.

Okay, I admit it. I also coaxed him to buy me coffee there. I stayed away from any pastries or cakes but I sure did see even more yummy treats there including sugar free concoctions.

We’re only two weeks into November and yet the damage has already done. Goodluck for the rest of the season!

(The above photos were taken using my phone’s camera, not very good quality :(. Checkout Dessert Comes First for better photos of these Starbucks treats. I really miss toting my camera around with me because I miss out on photo opportunities.)