Do Monday mornings always catch you off guard? If you’re anything like me, the Monday morning list is so long that you probably should’ve started it last Friday if you wanted to finish it. But alas, we all need our weekend breaks, and Mondays will always be Mondays.
So instead of letting the Monday check list kick your butt, let’s reverse the roles with this easy DIY Bullet Coffee recipe.
If you’ve been on a keto diet or you’re just a life hacker, you might already be familiar with BulletProof Coffee (the brand).We’re choosing to call the recipe “Bullet Coffee” to avoid any copyright infringement, but if you want to read more about the company and their products, feel free to do so here.
What is Bullet Coffee?
I first heard about “bullet coffee” in college (no surprise, MIT is full of self-proclaimed “life hackers”). A few of my friends were on keto diets, and swore by bullet coffee to get their mornings started. They claimed they weren’t hungry for hours after drinking it – which made zero sense to me, because I’m always starving after I drink coffee!
Personally, I started drinking coffee every morning when I was about 15. Black coffee usually doesn’t sound that appetizing to me; the coffee has got to be really good for me to drink it black.
But the first time I tried bullet coffee, I fell in love with the smooth, strong flavor. Unlike black coffee, which can be very acidic and irritating to my stomach and throat, this coffee just slid down my throat. It didn’t need a companion.
So what’s the recipe?
It’s literally this easy: add 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter (or coconut oil, if you’re veg/vegan) to your favorite cup of black coffee. Drink it, and get your butt to work–no breakfast. This is your breakfast now. You won’t feel hungry for hours. I promise.
Before you call me crazy, keep reading..
How will this add to my #MotivationMonday?
The idea is more nuanced, but here’s the basics: Fat gets a bad reputation, but fat is actually a great source of energy, and without carbs in the system, fat can and will be used for energy first. It just takes 3 steps to turn medium chain triglycerides into ATP (usuable energy) for the body, where as sugar (glucose) takes 25 steps. That’s a lot less work for your body to get the fuel it needs.
This translates to clean, pure energy to start your morning, without the “head fog” and feelings of sluggishness that sugar and carbs can create.
What type of coffee + butter/oil should I buy?
The Coffee
The coffee should be free of toxins and mold. I reccommend that you get whole beans and grind them right before you make your coffee. Make the coffee with cool, filtrated water that you boil. French press is always the best, in my opinion.
If you’re wondering where to buy some clean, tasty beans, Counter Culture Coffee has an amazing mission andawesome-tasting coffee. Everybody I’ve ever brewed a cup of Hologram (here) for has instantly fallen in love.
The Butter
The butter (or ghee) should be grass-fed and unsalted. Grass-fed butter is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin D, vitamin E, and antioxidants. According to The Bullet Proof Exec,
“Butter is nutrient-dense. A single tablespoon of butter contains:
- 500 IU vitamin A
- More carotenes than carrots
- High amounts of vitamin K2, vitamin D, and vitamin E”
Wow.
If you’re not into dairy, I would suggest cold-pressed coconut oil. It’s easy enough to find, just make sure it’s cold-pressed. Coconut oil is high in Omega-9 fatty acids and antioxidants. Coconut oil could also help you shed fat: Diets high in MCTs (65% of coconut oil’s makeup) have been shown to improve glucose tolerance and reduce body fat accumulation when compared to diets high in LCTs (source).
The bad news about using coconut oil instead of butter is that coconut oil is formed of LCTs (long chain triglycerides) not MCTs. MCTs get to bypass the liver entirely, making them readily available as a source of energy. LCTs? Not so much. This is why coconut oil is not as ideal for bullet coffee and won’t give you the same rush–but believe me, it’s still pretty good at getting the job done!
Taste Test: Be Honest, How is it?
I drink bullet coffee literally every day. The first time, I made it with butter and I was just amazed. 2 tablespoons is a lot of oil for a cup of coffee, but the taste is so smooth and the mouth-feel is great. I had amazing, clean energy and motivation for hours. Coffee at 8, lunch at 1.
Now, I’ve switched to coconut oil. I know that’s a “sin” to true Bulletproof Coffee fans, but coconut oil is easier to source and has a slighty coconut-y taste, which I love. I only add 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil to my coffee now, but will do the full amount on other days, depending on how I feel.
Despite what the Bullet Proof Exec website says about coconut oil beind a inferior source of energy, I still feel a great rush of energy for hours, and can power through my crazy to-do list.
Conclusion
Fat amplifies the effects of the coffee. End of story. Do this recipe yourself and do it right with good coffee and good fat – don’t buy the pre-made mix at Costco! You’re only saving one step with the pre-made mix, anyway.
If you try this recipe, you can definitely expect your Monday morning to be full of focus + energy. Now go conquer the world.. or just your to-do list. That’s fine, too!
Take that, Monday.
