Coffee

Last month, federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq unveiled reforms to the way the government regulates energy drinks, including a change in the classification of these caffeine-filled beverages from “natural health products” to “foods.”

Like most people, I have a few personal vices of which I'm very fond. I sometimes like ignoring a sensible bedtime. I often love a slightly warm glass (or two) of jammy red wine.

One day I was finishing a run along the Bow River when two very attractive women in a Red Bull car pulled up and asked me if I’d like to try some of the energy drink. I’d never had it before, and I’ll shamefully admit that because it was being pushed on me by young models, I relented and said, “Yes.” Blech.

Well, even if this snow storm wasn’t worthy of calling in the army to dig Toronto out, we still felt like we needed a little warm-me-up from having been outside trudging through the snow. And it doesn’t even have to be cold out to give in to Homemade cappuccino or Homemade hot chocolate cravings, right? You’ll find these warm drink recipes listed in the Valentine’s Day-worthy menu suggestions at the back of the cookbook.

1. A really good cup of coffee. Preferably it’s a hefty size—none of this “tall” stuff for me.