By Jessie Price, Deputy Editor: Food for EatingWell Magazine

I often go to sleep thinking about the cup of coffee I'm going to have the next morning. I adore it! Whether your morning coffee is an estate-grown brew or just the best supermarket blend you can afford, these basic rules from EatingWell Magazine's editors and contributors will help you learn how to make coffee to prevent unwanted bitterness and virtually guarantee a satisfying cup of coffee every time.

By QuickieChick Laurel House

Love this latte!
Sex and coffee are both, for many, basic pleasures. It's the first thing you want when you wake up in the morning. The last thing you want after dinner. And maybe one in the afternoon as a treat. Here's why it's a good idea:

SEX Is Good For Your HEART:
-Sex is good for your heart, cutting your risk of heart attack and stroke in half when performed three times a week.

Watch This QuickieWorkout in Bed for Better Sex

Formula Z/SNutritious morning meals you can eat while driving, walking, or sprinting out the door.

By Maureen Callahan

Fruit and Cheese
A balanced, easy-to-assemble make-ahead morning meal: Grab an apple, wrap 1 to 2 ounces of Cheddar in plastic, and toss ¼ cup of fiber- and protein-rich walnuts into a resealable plastic bag.

See More: 5 Ways to Save Time in the Morning


Formula Z/SPeanut Butter Waffle
Instead of dousing a whole-grain or bran toaster waffle in syrup, cut the sugar and boost the protein and fiber by spreading it with 2 tablespoons of peanut butter. You can also sprinkle on 1 tablespoon of raisins, sesame seeds, or extra peanuts for even more fiber, which helps deliver the meal's nutrients slowly and steadily.

See More: Start With: Frozen Waffles





Formula Z/SPlain Doughnut With Chocolate Milk
A plain cake-style doughnut is usually a better choice than a bakery muffin. At Dunkin' Donuts, for instance, an old-fashioned doughnut has 280 calories, while a corn muffin has 510 calories. Add fiber by eating ¼

Is your kid eating dessert for breakfast? According to a new report on sugar in children's cereals published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), more than half of the 84 brands tested contained at least 12 grams of sugar, or the equivalent of three teaspoons, per serving. That's more sugar than three Chips Ahoy! cookies. Moreover, only one out of four cereals tested met the federal government's proposed guidelines for food nutritious enough to be marketed to children. These guidelines were established to combat the childhood obesity epidemic.

Related link: The White House and the Winter Garden: Eating Local All Year Long

Cereals containing the most sugar

The three worst cereals - Kellogg's Honey Smacks, Post Golden Crisp, and General Mills Wheaties Fuel - all contain about 20 grams of sugar, or five teaspoons, per serving which is more than a Hostess Twinkie. The American Heart Association recommends that children consume less than three teaspoons of sugar per day.

I certainly do my fair share of popping out to the neighborhood coffee shop, but sometimes I like to make my drinks at home. A lot of people are unsure about doing this, worrying their drinks won't turn out like their coffee shop favorites. But with these recipes I guarantee you can make all your store-bought favorites at home. It is much easier, and less expensive, than dashing out to a cafe on cold winter days! These are a few of my favorites that are full of holiday flavors and are guaranteed to keep the whole family warm.

Related: 16 skinny soups to warm up with this season

1. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Start with this fall and winter coffee favorite, the Pumpkin Spice Latte! No need to rush out to your neighborhood Starbucks every morning. This easy-to-follow recipe will insure you have pumpkin spice latte's at your disposal in the comfort of your own home!

Ingredients:
Makes two servings

• 2 cups milk or non-dairy alternative, such as soy milk
• 2 tablespoons canned or fresh pureed

FitSugarSource: Healthy Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas

Being pressed for time can make it hard to sit down and enjoy a healthy breakfast. Often what ends up happening is that we skip breakfast altogether or pick up a calorie-laden pastry from a nearby coffee shop. Not good since breakfast is essential for keeping metabolism consistent and energy levels stable.

Instead of skipping breakfast as you rush out the door, make one of these well-balanced, healthy meals the night before. Even if you can't sit down at the table to enjoy them, all of these meals are made to grab and go!

• Smoothies and Shakes: One of the easiest morning meals to take on the go is a smoothie. Make one of these healthy smoothie recipes the night before, store it in the fridge, and grab it on your way out in the morning. Tip: I like to use a Blender Bottle to carry a smoothie during my morning commute. Each cup comes with a wire whisk-like ball that you can use to stir or shake ingredients with - perfect solution in case any

YumSugarSource: How to Poach an Egg

My best friend was in town from Los Angeles over the weekend, and one of the first things she did when she saw me was to proudly proclaim that she had set a cooking goal for herself. "I love poached eggs at brunch, so it's time I learned how to make them at home," she said. Instead of going out on Sunday, we stayed home and made poached eggs with blender hollandaise and prosciutto. For some reason, poached eggs developed a reputation for being difficult to make, but really, the process is easier than waiting in line at a popular city brunch spot. See step-by-step photos when you keep reading.

Source: 5 Ways to Make Your Smoothie Less Boring

My award for breakfast of the year goes to the portable, nutrient-packed, and easy-to-prep smoothie - all you have to do is give it a whirl in your blender, pile it into a to-go cup, and run your blender through hot water for instant cleanup. But I have a bit of a bone to pick with smoothies: I can't see one more strawberry-banana smoothie combination! Considering there are countless options out there for mixing up a refreshing beverage, it's hard to see standard flavor pairings everywhere I go. Are you, like me, totally tired of the same boring smoothie flavors?

1. Mix up the base. Go dairy-free and vegan by using coconut milk, pear juice, or green tea for a lighter, more refreshing smoothie that still promises a healthful payoff. Or, if you're looking for a departure from the standard milk or yogurt option, try sunflower seed milk, rice milk, or even buttermilk.
2. Use seasonally sensitive fruit while you still can. While watermelon