Happy New Year! We hope you had a lovely New Year's Eve, whether it was a big party or a solitary night of rest. The new year is a natural time to reflect on what went well and what we'd like to change or improve for the coming year. We've given up on "resolutions;" it seems like a quick way to feel good and then a quick way to feel bad when we forget, fail, or find that we were too ambitious in our goals.

Instead, we set intentions for the year. Things that we'd like to use as guidelines for our thoughts and actions to help achieve that change and improvement we tried to find through resolutions to do this or be that. An intention that we have every year (and have some stake in, let's be honest) is to buy from small businesses when we can.

It's not just a vague "feel-good" concept. Buying from local, small businesses has noticeable, discrete effects that go beyond theory. When we're talking coffee, it's simple -- when you buy from a local roaster (Spiritus!), you get fresher coffee, which leads to better flavor and quality of bean. And that's what we're going for, right? Delicious coffee? (A: Yes, it is.) Our coffee doesn't sit in a warehouse for months at a time; it's going from green to roasted bean and to your door in two to three days. It's magic!

But, it's also bigger than the cup. Buying local encourages sustainability; there's a smaller carbon footprint when there aren't trucks and warehouses and overproduction (waste). It stimulates the local economy, creating jobs and helping small businesses thrive. And, let's be honest -- you're not going to get better customer service from a chain -- because every single customer matters to us and we are always working to innovate and grow with you.

In Lombard, we are collaborating with Soapy Roads -- they've made one of their handcrafted soaps with our coffee!! We personally roast our coffee, and they are personally making soap with all sorts of different scents (but we're partial to the coffee). We are a local business, and we also support our fellows. Go and check them out -- they're on Instagram here and Facebook here.

Happy New Year to all!

It's Jocelyn from marketing. I remember a vice-principal once telling me that "perception is reality." I didn't truly grasp what he meant. Reality was objective, right? How could it be based on individual perception? As I grew up and built a spiritual practice, I started to get glimpses of what it meant. However, getting into recovery opened the doors to understanding it in a way I never could have imagined. There were so many examples, it was mind-blowing.

Sitting at brunch with a crush in early sobriety -- it was a Sunday afternoon, and there happened to be a dive bar across the street. I made a flippant remark about how when I was drinking, I would have been over in that dark bar on a sunny Sunday afternoon, rounding out my week. He was truly perplexed. He said something about maybe having one or two on a Sunday afternoon, but the thought of getting ripped was truly unimaginable to him. It was one of the first times I started to realize that my perception of how the world worked (and drank) was not "normal" reality for most people. He was perplexed and I was silently amazed.

Listening to someone tell his story -- he was a great speaker, and somewhere in the middle of his talk, he uttered this gem which was news to me: "A miracle is merely a change in perception." Wait, what? But the previous anecdote (and many, many others like them throughout my sobriety) was a clear example. There was a time when drinking was the priority, and I couldn't have imagined that being different, much less desired it. The fact that I had had an entire change of perspective on the subject was previously beyond my comprehension or interest. Being able to get sober was, in fact, a miracle.

Learning more about how I interacted with others and how those relationships had affected and shaped my entire view of the world and how I moved through it. Having it explained to me that having resentments about things were a key factor in my dissatisfaction with life, and how letting go of them kept me that much further from a drink. Not to mention, the sour feelings I held about a person or situation, the basis for the reality I created, could very well be living entirely in my head -- without any concrete examples to back them up.

I cannot tell you how many times I was convinced that someone, that I previously had no issue with, disliked me and so, I didn't like them back. After that decision/resentment, it caused me to act in a way that if they had no issue with me (and probably didn't consider me at all), they would definitely feel the vibe, and reinforce my idea that they didn't like me. I have several amazing, long-time friends that started out that way in my head.

All of which is why we are so interested in enjoying a cup of coffee as a way to slow down, take a breath, give ourselves an opportunity to change our perspective. I was amazed to learn you could write an angry email -- and save it as a draft! (Pro tip: keep the To: section blank.) As we head into the new year, we encourage you to make time to Sip in the Moment.

Created approximately 10 years ago, Giving Tuesday was meant to be a counter to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A moment to show gratitude and give to charity(ies) that spoke to your heart. Know someone who's got everything? Donating to a mutually-loved cause in their name is a great way to honor them and help others, as well.

At Spiritus, we combine coffee and charity. Buying our coffee for yourself or as a gift is still shopping, but the added bonus is that we give 20% of our profits to organizations that help people struggling with mental illness and addiction. It's not a casual cause for us -- we have gone through our own recovery journeys along with others who have succeeded in the same. Unfortunately, not everyone comes through to the other side, and if we can play a small part in changing that, we're eager to do so.

Gratitude is a powerful tool that doesn't have to be recovery-based -- it's great for navigating the day-to-day. Some people volunteer their time at animal shelters. Others give money to causes that compel them. Just sitting for a moment to contemplate what we're grateful for can change the course of a day.

That's why we encourage people to "Sip in the Moment." To make coffee part of a ritual that gives an opportunity to slow down and be present. Brewing and pouring and drinking coffee is a perfect time to think or write up a gratitude list.

To that end, we've kept our TURKEY20 code, giving you 20 percent off anything in the store (excluding gift cards, of course). Help yourself to a great cup of coffee while you help someone else. What a deal!

The History of Coffee's Connection to Spirituality

Coffee has a long history of being connected to spirituality and meditation. It is believed that the first people to consume coffee were Yemeni Sufi mystics who used it to stay awake during their prayers and meditations. Coffee has also been connected to both religions and paganism due to its ability to bring people together, the mindful nature of the brewing process, and the awakening effect which was said to help us transcend the material world.

Personal Experience with the Spirit of Coffee

For many people, coffee has a special place in their hearts and can be a source of comfort and connection. In my personal experience, coffee provided a place to think about the day and time to ponder life's little things in a peaceful setting. It also helped to bring me into the present moment and combat the constantly changing stream of thoughts that cursed my focus ability.

In high school, I would frequent a small cafe located in a nearby city with a more active downtown. The neighborhood seemed hip and edgy with galleries and record shops. It was there that I found my people, the artists and the outcasts. I finally felt at home. When I arrived at the cafe, I would get a coffee with cream, watching the milk swirl while I would people-watch, find a game of chess, or journal and write poetry. During those times, it was places like these that became my church. It gave me the break I needed, a place to think about the day and time to ponder all the little things in life. The focal point of the ritual was always coffee, which has held a special place in my heart ever since I started drinking it as a way to combat the constantly changing channel of my thoughts and bring me into the present moment.

The Role of Coffee in Sufi Mysticism

"Qahwat al-Sufiyya" is a term that is roughly translated as "the enjoyment which the people of God feel in beholding the hidden mysteries and attaining the wonderful disclosures and the great revelations." It is believed to be an experience that can be facilitated by consuming coffee with the proper religious intention.

Sufi mystics in Yemen were some of the earliest known users of coffee. They used coffee to stay awake during their rituals and to strengthen their spiritual connection to God while reciting sacred chants. According to some accounts, the mystics believed that coffee could facilitate the experience of "qahwat al-Sufiyya" when consumed with the proper intention. This experience was considered to be a way of attaining a deeper understanding and connection to the divine.

Coffee played a significant role in Sufi mysticism in Yemen, where it was consumed during rituals to stay awake late into the night. The mystics also believed that coffee could facilitate the experience of "qahwat al-Sufiyya," or the enjoyment of beholding hidden mysteries and attaining great revelations when consumed with the proper religious intention. Coffee was also shared in a common bowl and passed around, bringing people together in a communal setting.

Coffee's Place in Modern Spirituality and Community

In modern times, coffee continues to hold a special place in spirituality and community. It can be a source of connection and ritual, providing a moment of peace and mindfulness in a hectic world. Spiritus Coffee Co. was founded with the intention of encouraging people to "Sip in the moment," We recognize the power of coffee to bring people together and create meaningful connections. We are committed to sourcing the highest quality coffee beans and roasting them with intention and consciousness, bringing our best to your preferred brewing method and favorite mug. We also believe in giving back to our community, Join us in celebrating the spirit of coffee.

We can't front -- the reason all of us here at Spiritus really focus on "Sipping in the Moment," is because we have to. We can find a million reasons why we're too busy or our lives aren't what we want them to be or how everyone else is out to get us. Sometimes, that is an entertaining lark, but more often, it's just painful to sit and think about ourselves all the time.

Meditation and ritual allow for some time to let all the chatter slide away and let us be in the present moment. What is actually going on, right here, right now? Are we fed and clothed? Are we in (fairly) good health? Do we get to enjoy the things we have created and been given? Almost always, those answers are "yes" if we take the time to truly examine our current reality.

One of our friends is good at reminding us to look at where are feet are. Meaning, right where you're standing -- what's happening? The fight you're practicing in your head -- is the person in front of you? The disaster you think looming on the horizon at work -- has anyone told you that things are going poorly? The myriad scenarios in which everyone is unhoused, there are no friends left, your pets die, you die -- are any of those based in reality?

Finding gratitude in the day-to-day is really remarkable insofar as being able to change our attitudes. Even so, we're always annoyed when it's brought up as a solution. "A *gratitude list?* REALLY?" Really. Part of our resistance is that we think we need to find all sorts of grand things to be grateful for. But the grand things are all around us. It is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) to add that cup of coffee to your gratitude list. The car getting you to work. The crazy menagerie of friends and family you have.

Us? We're grateful for all of you. What sort of things are you grateful for today?

Have you ever heard of NaMoWriMo? It's a challenge to help you get a book written in November by writing a certain amount every day. We don't think most people want to write a book, but it reminds us that taking some time every day to get some thoughts down has been incredibly useful for us.

Another practice is one found in Julia Cameron's An Artist's Way — the book lays out a series of lessons to help you better access the artist in you. But, one of the very first suggestions is to get out a journal every morning and complete three pages of "morning pages." At first, it might just be three pages of "Why did I want to do this?" or "I have to run an errand and clean the house and I hope the weather is nice for the weekend." It doesn't have to be anything deep; it's just a way to get in touch with your inner artist.

You don't have to be an intentional, aspiring artist. There's something about it that helps us get clarity around things we didn't even know we needed clarity on! Also, even we thought that it can't possibly make that much of a difference, the process is really enhanced by getting pen to paper. Obviously, if you can't do that, it's better to tippy-type than not to do it at all. But, we'd be remiss if we didn't let you in on that part.

As the weather turns into a more obvious state of autumn, we encourage you to give daily journaling a try. We're going to set out to do NaMoWriMo... so wish us luck!

We're wrapping up National Recovery Month, and we're excited to tell you about Octoberfest, an event put on by one of our current collaborators, NAMI DuPage. While recovery and mental illness are serious business, it's not a life resigned to boring complacency. In fact, it's just the opposite. We've found there's always something to do.

To wit: Octoberfest. Octoberfest has something for everyone. Car show, carnival, kids' activities, live music and much, much more. Come out and support a good cause and enjoy a great kick-off to October and fall.

Next weekend, we will be there showcasing Spiritus Coffee as part of our partnership with NAMI DuPage. We always donate 20% of our profits to organizations working to help those with mental illness and addiction issues to recover.

Come by, taste one of our coffees, and pick up a bag for yourself. Our newest offering, Aether, will be available for purchase, too!

Octoberfest is Friday, October 7th, to Sunday, October 9th, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds. You can get tickets here. We look forward to seeing you!

Because music is such a part of so many rituals, we continue our series "Ritual: Record," where we ask people what music is part of their ritual when it's time to relax. One of our customers, Tiff T., tells us about one of her ritual records.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”

This was one of my favorite Lumineers albums, and when I decided to purchase it, I was on vacation from work. One of the great things about being on vacation from the work that I do is I can drink as much coffee as I want and not have to worry about what time I drink it, and if it’s going to keep me up, especially if I need to get enough sleep for my long haul to work. So, of course, I spent the day listening and … drinking coffee.

When did you become familiar with it?

I became a fan of their first release "Ho Hey." I really became immersed in their sound, the echo and the pauses, and specifically Wesley Schultz' voice. From that point on, I began following, waiting for any new releases. Then they released the album "Cleopatra," and I knew after the first four songs that I loved it. Then they did a short film, "The Ballad of Cleopatra," and with the visuals, it just sealed it for me.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?

Oh wow, it’s funny you ask, because whenever I listen to the track "Long Way from Home," I always think of summers when I was a kid. We would drive with a family member or close family friends to no particular destination, but we would always run into someone we knew. We would stop and talk, and us kids would run around and play, and when it was over, get back into the car and drive some more. We really didn’t go far from the neighborhood, but it seemed as if we went for a long journey.

What’s your favorite track?

"Angela" is definitely my favorite. I think it’s because of the pace of the song, the story, which was definitely influenced even more by the short film, and certainly Schultz' voice. But there are so many on the album that aren’t too far behind.

If you had three songs by this artist to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?

"Cleopatra," "Angela," "My Eyes."

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?

I have a speaker in the corner near my dining room table which is right next to my patio door. So, every morning there’s this light that breaks through when I open the curtains that not only trickles into my kitchen onto my counter where I make my coffee but it’s just perfect for when I sit to drink my cup of coffee and write. It’s my work mornings, weekend mornings, and vacation mornings cafe spot.

Thanks so much to Tiff. Now, what inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again?

What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

Send your responses to info@spirituscoffee.com, and you can find your favorite records showcased here.

So, a friend of yours purchased some Spiritus coffee, and can’t stop raving about it. You enjoy coffee now and again, but you’re hardly an expert; everyone’s always talking about Americano this and Latte that. It’s hard to find your favorite style when you don’t know what your options are. You are not alone. So, let’s check it out. Depending on who you consult, there are over 20 different ways to create a coffee drink. But, let’s get to some of the basics.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t say the most basic coffee drink is … well, coffee. Our freshly-roasted coffee is perfect for a cup of drip – put it in a filter and give Mr. Coffee a run for his money. While we encourage you to participate in Ritual, it doesn’t have to be fancy; savoring a cup of coffee at the kitchen table can be every bit as satisfying as lounging on a beach.

Espresso

The classic base of most coffee drinks: espresso. It’s a concentrated form of coffee that is offered in “shots,” small cups the approximate size of a shot glass. Espresso is made by pressurized hot water forced through very finely ground coffee. You use the same beans for espresso as you do for your French Press or Mr. Coffee. The difference is that the beans are ground to a finer consistency – and we’ll do the grinding to your preference, if you so desire.

Latte

Hot lattes are created with espresso, steamed milk, and foamed milk. Generally, it is one-third espresso and two-thirds steamed milk topped with a layer of foamed milk. You can enjoy them hot or iced, and many other drinks use the latte as a foundation. If you use half and half instead of milk, you change the latte into a Breve.

Mocha

What’s a mocha then? It’s yum? Seriously, though, it’s a latte made with chocolate sauce and usually has some whipped cream on top.

Cappuccino

And the cappuccino …? You guessed it – more espresso, milk, and foam. Here the proportions are generally one-third espresso, one-third steamed milk, and one-third foam.

Macchiato

There’s more? Oh, so much more, friend. Same espresso, same milk. But now, we put the steamed milk in first and add the espresso on top. Another difference is that the Latte is mixed together upon serving, while the macchiato presents with more foam on top, served as a layered drink. It is sometimes referred to as a Cortado in other countries. Here we know a Cortado as consisting of espresso mixed with a roughly equal amount of warm milk to reduce the acidity.

Con Panna

Now, we’re going to take that espresso and make a con Panna. It sounds fancy, but it’s a simple and delicious treat. Take a shot of espresso and put some cream on top. Preferably, heavy whipping cream. We suppose a dollop out of a can will do, but to truly enjoy breaking through the cream to a rich coffee requires a thicker cream. That’s it. That’s con Panna; a delightfully simple drink. (We personally enjoy some cinnamon and a sprinkle of sea salt on ours.)

Red Eye

It’s a late-night flight that can leave one bleary and sluggish. An antidote is the coffee drink named for that very situation. A Red Eye consists of brewed coffee topped off with a shot of espresso. It’s particularly strong, because it starts with the caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee and adds espresso to up the next level.

Americano

An Americano is another simple option – it’s merely espresso with hot water. It brings espresso closer to the drip coffee that Americans have been drinking for years, which might have led to the name Americano. You can vary the shots of espresso and the amount of hot water to your taste.

Frappe

The frappé was invented in 1957 by a Nescafe representative in Greece. They have become a hallmark of postwar outdoor Greek coffee culture. Derived from French, the name frappe describes a drink chilled with ice. Some are similar to slushes, others are more like iced coffee. Today, they are often made with a milkshake machine, but can also be made using a cocktail shaker. The blend is instant coffee and water (sugar optional) that are blended until a thick foam forms on the top. It’s poured into a glass with ice cubes and cold water, and served with a drinking straw.

No matter your favorite drink, it will be all the more amazing when you use Spiritus Coffee to create it! Enjoy.

One way to get in the moment is to put on a favorite record and let the rest of the world fade away. We asked our Marketing Director, Jocelyn, to tell us what album goes perfectly with a cup of Spiritus coffee. She reserves the right to change her answer/s at any time. (Also, if this is something you’d like to contribute to, email us at info@spirituscoffee.com!)

Album: Change Everything
Artist: Del Amitri
Year: 1992

Tell us a bit about Del Amitri:
They’re a band from Glasgow, Scotland. Like a few bands I adore, they are most known for a one-hit wonder (“Roll To Me”) that doesn’t come close to being their best song. But like the other bands (Semisonic, Fountains of Wayne), most people would jump at the chance to write a song that is as good as a song that isn’t even Del Amitri’s best.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”
This is an album that I can (and have, hundreds of times) listen to all the way through, start to finish, no skips, no breaks. It’s an album that has some up-tempo songs, but even those follow along the album’s themes of heartbreak and jealousy and romance gone wrong. You know, super positive music [laughter]. But, because I can just start it and let it go, I can take a moment to zone out or write in my journal or take a walk to it — all things that keep me in the present.

How did you come across it?
I worked at my college radio station from 1991-1993, so I was exposed to so many things I had never encountered before. WONC (89.1 FM out of Naperville) was known for the “Finest of the classics and the best of the new,” but this was when “Alternative” was just starting to make an appearance. We’d play the Grateful Dead and Neil Young along with Billy Joel and James Taylor — and quickly adding another wide variety with Nirvana and Indigo Girls and Teenage Fanclub and King Missile and … Del Amitri. I fell in love right away.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?
I think of late nights at the station and situations in college that mirrored several of the songs on the record. I think of my own first heartbreak, and countless times at Double Door seeing the band live.

What’s your favorite track?
Woof. I think all of them are fantastic, but I’d say two are tied for first: “Be My Downfall” and “Always the Last to Know.”

If you had three songs by this artist from any album to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?
Definitely “Be My Downfall” from Change Everything, “Kiss this Thing Goodbye” from Waking Hours, and “Tell Her This” from Twisted.

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?
Good question. Normally, in the house, but I think I’m going to listen in the car next time I take a drive.

Well, that’s Jocelyn’s (current) Ritual record. What inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again? What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”