Great, just what I needed. One more reason to go to Starbucks.

July 1, 2009

I’ll tell you something you already know if you’ve ever met me in real life…I’m a Starbucks Addict.  As in, It’s one of my kid’s first words, and the baristas know me by name (and I them!) . They’re surprised if I order a different drink, (doppio espresso macchiato with cinnamon, year-round).  I should give myself a Starbucks allowance but then I would admit how much I spend- THAT kind of addict.

My Sbux dependence has many benefits, but some problems. For me, the benefits (HUGE, constant caffeine buzz, allowing me to navigate the murky waters of Suburbia- my own Mother’s Little Helper) outweigh the cons- (chunks of cash disappearing every month because I can’t admit how much a thrice a day Starbucks habit costs, having to build in an extra 10 minutes to go ANYWHERE- oh yeah, and the crash.,,)

But one sticky wicket has always been what my kids are allowed to eat there. You see, we have a weird food thing in my house. For the past seven years, we haven’t consumed any artificial dyes (like Red Dye #40, Yellow Dye #5, or Blue Lake)  or High Fructose Corn Syrup. Maybe at a birthday party by accident, and believe me, we paid dearly- my kids freak out. The only time they tantrum, hit, bite, kick, or generally act like crazed circus performers with a mean streak is if they’ve had dyes or HFCS.

I have a similar reaction myself, and have been a lot happier since we eliminated them. This isn’t to say that NO ONE should eat them, I’m sure for some people they’re not an issue. But for us, they are. BIG TIME. So when my kids cry for a Toffee Almond Bar, or a Glazed Donut at Starbucks, I re-direct them towards the Madelines, or other things I know are safe for them. So imagine my joy when I read this last night in my inbox (Yeah, I’m on the mailing list- you’re not REALLY surprised.:)

“You’ll be happy to know that your favorite Starbucks foods not only taste better, they are better. We’ve taken out artificial ingredients to leave room for more real goodness.

Our new recipes contain:

• No artificial flavors
• No artificial trans fats
• No artificial dyes
• No high-fructose corn syrup

(End Quote)

It’s like the food sensitivity Santa came six months early.  I know it’s sad, but it changed my life a little bit. One more place where my kids don’t have to feel weird, or say (with beagle eyes , “I guess we can’t have THAT, right mom?” A place where the choices will be a little bit simpler, and the friction reduced. If the proclomation goes for the Frappucinos as well, my joy will be complete.

These dyes have already been banned in the European Union. American manufacturers make dye-free versions of their products that for that market- but not here.

So American Companies, listen up: the more of you that send me emails like that one? The more of my money you’ll be getting. Otherwise, we’ll be chilling at Whole Foods (which sells NO dye or HFCS products), Trader Joe’s (which has some dyes, but far less than a “normal” grocery store) or buying organic store brands. Oh yeah, and stopping at Starbucks on the way.

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