There is a reason why Siren songs should be ignored

Typically, I'm not one to get any of the baked goods that Starbucks serves. In fact, I usually don't buy any food there, although I do enjoy their oatmeal from time to time.

This morning, however, I could not resist the siren song of the Reduced-fat Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake. It looked tasty with its chocolate chips sprinkled throughout and, while I know that reduced-fat baked goods still have plenty o' fat, it was still reduced-fat. So, I couldn't feel SO horrible about it - right?

at least the latte was good

Oy. I will not be ordering it again. It was moist and cakey, as coffee cake should be. But, the overpowering fake banana taste could not be surmounted. Blech.

Don't let the siren song of chocolate chips and reduced-fatness trick you, people!

New Tazo® Tea drinks at Starbucks + a DI Giveaway!

If you've been to Starbucks lately, you've probably seen the new Tazo® Tea drinks on the menu. According to a friend at Starbucks, these drinks are super healthy for you:

"Loaded with antioxidants, which are essential to protecting the body's immune system, tea makes for the ultimate soothing and good-for-you beverage.

Most of Starbucks new tea offerings are less than 200 calories for a tall size (12 fl oz) and provide more antioxidants than an 8-ounce glass of orange juice. (Starbucks Black Tea Latte has more than three times the amount of antioxidants than orange juice!)"

If you're not sure whether these new drinks are something you would like, you can try a sample for free today at 2pm at all company-operated locations in Atlanta. (That means everything but the locations at Target, hotels, etc.)

To celebrate their new drinks, Starbucks is offering a giveaway to a few lucky Disposable Income readers: two $10 gift cards (so two readers can enjoy tea with a friend) and five one-time-use cards good for one complimentary cup of tea!

I'm gonna make this super, super easy! The first two people who write me at Disposable Income and mention this post will be the lucky recipients of the gift cards. The next five who write me at Disposable Income and mention this post will be the lucky recipients of the one-time-use cards good for one complimentary cup of tea. So write me now!

Drink Coffee and Give Back (Plus a DI Giveaway!)

Unless you've been living under a rock, you are probably well aware of the (RED) campaign. (If happen not to know, (RED)'s primary objective is to engage the private sector in raising awareness and money for the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.)

Now Starbucks is joining companies such as GAP, Apple, and Hallmark to help the Global Fund fight AIDS in Africa through some exciting initiatives:

Today Starbucks will donate $.05 from every beverage purchased at participating stores nationally.

Here in Atlanta, Starbucks is having their (RED) event at the Dunwoody Village store (5561 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338) from 2-4 p.m. today with giveaways, free samples and an opportunity to learn more about Starbucks partnership with (RED).

And, from now until Friday, January 2nd, if you purchase any Starbucks RED Exclusive beverage - Espresso Truffle, Peppermint Mocha Twist or Gingersnap Latte - Starbucks will donate $.05 to The Global Fund to help save lives in Africa. (For more information, visit joinred.com.)

To celebrate their partnership with (RED), Starbucks is giving Disposable Income readers the opportunity to win their new Starbucks Gold card (more info about that card is below) or one of their new espresso drinks (Espresso Truffle, Peppermint Mocha Twist or Gingersnap Latte).

So, I'm making this really easy on you guys. The first five people who write me at Disposable Income and can correctly tell me when and where the first ever Disposable Income event is (hint: scroll down) will when either the new Starbucks Gold Card (the first 2 people to correctly answer) or a free espresso drink (the next 3 people to correctly answer).


Starbucks Gold, Starbucks new membership program, is a card for people who visit Starbucks so frequently, the baristas can guess their order before they place it. The annual membership fee is $25 and, in return, members receive 10 percent off on most purchases at participating Starbucks – from espresso beverages to espresso machines. And after registering at StarbucksGold.com, members will receive:

* Complimentary beverage on one’s birthday
* Exclusive offers and discounts
* Free Wi-Fi access for 2 hours each day
* Members-only website

Starbucks' Perfect Oatmeal?

The other day, I hit up my local Starbucks for a frap-frap (yeah, I've got a nickname for Frappucinos) and saw that they are now selling oatmeal. Or, I should say, Perfect Oatmeal. I'm a sucker for new things - especially if they are supposed to be better for you. So, I decided to grab a bowl to go.


I had three choices of accompaniments for my oatmeal: dried fruit, brown sugar, or a nut medley. I chose the dried fruit, you know, to give the oatmeal some color.

oatmeal, unfettered

oatmeal, post dried fruit topping

Now, I'm not sure I would go so far as to say perfect. But, for a place that is essentially serving food fast (read: fast food), it is pretty damn good. I've had clumpy, congealy oatmeal from fast food places before and this is not that. Yeah, I'd eat it again.

Plus, it's nice to see a snack on the Starbucks menu that isn't crazy high in calories. The plain outmeal has 140 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. Compare that to a Starbucks blueberry muffin that has 360 calories and 10 grams of fat or a cinnamon scone, which has 500 calories and 19 grams of fat.

Okay, that isn't totally fair to compare oatmeal to a delicious, delicious scone. I mean, if I had my druthers, I would totally scarf up a cinnamon scone and then burp heartily. But, you got to eat responsibly most days, right?