This week it’s rained an incredible amount in Milan. Which wouldn’t be that big of a deal if I weren’t moving house at the same time…without a car (though we did use a friend’s for a day). With the rain.
You get the idea.
Needless to say, since my mother is arriving in a few hours for the Labour day/May day break here in Italy, I’ve been continuously trying to find a new source of energy as I slog on public transportation between two different houses and work.
So I thought I’d share with you…really share, not just on the blog, one of my secret Pick-me-Ups : Pocket Coffee.
Pocket Coffee is made by Ferrero (yes, the same people that bring you Nutella) and are delicious, little pockets of real espresso robed in chocolate. You have to be careful when eating or the liquid espresso will take you by surprise and dribble all over you.
Because of their liquid nature, Pocket Coffee gets pulled from the Italian supermarkets usually in May until about October because humidity and heat conditions mean that your Pocket Coffee could melt and really spill out into your pocket and make a sticky, gooey mess. [[Update: I’ve found Pocket Coffee at Malpensa airport in the duty-free in July, and other sources have confirmed this as well – so if you happen to fly through Milan in the summer, you may just find them!]]
One of these little beauties has been a consolation to me lately. I’m hoping your comments will buoy me as well this long weekend.
And you could be rewarded!
Leave me a comment with some encouragement or your best trick to keeping your energy up and I’ll select a random commenter and send them a 18-pack of Pocket Coffee (WOW!) before they disappear from the supermarket for the summer. (I wanted to publish this yesterday (Wed) but I had to frantically check to make sure they still were in the store! Whew.)
On Tuesday, May 5th I’ll post the winner!
Ms. Adventures in Italy now has a Facebook Fan Page! Become a fan there as well to keep up! And if you’re into Nutella Day, we’ve opened up a Nutella Day Facebook Fan Page, too!
If you liked this post, you might also want to check out my An Introduction to Italian Candy – Caramelle
Some other bloggers wax poetic about Pocket Coffee:
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, and I am offering the Pocket Coffee with my own money…well, because I love you guys…
I’ve found the best way for my to keep my energy up is to constantly keep myself occupied and my brain busy. It works for me! ;)
I love this pocket coffee, I only see them here in the christmas perios together with moicherrie etc….
Just what I need to keep me going all day! They look delish!
They are amazing, 2 birds with 1 stone Coffee/Dolce together! The best invention after pizza….
Water, water and more water! I love coffee – but it can actually backfire on you. Another trick I use it to stand up and stretch towards the ceiling/sky as far as I can – on tiptoes. Then slowly roll forward from the hips and let my head and arms dangle. Bend your knees and roll up to standing and repeat. This really does give me energy! Good luck with the move and your company.
Wow! I’ve never heard of these bites of heaven…they look and sound wonderful. Where are you moving? Are you looking forward to your new place?
Hope you have a great time with your mom…you can enjoy a real coffee break with her.
This is probably out of the question at this point, but I swim to keep my energy up and stress level down. It works wonders and I love how I feel when I get out of the pool!
Have a great weekend and a super visit with your mom. Cheers to having your move (almost) behind you!
I think what works best for me, is limiting my coffee consumption to just two cups (although in such cases I’m tempted to drink more) and supplementing with a lot of water and really sensible meals on those days that I have a crazy amount to do (especially when we were moving last year). Oh, and a really short nap or just the simple act of lying down for a mere 15 minutes helps too.
Keep your chin up!
Wow and fantastic! Chocolate and coffee together is truly my idea of the ideal pick-me-up. With either ABBA or Queen to dance and sing along too, of course!
Good luck with the move. Our move is first week in July, and though it may not rain, it will be hot!
I remember the rain in Milan – the streets flooded every time and we had to slog knee-deep in water to walk the boys to school.
i have never heard of these, but dear lord ~ what genius!
as far as what peps me up and keeps me going, the answer is easy: a good walk. like anyone else, i have my cup of coffee in the morning, but in the middle of the day when i’ve lost my steam, my only option is to take a walk. more often than not, it’s not a super-long walk (a few blocks or so), but it gets my blood pumping sufficiently.
I read your blog to boost my energy! I must have Pocket Coffee. NOW! I’ve never seen these before and whoever created them is BRILLIANT!!! I will hunt them down from Alabama. I will pay a lot of money for these little treasures. :-)
Keeping my energy up while caring for my toddler, who is just entering the “terrible two’s” stage is a challenge. I find that if I can just take a few moments to close my eyes, deeply breathe, and think of something calming that I feel mentally refreshed. As for the physical, I then drink a big glass of water and do a few simple stretches to get my blood going. The best thing is that it takes less than 10 minutes and is relatively easy. Good luck with all of your moving and hostessing. :)
Stand up straight, consciously lift your spine up from your waist (you can do it), raise your arms up while breathing in your nose and slowly windmill your arms back and down while blowing out your mouth. Get some good fresh oxygen circulating in your bloodstream and it will perk you up.
Keeping busy all the time, and never admitting to being tired, is a great way to maintain energy levels! Thanks for the giveaway – my Italian husband will love these. Good luck with your move!
i try to stay hydrated as much as possible thanks for the giveaway
Edit post: ‘Labour Day’=Memorial Day
Keeping energy up for me = drinking Coke from 7 AM – 12:00 Midnight.
Ooooh these look awesome. As a strong proponent of all-nighters, I have quite a few tips for sustaining energy.
From a fellow foodie, one of my favorite ways to find morning energy? Spicy food! I wake up every morning with eggs covered in either cayenne, crushed red pepper, or habanero pepper sauce. The spicy food quickens your blood flow and wakes you up! There’s also the added bonus of opening up your sinuses- I have allergies and this takes me from groggy laying-down-all-night head to open-and-awake head in no time.
Another tip: If you apply pressure to the point ST-36 you can reduce fatigue and increase stamina and energy. Google for pictures to see the exact location, but it’s about four fingers width below the knee cap between the muscle and the shin bone on the outside (so on the right side of the shin on the right leg or the left side of the shin on the left leg). You can feel where this is by moving your foot up and down to feel the muscle. Applying some pressure to this point will help rev you up!
Lastly, I recently found a complex of vitamins called “Unbounded Energy” by New Chapter Organics. They’re fairly expensive at $30 a bottle, but I thought about it and that meant I could have the 3-tablet serving for a dollar a day, so I asked my natural foods store for a sample. I was completely impressed. There’s no caffeine and the ingredients are all-natural, and it gives you an unbelievable amount of energy in a short amount of time- probably about the same amount of time it takes caffeine to kick in. One ingredient was cayenne, so I guess I’m not alone on that one! :)
Put on your favorite sing out loud music and get to boogie-ing!
I keep my energy up by thinking about and planning my next trip to Italy. Unfortunately because of the stock market (where I keep my bit of travel money) this trip will have to be put off by a year until November, 2010. Now I will have to hope I can remember these goodies that long so I can try them!
Best energizing tip: Lots of water, deep breathing for a few minutes, walking around swinging my arms in big circles.
Fully revved up and ready to go again.
Lots of sex! !! (wink)
Good exercise, lots of water, good sleep, and keep the carbs under control (the bad ones). And of course, a strong cup-o’-joe keeps my energy up!
These Pocket Coffees sound divine!
Stretching helps me keep my energy up.
Italy is THE place to eat and snack. And coffee is the perk of energy that makes all things GO. Would adore some Pocket Coffees. Best with move and your mom’s visit. Ciao.
1) With my bare feet under a bath tub tap (without the plug in the drain), I alternate pouring hot and cold water on my feet. Hot, then cold, then hot, then cold–a few seconds for each, just long enough for my feet to get thoroughly warm and then cold a few times. It’s quick and surprisingly energizing!
2) I lie down with my feet elevated slightly above my head (on two or so pillows) for about 15 or 20 minutes. I close my eyes, but I don’t go to sleep. Sometimes I do this immediately after drinking some coffee, which gives my body some time to absorb the caffeine!
3) Mimicking Jessica: Hot water with orange juice, grated ginger, grated or finely-chopped red pepper, and honey. It gives you some vitamins and gets your blood going, and it’s especially good if you’re starting to feel run-down or even sick.
Good luck–entertaining can always be quite an energy-consuming activity, no matter how much fun the company might be! Keep it up! And have fun with your mom!
That just sounds divine.
What keeps my energy up?
During the weekdays:….And occasional 4 shot non fat no whip white chocolate mocha (medium)……OR a regular coffee….
Come 1/2 pm I stick to a 8.4 Fl oz of red bull
For the record – I used to work at Starbucks….
Over the weekends….I get lots and lots of sleep, relax, take care of myself (and things)….And stave off the caffeine….sometimes (just a reg cup of coffee)…
Another way I keep my energy up is going in the shower, keeping busy or working out.
The best ways I’ve found to keep my energy up are exercise and listening to fast music.
These look really good, I am going to have to find them locally.
Wow, I wonder if you can find these in the States anywhere… they look amazing!
For me, the only thing that works in terms of energy is getting enough sleep and having a good cappuccino in the mornings.
Love the packaging….looks like it’s been the same for decades. How did I never spot these while in Rome?!
Hope the weather clears up and you have a great weekend. Get plenty of sleep if you can!
I [heart] PocketCoffee. My friend from Italy sends me some from time to time, but sometimes it never even makes it to me because the carriers love it so much, they steal it :) I keep my energy up by trying new things constantly. Learning languages, trying my hand at DJ-ing, taking (and teaching!) wine classes, and spending time with GIRLFRIENDS.
I’ve been wanting to try PocketCoffee ever since I saw it advertised! What a great giveaway!
I’ve found that one of the best ways to keep my energy up during the workday is to take regular breaks away from my computer. Even if it’s just a 30-second walk around the office. Changing it up like that helps!
PS. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better through Adopt-a-Blogger!
My best tip that works for me is to get up in the morning, have a nice cup of coffee then a short brisk walk. It seems to give me more energy through the day.
Hmm. Keep your energy up? Sooo vague… Here’s the non-food tricks: plenty of sleep, exercise, dance, do something you enjoy; In terms of food: there’s the healthy way of a balanced meal with fruits/vegetables… for a portable fix–gum, Caramel or Fudge Nip candies, ooh–chocolate covered coffee beans– heck if that wont do it…. looks like you’ll be hibernating over the summer ;)
Oh, i love love love Pocket Coffees! I’m always so surprised that they’re not sold in London though. (Don’t enter me for the draw please as I’d rather they go to someone who’s not tried them before!)
Oh. My. Goodness. I have never heard of these little bits of heaven, but now I simply must have them!!
As for energy–my only real trick is a little counter-intuitive. I have to get up in the morning and go work out. It seems odd, since getting up early is usually the last thing I want to do (or think I have the energy to do), but I feel SO SO SO energized for the rest of the day when I do!!
I like to take power naps (brief short cat naps) as they leave me refreshed. Good luck with the move!
Besides endless cups of coffee, I find a good all over body stretch gives me energy to keep going.
I noticed when I started eating a full serving of protein with breakfast, I started having more energy throughout the day. Of coures, I love chocolate and coffee too!
I keep my energy up by just keeping active- and not eating a meal until I am ready to take a break
I meditate. If you cannot do that just try to relax and breathe. Another thing you can do is take a small 20 minute power nap.
oh, these sound FABulous!!! I’m a huge fan of power naps to revive me!!!
Thank you for the giveaway, this sounds yummy! Visiting Italy is my dream vacation destination.
If you have enough time, go outside and smell the fresh air and then put on some comfy shoes to go walking! Best time would be early morning or late evening hours.
Aw, it sounds hard. Eating two bananas gives you enough energy for a 90 minute work out! Eat some bananas!
Hope things get better
And, wow that sounds sooo yummy!
I can’t think of a better way to stay fresh, other than the ways I’ve learned from my time spent in Sicilia. Light breakfast, couple of caffe’s, good lunch, and an invigorating nap after lunch. Wow did that spring me into the mood to enjoy the evening (usually late evenings at that), enjoying an easy dinner, and long walks eating gelato and meeting with friends and family.
I’m new to your blog, but I have to tell you, judging from the excellent content and the great delivery of it, you don’t have problems with motivation.
Please keep up the great job you do, I truly enjoy your pictures and writings.
Caffine. Iced tea hits the spot when the weather gets hot. Thanks!
I just try to get a lot of sleep at night!!!
Have had these pocket coffees and was wondering why they do not sell them in the US. I think they would be a great replacement for a 3pm Starbucks run…
I listen to a lot of loud fast music. That is my best motivator. I love Ipods
I wrote about them at my blog and linked you!!! :-) Since today is my payday I’m off to go order a super large amount!! :-)
plenty of water and keeping off your but- and don’t lay down
Wow, that looks fantastic! Can it get any better? I keep my energy up by chasing my one year old! It works!
hi there :) i was blog hopping & hopped onto urs. n this pocket coffee is definitely something new i would love to try.whatnot its from ferrero~
here,in malaysia,humidity never fails to beat us from our daily routine.in fact now in the middle of the night hot wind blowing to our faces.
what i usually do is to take honey every morning.as simple as that.its high in sugar & natural supplements to boost our energy. eat on its own or delicious as a drink :) hope that would help with u moving & all.
Sarra!
Try fennel. The aroma itself is enough for me to wake me up from mid afternoon slumber –
Gabi @ mamaliga.
Wine…well not really, but it makes you feel a lot better after a long day. That pocket coffee looks so decadent! I guess sort of like our Mallomars here in New York, they are one of the few packaged foods with a season.
Mm, those look yummy…
My favorite trick for keeping my energy up is to lock the door, put on some upbeat music and dance like a fool for a few minutes! It gets my heart pumping, the energy circulating and always improves my mood.
Best of luck with the move and the weather!
Oh I need the pocket coffee.. chocolate and coffee drool
focus on the goal- it will come sooner than you think!
also- takes breaks other wise you’ll get burnt out
As an Italian-American, I first tasted the delicious delight know as a pocket coffee when I was 11 years old. From then on, each visit to the motherland was punctuated with gorging on the sweetly bitter flavor of those candies, and deciding which clothes we could leave behind so there would be more room in our suitcase for boxes to bring home. Pocket coffees remind me of all the things I love… my wonderful family, how lucky I am to be Italian and American, fields of sunflowers in Italia, and of course good food and good coffee.
if i get home really exhausted after a long work day but then want to head out for an aperitivo – i will have a catnap or even better a ‘caffeine nap’.
working out tends to keep my energy up! although I could definitely use some pocket coffee sometimes
the best way to keep my energy up the whole day is the thought of seeing the bf at the end of the day:) haha. those pocket coffee looks sooo awesome!
ohhh those look yummy! if i’m feeling in a slump i usually try and change up what i’m doing, so a quick walk or totally changing tasks helps me get back in the groove of things!
The best pick-me-up is stopping whatever I’m doing and sitting with my two boys (7 & 4) on the couch for “cuddle time”. They sit on either side of me and I put my arms around them and we just sit there for a couple minutes together. It puts everything into perspective and is just enough time to recharge. Nothing beats it!
To have energy I need to be happy.
Things that make me happy are good coffee in the morning, a fast walk with fun music and bright light, specially sun, but if it is raining in Milan I would just turn all the lights on.
I would love to try this. I usually run up and down the stairs if I need a pick me up.
thanks
Best choice would be a Pocket Coffee, of course, but Mon Cheris are also welcome. :)
I am moving to Rome soon, and will look forward to finding some to sample, sounds good to me!
OMG these look so good. to keep pep in my step I eat dried fruit and take a walk on my breaks during work.
So you’re moving…on public transportation…in the rain…and your Mother is visiting. It should encourage you to know that I helped a friend move using public transportation once – it’s something he looks back on in absolute amazement today lol. Lots of hot showers followed by cool rinses should pep you right up. Good luck!
I’ve never tried pocket coffee, but I am addicted to an Indonesian coffee flavored candy called Kopiko.
For a quick energy fix, nothing works better for me than munching a few dark chocolate-covered espresso beans. They taste amazing and provide a much needed caffeine buzz when I hit my afternoon slump.
MMMMMMM The only way I ever eat choclat and because these are so hard to find… I almost never eat choclat. A glas of cooled minttea with lots of icecubes works good for me and nothing beats a glass of fresh grapefruit juice.
Oh! My husband would LOVE these!
Starbucks!
The best way for me to keep energized is to try new things. For example, I just finished a healthy Chinese cooking class. I learned how to make dumplings, potstickers, and other cool Chinese dishes. I felt mentally energized after the class, and have had fun cooking these meals for my family.
Try bringing a book that you really enjoy to read on your bus trips. Reading will have you relax and feel more rested.
Seems to me that having family arrive can be a real energizer. Look how much you’ve accomplished. I’m sure you had a fab weekend especially after all those pocket coffees and marocchini that you are so found of. Hope I spelled that right.
You can do it!
Wah! I LOVE Pocket Coffee!!! We used to eat these like crazy when I was in high school.
My favorite pick me up is some good tunes. Works every time.
Please send Pocket Coffee!!
Eat an apple! Apples are said to have the same “wake up” effect as a cup of coffee. If you don’t like apples, go out to the street (or window) and catch some sun in your face. If none of the above works watch Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” video clip and just smile :)
Now this is something to LOVE! thanks for sharing!
For extra energy all day long, I ride my bike to and from work every day. The fresh air and the 4-mile bike ride keep me going throughout the workday and leave me enough energy to cook and blog when I get home. Plus, since I’d spend that time commuting anyway, I don’t have give up time away from my husband for a workout(although I love a good run on the weekends.) Thanks for the giveaway!
Pocket Coffee — what a great idea! I would love to try this. I keep my energy up with frequent small meals and an occasional power nap. I really find that eating large meals makes me feel sluggish and I do a lot better with the snack system.
Coffee is my pick me up, so no good advice, but I laugh every time I think of Pocket Coffee. My friend and I were visiting my cousins in a little town outside of Caserta. While staying at their house, my friend had one in her pocket when we went to bed one night. The next morning I woke up to her saying…”oh no, my Pocket Coffee!”….it spilled out all onto my cousins’ white feather bed and sheets. Oops. Don’t really keep Pocket Coffee in your pocket!
best way i keep my energy up is listen to fast pace music and be outdoors
Well, I am obviously too late for the giveaway- but never too late to profess my love of chocolate and coffee. What could be better??
On my visit to Rome in 10 days (YEAH!!) I’ll need to look for these and for those little digestivo candies :)
Our Italian daughter (exchange student) brought these candies with her as a gift. OH MY! My American daughters and I fight over them. My last care package had an 18 peice box and i grudginly sent 6 to my American daughter to boost her freshman year finals studying. Going to Italy in Sept. Please God, let there be Pocket Coffees to bring back!
This product literally saved lives! I found this obscure candy (hard to find in U.S.) during my residency training in medicine. It actually helped keep me awake during some really difficult nights. I was thrilled when a friend brought it back from Paris to replenish my supply and have happily introduced many happy customers. Brings a smile to my face – JS
I make sure I don’t eat a lot during the day, otherwise it totally saps my energy – single biggest energy booster for me. And a couple espressos during the afternoon helps.
MUSIC…..Its the ultimate mood booster. There is nothing like putting on some dance music that makes you start to move-you just can’t help it!
I always have the afternoon coffee, a caffe is all you need to keep you going. These pocket coffee’s are molto buono, i have looked everywhere for them in the states with no luck.
E’ esattamente il tipo di energizzante che mi serve per affrontare una giornata intera con una bimba di due anni ^___^
Sonia
Is there any place that I can get Pocket Expresso to Go-other than going to Italy. I realize it is a Summer product, but I want it now. Thank you for your assistance. I really love this product. Keeps me going with a crazy schedule.
I need to know what the heck these things have in them, because i’m havin’ and allergic reaction all over my face and it’s either these things or oranges.
Holy Lord! I miss the pocket coffee!! My years in Tuscany were filled with them, and it was always sad when they were MIA. Having been back in the States now since ’07, I have done without, reluctantly.
Ain’t nothing quite so wonderful as a PC, except maybe Nutella. By the way, I keep my energy levels up with an afternoon shot of espresso and iTunes Italian radio. :)
I would like to purchase pocket chocolates for a friend for Christmas. Please let me know when they are available for the Christmas season.
@Leasa – you can usually find them in grocery stores in Italy from September/October to April/May.