They Got Me...

I don't like coffee. Therefore, it has never been difficult for me to avoid the $4 drink trap at Starbucks. I have always been proud that I, unlike so many others, do not throw hundreds of dollars away each year on drinks that shouldn't cost near that much. Recently, I haven't been the only one not drinking at Starbucks. I don't know if this news travels outside of Seattle, but because of the recession fewer people are spending money there. Actually, I've heard that it's the pastries people have stopped spending on, to be exact, but think about it- instead of 7 or 8 dollars people are spending 3 or 4. That's half of their revenue, and exactly why half the company has been cut back or laid off.

Enter new ideas to hook new people. People like me. So Starbucks has come out with these very non-coffee drinks (of course, espresso can be added for 55 cents) called Vivannos, and I CAN'T STOP!!! I am totally addicted! The drink in question is the Banana Chocolate Vivanno, and yes, it costs $4.11 with tax. The big marketing campaign is that they are healthy, and although that's questionable, they are still waaay way better than, say, a Frappuccino.

Let's compare:

The Banana Chocolate Vivanno has 270 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of fiber, 28 grams of sugar, and 21 grams of protein.

The Grande Mint Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino blended creme with Chocolate Whipped Cream (which is the other drink I like but can live without) has 530 calories, 19 grams of fat, 68 grams of sugar, 3 grams of fiber, and 13 grams of protein. Hmmmmm.....

I also think that the Vivannos have not listed in the ingredients the fact that they put crack or nicotine or some other addictive narcotic in this drink, because seriously, I want one all the time now. And after I have my happy little milk-shake-smoothie-like thingy I feel much better.

Anyway, I don't know what to do. Either I try to figure out how to make them on my own minus the drugs or I'm going to end up spending our mortgage on these little chocolatey drinks....Try one at your own risk.