by Fern Shaw | Feb 4, 2014 | Health and Hydration, Water
During these winter months, our thoughts turn to keeping warm and a rather pleasant way to do this is by drinking a cuppa.
Today I’m concentrating on coffee.
Here’s some random info to keep your brain warm too.
Coffee shop culture has been ‘trending’ for decades now, in some instances ‘doing coffee’ is even more popular than meeting at the pub. People’s lifestyles and attitudes to their choice of beverages and where they spend their time to socialise have significantly changed – this could also be a factor of most societies becoming multi-cultural and a cup of java is the preferred drink instead of drinking alcohol.
A few little known coffee facts
Coffee is a term applied to the drink, the beans and the genus Coffea which is part of the Madder family.
There are over thirty species of genus, but we only use three of them.
- C. arabica
- C. canephora and
- C. liberica.
The coffee plants bloom fragrant white flowers but only for a few days.
It takes about five years to grow before a coffee tree can produce a full harvest.
AquAid not only supply a wide range of water coolers for the workplace and schools, but also a range of water boilers and hot drinks – Kenco Coffee being one:
There’s a wide range of authentic Kenco coffee flavours to choose from including:
- dark, medium or light roast
- Columbian, Kenyan or Carte Noir blends
- rich espresso
- creamy cappuccino
- de-caf coffees.
Happy keeping warm day to you
by Fern Shaw | Dec 18, 2013 | Uncategorized
For such a teensy island I must say Britain certainly packs in a plethora of trivia from all around.
- The Slimbridge Wildlife & Wetlands Trust is the world’s largest and most diversified wildfowl centre. It has the largest collection of swans, geese, and ducks on Earth, and is the only place where all six species of Flamingo can still be observed. (We don’t source any of our water from here – promise.)
- Mother Shipton’s Cave near Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, is England’s oldest recorded tourist attraction. Its owner, Charles Slingsby, fenced off the site in 1630 and started charging visitors to gape at this so-called petrifying well. The mineral-rich water from this uncanny spring has the ability to give objects a stone-like appearance after a prolonged exposure. (Nor from here.)
- An official report of the European Union surveying universities in all member states ranked the University of London as the top performer in terms of publications and in terms of citations, and the University of Cambridge as top performers in terms of impact.
- French was the official language of England for about 300 years, from 1066 until 1362. Mais oui!
- The world’s largest second-hand book market can be found at Hay-on-Wye, a small village at the border of England and Wales. The village is also famous for proclaiming itself independent from the UK in 1977.
- Fish ‘n chips are apparently not much more a traditional English dish than is Chicken Tikka Masala. The first combined fish ‘n’ chip shop was actually opened by a Jewish immigrant, Joseph Malin, within the sound of Bow Bells in East London around 1860.
Now you know. What is home grown (so to speak) and all things British, is our water. Whether it’s from the Scottish highlands, the Warwickshire countryside or from a natural spring deep in the Irish Hill, AquAid’s water is packed full of minerals and nutrients to keep you topped up and super hydrated. Drink up. Enjoy.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 25, 2013 | Charity, water cooler, Water Coolers
The Bupa Great Birmingham Run is the biggest half marathon in the Midlands.
‘Formerly known as the Birmingham Half Marathon the event was first staged in staged in 2008 and in 2009 also incorporated the World Half Marathon Championships.
England’s second city is the perfect stage for the event which attracts competitors from across the UK and around the world.
In 2012 Kenyan Micah Kogo won a thrilling sprint for the line ahead of Abera Kuma to set a new course record. Kogo, who dominated the race almost from the start, breasted the tape in a time of one hour and 17 seconds to deny his Ethiopian rival victory by two seconds with World record holder and pre-race favourite Zersenay Tadese third in 1:01:06.
On a very misty morning, Kogo – after losing the previous month’s Bupa Great North Run by a second – made amends by smashing the course record of 1:01:29 set a year ago by the legendary Ethiopian, Haile Gebrselassie.
The women’s race saw Sara Moreira taking total control in the last three miles to notch a runaway victory ahead of Ethiopia’s former World Half Marathon champion Berhane Adere.
The course takes in some of the city’s most iconic sights including the Bullring, the Cadbury’s factory in Bournville and Edgbaston cricket ground. Live music from ‘bands on the run’ keep you motivated every step of the way and thousands of supporters turn out to cheer finishers across the line on Broad Street in the heart of the city centre. ‘
Our Scott Barnbrook, of AquAid Birmingham, is quite the individual when it comes to participating in events for charity and/or improving his health. A recap here.
Good on yer, Scott, for competing in and finishing this rather marvellous and historical marathon!
Remember though, whether you’re running or exerting yourself in any kind of strenuous activity, you need to keep hydrated. This means drinking water. If you’re just zooming around your cubicle at 36 revolutions p/m, that also counts.
For any water cooler requirements, contact Scott at AquAid Birmingham, he or his team will be happy to help.
by Fern Shaw | May 22, 2013 | Specials
We’re always on the scout about for titbits, interesting news and finding out more about the rather marvellous people that contribute to AquAid’s success.
So, last week, I received from feedback from AquAid South Coast that Mary Graham, Telesales Extraordinaire, is celebrating 10 years of being at the company. I thought that this qualified us, at the very least, to be able to find out a little more about the person and what makes her tick. I whipped up ten-get to-know-you-a-little-better questions to ask Mary and in not even 2 shakes of a lamb’s tail, Mary replied.
1. When did you start with AquAid South Coast?
6th May 2003
2. What do you think is your most successful sales achievement to date and why?
A local business that I “nagged” for seven years then one day he said “yes” and had 12 POU from me.
3. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Nothing, happy as I am.
4. What profession would you not like to do?
N/A
5. What would you do if you have a week off of work and a £1,000?
Spend quality time with hubby and twins.
6. Biggest pet peeve?
Women who open their car door on the road side to put their kids in.
7. Who’s the one person that can always make you smile?
My dog.
8. What’s your favourite indoor/outdoor activity?
Zumba (indoor) Motor Racing (outdoor)
9. Where would you go on your dream holiday?
Bulgaria, to my second home.
10. What’s your favourite season and why?
Winter. So I can snuggle up on the sofa with hubby and the twins and watch a funny dvd.
Thank you Mary, it was lovely ‘chatting’ with you and many congratulations on your 10 years!
