Ever try drinking coffee without a cup? Not so easy. Kinda hot, too. And a bit messy.

Okay, so of course you use a cup - and of course you have them everywhere - lame gifts from well-meaning family and friends, promotional items, the one you 'borrowed' from your co-worker's desk....

Maybe you don't put a lot of thought into your coffee cup - into the the blessed item that will hold your delicious morning nectar......but you should.

Did you know that just by selecting a variety of coffee cups that you enjoy - ones that make you smile, laugh, remember, feel empowered or even those high tech ones that make you feel all Star-Trekkie - can actually help wake you up, improve your mood, increase the chances of having a better day, and even enjoy the taste and aroma of your coffee even more?

Not only that, but the type of cup or mug you choose may actually have an effect on your brew, too! Always go for porcelain at home, the office or in a coffee shop, and stainless steel for travel. Both of them keep coffee really hot, especially when filled to the top. And as for those cheap and flimsy toss-away cups, not only is paper, plastic and Styrofoam bad for the environment, it can also change the flavor of your coffee and it's still up for discussion whether or not toxins are leaking into your cup as the coffee heats up and melts the inside of throw-away cups. Do you really want to take that chance?

And of course one can never have too many coffee cups - as each type of coffee deserves its own type of coffee cup that is best suited for that specific type. A tall mug for lattes, small shot glasses for espressos, an upside-down pear shaped mug for cappuccinos and delicate cup and saucer for Turkish coffee. Every coffee drinker should have a variety of sizes to choose from, at their fingertips, ready for whatever coffee mood they are in!

So indulge in a few for yourself, and a few for your family and friends - take some to work, with you in the car or on the bus, to coffee houses and especially in your home - and make each and every cup of coffee more than just another cup of coffee....make it a ritual that makes you feel good, comfortable, safe. Your very own private and personal ritual of peace and joy and a darn good cup of coffee.