Starbucks Treat Receipt and Vivanno Nourishing Blends

Starting Tuesday, August 5th, Starbucks addicts everywhere can now benefit from a double shot of Starbucks goodness daily, for less. According to the Seattle Post Intelligencer the $2 Starbucks Treat Receipt promotion was such a success in Seattle, Miami, and Chicago test markets, they decided to offer it nationwide. If you haven't had the opportunity to use the Starbucks Treat Receipt, here's how it works: First, fuel up with a good 'ole cup of Starbucks in the morning. On the bottom of your receipt you'll find a Treat Receipt stamp encouraging you to come back after 2pm on the same day to receive any cold drink for just $2 (plus tax of course). Just don't lose your receipt!

I have succumbed to this clever marketing ploy twice this week alone. In reality, the Treat Receipt concept is a smart one. Business is slow in the afternoon, many $2 coffee stands are gaining popularity, and it allows Starbucks to hook us twice in one day. My only problem with it, in fact, is the lame term "Treat Receipt." It sounds more like a discount for a Dilly Bar at Dairy Queen than an afternoon pick-me-up.

Unsure of which cold drinks to use your Treat Receipt on? You can't go wrong with an iced mocha or hazelnut latte. If you want something a little sweeter, try an iced caramel macchiato made with caramel syrup and vanilla flavoring (my personal favorite). Or, if you want something blended and good for you, check out Starbucks' most recent offering: Vivanno Nourishing Blends.

Starbucks Vivanno Nourishing Blends

In attempt to bring in business from non-coffee drinkers, Starbucks rolled out the Vivanno Nourishing Blends line last month. These so-called "better-for-you" smoothies are currently offered in two flavor blends: orange mango banana and banana chocolate. The drinks are less than 300 calories for a Grande and are made with real fruit, fiber powder, and whey protein, but also pack close to 5 g of fat per serving, so slurp sparingly.

Being the Starbucks addict I am, I felt compelled to give the Vivanno a spin. The Orange Mango Banana Blend Vivanno is refreshing and light, perfect for hot summer afternoons. The Banana Chocolate Blend Vivanno satisfies any sweet tooth with a lot less guilt than many of Starbucks' other offerings. (As a comparison, the same size Vanilla Bean Frappucino Blended Crème packs a whopping 470 calories and 14 g of fat and doesn't include the nutritional benefits the Vivanno offers.) If you want to add some oomph to your Vivanno beverage, you can add Matcha Green Tea Powder to the Orange Mango Banana Blend Vivanno or a shot of coffee to the Banana Chocolate Blend Vivanno.

Whichever way you brew it, this Starbucks connoisseur raises her double tall nonfat caramel macchiato to Starbucks for their $2 Treat Receipt and delicious Vivanno drinks. Next time, Starbucks, can you just make drinks $2 all day? I would really appreciate that (and so would my wallet).