Rise and Shine

Considering we talk about life a lot, I thought today we'd look at mornings. It seems silly, but I'd argue that morning is the most important part of my day. Let's have a look why . . .

I get up at 6:00 am every single day of the school week. Now, my schedule varies slightly so that some days I could afford to get up 45 minutes later, but I still always roll out of bed at 6:00 am precisely. Why? I believe it's extremely important to have consistency in your life, where ever you can find it. By getting up at six, I establish a reliable (and predictable) morning, which keeps me calm and balanced. 

I keep my alarm clock far enough away from my bed so that I must physically rise, walk a few steps and turn it off. This prevents me from checking my clock in the middle of the night (I never slept straight through the night until I did this.) and keeps me from simply tapping the snooze button. 

Speaking of alarms . . . I never awake to a harsh alarm. It's jarring and frightening! Instead, I prefer something melodic, quiet, and generally happy. This is a really nice one. 

Once I'm out of bed, I do the yawn stretch (you know the one I'm talking about) and hop in the shower, get dressed, etc. Being put together helps me feel awake and ready to go. I grab some coffee and breakfast and then check my email.

I wait to check my email until now (about 6:30) because it's important to wake and have personal you time. Our lives are filled with other people, so why not start your day peacefully with just yourself?

My favorite part? I sit on my bed or in a comfy chair and read for fun as the sun rises. That's right. I read for school all the time, but every morning I read something that's fun for me. It keeps me sharp, engaged, and excited. 

What's your morning routine? Do you think it's important to have a schedule / consistency? Are you prone to check email, phone, etc. immediately? I'd love your thoughts on the importance of peaceful mornings as a way to establish balance and happiness. What's your trick?

Photos via Instagram

{Eat It}...Morning Treat

My favorite morning delight is a coconut cherry parfait. I like to use a basic vanilla yogurt with fresh cherries. I pit and quarter them. For every 3/4 cup yogurt, I find 6 or 7 cherries are a nice ratio. Although you don't have to, I like to layer my fruit and yogurt in a pretty stem glass. I feel so fancy! Top it off with whole granola, coconut; drizzle with honey, and drop on a cherry to finish it off! Yum! This is so fresh and sweet. The cherries and coconut are seriously amazing. 

What's your favorite breakfast treat? Parfaits can be great for those days you're feeling healthy. They're also fun if you have some friends over for brunch. Build your own parfait bar? Delicious!

{Eat It}...Good on Toast

I love breakfast, but I'm not the biggest breakfast chef. In the morning I just want to roll out of bed and have a quick (but delicious) bite to eat. Enter, Strawberry Rhubarb Jam! It's easy enough to make and will knock your socks off! Depending on the size of your rhubarb crop, you might have enough jars to last you all year. It's a real treat in the winter. 

Abby and I planted two rhubarb plants a few years back. We desperately wanted a garden, but in the city all we had room for were the two plants. It turns out, rhubarb is the plant that keeps giving! Coming back every summer, we now enjoy jam, crisp, pie, and tarts. Delicious to the last stalk!

Let your diced rhubarb sit overnight in water and sugar. In the morning it will be super gloppy. That is a good thing!

Get some strawberry Jell-O, which you will add to the boiling sugar-water mixture.

Let boil and cool; then transfer to mason jars. Put the caps on immediately and let sit. The tops will make a popping noise when completely sealed. Refrigerate one and put the rest in the freezer!

RECIPE

5 cups of finely cut rhubarb

3 cups of sugar

Mix and let stand overnight

In the boring, boil for 15 minutes and add 1 package of strawberry jello.

Put in jars and seal.

Cool before freezing.

Feel free to double, triple, quadruple! Trust me, it'll go fast!