How to Become a Morning Person

Some people are not simply born as a natural “morning person” but you do have the power to change your mindset and become an early bird... though it will take practice and a positive attitude. If you are truly up for the lifestyle adjustment of waking up earlier, here are nine ways to shift your outlook on waking up early and to officially become an a.m. individual.

-The morning is a sacred time... it is when we choose how we want the rest of our day to go. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How do I want to feel today? Example: Great!
• Who do I want to be today? Example: My best self!
• What do I want to receive today? 
• What do I want to give today?

When you make this a morning habit, you’ll start to notice that things begin to work out exactly as you planned or that something even better happens.

-Try singing a song to brighten your day as you make your coffee or tea... something that would put a smile on your face for sure! :) 

-This tip should go without saying, but set an earlier bedtime so you can wake up feeling refreshed and rested.

-Keep your cell phone and laptop out of reach (and definitely not in your bed). This will also force you to hop out of your sheets to turn your phone alarm off.

-Avoid hitting snooze but practice getting up at your first alarm.

-Instead of leisurely lying around in the morning, get out of bed right when you wake up. Easier said than done, but once you get in the habit of it you will see the productive benefits payoff.

-After you get moving, take a few minutes to practice deep breaths. I like to do this when I first start sipping my morning coffee. Set your timer for five minutes, sit wherever you are, close your eyes to meditate and just focus on your breath coming in and going out. If your mind wanders, simply notice it and, without judgment, gently bring the mind back to your breath.

-Before you go to sleep, make a mental or physical checklist prioritizing plans for the next day. This will help you visualize what you need to accomplish in the a.m.

-Schedule a morning workout (even if you are feeling lazy) and encourage yourself to sweat it out. Exercising in the a.m. increases energy and improves productivity for the day. I personally love to set time aside at least for some yoga for a good stretch session as it puts me in an amazing mood.

-Draw your curtains back and let in the natural light first thing in the morning. So energizing!

In short, have a morning ritual that makes you excited to start the day and you will be a morning person in no time. 

How do you get up and at it in the a.m.? Share your tips with us in the comments below or share them on my Instagram!

4 Superfruits To Have In Your Kitchen

Stocking your fridge with nourishing essentials is the first step to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Since fruits like lemons, oranges and apples are already regulars in most of our kitchens—let's take the spotlight off these common fruits and highlight four others to pick up the next time you are at the grocery store (or ordering your list through a delivery service). Learn why you should add these four super fruits to your diet today.

Pineapples

Pineapples are packed with nutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants known as flavonoids and phenolic acids. They also contain a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain, which helps break down protein molecules. Once they are broken down, they are more easily absorbed across the small intestine. This can be especially good for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes. 

After doing some research of my own on this delicious fruit over the past few years, I have found multiple studies showing that pineapple and its compounds may reduce the risk of cancers.

One of these compounds, being bromelain again, shows that it suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells and stimulated cell death. Other studies have shown that bromelain suppresses cancer in the skin, bile duct, gastric system and colon among other areas. 

Definitely adding pineapple to smoothies or in a fruit salad regularly sounds like a good idea!

Goji Berries

Goji berries are a sweet-and-sour berry that can be eaten raw, dried, or in liquid or powder form. They contain high levels of antioxidants and fiber, are low in calories, and are naturally fat-free. The fruit contains strong amounts of beta carotene, along with other nutrients that help with eye and skin health. An easy way to incorporate goji berries into your daily diet is by adding them to your acai bowls, or snacking on the berries pre-workout to energize and maintain stamina.

Jackfruit

Jackfruit is an exotic fruit packed with a variety of nutritious benefits. Antioxidants found in this fig destroy free radicals in the body, help to slow down skin aging, fights wrinkles and aid in repairing UV damage. The jackfruit’s high protein content is often used as a meat substitute in vegan dishes (think: pulled “pork”for vegans), since it is cooked and shredded texture is pretty similar.

Mangosteen

Mangosteen is a soft and creamy tropical fruit with a tangy and sugary flavor. It is a good source of vitamin C and supports the body in producing leukocytes, which are the white blood cells that protect against infectious diseases. Mangosteens also contain powerful cell-booster antioxidants called xanthones (found mainly in the rind), which help repair and protect the health of your cells and support many of the body’s vital functions. Xanthones also have an anti-inflammatory effect and may lower your risk of inflammatory diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Eat them raw (add them into your next fruit salad as well) or juice them up! I personally love making vegan mangosteen popsicles. If you are interested in the recipe, write in the comments below and I might do a post on the delicious recipe! 

To your health!

Xx 

Working from Home Tips

WFH- the new normal for those of us lucky enough to be able to work remotely during the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic. As we practice social distancing and navigate through the changes, its important to have a positive mindset, stay calm and follow directions from officials and the CDC.
Even for some who are currently not able to work from home but are home just the same, it is important to have some goals and activities for the day so we stay healthy and keep our spirits up and  adapting to some new daily routines.

-Stick to business as usual as far as waking up at a certain time and making your bed, washing your face, moisturize, etc. Past that, start a new morning routine. Do some yoga for a nice stretch or a home workout, read a devotional or something that helps you start the day with mindfulness and on a positive note.

-An essential part of my morning routine is to have a cup of coffee or tea... see my recipe for a delicious matcha latte. This is a good time to check in with family before going through emails as it gets you in a good headspace before diving into work.

-Keeping a schedule is vital for WFH and even if you do not feel like getting out of your pajamas, it helps you keep to a schedule by doing so. Letting it slide from time to time is ok of course, as we all prefer to be comfortable at home... you just need to hold yourself accountable.

-If you do not already have an office at your home, set one up preferably near a window so you can catch some sunlight to remain sane. ;)  I love setting up a diffuser, candle (my favorite here) or incense nearby as well.

-Take breaks. Make yourself lunch, step outside in your backyard or go for a quick walk to get some fresh air (while social distancing).

-Eat healthy but let yourself that have cheat snack or meal from time to time. I usually eat super healthy and stay away from processed food, but when I went grocery shopping for setting up shop in my house for the next while due to the pandemic, I decided to buy a childhood favorite... Lucky Charms. :)

-Aside form Zoom meetings and conference calls, working at home these days can get lonely if you are not at home with someone and are living alone, so take time to call up and chat with friends and family regularly.

Stay safe, we are all in this together!

Have any WFM tips you would like to share? Comment below <3