How you wake up in the morning has the potential to set the tone for the rest of your day.
How do you wake up? With a sense of joy, excitement, or dread for the coming day? I recommend not looking forward at the impending 12-15 hour workday, but relishing in a morning ritual.
I find that my first actions in the morning spark a light in me. If I immediately go on the computer, my email or facebook, a tightness forms in my chest. Instead, I get out of bed, starting boiling water for my tea, and generally get back in bed to open The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo. After I read the daily entry, I make my tea with homemade almond milk.
The ritual of creating my own food taps into my left brain. Knowing healthy food is on the horizon awakens something in me. Then I have that first sip of my green tea, almond milk latte… cobwebs clear and creamy deliciousness ensues. With that mindful sip, I can’t help but think of what a privilege it is to be alive.
Many people are shocked that I would make my own almond milk when you can buy it cheaply. Really, once you see how easy it is below, you won’t think I’m that nuts (pun intended).
Maybe the almond milk endeavor doesn’t work for you. Congratulations for trying something new and figuring that out! It is more important to explore what makes you look forward to getting out of bed.
homemade almond milk (or any wonderful raw nut you can think of!)
- large bag of RAW almonds (I get a cheaper bag from Trader Joe’s)
- water
- cheese cloth/nut bag (If no nut bag, find a big rubber band to keep the cheese cloth in place on the pitcher.)
- blender and pitcher
- Place almonds in a bowl and cover about 1-2 inches with water. Soak the almonds overnight in the refrigerator.
- Get a ridiculously wonderful night of sleep.
- Wake up excited to strain the water from the almonds. Place the almonds in a blender. Fill the blender with new water until the almonds are covered. (Depending if you like creamy should determine how far above the almond you add water.)
- Blend.
- Cover the pitcher with the cheese cloth and rubber band. Pour the water and blended almond mixture into the cheese cloth. Squeeze all the liquid out of the cheese cloth.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive — to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” — Marcus Aurelius
