I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
I’ve become a bit obsessed with morning (and nighttime) rituals lately; I’m slowly finding that they’re the secret to success for a more productive, more balanced (and just straight better) life.
My boyfriend is an avid Tim Ferriss devotee, which has made me, in turn, become a fan too. He’s the author of three NYT bestsellers (ever heard of The 4 Hour Work Week?) and drops a lot of knowledge on his super popular podcast. Tim talks a lot about the rituals of highly successful (and all around incredible) celebrities and individuals, pointing out the patterns in their habits in hopes of getting to the bottom of what makes them thrive.
The common theme among all of them? A few simple habits in the morning have the power to make your day great (and they really do matter). I’ve adopted a few of these so far myself, though I still have a ways to go in the meditation department… But alas, I’m taking it in baby steps so that I don’t bite off more than I can chew. With the help of Tim Ferriss and a few other inspiring reads, I rounded up five sure-fire ways to finally enjoy your mornings once and for all. I’d love to know what you do in the mornings to help you take on the day with a pep in your step. Cheers, Kat
Use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning, and keep your phone in another room. It will not only help you sleep better (less screen time as you unwind before bed), but it will also ensure that the start to your morning is devoted to your morning rituals. Uninterrupted YOU time and not answering to anyone else (emails, texts, Instagram, etc.).
Any exercises that strengthen your core will help your spinal alignment for the rest of your day, not to mention get your blood flowing. I’ve also read that an inversion has a dozen positive effects on your body…so get into that headstand! Because of their movements, yoga and pilates are great practice to incorporate into your morning rituals. And if that still sounds too aggressive for you, check out this no-excuses morning workout.
And of course, everyone’s heard that meditation is a key ingredient to success by now, especially for entrepreneurs. The app Headspace is a simple way to get started (and one that I’ll be trying soon!).
Journaling every morning for as little as five minutes can be just the thing your morning ritual is missing. By writing down what you’re grateful for, you’re starting your day feeling content, satisfied and blessed in different areas of your life. It’s a simple, proven way to improve well being and happiness…and everyone from athletes to movie stars to your neighbors and the UPS man are doing it (and so should you).
The Five Minute Journal is a great way to get started; its simple, structured format keeps the guesswork out of it.
Make Your Bed
Yorkville by kate spade new york Maraschino Dobbins Dot Pillow
According to Tim Ferriss, the simple act of making your bed gives you a feeling of accomplishment first thing in the morning. This is especially important for your productivity for the rest of the day because it encourages you to do even more tasks, ultimately enabling you to get more done.
Also, when working from home (*raises hand*), having a clean, organized environment greatly affects your productivity…less distractions = more GSDing.
Write Down Your Most Important Tasks of the Day (and Do Them First)
After you’ve made your bed and given your soul a little hug (through exercise or meditation), go ahead and write down the most important things you need to get done that day. By writing it all down and tackling the dire tasks first, you streamline your to-do list and boost your productivity levels. You’ll be feeling like a million bucks as you cross off the must-do’s, and that feeling of accomplishment will fuel you through the rest of the day.
Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha
It’s that time of year friends; I always find myself craving the hearty warmth of a bowl of chili come January. But with the new year’s goals to refresh, recharge and renew, I’m leaning towards a healthy, vegetarian (and vegan) option to satisfy those cravings. Enter my Vegetarian Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes…each bite is just as as comforting as it sounds.
Like nachos (you know I love my nachos as seen here, here and here), stuffed sweet potatoes offer a plethora of options for loading and stacking and filling. Here, I used a mixture of three types of beans (pinto, kidney and black beans) to make up the base of the chili. Next, I added white onion, green onion, garlic, a few jalapenos and all the spices to give it enough heat, and just a bit of corn to give it that sweet. See, I’m such a sucker for the culmination of the sweetness of the sweet potatoes with the spice of the cayenne, paprika and cumin. It’s the perfect counterbalance that has me going back for more and more. And with plenty of protein and fiber packed in each bite, I can happily say it’s an incredibly filling and healthy dish. Enjoy! Truly, MKR
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Toppings: chopped green onion, white onion, cilantro, sour cream (optional)
Instructions
Bake your sweet potatoes in the oven (400 degrees) until full cooked. 20-40 minutes depending on size. I like to wrap my sweet potatoes in tin foil and prick with a fork to allow for faster cooking.
While sweet potatoes are cooking begin your chili. Over medium heat, add oil to a deep pot or dutch oven and add garlic, onion, peppers, and jalepeno. Saute 5 minutes to soften vegetables. Next add vegetable broth, tomatoes, black beans, red kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn; stirring to combine.
Season chili with cumin, chili powder, cayenne, and salt. Thicken chili by stirring in tomato paste. Simmer over low heat about 10 minutes. Place sweet potatoes in a large casserole dish and split. Scoop chili over each potato and garnish with toppings. Enjoy!
By Mandy Kellogg Rye @ Waiting on Martha
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/
It’s funny how you start to feel little shifts in your body during your late twenties. Small aches and pains. Subtle changes in things you took for granted for years. I know I, for one, have started to feel faint back pain, I can no longer sit on the ground for long periods of time, and I’m pretty sure I have a case of “tech neck.” See, I’m at a computer all day, I’m guilty of slouching in chairs, and I can constantly be found checking my phone while I’m walking. I’m guilty of all of the bad habits.
Lately, I’ve realized how much this is affecting my posture in everyday life. Thanks to seeing myself in a few photographs recently, I’ve finally admitted to myself that my posture needs to drastically improve. Standing tall goes hand-in-hand with high self esteem in my book, and I want to be the one carrying myself well for years to come. Check out a few tips I’ve picked up in my recent research to help my back, give myself a little self-esteem boost, and ultimately have better posture once and for all. Cheers, Kat
Studies have shown us that wearing high heels takes its toll on your spine, hips, knees, ankles and feet, while altering your posture and gait. It places excess pressure on your knees, and takes your hips and spine out of alignment. Though we’ll never give them up for good, we’re trying to limit our wears for the sake of our posture.
Sitting with your legs crossed while you’re working causes your pelvis to roll forward. This will cause pressure on your lower back because your spine will be “unstacked.” Instead, sit with your feet flat on the ground if possible.
It’s a hard habit to break, but staying cognizant of it will help you slowly change for the better.
Stretching and exercises that help lengthen the muscles in your chest, forearms and biceps will help improve your overall posture. One of my favorites? A deep crescent lunge with hands energetically reaching for the sky. You can also work on having a stronger back with rowing or pulling motions; the shoulder blades will pull down and allow for you to have an easier time standing up straight later.
Don't Keep Your Hands in your Pockets When Standing
I’m guilty of doing this when I’m idle; shoving my hands in my pockets while waiting for something. But this small gesture actually does more bad than good. It leads to slouching shoulders, which will cause them to round and set your spine out of whack. Instead, try to keep your hands by the side of the body when you’re standing still.
If you’re at a computer all day, your computer monitor should be at eye level. Looking downward at for long periods of time creates excess strain on your neck. Furthermore, any cushion or prop you can use for your lower back is helpful. This back support does just the trick.
Stand with Your Feet Shoulder Width Apart, with Shoulders Back
Think you already do this? To test yourself, try standing against a wall. Everything except the head should touch the wall, everything lined up with the spinal cord. Your pelvis shouldn’t tilt forward, and everything should be stacked with your spine.
Swap Out Your Mattress
Select Luxury Medium Firm 14-inch Queen-Size Gel Memory Foam Mattress
You’ll be wise to look for a firm mattress, rather than a soft, pillowy one. It provides better support to the body while sleeping, helping the body remain in a perfectly aligned position as you sleep.
