A New Series That Has Nothing and Everything To Do with the Year Winding Down
Things are about to get crazy, and I'm here to give you a little escape.
It’s a week before Thanksgiving, which means we’re entering into a season where many things are measured on “only X amount of days until … the company holiday party, winter break, Kwanzaa, Xmas, Hanukkah, end of Q4.”
I’m sure you’ve got other things on your calendars than those mentioned above.
And let’s not even start on the shopping, decorating, parties, baking, and wrapping. All on top of our regularly scheduled crazy.
I think it’s fair to say we’ve all got a lot on our plates.
To which the 8th grader who permanently resides in my head replies, “No sh!t, Sherlock. Tell me something I don’t know. Or better yet, tell me some things that will help me keep it together as we wind down the year while also doing five thousand things.”
Well, Leg Warmer, Over-permed, Abbey with glasses thicker and bigger than a Pizza Hut Pan Pizza (who remembers?), I’ll tell you how we’re going to manage.
With easy, fun systems to help us manage the chaos.
With information and distractions.
Morning/noon/night routine ideas.
Daily naps. (This YouTube is my ticket to paradise.)
Podcasts. YouTubes.
Recipes. Sales. Trip Ideas.
Wellness tips.
In other words, all the things I usually share, but I’m delivering them to you bit by bit, so you can fully digest the info.
Sound good?
This week, we’re starting with morning-related topics. Not a hodge-podge of random ideas, but rather some concentrated tips to help us start our days out on the right foot.
In today’s issue, you’ll find:
breakfast ideas
coffee suggestions and coffee alternatives
Aminos. Do we need them? And WTH are they?
digestion talk - (IYKYK)
podcasts & YouTubes that discuss all of the above and more.
A few bonus surprises that align with the season.
So basically, if you want to start your day out right… keep reading.
Let’s Start with Coffee Talk
COFFEE AND COFFEE ALTERNATIVES (IF YOU MUST):
This coffee blurb is actually my way of doing research. I have no affiliation with any coffee and no current favorites. Instead, I’m looking for a new blend that’s organic, tasty, and with low acidity. This lineup seems to check a lot of those boxes, and I’m also considering trying coffee from Kion (pricey but clean…), Canyon Coffee from Thrive Market, or just sticking with this one I’ve tried and like - Equal Exchange.
When it comes to coffee alternatives, my first thought is always WHY? But I know, I know… I might feel better if I’m not all jacked up on caffeine every day. So… I'm investigating the mighty matcha (Web MD likes it) and might try one of these top-ranked varieties or stick with the ones I’ve heard influencers peddling (this is why matcha is so popular)… like this one. (Open to suggestions!)
BREAKFAST OPTIONS WITH A TON OF VARIATIONS:
Overnight oats - starting with the recipe used for Princess Diana’s overnight oats. WHAT? (Princess Di was head of her time!) Plus, super simple overnight oats (on a really cool, healthy site), plus some overnight oats if you’re like me and don’t really dig oats.
Yogurt bowls that are to die for… the nut butter is the secret sauce on this one, this bowl is one part pretty and one part nutritious to make for an am delight, and this one has a touch of honey - what do you think of that?
* PAUSING FOR A COMMERCIAL BREAK *
Since we’re talking yogurt bowls and such, I thought I’d share my prefs:
When it comes to yogurt, I go back and forth. I normally avoid dairy, but I somehow can tolerate organic Greek yogurt which explains why I buy these (dairy-full) Greek yogurts: FAGE brand (comes in lactose-free), Maple Hill 100% Grassfed Organic, Cabot Creamery (10%of profits go to farm families, plus they’re a B Corp, and I really like their logo), and Kirkland signature organic Greek yogurt (always such a great deal). I always get plain because the other flavors usually have so much added sugar.
Non-dairy yogurt options - Forager Project, Harmless Harvest, Cocojune (so creamy) also love taking spoonfuls of Cocoyo and Coconut Cult for probiotic treats. And OMG, I need to find the Rasperry Candy Cane special Coconut Cult (sugar count not too bad at 6g)… looks divine!
I like to deck my yogurt bowls out. (Shy, I am not.) Topping choices include organic almond butter (Costco brand ) or sunflower seed butter (Sun Butter Organic), Go Raw Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Frozen raspberries or blueberries (heated in microwave for a warm treat on top of yogurt), and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts (from Costco or Thrive Market). And if I have chocolate chips (Lilly’s brand) you bet I’ll throw some on.
BACK TO THE BREAKFAST OPTIONS
These protein pancakes look so easy it’s criminal. And good golly Miss Molly, these protein waffles are also easy to make and low carb too. Score! I’m totally going to try these two ingredient (!) fluffy waffles.
Didn’t see this one coming, did ya? - A cottage cheese Blizzard that’s “better than Dairy Queen.”
Wait, did you say you prefer a savory breakfast? No prob, I’ve got you covered like a wagon on Little House on the Prairie, thanks to these ideas from Pioneer Woman. And if the Pioneer Woman doesn’t do it for you, here are 15 more savory ideas. (I’m intrigued by the Cauliflower Egg Muffins and the Sweet Potato Avocado Hash.)
Notice I don’t have any smoothie or smoothie bowl recipes above. That’s because I’m trying to get away from them a bit… but also because I’m in search of new, CLEAN protein powders. (Please share any protein recs below.)
NEXT UP … AMINOS. WHAT ARE THEY AND DO WE NEED THEM?
I’ve been hearing a lot about EAAs (Essential Amino Acids) lately, and am beginning to think they might be helpful. What are they? I’m no scientist, so I asked the Perplexity aliens to explain what EAAs are and why you might want to take them, “Essential amino acids (EAAs) are crucial nutrients your body cannot make, and taking them helps preserve muscle mass, stimulate protein synthesis, support immune and metabolic health, and aid recovery and energy—benefits especially important for maintaining strength and overall wellness as you age.”
Wellness expert (and Substacker) Liz Plosser believes in EAAs and discussed them, along with other “Nutrition & Women’s Health Hacks to Support Midlife & Beyond,” on this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast.
IN OTHER PODCAST NEWS, LET’S TALK ABOUT DIGESTION
(This seems like a good spot for a paywall…)