DIY: Coffee

Do you drink coffee in the morning? Yup, me too. Do you feel incomplete without it? Yeah, I know what you mean but. I digress... To satisfy that your craving Is part of your morning routine to pick up your coffee on the way to work at Starbucks, Dunkin, or perhaps the local coffee cart? I used to but, not anymore. Why? Because, I started looking at how much money my daily "treat yoself" Grande Soy Latte was costing me and, while $20 here and there to refill your Starbucks card doesn't seem like an excessive amount, it added up; I estimated to the tune of over $1000 in 6 months. Isn't that crazy? I know, that's what I thought too. To address the (caffeinated) leak in my spending I thought about alternatives AKA less expensive coffee sources but, the coffee carts/delis near my office aren't cranking out steamed soy milk beverages at all and the watery coffee from other places wasn't satisfying my caffeine craving. With no great alternatives popping up I realized that sometimes when you've gotta get things done (and satisfy your need for caffeine) you have to do it yourself. Which is what I am now doing as part of my morning routine. It's pretty simple, here's what you need.

Death Wish Ground Coffee, 16 Ounce

Get a coffee that you like. Flavored, Mild, Caffeine Free (wierdo) whatever floats your boat... perhaps try out some of the different offering at you local grocery store or head to a local coffee house or market so you can try some of their special blends. Whatever you end up picking make sure it's something you enjoy. If you really want to get fancy in your attempts to be your own barista you could grind your own beans at home for the freshest cup but, that move is a next level coffee maneuver.

Ozeri Deluxe Milk Frother and Whisk in Stainless Steel with Stand and 4-Frothing Attachments

If you are into fancy coffee beverages investing in a frother might be worth it. This was the one I picked even though they do get (much) more elaborate. I have an espresso/coffee maker combo at home and enjoyed whipping up the soy milk before I poured it into my espresso for a yummy latté. While it doesn't substitute the high steam of an industrial grade machine it's good for creating bubbles and frothing up you warm beverage.  

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug, 16-Ounce

Lastly you need the perfect vessel to transport your coffee to work in the morning. I cannot thank my cousin enough for her recommendation of the Zojirushi. It keeps your beverage hot or cold for hours and hours and hours (no exaggeration.) It was battle tested when my squad and I filled it with ice water and spent a day on Governors Island for the Jazz Age Lawn party. Even after hours in the sun in 100° plus weather there was still frigid water inside! I also use it on a daily for my morning coffee hot or cold. Don't believe me? Try it yourself... I'm sure you will be satisfied. 

Getting (Back) Into A Routine

This might come as a huge surprise but, routine is a big part of what makes my daily life function at peak efficiency. Shocker, I know... While I don't have every moment accounted for there are things I do at certain points in the day and on certain days of the week that help everything to flow without hiccups. For example, we all know about how critical mornings are but, I digress... That being said, when things get off track with my normal routine, however regimented it is or isn't,  there are immediate and sometimes inescapable ripples that taint the overall order of operations in my everyday life. Those effects can be difficult to overcome for a number of reasons both logistical and emotional; "How am I going to fit this back into my schedule?" "How did I left myself get out of this habit?" "I'm the worst..." I feel like you might know what I'm talking about. When that happens what are your tricks for getting back to your routine? Well, when I find myself in that situation, as I have before, the only thing there is to do is get back to it. Rudimentary? Yes. True? Also, yes! While it can be challenging, to say the least, to accomplish a return to previously established routines or habits successfully, the process can be easier if you approach it strategically.

• Simplify - What exactly are you trying to achieve? While there might be books you want to read, blog posts you want to write, languages you want to learn, events you want to go to, gym classes you want to stomp, culinary masterpieces you want to add to your repertoire, etc. you have to be realistic about what you can commit to and hone in on the things that are of highest priority. Don't overwhelm yourself trying to do it all, add new goals gradually as you accomplish others. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jul 27, 2012 at 12:49pm PDT

• Be Patient - Let's be real. It takes (on average) 30 days of doing the same thing repeatedly to form a habit. In order to stick with your routine you have to be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that you are still in the process of learning/getting better at whatever you are working towards. Don't expect everything to happen overnight and if takes longer that you expect that's okay. 
• Reward - Do you remember when you were younger and got rewarded for good behavior? Well it's time to treat yourself like a kid and give yourself a pat on the back; treat yourself to a fancy manicure, or whatever floats your boat when you stick with your routine. Frankly, if you are just churning away going to the gym, eating healthier, or doing your DuoLingo without reward it isn't going to stick. Reinforcing those good habits continuously will help you keep up with it.

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Sep 19, 2016 at 10:39am PDT

• Keep It Going - Just because you managed to reach your first, second, or fifteenth milestone doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels and stop tracking what you are doing/rewarding yourself for that job well done. I know, from experience, that if you do you will fall off the proverbial bandwagon and be faced with a similar challenge when you try to get back into a routine again. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Nov 9, 2013 at 11:00am PST

• Stuff Happens - That being said, sometimes things happen that cannot be planned for and you have to bite the bullet getting back to your routine. Hiccups along the way are to be expected even if you can't always plan for them. See the second bullet above and be patient with yourself again and give yourself a pat on the back for the small successes. The only thing to do at that point is keep moving forward with your goals in mind. 

Rise to a Morning Routine

I am an early bird, no questions about that. I can naturally wake up, get out of bed, and get started with my day by centering myself and tackling a few chores well before I have to head out for a standard work day. I find that by following my own morning routine on the regular my day starts off on the right foot. When I don't (for whatever reason) the days are often more harried and stressful. How about you? Well, I'm not saying you have to be like me but, maybe you would like to emulate Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer, or Michelle Obama AKA FLOTUS, just saying... These girlsbosses, as well as countless other high power individuals, make a point to get up early and start there days off with a routine which helps them be the best that they can be. Their successes are not unrelated flashes in the pan, they are due to hard work and intellect while being aided by good habits and best practices most notably (in this regard) their penchant for waking up early and getting things done. Here are some habits that you can incorporate into your mornings to make them a productive and fundamental part of your day.

• Wake Up - Not everyone is like me(/many other people) and can wake up in the morning without the aid of alarm of some kind. Find the alarm that works for you! Personally, if I need an alarm for the morning I like something that will gently coax me out of my slumber like the Uniqlo Wake up app or more melodic music. That being said, you might need something more jarring like your "Crossfit Grind" playlist or an alarm clock app that makes you solve a math problem before you can silence it. Better yet, how about one that doesn't have a snooze feature at all? 

We can exclaim our anger at governments [or people] or curse the sky at our own God but, there are moments when the higher power must come from within - Soledad O'Brien #quote #quotable #motivation #longweekend #mymonday #feelinggood #mondaymotivation #mm #niagarafalls #horseshoefalls #sunrise #mist #latergram #travelgram #instatravel #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 19, 2016 at 6:36am PST

• Enjoy the Silence - After you wake up (either independently or with assistance) pause and enjoy the sounds of stillness that are surrounding you. Hopefully, they entail something lovely, like birds chirping, and not your partner snoring but, take a pause either way... it might be the most calm point of your day and in turn a great opportunity for a moment of true "me time" and reflection. As Taj Mahal (the person, not the building) said, "Remember the feeling as a child when you woke up and morning smiled... it's time you felt like that again."
• Have a Drink - Most people are under-energized because they’re under-hydrated. Hydration is energy. Additionally, water fires up your metabolism, aides digestions, and helps your body flush out toxins. A room temperature glass of lemon water will do wonders for your body in terms of the aforementioned benefits as well as boosting your immune system (thanks, Vitamin C and potassium) and keeping you skin clear. It's that simple.

Thanks @smartwater for keeping me hydrated all through #nyfw #thirstynomore #quenched #yum #cool #refreshing #water #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:18pm PST

• Eat Breakfast - You have probably been hearing this since you were a little kid but, breakfast actually is the most important meal of the day no matter what time you get out of bed. Don't reach for that muffin though; a protein filled first meal will fuel you throughout the course of the day. These type of foods are more filling than carbs and will help you stay alert as well as stave off random cravings because of that full feeling. Additionally, if you are killing it with you workout in the morning you need to refuel your muscles.    

Trying out this #glutenfree thing starting with breakfast this morning. Boiled eggs and greek yogurt with a honey drizzle #yum #nomnom #gfree #gfreelife #gfreeme #amfood #breakfasttime #homemade #instafood #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:11am PST

• Read a Book - Magazine, newspaper, grocery circular, or whatever else is lying around. Reading will get your brain moving! More specifically, stay off-line (if you can) for a bit longer. Don't check your email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. first. Chances are you are going to spend the rest of your day in front of a computer so this is a good time you give your eyes a rest. If all of your reading material is on an electronic device (it happens) make sure to avoid email for a bit. All of the social networking/communication outlets are black holes that will suck you in and before you know it it's time to go to work.   

Beach reads @time @newyorkermag #vaca #vacation #travelgram #beach #lightreading #longweekend #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 31, 2015 at 1:01pm PST

• Exercise - For me this means going to the gym and hitting a yoga or spin class but, for you that might mean something different like stretching or doing some calisthenics but, either way movement is key! You've just spent hours lying down in some sort of awkward sleep position so it only makes sense to be nice to your body and extend your limbs in some manner.  Besides, studies show your "Crossfit Grind" playlist exercise, of any kind, will help you feel more alert and motivated throughout the course of the day. 

Good morning 🌞 #riseandgrind #notaresolution #spinning #gymlife #fitness #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Apr 30, 2015 at 3:58am PDT

• Set Some Goals - I'm not saying work on your new year resolution/life plan before you leave for work (unless that's an integral part of accomplishing it) but, jot down a few things that you would like to get off your plate throughout the day or set up your "to-do" list. I am a big believer in the tenet that it is easier to remember things when you put a pen to paper and write them down. Overall, checking them off feels so satisfying, right? Yes! I'm glad I'm not the only one... 

Make a plan, get it done ✔ @thedaydesigner @popsugarmh #mondaymotivation #morningmotivation #mm #mondayvibes #busy #getitdone #getitgirl #girlboss #worklife #balance #organization #ocd #kindof #instadaily #igdaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Mar 21, 2016 at 3:42am PDT

• Get Something (little) Done - This is a next level morning routine trick if you have the time. Since I, personally, am more productive in the morning it works for me to take a few minutes to load the dishwasher, do some mise en place for dinner, or clear off a cluttered surface. I'm not saying I'm going to start scrubbing my bathroom top to bottom but, if I can knock a small task off my daily to do list before I leave for work, that is a win! Bonus: that positive and productive feeling tends to stay with me through the morning, at least, if not until the end of the day.  
• Mind Your Time - Overall I think it is important to be mindful of how much time all your morning ablutions take you to complete. You'd be surprised how much time flies when you are completing a seemingly rote task or vice versa; maybe the things you perceive as taking a very long time really only take a few moments. Either way having a grasp of how long things take you helps you to be more timely overall. In turn that will allow you to plan out your mornings and incorporate these great tips!