A Coffee a Day…
I said I was going to share some tips on personal sustainability, but I have to take it back to bring it forward.
If you don't know, I LOVE Coffee.
I have a cup of Joe every morning. My roommate usually gets the day started with the sound of fresh ground beans. It’s becoming a morning ritual of mine to make my cup to my liking, open up my computer, and allow my fingers to dance leaving behind, hopefully, some pearls of wisdom for me to look back on… or at least some bits to make me chuckle. My past experience working in a coffee shop consisted of early mornings, tasty pastries, shenanigans, and getting used to that #LatteLife !
The smell of coffee in the morning helps me to jump start my brain. One sip, and I feel ready to take on the world. I know…
All of that is nice, but what does that have to do with wellness?
Wellness, in my opinion, encompasses more than just physical health. There's also mental, emotional, spiritual, and even financial health to consider. Only with the holistic consideration of all of the parts of the self can one truly harness their own blend of health, wellness, and freedom.
Furthermore, Optimization is a huge theme in my life right now. Personal sustainability is all about doing the things that make your life more efficient, bring you ease, and add to your own personal flavor of self-care! How can you make sure your action allow you to sustain the best life that you can live?
Coffee, my friends, allows the opportunity for a three-fer.
It may seem like a stretch to you, but for the avid coffee drinker, like myself, it’s a non-negotiable element in my day. So how can you make it work for you?
Let’s start with financial wellness. How much is your favorite coffee? Mine at Starbucks, I kid you not, is $6.66*. (Haha!!) Now 3-5 times a week, that's can be more than $30 a week! ($120 a month!)
The pandemic has allowed me to take a step back and enjoy the ritual of making and consuming coffee every day. I take the time to stir my coffee clockwise to call in intentions for the day or counterclockwise to clear blockages. I mindfully enjoy the flavors of my daily brew. #spiritualwellness
But baby!!, I'm ballin' in my budget. I brought my barista special home! I splurged for less than I'd spend in a week to make a buttered coffee with MCT oil for my #brainhealth and vegan creamer (sometimes with collagen) for the entire month! #financialhealth and #indulgence.
Some of you may not know that I also had a concussion years ago, but I still notice the effects on my brain function. My recall has been slower than in my youth, I’ve had much more prevalent anxiety, and I have to wear blue light glasses while working on the computer. I’ve noticed that this little change has allowed me to function much more consistently and with better performance. Many little changes make a big deal!
Lastly, it has been shown in those that drink more coffee (I believe 2+ cups a day), there are decreased incidents of Parkinson's Disease and lower risk of Liver Disease. A coffee a day keeps the sickness at bay!
Wanna know what I do?
1. Source your coffee!
As I said, I’m ballin’ on my budget. I’m a Costco girl and love my Ruta Maya. But sometimes I’ll splurge to support a small or black-owned business like Blk & Bold. Whatever it is, make sure you love it!
2. Figure out how you like to brew your brew!
Now on the daily, I run to a good ole’ trusty drip coffee. But when I’m feeling like I’m in a hurry, I’ll do a french press. What I really love in terms of flavor is a good pour-over. But either way, get your coffee hot “n” ready.
3. Get you some butter bombs and a good creamer.
Yes! Butter bombs are an amazing invention combining MCT Oil and butter and sometimes other flavors to make your coffee a creamy, beautiful cup of happiness. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a number of health benefits, such as increased energy levels during high-intensity exercise, increased endurance, helps to lower cholesterol, and increase brain function! Doesn’t that sound like a win?
4. Throw your coffee, your favorite creamer, a butter bomb, and somewhere between 1/8th and 1/4th cup of Chai concentrate in a blender.
Let her rip for about 10 seconds and enjoy!!
All of this to say, I love to indulge in a great cup of coffee especially in the comfort of my home. But I’ve noticed along with a few consistent changes that I do have more energy and I’m saving money!!
I'd love to hear more about it if you try this recipe and how you can make a simple shift in your day that can have a lasting impact. And more importantly, what’s your favorite kind of coffee?!
* “Angel Number 666 tells of the ability to use the imagination and the intellect combined to bring about positive outcomes. When 6’s appear repeatedly your angels are telling you to be aware to balance your thoughts, worries or concerns about material and financial issues, with a focus and faith in the spiritual. A positive vibration and focus will bring about positive results.”
(http://sacredscribesangelnumbers.blogspot.com/2011/10/angel-number-666.html)