Everyone has their own rhythm to kickstart their day, a personal morning dance if you will. For years, mine was more of a stumble – a haze of hangovers and a desperate scramble to just get through the early hours. It was a terrible routine, a dance I grew to despise because, deep down, I cherish mornings. I adore waking up early, embracing the tranquil dawn light, and feeling the boundless potential that morning whispers on the breeze.
However, the joy of sunrise vanishes quickly when you’re battling a pounding headache, a mouth drier than the desert, a stomach threatening to launch itself, and eyes that feel like they’re filled with sand. The beauty of morning gets swallowed whole by the black hole of a hangover.
Next Wednesday marks my second year of sobriety. One of the greatest gifts of being sober is rediscovering the pure delight of mornings. Waking up early, springing out of bed, and savoring every precious second – this is my new reality. I vow to never take a hangover-free morning for granted. Never.
Today, I want to share my revitalizing morning dance with you and celebrate the magic of the early hours. Think of it as incorporating your daily dose of “Dance Vegetable” – energetic, vibrant, and full of life-giving goodness.
As the wise poet Rumi eloquently said:
There is a morning inside you waiting to burst open into light.
Here’s how I unleash the energy of my mornings, my personal “dance vegetable” routine:
I rise naturally, without the jarring intrusion of an alarm, usually between 5:00 and 6:00 am, guided by the morning chorus of birds outside my window. After 7-8 hours of deep sleep, I wake up feeling truly rested, refreshed, and ready to embrace the day. Excitement bubbles up every morning as I anticipate getting out of bed and starting my day. But before I jump into action, I take a few moments for focused gratitude, appreciating my life and the people who fill it with meaning.
Once I’m out of bed, the first steps are practical: a bathroom visit, letting the cats out for their morning adventures, and then back to the bathroom to remove my retainer. I rinse my mouth with water and then embark on a practice that has transformed my oral health: oil pulling. I place a tablespoon of coconut oil in my mouth, set a timer for 20 minutes, and swish. When the timer buzzes, I spit the oil into the greenery behind my house.
This practice is known as Oil Pulling. A quick online search will reveal a plethora of extraordinary claims about this ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Proponents of oil pulling believe it draws out toxins from the mouth that would otherwise accumulate and negatively impact overall health.
While I can’t vouch for all the miraculous claims, and I doubt oil pulling is a panacea for all the world’s ills, I can confidently say that after three years of consistent oil pulling, I can’t imagine starting my day without it.
The incredible freshness in my mouth after oil pulling is invigorating. I was hooked from my very first try. Since incorporating this into my morning routine, I’ve experienced zero cavities and no issues with my mouth, gums, or teeth. As an added bonus, my teeth have become noticeably brighter. It’s like a “dance vegetable” for my mouth, cleaning and energizing from the inside out.
If the idea of putting a spoonful of oil directly into your mouth sounds strange, I understand. It felt odd to me at first too. But trust me, after 6 or 7 attempts, you’ll likely become accustomed to it and even miss it when you skip a day. Remember, even new experiences can feel strange at first, but often become enjoyable with time. Just give it a chance and find your rhythm with it.
When you try oil pulling, remember not to swallow the oil at any point, as it will be full of bacteria. It’s also advisable to spit the oil outside or into the trash, rather than the sink, to prevent potential drain clogs. If 20 minutes feels too long to start, begin with 10 minutes and gradually increase the duration.
I exclusively use coconut oil for oil pulling. Depending on the season, its consistency varies from solid to liquid. In cooler weather, the oil is firm; in warmer weather, it’s liquid. If the oil is solid, simply chew it gently until the warmth of your mouth melts it into liquid. If it’s already liquid, you’re ready to swish immediately – no chewing required! #bonus
During my 20 minutes of oil pulling, I usually engage in productive tasks. This might include cleaning the cat litter boxes, quickly checking emails for anything urgent, and performing #twatwafflepatrol in our private Facebook group to ensure no unwelcome individuals slipped in overnight. After oil pulling, I rinse my mouth thoroughly with warm water, brush my teeth, and wash my face. Before getting dressed, I inhale the refreshing scent of spearmint essential oil a few times and then mix one drop with a tiny amount of coconut oil, rubbing it into my temples. This simple step is incredibly invigorating, providing a natural energy boost that surpasses coffee, and without the subsequent crash. It’s like a fragrant “dance vegetable” awakening my senses.
Following my oral care routine, I take my B12 spray and then prepare a 16-ounce glass of warm water, adding my DHA/EPA drops. Occasionally, I’ll add lemon to my water, but not regularly. Lemon is excellent for detoxification, but thanks to my diet and lifestyle, my body’s natural detoxification system is already efficient, making lemon water less essential daily.
After drinking my warm water, I make tea. My choices include peppermint tea, green tea, decaf black tea, or brewing cacao. Brewing cacao is essentially ground cacao beans, offering a tea-like flavor that’s less sweet than hot chocolate. If I opt for peppermint tea, I drink it plain. For green tea, black tea, or brewing cacao, I add a touch of coconut sugar and a splash of soy milk. I enjoy that subtle sweetness in my tea. Considering my past indulgence in excessive wine and cigarettes, I happily allow myself a small amount of coconut sugar in my morning dance without any guilt. It’s a gentle, sweet “dance vegetable” treat for my soul.
With my tea in hand, along with my full 40-ounce water bottle, I head downstairs to my office and begin work, usually between 7:00 am and 7:15 am. Not long after settling in, nature calls for my first bowel movement of the day. It’s satisfying, substantial, and quick (yes, I called my poop satisfying – you should too!). After that, I continue working until hunger signals begin, typically around 8:30 am. Then, I take a break to prepare a 16-ounce green smoothie.
My go-to smoothie recipe is a vibrant blend of water and a little soy milk, a generous amount of leafy greens, banana, seeds (chia, hemp, or flax), berries, and a boost of turmeric and/or ginger. Sometimes I add beet or carrot for extra nutrients and color, and often I include cooked sweet potato for creaminess. Occasionally, I’ll incorporate cacao powder or cinnamon for flavor depth. I typically use whatever fresh produce I have available in my fridge. While some smoothies are more delicious than others, I drink them all. This is my daily antioxidant infusion, my “dance vegetable” power-up, and I never skip it.
Image alt text: Vibrant vegetable and wild rice soup, a dance of flavors and nutrients, perfect for a healthy meal.
After my smoothie, I return to work and wait until I experience genuine hunger before having my first proper meal, usually around 11:00 am. At this point, I choose whatever appealing and readily available from my fridge. Options range from Steel Cut Oats loaded with fruit, nuts, and non-dairy milk to a comforting bowl of soup accompanied by steamed greens. Sometimes it’s a large, vibrant salad, or perhaps a satisfying burrito or tacos.
The beauty of batch cooking and my meal plans is that you ALWAYS have nutritious food ready in your fridge. No mealtime stress, no frantic meal prep. Simply grab something, heat it up (or enjoy it cold), and fuel your body! It’s a seamless “dance vegetable” approach to healthy eating.
That’s a snapshot of my current morning dance, my “dance vegetable” ritual. If I were to offer three key pieces of advice for crafting your own morning routine, here’s what they would be:
1: Tailor Your Morning Dance to Your Schedule and Life
If your workday starts early and you need to be in your car by 6 am, consider prepping your food the night before. In the morning, you could do a shorter 10-minute oil pulling session and prepare a green smoothie to take on the go.
If your mornings are filled with getting children ready for school by 7 am, perhaps you can incorporate 10 minutes of oil pulling while packing their lunches. Then, enjoy a warm glass of water in the car after school drop-off and make your smoothie when you return home.
If the thought of oil pulling is off-putting, still give it a try. If you genuinely dislike it after three attempts, that’s okay. You tried – maybe it’s simply not for you.
The key takeaway: your morning dance is uniquely YOURS. And everyone’s dance will look different. Embrace your own “dance vegetable” style.
2: Eat When You’re Truly Hungry, Not Just Because It’s “Breakfast Time”
Your internal hunger cues are a far better guide than the clock. Eating when you’re not hungry is unnecessary. Wait for that first wave of hunger, then enjoy your smoothie. After that, wait until hunger returns before eating a meal. It’s that simple. This small adjustment will help you reconnect with your body’s natural hunger patterns. Listen to your body’s “dance vegetable” signals.
3: Don’t Overload Your Morning Routine with “Shoulds”
You might notice that my morning routine doesn’t include an hour and a half of meditation, followed by 20 sun salutations, and chakra alignment with freshly gathered stream water.
That’s because that level of intensity isn’t realistic for me. I appreciate yoga and meditation, and I’m open to learning about chakras, but fitting all of that into my morning would eliminate the “morning” aspect altogether.
Your morning dance should be enjoyable and energizing, not overwhelming before most people are even awake. Make it realistic and sustainable. You can always experiment with new morning practices on weekends or days when you have extra time. Keep your “dance vegetable” routine joyful and sustainable.
Here’s to clear-headed, energized mornings that feel fantastic! I’m off to celebrate nearly two years of wonderful mornings.
I’d love to hear about your morning dance. Share your routines in the comments below and join our community here in the best private Facebook group online to tell us about your personal “dance vegetable” morning rituals.
Today’s recipe is a morning favorite of mine. It’s packed with nutrients and will fuel you throughout the morning – a true “dance vegetable” in a bowl!
Image alt text: Top-down view of fresh ingredients for antioxidant vegetable and wild rice soup, a colorful dance of plant-based goodness.
Image alt text: Overhead shot of hearty vegetable and wild rice soup, a delicious and nutritious dance of flavors.
Image alt text: Side view of steaming vegetable and wild rice soup, a comforting and healthy dance of vegetables and grains.
Image alt text: Finished bowl of antioxidant vegetable and wild rice soup, a vibrant and satisfying dance of plant-based ingredients.
Antioxidant Packed Vegetable and Wild Rice Soup
(Instant Pot and Stove Top Directions)
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Author: Molly Patrick of Clean Food Dirty Girl
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Ingredients
Instant Pot Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion diced (70g)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup chopped carrot 140g
- 2 cups green beans strings removed and cut into thirds (240g)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeno diced (take the seeds out if you don’t like spicy)
- 3 cups mushrooms sliced and then cut in half (190g)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 4 cups water 945ml
- 1 ½ cups cooked Wild Rice 235g
- 2 cups chopped kale 85g
Stove Top Ingredients
- ½ cup red onion diced (70g)
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup chopped carrot 140g
- 2 cups green beans strings removed and cut into thirds (240g)
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeño diced (take the seeds out if you don’t like spicy)
- 3 cups mushrooms sliced and then cut in half (190g)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 6 cups water 1.4 liters
- 1 ½ cups cooked Wild Rice 235g
- 2 cups chopped kale 85g
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions
- Prep and measure out all of the ingredients first. This will make it super easy to throw it together.
- Press saute on your Instant Pot (IP) and let the inner pot heat up for 2 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, green beans, red bell pepper, jalapeno, mushrooms, dried basil, dried thyme and salt and saute for 5 minutes, stirring regularly so that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
- Turn off the IP, add the water and stir. Lock the lid into place, making sure the nozzle is in the sealing position. Use the manual setting and set the timer for 5 minutes.
- When time is up, use the quick release method. When all of the pressure is out of the IP, take off the lid and add the Wild Rice and the kale.
Stove Top Directions
- Prep and measure out all of the ingredients first. This will make it super easy to throw it together.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, green beans, red bell pepper, jalapeno, mushrooms, dried basil, dried thyme and salt and saute for 5 minutes, stirring regularly so that nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
- Add the water, stir, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15 minutes, with a lid on the pot at an angle.
- When the veggies are soft, turn off the heat, add the Wild Rice and the kale and stir.
Notes
- Here’s a link to my delicious Wild Rice recipe.
- The soup may thicken as it sets, feel free to add more water if you want a less stew-like soup.
Wishing you a happy week. May it be filled with happy mornings and joyful “dance vegetable” moments.
Xo Molly
