I don’t like coffee, that all-American stimulant. I do, however, like to wake up in the morning before Z-baby, age four soon to be five, climbs on the cabinet to get the cereal and falls off or samples the cat’s food or . . .
So, since I don’t really wake up until two or three hours after I get out of bed, and since coffee/caffeine is not an option, I drink . . . hot chocolate. Every morning. I put the milk in the microwave, stir in the instant hot chocolate mix, preferably mint or raspberry flavored, and I drink. I drink mindlessly, and somehow by the time I finish my cup of hot chocolate, although I’m still not awake, I am alert enough to keep Karate Kid from building a campfire in my gameroom.
I’ve added a new element to my morning routine just this week, and I have yet to see how well it works. I’ve been getting up before most of the urchins, making my precious cup of hot chocolate, and taking it outside. I sit in the front yard, meditate, read my Bible, pray if my mind engages to that extent, and absorb some sunlight. I read that twenty minutes of sunlight per day will help you to sleep better at night. I don’t have much trouble sleeping, but I figure, what can it hurt? And it’s way easier than exercise, another addiction that like coffee has no place in my life.
It may be simple, but that’s exactly what I am in the mornings, and it works for me.
Visit Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer for more Works for ME Wednesday tips.
Great idea. I am a coffe drinker, but hot chocolate sounds like a good change. Good for you for getting some me time before all the activity begins.
ME TOO!!! You are the first person I’ve heard of doing this besides me! Mine isn’t flavored, but we are in the minority, aren’t we? I like to smell coffee, but NEVER touch the stuff!
My Hot Chocolate habit started when I began working at an office where 1) it was provided and 2) the coffee was awful. Since the hot cocoa didn’t give me that extra jolt that I had been so accustomed to, I started putting coffee in the hot cocoa, like a mocha drink. Yum! Over time, I slowly cut back on the coffee until I was at just hot cocoa. Since the ones they had there weren’t flavored, I also started mixing things in… when mint chocolate hershy kisses came out, I’d plot one in my cocoa and let it melt, and a touch of hazlenut coffee creamer in with the milk before you add the cocoa mix is good too.
Terrific idea. I’m a wintertime hot chocolate drinker, myself. I tend to do herbal teas in the summer. But, mmmm. Hot chocolate.
I have found if I do that, take a moment or two for myself. I am more relaxed and ready to tackle the day.
That instant hot chocolate is so much richer when you make it with milk, isn’t it? Me, I’m a coffee drinker but I like hot chocolate, too. And I’m like you–can’t get addicted to exercise. Although I should, LOL!
Hooray! I’ve found another non-coffee hot chocolate lover! There’s not many of us out there. I drink a cup of hot chocolate nearly every morning as well, year round! And I’ve been known to take it outside and watch the sun rise for some quiet time.
I posted about a while back about how I kick my hot chocolate up a notch. Go check it out here, http://overwhelmedwithjoy.blogspot.com/2006/07/works-for-me-wednesday-hot-chocolate.html, if you’re so inclined. 🙂
I don’t drink coffee either. can’t imagine how people stand the stuff. Not too fond of tea either. So hot chocolate is my only option there.
This is great- good for you for finding a way to carve out a little quiet time for yourself. If you can just solve the issue of no matter HOW early I get up, my children beat me. If I sleep till five, they are up at five, if I sleep till eight, they are up at eight. It is weird. It is like the KNOW if I want a little time to myself. 🙂
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I too am not a coffee drinker. I love Hot Chocolate in the winter and tea in the summer. Thank you for the tip on getting me time while I drink my hot chocolate or tea!
I AM a coffeean, but I’ve given up coffee this month. (Egads!) However, I’ve found goodness in a cuppa tea (British accent) to start my morning and in my afternoons I often splurge with a hot chocolate.
Who would have known that there WAS life after coffee? Variety IS the spice of life.
I always have a big can of hot choc mix at my house, it’s the all around great comfort thingy.
Great tip! I don’t drink coffee and only thought of drinking hot chocolate in the winter. Now I have a new idea
I’m not much of coffee drinker either, but I do like to mix 3/4 hot chocolate with coffee. Glad to see I’m not alone!