FOOD & HEALTH
Get Moving in The Mornings
Whether you’re a working parent or you stay at home with the kiddos, if you struggle to be an early riser, check out these tips to help you start the day off right. BY HOLLEY GRAINGER, MS, RD The world seems to be divided into two types of people: those who are morning people, and those who are not. Doesn’t it seem like some folks are just born with the innate ability to wake up in the morning well-rested, refreshed, and ready to conquer the world, while others of us can’t even make it to work or the carpool line on time without a giant coffee stain down the fronts of our shirts? For those of you who fall into the second half of that statement, fear not! While stress-free mornings may be second-nature for some, there are several habits, techniques, and hacks that the rest of us can adopt to—little by little—become more of a morning person. We all know the importance of getting a a good night of sleep, but below are six additional tips to help get your moving in the mornings. Adopt an a.m. routine. Even if it’s something as simple as having coffee in the same chair every morning, having a consistent regimen that you follow every day can help get your mind on the right track for the day. Other ideas: a coldwater face splash first thing when you get out of bed, keeping a notepad and pen (or the Notes app on your phone) handy for making a morning to-do list, or a quick walk or even a few minutes of stretching to clear your head. CONTINUED ON PAGE 21
20 Bham Family February 2022
MAKE-AHEAD BREAKFAST Mornings in our household are nothing short of hectic. We are a bunch of sleepyheads, so trying to get my girls dressed and out PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOLLEY GRAINGER the door on time Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats is nothing short of can be prepped ahead for a quick chaotic. Thankfully, and easy morning meal. make-ahead recipes for breakfast give us a few extra minutes to sit down together for a wholesome meal. Enter overnight oats: the best make-ahead breakfast ever. Overnight oats can be customized with any of your favorite flavors, but I’m a big fan of using apples, cinnamon, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and berries. APPLE-CINNAMON OVERNIGHT OATS This recipe combines heart-healthy oats, ground flaxseed, and walnuts for a delicious make-ahead breakfast. 1 cup old-fashioned oats 1 tsp. to 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup 1% milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts (divided) 1/2 cup chopped apples (divided) Vanilla Greek yogurt or peanut butter, optional Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl or mason jar. Stir until combined. Add half of the walnuts and apples; stir. Refrigerate overnight for 6 to 8 hours. When ready to eat, stir in remaining walnuts and apples, and top with vanilla Greek yogurt or peanut butter, if desired.
