My Fresh Morning Routine (delectable chia seed pudding recipe inside)
Article Published for The Vital Creative Collection, Written by Casey Balon
Photo by Gian Cescon
4 avenues for daily nourishment
As the season shifts, I shift, and how I desire to enter into the day evolves along the way.
In some seasons, my daily practice is to be so presently available for my life — and the creative ventures that are right in front of me — that I spring out of bed deeply, inherently invorgated. In other chapters, a decadent morning practice is the exact medicine required to launch me into a vibrant (and vital) expression of the day.
What remains consistent (whether placed at the beginning of my day, or as anchor points throughout the day) is devotion to body, mind, connection, creativity, and spirit.
Here’s a glimpse into what this refresh for Winter, 2024 looks like for me…
Photo by Carl Barcelo
nourishment avenue no. 1: body intelligence & family care
hydrate with mineralized water & take symbiotic
pet care (and love)
5 minutes in direct sunlight with bare feet on the grass
Gua Sha, skin and teeth care
3-minute cold shower at the end of my regular shower
stretch, dance, walk (no matter if I do additional training later in the day or not, moving my body is essential)
connection with family
Photo by Hannah Busing
Nutrition Focus in this Season:
Intuitively derived from a ‘fruit in the morning’ approach, I typically eat a few hours after waking. On the days when I am hungry early on, I eat earlier.
Many days, this looks like a pineapple, raspberry, blueberry, coconut, mango, ginger, and protein smoothie. On cozier mornings, I like to begin with a warm chia pudding.
Chia Seed Pudding Recipe:
The Ingredients:
1.5 tablespoons of whole black chia seeds (brand I’m loving: Prana Organic Bio)
2 organic sun-dried figs (sliced up)
1/2 banana (sliced up)
1/4 cup vanilla oat milk (gently warmed on medium heat for a few minutes beforehand)
a sprinkle of sea salt
a dash of cinnamon
a tiny sprinkle of garam spice
Place the chia seeds, figs, and banana in a small bowl. Pour the warm oat milk over top. Sprinkle the salt, cinnamon, and garam on top. Give a gentle last stir, and top with a few blueberries or raspberries. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, while making a home-made latte, journaling, or spending time with family. (Right now, I’m enjoying a pour-over made with original bulletproof coffee, collagen, and oat milk — all blended together to create that perfect froth.)
Photo by Jason Briscoe
nourishment avenue no. 2: emotional wellbeing & internal processing
The most effective way to enter into my creative work and entrepreneurial tasks (as well as the rest of my day) is through an integrated sense of self (not to mention, a potent energy of self-acceptance, compassion, and intention).
Before I dive into the simple elements of my fall practice (my internal “toolkit”), it is important to mention that I am well-versed in therapies such as Internal Family Systems, Conscious Connected Breathwork, and other Psychosomatic modalities. While getting to know myself as a creative and writer, I have worked with therapists, had coaches for many years, and attended multiple retreats along the way. I also have 4 years of experience as a professional mentor, creative CEO, speaker, and curator of embodiment programs. Prior to that, I received 8 years of post-secondary education in physiology, pharmacology, and pharmacy. I share all this to say, I am grateful to have an established, deeply intuitive, and conscious partnership with my body — a body I am forever getting to know a little bit more intimately every day. I am sharing the tools that work for me in this autumn season, with no intent to suggest they would be a perfect fit for you and your individual process.
These are the tools I currently access in my emotional wellbeing & internal processing toolkit:
free-writing and journaling on current patterns, emotional charges, generational beliefs, identity & archetypes, aligned action & opportunities, as well as my valued experiences/life sensations
1-2 minutes of a self-led IFS meditation (here’s an outside one by Dr. Richard Schwartz, the founder of IFS/Parts Work: link)
a few minutes of conscious connected breathwork
Photo by Dane Wetton
nourishment avenue no. 3: spiritual clarity
The most integral, sustaining asset in my life has been creating and building on the foundation of faith — my internal locus, and my relationship with God.
prayer
active surrender (available to listen)
reading aligned texts
Photo by Alex Quezada
nourishment avenue no. 4: mental fortitude & creative focus
One of the ways I generate vitality is by pouring myself into meaningful work, as well as creative projects. It is quite simple, but requires I show up to my life in an intentional — energized and honest — way.
When I am focused, I radiate, and my work radiates too.
utilizing my Human Design (especially by following my Strategy and Authority)
sketching out my “Top 3” focus for the day (which are often fluid and web-like, as I work on writing long-form articles and developing Creative Campaigns)
creating ‘a vibe’/creative cocoon, while being resilient enough to work in a multiplicity of environments (especially when I am traveling)
Photo by Gladys Arivia
— Casey Balon, Editor-in-Chief of Casey Jacque
