I used to be a morning person, I think quietly to myself as I manually lift one leg with my good hand off the bed and onto the floor, then the other.
Click, snap.
Muscles slowly remember how to muscle. Tendons begrudgingly tighten to support the bad hip. One foot, then another foot tests the carpet.
You got this, feet?
Standing feels like what a tree must feel while it inches up through the ground, only backwards.
Gravity’s a bitch.
But it just keeps growing.
This is just what we do now.
We just keep going.
* * *
In my twenties, I started every morning with a 5AM trail run up the Rocky Mountains. Crisp air, sore legs, and cravings for black coffee – a treat I’d get from my favorite café on the way home – Were things I looked forward to every day. My body was a temple and running was my ritual.
When you find yourself with an invisible illness and chronic pain at a relatively young age, everything changes. Now, the memory of those runs punctuate slow morning PT and pilates sessions made possible by anti-inflammatory foods, 9-hour sleep requirements and CBD. I can’t move quickly anymore without the help of my trusty herbs and healthy food choices, but my body still remembers the joy it got from running and still craves movement every day – followed by a nutrient dense bowl of plant based goodness. Little by little, I’m building my strength and no matter where it leads me, I’ll always be thankful for the ability to move.
I’ve reflected often on the fact that some of the strangely-lovely lessons chronic pain teaches us are also things we learn by running:
Stamina
Patience
Focus
Strength
And also, how to get up really, really early in the morning and start with whatever physical fitness you can muster. Then give yourself a big pat on the back and make yourself a gigantic and delicious minty smoothie bowl, because you’re damn worth it.
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do.
* * *
Minty Smoothie Bowl Recipe (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)
This recipe is something I adapted from one of my favorite food bloggers, Megan Gilmore over at Detoxinista (check her out, she is amazing!) Over the years, I’ve adjusted it to fit my tastes and nutritional needs. It’s a versatile recipe that really hits the spot on those mornings you are craving dessert, but also want to treat your body right.
Ingredients:
½ small or ¼ large ripe avocado
½ large or 1 small frozen banana
3 medjool dates, soaked in hot water for five minutes
1 Tbs chia seeds
½ tsp mint extract
¼ cup to ½ cup almond milk or other plantbased milk
1 cup frozen spinach leaves
Toppings: Hemp hearts, cocao nibs, mini dark chocolate chips, chopped fresh mint leaves, toasted coconut, nuts or nut butter, crushed candy canes, and/or any other delicious tiny thing that makes both your taste buds and body happy)
(Optional add-ins: Maca poweder, spirulina, plantbased protein powder, cocao powder, CBD tincture)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients plus any optional add-ins you like in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Pour into bowl and spoon on toppings. Devour joyously, contemplating how McDonald’s shamrock shake ain’t got nothing on your breakfast.
