The Beauty of a Proper Sit-Down Breakfast
Start every day the right way. Create a cheery spot at home where you can treat yourself to a real sit-down breakfast each morning
Rather than beginning the day in a mad rush, grabbing something to eat on your way out the door, imagine sitting down in a lovely little breakfast nook and coddling yourself, if only for 10 minutes, as you enjoy a full meal along with your coffee or tea. Sitting down to a proper breakfast in the morning (even on weekdays) isn’t just good for your health; it can also set the tone for your entire day. Yes, it may mean getting up earlier than usual, but perhaps these tips and ideas will be the motivation you need to set your alarm for an earlier wake-up time.
Remember your best breakfasts
Think back to all of the breakfasts you’ve enjoyed – which were the most memorable? Perhaps it was breakfast on the terrace of the hotel on your honeymoon, or a lazy Sunday as a kid with mile-high stacks of pancakes? Try to pin down exactly what says ‘ultimate breakfast experience’ to you.
Now list the details that went into that breakfast. Are there one or two things you could re-create at home? Find a spot in the sun, put flowers on your breakfast tray or pour your orange juice into a fancy glass – anything to make your breakfast extra special.
Think back to all of the breakfasts you’ve enjoyed – which were the most memorable? Perhaps it was breakfast on the terrace of the hotel on your honeymoon, or a lazy Sunday as a kid with mile-high stacks of pancakes? Try to pin down exactly what says ‘ultimate breakfast experience’ to you.
Now list the details that went into that breakfast. Are there one or two things you could re-create at home? Find a spot in the sun, put flowers on your breakfast tray or pour your orange juice into a fancy glass – anything to make your breakfast extra special.
What to make
People tend to be particular about breakfast, so you probably have a good idea already of what you’d like to eat. That said, it can be easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut, to the point where breakfast no longer sounds appealing, just something you have to force down before heading out the door.
Make breakfast tempt you again by trying something new, or at least a new twist on an old favourite. Try a fresh-fruit smoothie, baked oatmeal, French toast made with day-old brioche, fruit salad with mint or the cafe classic: bacon, eggs and toast.
People tend to be particular about breakfast, so you probably have a good idea already of what you’d like to eat. That said, it can be easy to get stuck in a breakfast rut, to the point where breakfast no longer sounds appealing, just something you have to force down before heading out the door.
Make breakfast tempt you again by trying something new, or at least a new twist on an old favourite. Try a fresh-fruit smoothie, baked oatmeal, French toast made with day-old brioche, fruit salad with mint or the cafe classic: bacon, eggs and toast.
Make your morning drink worth sitting down for
Don’t settle for a sub-par beverage first thing in the morning. Make slow-brewed pour-over coffee, choose a wonderful loose-leaf tea or make your own freshly-squeezed juice. Now sit down and savour it!
Don’t settle for a sub-par beverage first thing in the morning. Make slow-brewed pour-over coffee, choose a wonderful loose-leaf tea or make your own freshly-squeezed juice. Now sit down and savour it!
Indulge yourself
Feel like having scrumptious baked doughnuts for breakfast, or croissants filled with fluffy scrambled eggs? I say, why not? No one can exist on kiwi-kale smoothies alone. Besides, if you are going to indulge, morning is as good a time as any to do it – you’ve got the whole day to burn it off.
Feel like having scrumptious baked doughnuts for breakfast, or croissants filled with fluffy scrambled eggs? I say, why not? No one can exist on kiwi-kale smoothies alone. Besides, if you are going to indulge, morning is as good a time as any to do it – you’ve got the whole day to burn it off.
Create a cosy nook, no excuses
So you live in a tiny apartment, or your kitchen hasn’t been renovated since the ‘70s? That doesn’t mean you can’t make your space more comfortable and inviting. Track down a tiny table and chairs that fit your kitchen, hang art, bring in some cut flowers and fill a pretty bowl with fruit. Make your kitchen a place you want to spend time in, and you’ll be much more likely to use it.
So you live in a tiny apartment, or your kitchen hasn’t been renovated since the ‘70s? That doesn’t mean you can’t make your space more comfortable and inviting. Track down a tiny table and chairs that fit your kitchen, hang art, bring in some cut flowers and fill a pretty bowl with fruit. Make your kitchen a place you want to spend time in, and you’ll be much more likely to use it.
Alternative breakfast spots
Of course, there is no law that says you must eat breakfast in the kitchen. Perhaps you would rather create a cosy breakfast area in the living room or dining room, or at a sunny bedroom window. Or there’s always your bed!
Of course, there is no law that says you must eat breakfast in the kitchen. Perhaps you would rather create a cosy breakfast area in the living room or dining room, or at a sunny bedroom window. Or there’s always your bed!
Make breakfast a habit
Once you try sitting down in the morning to eat something that requires a fork and napkin, it will hopefully be such a lovely change of pace that you feel inspired to do it more often.
To make the habit stick, plan your breakfasts in advance, putting at least two tasty breakfast options into rotation each week. If you find yourself short on time in the mornings, do as much you can the night before, from setting the table to doing some cooking prep.
TELL US
Do you sit down to breakfast most mornings, or do you eat on the run? Let us know in the Comments section below.
MORE
How to Slow Your Life Down
Designs for Living: Cosy Breakfast Corners
Give Yourself More Free Time With the Help of Habits
Once you try sitting down in the morning to eat something that requires a fork and napkin, it will hopefully be such a lovely change of pace that you feel inspired to do it more often.
To make the habit stick, plan your breakfasts in advance, putting at least two tasty breakfast options into rotation each week. If you find yourself short on time in the mornings, do as much you can the night before, from setting the table to doing some cooking prep.
TELL US
Do you sit down to breakfast most mornings, or do you eat on the run? Let us know in the Comments section below.
MORE
How to Slow Your Life Down
Designs for Living: Cosy Breakfast Corners
Give Yourself More Free Time With the Help of Habits
If you wake to a messy kitchen and breakfast area with old papers strewn about, you’re not going to feel motivated to cook a real breakfast, especially when you’re in a hurry.
Before bed make sure all the dishes are done, the breakfast table is clean and clear, and your breakfast supplies are at the ready. Add something to the area to catch your eye in the morning and entice you to sit down, like a jug of flowers, a pretty pillow or a new art print.