Although this blog is about art, I decided to make this post about wellness because a healthy artists is a more productive one. I have been asked many times where do I get the energy to teach, manage a gallery, curate shows, record podcasts, blog, have a family and create art. I always say that it is a combination of organized scheduling and morning power drinks.  At least that is the short answer.  In this post, I will share my essential morning habits that fuel my energy tank for a busy day.

The first 30 minutes of my day are always the same and the most important. Each morning starts by rolling down from my bed to spend a few minutes of prayer and meditation before I get up and catch up with the world. Connecting mind and soul with the life source helps me start the day with optimism and positive attitude. I really believe that if you are gong to have a productive day, you need to start with a positive mind. For this, I stopped watching the morning news about six years ago.  It has made a world of difference. Attitude alone is not enough thou. Your body needs fuel for the day ahead.  Before I head out the door, I take two awesome drinks which I will share with you next. I do not have time to make them each morning so I usually make them in larger quantities so they would last me refrigerated for about 3 or 4 days.

DRINK #1: THE ART CRITIC POWER JUICE

Get an early shot of wellness and be ready to face the most difficult art critic in the art world. I drink one full glass per day. Using a juicing machine mixed the following:

• 1 bag or organic Carrots
• 2 to 4 Apples
• Celery
• 2 Cucumbers
• 1 Banana
• 1/4 cup Berries
• Kale
• I add to the mix one full spoon of Spirulina.

 DRINK #2: ART FAIR ENERGIZER

If you have ever attended a booth in an art fair, you know the feeling after four days of talking to people and standing around. This drink will boost your energy levels to make it through a long day at the art fair. I drink one full glass per day and sometimes half glass mid day. Using a blender, I mix the following:

• 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts
• 1/4 cup cranberries
• 2 spoons of chia seeds
• 2 glasses of almond milk
• 1 glass of water
• 1 full spoon of Chia seeds
• Cinnamon
• 1 spoon of instant coffee to give it a coffee-like taste.

So there you have it. The secret of a productive day is a good morning start. As far as exercising, that is my down point. I have always hated exercise routines. To get myself to exercise, I now use an iPhone app to make an easy to follow 15 minute routine. The app I use is called 7min Workout.  This is my morning power routine. What is yours?  Share it in the comments below.

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