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Mornings begin here with coffee, like many other American households. Coffee duty is all mine because I am the one who wakes up first and wants the energy zap of caffeine right away.

I use a french coffee press to extract coffee from the beans, motivated by the excellent flavor it produces, lack of electronics required, and ease of cleaning.

I turn whole beans into grounds with a coffee mill. I could say that the reasons for this are the same as the french press, as a hand powered grinder is one less thing to plug in and provides more fine control than a cheapo electronic grinder.

The true reason, though, is that I enjoy starting my day with a small physical activity and time of reflection. As my hand makes the rounds and the beans whir under the burr, I intentionally set out my goals for the day or reflect on the previous day. I breathe deeply, ignoring any interruptions by the chickens, dogs, or child.

I'm always sure to find a caffeine buzz somewhere, but days that do not start with milling beans by hand are days when I feel a little off. My simple morning ritual, my moment by myself to gather my thoughts, grounds me for the day.

Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.