My Daily Ritual

Sometimes life gets hectic. You get caught racing from errand to errand until 10 pm hits you and you think "well today sucked...". Unfortunately, those days happen more often than most of us would prefer. But when we get stuck in a rut of errand running, I find that it always helps to have a daily ritual.

When I moved to Seattle, coffee percolated through the culture. Everywhere I turned, there was some small cafe where I could duck in to take shelter from the rain. There was one shop that I purposely sought out for my coffee fix: The Q Cafe. They serve Stumptown coffee, which is the most perfectly roasted coffee I have ever had (if you don't know about Stumptown, its time you learned about them here).

(view from the back of the Q) 

(even if you don't like coffee, their 

hot chocolate is smooth as velvet)

So I was naturally at a loss for my bittersweet companion when I moved back to California for summer. Fortunately I have a wise mother who quickly directed my wandering steps to Ritual Coffee Roasters. They source from Central and South American countries (for specifics go here) and they roast the beans just enough for a caramelized sweetness, without burning the sugars.

Soon, a strange phenomenon began to occur. I found my right hand perpetually occupied by one of their pillowy lattes. I would get up just a smidgen earlier everyday to sit on the back patio and silently sip this mid morning treat. In these moments of solace, before my day starts, that's where I find my energy for the tasks ahead of me. This picture perfect ritual was just enough beauty to start off my day of facing ugly errands.

(Coffee and Sherlock, what more could I need?)

Daily rituals save us. Time set aside for prayer or reading or even just a cup of coffee with no interruptions is all we need. Give yourself time to savor and sip. Add a chewy cookie, a crisp biscotti or even a pocket of cream in a profiterole to your ritual for those especially difficult days.

(One of Ca Momi's famous cream puffs)

The great thing about coffee is that you can find a good cup just about anywhere you go. Whether it be The Q in Seattle, Ritual in Napa and San Francisco,

Handsome in downtown LA,

(here)

The Wandering Goat in Eugene, Oregon,

(here)

Temple in Sacramento, 

(here)

Intelligentsia in Pasadena,

(here)

Or even just with your brother when he takes you out to dinner.

Whatever your ritual is, don't skimp on it, don't forget it, and savor those moments just as much as the coffee that fills them.

-Sarai

(all photos property of yours truly)