This post is sponsored by Ritual, but as always, all opinions are my own.
I can’t say I’ve always been a morning person. If you met me ten years ago, I would’ve flaunted the fact that I was a night owl through and through. This wasn’t because I liked sleeping in; instead, it was the opposite. I felt like it was always easier for me to get into the zone during the late hours when everything, and everyone, was winding down for the day. Now, however, I’m a mom to a two-year-old, and as a mom, I have no choice but to be a morning person (thanks, Shaan?). Yet, I still find myself having nights when I stay up until 2-3 AM reading, writing, or working…and that’s on self-care!
Since Shaan started school, my new morning routine has been in the works. I feel like aspects of it are constantly changing because, well…LIFE. Thus, I emphasize the word “IDEAL” in the title of this post. Nonetheless, many other aspects have become standard and embedded into my everyday routine because I have been practicing them for so long. I always receive questions about balancing motherhood with blogging, so I figured I would give you a peek into my current morning routine! I’m also excited to share this because I’m interested to hear what works for you all!
5:00 AM: Rise and Shine, Palak!
I wake up, chug a glass of water, and reach for my phone to see if I have any pressing matters to tend to first thing in the morning. I usually don’t, and I’ve gotten so much better at avoiding aimless scrolling first thing in the morning (it’s still a work in progress), so I put my phone down and start getting ready for my early morning workout sesh.
Pro tip: choose and layout your workout fit so that it’s one less thing to do in the morning!
6 AM to 7 AM: Break a sweat
My personal trainer kicks my butt for an hour with a guided workout.
Some days it’s hard to find the motivation to exercise, but once I get to the gym and finish my workout, I am so thankful for my decision to show up! I feel invigorated, energetic, and ready to tackle the rest of my day.
7:30 AM: Creating rituals with Ritual
I whip up a quick smoothie and take my Ritual multivitamins to help fill nutrientl gaps in my diet.* I’ve been regularly taking Ritual multivitamins for over a year now, and I’m a HUGE fan.
What I love about Ritual:
- There are no sketchy ingredients. The formula is transparent and includes the following nine key nutrients: Folate, Omega-3, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin D3, Iron, Vitamin K2, Boron, Vitamin E, and Magnesium.
- They are non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free, AND vegan. So, I don’t have to deal with any fishy smells or unpleasant aftertastes. In fact, through the use of vegan Omega-3 DHA, Ritual has saved over 1,500 anchovies over time. I love a brand that champions sustainability!
- The capsules have a delayed-release design for the capsules to dissolve in the small intestine, an ideal place to absorb nutrients while also being gentle on an empty stomach.
- They’re mint-flavored, so they’re easy, and I would even say refreshing, to swallow!
You can also add Ritual’s Essential Protein 18+ into a post-workout rotation! Not only does it help build lean muscle, it also supports satiety, brain health, and bone health. Ritual’s protein is a plant-based protein that contains 20g of pea protein in each serving and contains no added sugar nor sugar alcohols, and, just like Ritual’s multivitamins, the protein is non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free.*
7:45 AM: Breakfast and Banter with the Boys
This time of morning is usually when things get hectic within the Patel household, lol. I start getting Shaan ready for the day while simultaneously preparing breakfast and Shaan’s school lunch. As hectic as it can be, I enjoy this time of the day because it gives me some time to chit-chat with both my hubby and Shaan before we head our separate ways for the day!
9 AM: Off to school and off to work!
Finally, some ME time. By 9:00 AM, my husband is off to work, and I’ve dropped Shaan off at school. Upon arriving back home, I get straight to work at my desk (well, my dining table). This usually includes responding to e-mails, scheduling calls, taking and/or editing pictures, writing content, or recipe testing in the kitchen! It’s also when I hop on to IG and share clips of my morning with you all or respond to your DM’s. Engaging with my community always puts me in a better mood and sets the stage for a positive and fulfilling day.
So, that pretty much covers it! That’s how I ideally like to start my day. A workout, nourishing my body, chats with my family, and then hours of grinding!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

