I can't help but plunge my nose into the blend of coffee beans and inhale only to follow with a throaty moan of an exhale that harkens to a whole different kind of ecstasy.
This is part aromatherapy, part reward for the sweaty body that just left the yoga mat with a similar exhale, part celebrated morning ritual. All of this I entertain with a half-smile that converts to a slight giggle at the sound of beans tripping over themselves to clamber into the grinder as if on an urgent mission.
I inhale again as the grinder releases the oils from the motivated beans which are now the twin streams of a double espresso shot coursing into my warmed mug. I watch as the steamed milk, maybe a little over-frothed this morning, cuts the crema and creates something new with the foam - a reminder that this day is mine with which to create something new as well.
In my mouth there is an exhaltation of that comes mostly from the depth of flavors but admittedly the ego chimes in praising the bean mix I put together between sniffs yesterday - a little more French Roast, some Colombian dark. I try to swallow the ego, chasing it down my throat with the elixir I'm quite close to worshiping as juice of the gods.
Somewhere, mid-blissful-toasty-handed-mug-hug my eyes flutter open and my gaze falls upon what appears to be the Yin and Yang of froth and crema.
That seems about right.
The right amount of Yin - exertion of arms pushing body weight off the mat this morning, intense noise of the bean grinder, pungent aromas of my new bean mix.
The right amount of Yang - surrendering to the fold as muscles relaxed into a much-needed stretch, silence at my kitchen table in soft morning light, sweet harmony of flavors.
The right mix of all the senses
The right balance
On the mat
In the cup
In the glass
On a plate
In love
In health
In friends
In life
All this from the right mix of beans ...
... the right mix of being.
This is part aromatherapy, part reward for the sweaty body that just left the yoga mat with a similar exhale, part celebrated morning ritual. All of this I entertain with a half-smile that converts to a slight giggle at the sound of beans tripping over themselves to clamber into the grinder as if on an urgent mission.
I inhale again as the grinder releases the oils from the motivated beans which are now the twin streams of a double espresso shot coursing into my warmed mug. I watch as the steamed milk, maybe a little over-frothed this morning, cuts the crema and creates something new with the foam - a reminder that this day is mine with which to create something new as well.
In my mouth there is an exhaltation of that comes mostly from the depth of flavors but admittedly the ego chimes in praising the bean mix I put together between sniffs yesterday - a little more French Roast, some Colombian dark. I try to swallow the ego, chasing it down my throat with the elixir I'm quite close to worshiping as juice of the gods.
Somewhere, mid-blissful-toasty-handed-mug-hug my eyes flutter open and my gaze falls upon what appears to be the Yin and Yang of froth and crema.
That seems about right.
The right amount of Yin - exertion of arms pushing body weight off the mat this morning, intense noise of the bean grinder, pungent aromas of my new bean mix.
The right amount of Yang - surrendering to the fold as muscles relaxed into a much-needed stretch, silence at my kitchen table in soft morning light, sweet harmony of flavors.
The right mix of all the sensesThe right balance
On the mat
In the cup
In the glass
On a plate
In love
In health
In friends
In life
All this from the right mix of beans ...
... the right mix of being.
Your posts on yoga really make me want to pick that up again! But I never felt as good as you make it sound.
ReplyDeleteThe coffee however...I can totally get behind the perfect latte.
Beans are always good, by themselves or in combination with other foods. Therefore good people are always good, by themselves or in other's company.
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn - I guess I've been doing Yoga so long it's something I have to do nearly every day (OK it SHOULD be every day, but then there's reality, although I normally hit a few stretches or poses). Today was perfection in terms of coffee - it was like cappuccino meditation in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteMunir - Thank you for stopping by - and you know you can eat coffee beans too right?
When ADOC reads this she just might cry....that is if she is still fighting her coffee monkey.
ReplyDeleteYour post lulled me into relaxation. I'm having my coffee right now, the smell is my favorite thing in the morning.
ReplyDeleteGood evening, ladies (Morning for Sara!) It really is the best part of the day - the smell. When I'm here it's nose in the beans, when I'm in Italy it's nose in the grounds before packing them in the Moka pot and waiting for the gurgle (the pot's gurgle, not mine.)
ReplyDeleteHHHMMMmmm... perfect coffee! Maybe I should just leave you alone with it ...
ReplyDeleteA good cup of coffee enjoyed in the silence of the morning is meditation itself.
ReplyDeleteSam nailed it... fighting the monkey is correct. Its that line between lust and hate,when you hate it because you crave it so much,but can't help but yearn to surrender and succumb, to fill your whole being with that warmth, to savor the taste in your mouth...
ReplyDeleteAhem. I'm talking about cappucino of course.
Good evening, Ladies - What IS is it about coffee? It's not always the caffeine, in fact, my beans are normally mostly decaf in the blend (naturally caffeinated as I am) - It's the flavors and aromas and there's some kind of comfort associated with it! Sam - honestly, I can't tell the difference with decaf beans - but it still meets the craving!
ReplyDeleteIt is the comfort thing, absolutely. Like your favorite slippers or a down comforter on a cold night. something that comforts the soul as well as the body
ReplyDeleteAll I can say about this one is amen soul sister! <3
ReplyDeleteSo true, it deserves repeating...
The right balance
On the mat
In the cup
In the glass
On a plate
In love
In health
In friends
In life
You guys are seriously the cream in my coffee. You get it - Thank you and big hugs! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteGood Mornin' Sunshine! LOVE LOVE LOVE coffee! If coffee is what you love but you don't want the caffeine (or acid) Teeccino makes great flavors of herbal coffee. Sprouts and other whole foods stores carry it. It's not made from coffee beans, but is very realistic. I mix it half and half with my coffee to reduce the acidic aspect. Yumm!
ReplyDeleteGood morning to you Sweetcakes! Herbal coffee? I must give that a try - just because I'm very very into herbs, but am still very into my beans & richness of coffee. Actually - my 'medicine cabinet' is all herbal teas - they make them for darn near anything - even one that's supposed to 'tone your uterus' - really - maybe could be a fun blog post - or not! See you soon - hugs!
ReplyDeleteHow eloquent and true. Your words are lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jill. Words - don't you just love them?!
ReplyDeleteThere's something about the aromas and nothing evoke memories or pleasure like them!
ReplyDelete