Make Your Mondays Better

Monday is no-fun-day for me. It's the farthest point away from freedom, a.k.a the weekend, and means back to waking up at the crack of dawn.

But Mondays don't have to be that bad. This Monday, treat yourself to a few fun detours from the norm to make this Monday a happier, healthier one.

1. Bring Breakfast Back to Life

As you know, I eat the same breakfast everyday...and love it. But every once in a while, it's fun to have something special. A stack of piping hot pancakes is the perfect way to makeover a Monday morning.


Whole Wheat Banana Blueberry Pancakes

1 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1 C. Light Vanilla Soy or Almond Milk
1 Banana, mashed
1/2 C. Blueberries
1 Tbs. Brown Sugar
1 Tsp. Vanilla
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 Tsp. Salt

Combine all the ingredients together and cook on med-high for about 3 minutes each side.

*You can also make the batter Sunday night and refrigerate for quick cooking in the morning!

2. Stave off Afternoon Sleepiness

I'm always more tired on Mondays and by the afternoon, I fall into a kind of daze. This behavior is not conducive to my ensuing gym efforts and certainly not acceptable in my office's breaking news environment.

Just look how happy Hilary looks!

A fun way to bring some alertness back to the afternoon is with a brisk walk to the nearest coffee shop. I suggest taking a 15 minute break about an hour or so after lunch to grab a latte or some green tea. The fresh air and light exercise provides a burst of energy that will carry you over till clock out.

3. Try a Wacky Workout

After a long day at work the last place I want to go is to the gym. Talk about more of the daily grind. But exercise endorphins are just what the body needs to get out of a Monday-funk.

Instead of forcing yourself to perform a monotonous treadmill routine, make Monday's your gyms-periment day and try that tightrope, body-bar, or extreme biking class you've been eying. The novelty of a new workout will give you something to look forward to, and help motivate you to actually make it there.

4. Have a Monday Funday

Much like the concept of savoring the weekend by turning Sunday into a boozefest, Monday Funday is a healthy alternative to a boring night of laundry and laziness.

Start getting your girlfriends together regularly for a 90210-Gossip Girl screening and trade off each week with who makes the diet friendly dinner.

Men, Monday is a great night for you too to gather the gang around the television. Don't they have something called foozeball on? Rally the troops and whip up some healthy game day dishes.

Having a chill fest with friends to look forward to will make the work day fly by.

No more case-of-the-Mondays for you!