One of my favorite things about being freelance is being able to crawl out of bed, slide into my slippers and robe, heat the tea kettle, light pine-scented candles, play christmas music, and create an indulgent, seance-like breakfast for myself.

It is by far my favorite meal of the day, as I get to take my time and craft exactly what I’m craving while making it with love, intention, and appreciation for my body, mind, and hard work in the day ahead.

This morning I had: Greek Yogurt with a ripe banana, topped with saigon cinnamon, dried cranberries, chia seeds, shelled hemp seeds, buckwheat, and a little maple syrup. Had a small cup of berries for my morning antioxidants and ginger tea.

I sat with my feet on my desk snacked, sipped, and fflipped through my new Conde Nast Traveler for morning inspiration and travel ideas for the year to come. Nothing can replace the 30-45 minutes I give myself every morning to wake up, feel nourished, and calm my thoughts before my crazy day ensues.

A few weeks ago, I stepped back in time. I traded in the luxuries of high-speed Internet and movies on-demand for a rural and romantic rendezvous in a treehouse in Northern Sweden.

On our way up from Malmo, after landing in Copenhagen we picked up fresh cheese, sausages, ingredients for a killer salad, and of course marshmallows. Armed with old gas lanterns, a deck of Uno cards older than me, lots of wine, and a trusty axe... we setup camp under the full moon in an incredible treehouse complete with an in-ground grill/fireplace and wood floors.

It's so important to digitally detox every once and a while to appreciate the simple things around you. The fresh air, fresh food, and great wine suddenly made the monotonous trials of our daily, chaotic lives fade to a silence.