We all know the feeling; getting out of bed too late, skipping breakfast, hurrying through the city, buying a coffee to go – as if that will do as a fully fledged meal – and running to work or university while nipping at the paper cup. Late. Again.

Most people have the tendency to skip breakfast when running late for classes or work. In Denmark, however, breakfast is basically the most valued meal. The Danes take their time to eat it slowly at home, to really savour the experience, and they are having tea or coffee on the side. Their breakfast is wholesome. Even the younger folks like students value a nourishing breakfast, which often consists of cereals (e.g. muesli) or oats. They consider breakfast as the kickstart to your day, since a relaxed beginning of the morning will set a calm vibe throughout the hours to come. A hasty start, in contrast, will often guarantee a stressful and non-focused morning and afternoon. And that, of course, the Danes do not want. So what can we learn from our neighbours of the north?

A few tips to enjoy your breakfast like a Dane

1. Get up earlier
As made clear earlier, breakfast should bring calmth into your day. To make sure that eating breakfast won’t be a hasty and stressful activity, getting up earlier is the best thing you can do. The amount of time you should in calculate differs from person to person. Still, reserve about twenty minutes each morning to gently make and enjoy your breakfast. Soon you’ll notice it brings more peace into your morning routine and it will actually make you feel more awake (which is definitely worth the twenty minutes less sleep).

2. Who said breakfast is boring? Spice it up!
Oatmeal, coconut-yoghurt or your favourite plant-based milk is easily made more nourishing with muesli and fresh or frozen berries; e.g. blueberries and raspberries. To differ the taste from time to time, or just to make your breakfast a beautiful thing to set your eyes on, you can add toppings.

The Danish favs are:
– Cinnamon
– Maple syrup
– Flax seeds
– Dried coconut flakes
– Dried Medjool dates

3. Make sure you got some interesting reading
Reading a magazine while finishing breakfast will transform the experience of “just” eating breakfast to a much more enjoyable “me-time”. Not sure which magazine to choose? In Denmark they definitely know how to make internationally wanted magazines. In high quality coffee corners and bakeries in Copenhagen the following two magazines are regularly found on the coffee table:
– Oak – The Nordic Journal
– Dansk – The World’s Most Independent Fashion Magazine

ENJOY!