Early to Rise

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Waking up earlier is getting easier and easier.  It’s taken me a week, but I knocked off 1.5 hours off my wake-up time by setting my alarm 15 – 20 minutes earlier each night (and trying to get in bed earlier, too). 

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Everyone else is sleeping, so for breakfast, it was just me + oatmeal:

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On the stovetop:

 

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1 banana
  • Vanilla extract
  • Toppings: blueberries and ‘monkey’ trail mix from Trader Joe’s

 

Remember my beloved Peter Hollens, the a cappella rock star from the reality show The Sing Off (here’s the funny story of how we met)?

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His latest musical project, "Pray," consists of sounds entirely made by the voice and mouth. The arrangement (based on the Justin Bieber original – squeeeeal!) features two other awesome The Sing Off stars. All iTunes proceeds from "Pray" will benefit victims of the March 2011 earthquake in Japan through the Red Cross. Buy the single here!

 

I still can’t believe Peter doesn’t have an agent, especially since he can sing AND produce awesome tunes!  One day, he’ll be big – wait and see!

{ 61 comments }

 

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) March 30, 2011, 7:38 am

    I can do the early wake up, but getting to bed earlier for me is a challenge!

  • Carolyn @Eat Well. Live Well. Be Well. March 30, 2011, 7:38 am

    I love the story of how you met Peter. He is very talented. Thanks fir sharing his videos!

  • Michelle March 30, 2011, 7:41 am

    I do the same strategy when I am trying to wake up earlier. Hubby goes to work super early so if I want to go to the gym, that means I have to go with him (only one car).

    *Yawn*

  • Freya March 30, 2011, 7:43 am

    I’ll be his agent! He could be my first client, I’ll make him loads of $$ 😛

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley March 30, 2011, 7:44 am

    I can’t make myself get up earlier for anything. I tried this morning.
    One day he will be big, and we can all say ‘I knew him before he was famous.’
    He’s such a great singer, I love this video

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg March 30, 2011, 7:45 am

    Going to bed early always makes getting UP early so much easier!!

  • Katie @ Healthy Heddleston March 30, 2011, 7:45 am

    Love this song.. got chills within the first 30 seconds — wonderful.

  • Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine March 30, 2011, 7:46 am

    Love waking up early! I feel like I get so much more done. Peter’s stuff is awesome- I loved the OB song he did a few weeks ago!

  • Christine @ Burning It Off March 30, 2011, 7:51 am

    I’ve always been a morning person. I love waking up early and having the house to myself for a couple of hours… it’s the most relaxing time of day for me.

  • Christine @ Burning It Off March 30, 2011, 7:51 am

    I’ve always been a morning person. I love waking up early and having the house to myself for a couple of hours… it’s the most relaxing time of day for me.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now March 30, 2011, 7:54 am

    I believe he’ll be huge soon! He’s awesome!!! I love when you post his videos because I never remember to look for them on youtube myself!

  • Sophia @ Raven Waves March 30, 2011, 7:54 am

    I’m not big on waking up early but with work, I have no choice haha!

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun March 30, 2011, 7:58 am

    I loved his Lady Gaga cover…and cant wait to hear this one. He does have talent.

    And I LOVE my early morning time. I go crazy without it.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat March 30, 2011, 8:06 am

    Good job on the early wake-up! I’ve been doing it for years now and it’s pretty routine.. my body seems to naturally wake up at 5, even on the weekend. As you can imagine, that gets a bit annoying but I don’t let myself get out of bed until 7 on those days!

    • Caitlin March 30, 2011, 11:22 am

      OMG I don’t think I could ever do 5 – what time do you go to bed?

      • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat March 30, 2011, 9:34 pm

        Between 9 and 10 usually… I know, I’m a baby trapped inside a 22 year old’s body!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope March 30, 2011, 8:15 am

    I love the idea of trail mix added in your oats this morning. A little crunchy-ness can go a long way!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday March 30, 2011, 8:17 am

    I have a hard time getting up early, especially since “Spring Forward” and now the sunlight in the morning is not waking me up.
    I slept in an extra 20 minutes today.

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape March 30, 2011, 8:18 am

    I was up before everyone today, too. Hoping to not make that a habit, though. lol

  • Renee March 30, 2011, 8:24 am

    Tell us!!! lottery? baby? real lottery? please? 🙂

    • Caitlin March 30, 2011, 9:33 am

      I am so sorry to keep you hanging!!!! It was dumb of me to preemptively tweet.

      • Hollie March 30, 2011, 8:35 pm

        I wanna know, tooooo!!! 🙂 🙂

      • Renee March 31, 2011, 8:14 am

        Aww, It wasn’t dumb Caitlin. It showed you were happy about something! 🙂 So I am happy by default then as well…..even if you can’t tell more at this time. It will be fun when you can share! 🙂

  • Kristen March 30, 2011, 8:29 am

    Well done on the shift to early!!! That’s impressive.

    I’m surprised an agent hasn’t snapped him up either- he’s talented and cute to boot!

  • Baking 'n' Books March 30, 2011, 8:36 am

    He should try out for American Idol!

    I agree – he is a good singer and seems well-rounded (looks, personality, voice) – but I think he should do more original stuff – his own stuff versus other’s songs in order to get more “serious” attracting an agent? Just my thought. Otherwise it becomes mostly “you-tubish” which a lot of people seem to be doing and getting these days – but not long-term.

  • Khushboo March 30, 2011, 8:45 am

    Waking up early is definitely a struggle at first but eventually you’ll find yourself naturally waking up, maybe even before your alarm! Sorry for TMI but even my loo business has adjusted 🙂

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg March 30, 2011, 8:45 am

    I love waking up early too! Just started doing it last week, but I definitely want to keep up with it. I seem to be so much more productive when I get up early.

    I loved Peter’s last video — can’t wait to watch this one!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) March 30, 2011, 8:54 am

    I love waking up early! Makes you feel like you’ve kicked some butt the whole rest of the day! Have a great one Caitlin!

  • Sarah Joy March 30, 2011, 9:12 am

    The longer days in spring always seem to make it easier to wake up a BIT earlier. But it’s very impressive that you have added 1.5hours to your morning! I’m going to try waking up a bit earlier. The morning is my most productive time of the day, so the longer it is the better.

  • Michelle March 30, 2011, 9:19 am

    Can I just say that that song was AMAZING!!! I love The Sing Off, and I’ve never heard of Peter, but have heard of Courtney Jensen, who is great! I immediately bought the single and sent the video to all my friends!!

    • Caitlin March 30, 2011, 9:32 am

      Thank you Michelle!

  • Kristina March 30, 2011, 9:23 am

    Good morning 🙂 I just had a question…I’m a little confused. You are a Vegetarian, but you eat eggs? I’m a new Vegetarian so I was just wondering about the dairy limitations. Also, i’m a religious reader of SkinnyRunner but I have to say I LOVE YOUR BLOG!! Now, one of my top 3 blogs 🙂

    • Caitlin March 30, 2011, 9:32 am

      Vegans don’t eat eggs or dairy but vegetarians do! We just don’t eat meat/fish/chickens. 🙂

      Thank you for reading!

  • Marina March 30, 2011, 9:39 am

    Your breakfast this morning looks wonderful!
    I usually wake up on my own, a lot before my alarm. I wish I could sleep a bit longer though 🙁

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) March 30, 2011, 9:52 am

    I loved him on the Sing Off! 🙂

  • Camille March 30, 2011, 10:06 am

    It’s amazing to think of the un-talented people who do have agents (*cough* Kesha) and then people like Peter don’t!

  • Kara March 30, 2011, 10:23 am

    I really need Peter to get a record deal so I can buy his songs on iTunes. Unless he already has stuff on iTunes?

    • Caitlin March 30, 2011, 11:24 am

      You can buy all of his songs on itunes! If you buy Pray, the proceeds go to the Red Cross.

  • Laughter-Loving Stacy March 30, 2011, 11:00 am

    Oh yeah! He has such an amazing talent!!

  • Jen @ keepitsimplefoods March 30, 2011, 11:09 am

    Someone, get that boy and agent!

  • Lauren @ SassyMolassy March 30, 2011, 11:34 am

    Yeah, what Peter has been doing is great. I went to school at the University of Oregon where he started the mens a capella group and it was so fun to watch him and the rest of On the Rocks to perform every friday at the student union. Can’t wait to see what happens when the right person comes across his talent!

  • Lauren @ SassyMolassy March 30, 2011, 11:35 am

    Oh and I just bought Pray. Thanks for sharing!

  • monicanelsonfitness March 30, 2011, 11:55 am

    i love the story of peter!

  • Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) March 30, 2011, 12:12 pm

    I always love when I get into the habbit of getting up earlier. Today I took B to the airport for a day trip and we got up at 4:50. That’s a bit early for me, but it’s only 9am and I’ve gotten SO much done. I also love how quiet and peaceful it is before the sun comes up. The hardest thing for me is falling asleep early enough to not hate my alarm in the morning lol…

  • Amber K March 30, 2011, 12:18 pm

    Peter is amazing! I loved the Sing Off.

    • Amber K March 30, 2011, 12:22 pm

      Oh! And your breakfast bowl looks amazing!

  • Natalia - a side of simple March 30, 2011, 12:37 pm

    You just gained major points for your Justin Bieber squeal 🙂 Beliebers unite!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me March 30, 2011, 12:38 pm

    I love getting up early! I am so not a morning person but I am attempting to force myself to be. I love the longer daylight hours and you get so much more accomplished!

  • jenna March 30, 2011, 12:57 pm

    Whoa! he can sing!! crazy he is not signed yet! Great work on waking up early!! I struggle big time with that! Its much easier now though in the spring and summer months when its’ light out!

  • Kacy March 30, 2011, 1:08 pm

    That’s awesome that you’re able to do that. I never wake up until the last possible minute.
    Amazing song!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) March 30, 2011, 1:22 pm

    I love waking up early- only way to do it 🙂 My sleeping in time is 7 am!

  • Katherine: Unemployed March 30, 2011, 2:11 pm

    I wish I could NOT wake up so early. I’ve been having such issues with that recently… I need a sleep-in “how to”

  • Peter Hollens March 30, 2011, 2:41 pm

    Thanks so much for watching the video guys, I’m doing everything I can to spread the word so that the japanese people get as much help as they can. Please send the video to all your friends! Thanks guys! Email/facebook/twitter…. 🙂

  • Steph March 30, 2011, 4:36 pm

    Wow! That video gave me the chills so so good!!

  • MorgzSyd March 30, 2011, 4:59 pm

    wow he is great! i can’t get to bed early or get up early!

    visit my blog
    chanelandolivia.wordpress.com

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin March 30, 2011, 6:38 pm

    That’s awesome that you were able to shift your wake up time! I love early mornings and being able to have an hour of quiet time before the day starts. 😀

  • Meredith March 30, 2011, 8:07 pm

    confession: i totally have the justin bieber version on my ipod!!! it’s so inspirational, and i love running to it.

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