Since the start of the new year, I've been working on improving my cooking skills, mostly in the realm of planning & putting together dinners for me and my boyfriend. It's been a ton of fun so far, and I've made some pretty tasty meals, but one thing I think I've always been talented at is making breakfast.

It's an oft-repeated saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I agree 100%. I'm always STARVING when I wake up in the mornings, so I need a tasty, hearty meal that's easy to put together on my way out the door. A breakfast sandwich meets all of those criteria, so today I'd like to share my recipe for (in my opinion) the queen of all breakfast sandwiches! It's up for interpretation depending on what you do or don't like and what you can and can't eat, so I included plenty of alternative recommendations!

1. Toast your choice of bread: whole wheat, a ciabatta roll, or a bagel.
2. While the bread is toasting, cook an egg- scrambled or over easy, depending on your preference! Add in toppings like ham or bacon bits.
3. Butter your toast.
4. Mash up a ripe avocado and spread on both pieces of toast.
5. Place your egg on the toast and add finishing touches such as cheese, seasonings, spinach, or hot sauce.
6. Enjoy along with some fresh fruit, coffee, or orange juice!

WHAT I USED:

• New York style bagel
• Avocado
• Scrambled egg
• Bacon
• Frank's Red Hot sauce
• Trader Joe's Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

Happy breakfasting!

Coil subscribers, keep on scrolling for some more breakfast recommendations :)

Anxiety – Res Ipsa Loquitor

https://open.spotify.com/track/6TgxxRMRUQiNU1ndGwSV4T?si=fkx5ALzVSeedtUQ3yNVjcA

My friend, a lifelong drummer, wrote, produced, and sang on this track for his new band- talk about multi-talented! It's an upbeat, pop-punky tune, with honest lyrics about dealing with anxiety and wishing it would stop following you around.

Lover (Spotify Single) – Niall Horan, FLETCHER

https://open.spotify.com/track/3PgxWUQc4HJoQMj5Kp5Mcd?si=3UHmnZNJR7mAtR9VF5pj9Q

Spotify Single covers never disappoint me, and this one is no exception. The ex-One Direction singer teams up with one of my favorite female pop acts, FLETCHER, to cover Taylor Swift's sweet, wedding-worthy song. They put an unexpected spin on it, and suddenly, the original waltz tempo becomes a 4/4, early-2000's radio rock song.

Lovers In Japan – Coldplay

https://open.spotify.com/track/5qPGi9p8VqcizfdgWxtmLt?si=acQIM4lITdKY1l3Yn4rCZA

An oldie but a goodie. Coldplay's lush instrumentals and catchy melodies still carry the same magic here that they did in 2008 when this album was released.

Forever – FLETCHER

https://open.spotify.com/track/3zzrKCO0OA85eemnlQnQ7c?si=fe-ScN5MQuaJugUrcVmErQ

In case you didn't know this yet... I love Fletcher. This new single is a glitzy, 80's inspired pop tune about being torn between wanting to be with someone forever, but also wanting to enjoy single life and being young & free.

Getaway Green – All Time Low

https://open.spotify.com/track/3pUJI1a0oZNHj9wRtZOf5O?si=dca-sSFZTx6fFH0zvoQ_SA

The newest single from the boys' upcoming album, Wake Up Sunshine, starts to sound like their brighter, younger counterparts in the pop-punk world, like State Champs and Broadside. It's a shoe-in for a spot on a summer playlist, and I can definitely see this going over very well live on their tour that will (hopefully) happen this summer.

Lose My Mind – Lisa Cimorelli

https://open.spotify.com/track/0FNd3u5Ef33XRhj7EOOVtI?si=82WwAFz0RcySy9wKWGdGcA

The middle sister of Cimorelli has a blossoming solo project, writing and helping produce her own songs. She write real, honest lyrics about her experiences with her relationships, self-image, and her mental health journey. This one is a lot more lighthearted than her past singles; she describes it in an Instagram post as “based on every time I had an insane crush on a guy”.

Storehouse (Acoustic) – The Gray Havens & John Mark McMillan

https://open.spotify.com/track/0ygcu03cJ64fcctEvOsJrx?si=X3KFe22ZSvCtr6ZBlfh3pw

I love the album version of this song, and listen to it quite often, but this stripped-down version is even more calming, and features the very talented John Mark McMillan. McMillan is an accomplished singer and musician in the Christian music world, and his vocal addition to this track makes for a welcome change.

Fortress – Lennon Stella

https://open.spotify.com/track/3ri08lx68DvAbQuqLuZoFM?si=AXBt2_BWS3uTg0ZZgvYF4w

Lennon Stella cuts her losses in this song about removing herself from a toxic ex-lover, and building a fortress to keep him from ever getting back into her mind.

Coil subscribers, keep scrolling for my entire playlist for this month!

I've seen the classic film It's A Wonderful Life many times; it's one of my favorites to watch around Christmastime, Jimmy Stewart is a sweetheart, and its message of hope and love always gets me choked up.

One of the most memorable (and stressful) scenes in the film is when the townspeople make a run on the bank, which Jimmy Stewart's character's family operates, and they just barely make it through the panic with two dollar bills left to spare at closing time. That scenario mirrors the bank crashes of the Great Depression, when Americans pulled all their funds out of bank accounts and collapsed the financial system.

I bring up this scene in order to tell all of you something to ease your mind amidst all the COVID-19 uncertainty:

A disclaimer: I am not claiming to know everything about the situation, but I do know some things that I feel are important to share with people.

I work at a credit union in Michigan that has 13 branches throughout the state, over $1 billion in total assets, and over 70,000 members. We, along with almost every other credit union in the country, are backed by the US government with NCUA insurance (National Credit Union Administration), which states that all liquid funds deposited in our accounts are fully backed & insured up to $250,000. For anyone who banks with... well, a regular bank, the same concept & amount applies through the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation).

Now, many people are concerned about their money right now because they saw the stock market take massive losses in the past two weeks. So to anyone with investments or stock, that is troublesome, and there are hard decisions to be made about how much money to leave in the market and how much to pull out. But to anyone worrying about their regular money in a regular bank account... stop worrying!

We have had members of our credit union coming to the branch in droves, pulling out large sums of their accounts in cash in a panicked attempt to have their funds physically available so nothing can happen to them. I just want to say to them, “have you ever read the signs all over our lobby?”

The stock market can fall as much as it wants; your cash in your savings and checking accounts is going to stay the same.

(Unless you have over the insured $250,000 limit in your accounts, in which case... I can't relate.)

The bottom line is, this is not an It's A Wonderful Life scene in the bank, even though some people are making it look that way.

If you want my two cents (pun intended) on the matter, it seems a lot smarter to keep all your funds available electronically, in a checking account with a debit card, so that you are able to purchase things easily online for delivery or pickup while we are all staying at home, practicing social distancing!

Keep your head on straight, don't make any hasty or panic-driven decisions, and we will all be able to return to our wonderful lives when this tough time is over.

...

Coil subscribers, keep on scrolling for some insight on how credit unions could help you out right now!

In these uncertain times, with barely contained panic over the spread of COVID-19, I, along with plenty of others around the world, am having a tough time dealing with constant feelings of anxiety and dread. My anxiety hasn't had many bad flare-ups for years now, but these circumstances are exacerbating it to a very high level.

One thing that has always helped me through times of suffocating anxiety is listening to music that lifts me up and gives an encouraging message. So, I find that now is a great time to share some songs that are very important to me, in hopes that they may give you some hopeful, bright spots in your days this coming week. Happy reading and happy listening!

Be Alright – Kehlani

https://open.spotify.com/track/1B3jkf6CyuiF8CQcKlUx9y?si=gorjyGk3SfGIBbSYfrcfbg

Kehlani gives wise words in this chilled out, R&B track:

“Yes, I might get wet, I might get thrown

But I'll resurface all on my own

It'll be alright, be alright

Reaper – Sia

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Vw3UGCAUQetVTmNdh6W5d?si=wkf-0NUtRmmHZ1TcZELRdA

Sia takes a playful look at discouragement as the Grim Reaper- and she's not going out that way.

“Oh, you tried to track me down

You followed me like the darkest cloud

But no baby, no baby, not today”

My Shot (feat. Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz & Nate Ruess) – Rise Up Remix

https://open.spotify.com/track/7ElYuU4c2EVqtLpCBst0au?si=9zgFJ4vLQVq33H8NyoiqFA

Going for a different vibe with this one- this high-energy rap track from the Hamilton Mixtape has been my pump-up song for years. When I'm nervous or scared about something I'm about to do, this song makes me feel fierce and ready to tackle anything (past examples include: before job interviews, before first days at new jobs, and on my drive on the way to ask a guy out!!). Plus, once you've got the verses memorized, and you can spit bars along to the song, that's a real confidence booster for anyone (I think? Maybe it's just me?).

“That's why I hustle hella hard, never celebrate a holiday

That'll be the day I coulda finally hit the lottery

I refuse to ever lose or throw my shot away

Or chalk it up as just another one that got away, so

I'm unapologetic, I'm on my calisthenics

If I have given it all I got I cannot regret it

My point of destination's different from where I was headed

'Cause I'mma shoot for the stars to get it”

The Shadow Proves The Sunshine – Switchfoot

https://open.spotify.com/track/1ivJ1VGhFOYNHgD4HtytvB?si=zNBqGNQOT8WcergNMZ5Y5w

There's nothing like a Switchfoot song to make me feel better and inspire me! It's a simple, yet weighty sentiment: there can only be dark shadows if there is a bright light shining as well. The song calls us to hope and to know that during every dark time, there is still hope and light to be found.

“We are crooked souls trying to stay up straight

Dry eyes in the pouring rain, well

The shadow proves the sunshine

Two scared little runaways

Hold fast to the break of daylight where

The shadow proves the sunshine”

It Is Well – Northpoint Worship, Lauren Daigle

https://open.spotify.com/track/2tEzz6a8TkScfoKYz5OY8Y?si=a93aI7DsS0WpOQ4tmp8deg

Now, I am a Christian, so much of my comfort is taken in the truth of Scripture, the infinite love of God, and the forgiveness of my sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If you do not share my beliefs, I still hope that you can find encouragement through many of these songs just the same!

This is a re-modeling of the classic hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. That simple line, as well as the rest of the truths this song talks about, is so important to me, and gives me so much peace and joy whenever I hear it. This version especially is just powerful, and I can't get enough of it.

“It is well, it is well, through the storm, I am held

It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well, it is well, God has won, Christ prevailed

It is well, it is well with my soul”

Footprints – Sia

https://open.spotify.com/track/7LNAzNyUgpZklrVCVwg70i?si=kbj3RPpMQKKGZjjRCtO2qw

This song also has a faith-based message; however, it's subtle and amazingly well-written. It is based on the traditional poem of the same name that I saw hanging on a plaque in my grandma's house for my entire childhood – you can read it here and see how well it compares to Sia's song!

“Lord knows you can’t trust your head when you're hanging by a thread

Ground Control – All Time Low feat. Tegan & Sara

https://open.spotify.com/track/2fF3XzFS37084kw9tgNA5i?si=rpVmmhz6Q1K5OWMq53gdoA

This song compares the feeling of confusion and being lost to floating alone in space. It gives the simple consolation of “I promise we'll be fine”, and reminds us that we all have a “ground control” in the form of friends and family to support us through tough times.

“Hey, I promise you we'll be fine

Got the universe on your side when you're out in space, don't you be afraid, no

If you start floating away”

Truce – twenty one pilots

https://open.spotify.com/track/6BEKt5axiNeWCr9huv0k7I?si=7VibqyHPQJGjPPcR1DSD8Q

There are only about six lines to this entire song, but it is beautiful and soothing in its sparseness:

“Now the night is coming to an end

The sun will rise and we will try again

Stay alive, stay alive for me”

Gold Steps – Neck Deep

https://open.spotify.com/track/3LUH76sCt8Xgb6d9EgdgkN?si=FFwfmo3kT6mW3Ae_R6I3TQ

This track is, for lack of a better term, a REAL BANGER. It's loud and punky, but that doesn't mean it can't have an inspiring message as well! It has an empowering feel, and is a great reminder that most times, we don't know our own strength in making it through things that seem to bend and break us.

”'Cause sometimes things will bend you, but trust me you'll be fine

'Cause I've been moving mountains that I once had to climb

And life's not out to get you, despite the things you've been through

'Cause what you give is what you get, and it doesn't make sense to make do”

Missing You – All Time Low

https://open.spotify.com/track/0c2yZp1tTYAUiKraMdS8Yg?si=5WuAKsNRRuG6_XAi0Kc2Kw

This song really, really gets me because it was released during my most turbulent teenage years, when I was in most desperate need of the feeling of having a friend and being encouraged. It's sweet, happy-sounding, and told me what I needed to hear when I felt like I was alone in the world: “don't lose your fight, kid.”

“Hold on tight, this ride is a wild one

Make no mistake, the day will come when you can't cover up what you've done

Now don't lose your fight, kid, it only takes a little push to pull on through”

Last Hope – Paramore

https://open.spotify.com/track/2VBluJiNj9bKohWX0dY1Lh?si=esQrUsKmTkq7xVyh7AubzQ

This list finishes out with a slow-burning, anthemic track from Paramore's 2013 album. It speaks of hope as a small flame that gives light and inspires us to push forward, no matter how small that hope may be.

“It's just a spark, but it's enough to keep me going

And when it's dark out, no one's around, it keeps glowing”

Coil subscribers only! Keep on scrolling for a full Spotify playlist and some bonus tracks!