Melissa Ben-Ishay is a mother, baker, businesswoman, New York Times –Bestselling author. If you’re not familiar with her name, you probably know her dessert business – Baked by Melissa. Her signature mini cupcakes can be eaten in one bite and come in dozens of delicious varieties to choose from.
Here, the 40-year-old tells us about her favorite ways to start the day in her Manhattan apartment, before heading to a bakery to brainstorm her next delightful idea.
She woke up early and had a series of drinks
“My alarm goes off at 4am and I drink some water and then I drink the cold brew I keep in my bedroom because I don’t want to wake anyone up. Cold brew is usually a chameleon…then I drink salt and lemon Water. I love mornings. I choose to wake up at 4 a.m. and honestly expect the alarm to go off because it’s my time.
Then I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
“I brush my teeth but don’t turn on the electric toothbrush because I don’t want to wake anyone up in the morning. It’s an Oral-B electric toothbrush and my teeth have never felt so clean. It’s like going to the dentist every day.
Every day starts with sweating with good friends
“At 4:38am I met my neighbor on the stairs and we went to work out with my two best friends. Some mornings we would go to Solidcore for a 5am class. We also do HIIT classes… and then Our HIIT class trainers train with us two mornings a week.
As long as I sweat, I’m happy. Exercise is the reason we do it, but time with friends is the second win that fills my cup before anyone in my family opens their eyes.
After exercise, she performs a post-sweat skin care routine
“I go home, take a shower, use a cotton swab, and then use a face serum. Right now I’m using the Osea Malibu serum, which is very refreshing. Then I’ll use the Skinfix moisturizer.
Then it’s time to get her kids ready for school
“I walked into the living room wrapped in a towel and started getting the kids ready for school and making lunches. This morning, my daughter wanted macaroni and cheese in a thermos. It’s not the most nutritious, so I made sure to Add a GoGo Squeez Apple bag to her lunchbox.
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Ben-Isahy has an ongoing partnership with the GoGo sqeeZ Apple Apple, a fruit bag designed to be enjoyed on the go.
“They’re made from 100% fruit, each bag is half fruit and no added sugar, so I feel like I’m doing the right thing. Then I go get dressed, get my kids ready, and We leave at 8:05 am”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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