Are you always tired? Even if you get more rest than usually do (which these days is four hours instead of two), you find that you still need someone to pry your body off of the mattress with a spatula. Your mind keeps racing, dwelling in the stress of the day ahead. You find yourself turning to one extra cup of coffee to get you through the last few hours so that you can go home and cook dinner. You’re irritable. You keep getting sick more often than usual, sometimes even lightheaded.

Did I just describe any given weekday in your life?

The burnout is real, and you may be suffering from it. Adrenal burnout is when your body produces too much Cortisol and adrenaline. These two hormones are produced by our adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates your immune system, sexual organs and desires, your blood sugar, as well as how you respond to stress.

You may have heard of the other hormone, adrenaline before. It’s that blood that gets pumping when you are faced with various situations. It’s what makes you decide to pull someone out of a burning car, or to hit the pavement when someone chases you. Adrenaline is what makes our bodies go into a “flight or fight response.” And some days, we are just so tired of fighting.

Our body produces both Cortisol and adrenaline more frequently when it faced with constant stress. If you are constantly multi-tasking, balancing plates on paper thin wands, chances are you feel overwhelmed. This leads to you skipping meals, restricting calorie intake, and other unhealthy eating habits like binging on fatty foods. Your first instinct to remedy the fatigue overcoming your body is to add more sugar and coffee. This gives you jitters that causes crashes and will keep you awake at night.

It becomes a sick cycle that you can’t break. However, there are some ways to combat these problems before they worsen. Eventually, these tips can lead you down a path to fixing your adrenal burnout. Like our hair needs to be shampooed, our bodies need exercise, and our bellies need food, our adrenal glands need a little TLC as well. Here are some ways you can give your adrenal glands a “spring” tune up this season.

      

      Limit Your Coffee Intake

I know. It’s as natural as breathing. The only way we know how to combat being a zombie is through an IV drip of Starbucks with an extra shot of espresso. However, adding more caffeine to your diet just exasperates all the symptoms of low blood sugar.The dizziness? Irritability? Shakiness? Might as well add gasoline to a burning house in hopes to put out the flames.

Instead of reaching for a cup of joe, try giving yourself a good stretch. Step away from your blue computer screen and sit upright. Observe your breaths. Go deeper and deeper with each inhale and exhale as you lift your shoulders up to your ears with each breath in, and lower them, gliding your shoulder blades down your spine on each breath out. You will find yourself a lot less stressed and re-energized in just five minutes.

          

           Bye-Bye Sweets

If you thought coffee was doing a number on your psyche, take a second to consider how many refined sugars you are putting into your body. When your adrenal glands are always battling fatigue, it does two things. One of two things is that it emits adrenaline that creates glucose to release into the bloodstream. That way your body can gobble up the glucose and make energy out of it to combat whatever issues you have going on.

Adrenal fatigue also causes the Cortisol levels in your body to drop. These reactions usually result in low blood pressure.

As you introduce excess refined sugars into your diet, your blood sugar will spike. This will causes insulin to come and clean up the excess glucose in the bloodstream. As these chains of reactions continue, blood sugar will plummet following an initial insulin spike. Now, the adrenals need to bring the blood sugar back up, causing a sick cycle. How sick is it? Glad you asked. It’s killing your adrenal glands. Low blood sugar leads to insulin resistance, which in turn increases your Cortisol levels. If your body is fighting off the help of insulin, its cells are also resisting energy created by the glucose.

  

         Get Blood Work & Take Supplements

There are a number of vitamin deficiencies that can lead to adrenal burnout. Try going to a functional physician and getting a physical. That way they can pinpoint which vitamins and minerals your body is lacking. A good place to start is with your B-complex vitamins, as well as the usual suspects in Vitamins A, C, D and E.  Magnesium, selenium, and zinc are also important for proper functioning of both the adrenal and thyroid glands. Do not be afraid for them to check your DHEA, Pregnelnolone, Cortisol, Iron, Testosterone, and Homosystine.

     Cut Down Exercise

   

What? I know. It sounds crazy, but stop pushing yourself so hard! You are just adding more stress into your life.

However, that does not mean to become that body in bed in need of a good spatula scraping. Take on yoga. It’s a great way to clear the mind and become more in tune with what your body needs. If that seems intimidating, even something as simple as going for a walk around the neighborhood, or a light bike ride would be a good replacement for running 10 miles on the treadmill. Keep your body active, but don’t stress it out.

      Change Up Your Plate

      If your adrenal glands are out of whack, eat more vegetables, foods rich with omegas, and good carbs. For breakfast, get rid of the sugary cereal and make yourself some omega rich eggs, or avocado toast. Introduce chia seeds to your protein shake. You want these healthy fats to kick start your day.  

For snacks, bring carrot sticks and hummus, celery and peanut butter, raw almonds and raisins, or Vitamin C rich fruits like oranges and kiwis. Lunch time should consist of a superfood salad with some grilled chicken, a caprese sandwich, or three bean salad. Dinner? More healthy fats and protein-rich carbs like smoked salmon and a mix of quinoa, buckwheat, or lentils.

It may seem like the burnout has a hold of you, but you need to get a hold of the burnout. Getting back into a healthy routine is the best way to give your adrenals a nice spring tune up this season. Cut the excess sugars and caffeine out of your life. Have more balanced meals and be sure to be supplement properly. Finally, stop pushing yourself too hard in the gym. You are pushing yourself hard enough in every other aspect of your life. You should be taking pleasure in working out, not adding more stress. Following these tips should start to get your adrenal gland out of the funk it’s in, and have you taking on the day with a smile in no time!

Featured Heal Live

9:00:00 AM

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1 Haas avocado (or 2 medium avocados)

1 very ripe banana, frozen

2 Tbsp silken tofu

4 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup honey 

1 tsp organic and pure peppermint extract

Himalayan pink salt

Instructions

1. Line with parchment paper an 8” x 8” square dish. Set aside.

2. Add all ingredients (except cacao nibs) in a food processor or blender; process until very smooth well. Pour the batter into prepared square dish, cover with parchment paper or foil and freeze for 5-6 hours.

3. Once ready, remove dish from freezer and cut into pieces. Serve.

Tip: You can store these bars in an airtight container and keep in freezer.

Servings: 8

Cooking Times

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Inactive Time: 6 hours

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 2.2 ounces

Percent daily values based on the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) for a 2000 calorie diet.

Amount per Serving

Calories 207.5

Calories from Fat (73%) 151.36

% Daily Value

Total Fat 17.31g 27%

Saturated Fat 13.44g 67%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 3.82mg <1%

Potassium 209.37mg 6%

Total Carbohydrates 15.53g 5%

Fiber 2.77g 11%

Sugar 10.62g

Protein 1.15g 2%

Eat

7:27:00 AM

Okay. You hear the word oil in conjunction with food, and your mind immediately thinks “fat”.

That’s true as far as it goes, but did you know that there are two types of fat?

 Healthy fat, commonly known as good fat and the fat with which we are all too familiar – the bad fat that gives all fat a bad name. But we won’t be talking about the bad fat today. Guess which category avocado oil falls into? That’s right – good fat. Sometimes called an alligator pear, avocadoes contain a vast array of nutrients and over twenty different minerals and vitamins.

 Now, there is a myriad of reasons why you would want to consume avocado oil, but let’s take a look at six of them.

 1. Avocados are a taste treat! 

The first reason is simply - avocados taste good, making them a delight to eat. Delectable and simple to include in a daily diet - whether in a guacamole dip or mixed in with a salad - it is a versatile food that you can be sure your family will love and actually eat.

 2. Fiber, fiber, fiber… 

It is a well known fact that today’s typical diet does not include anywhere near enough fiber. And a lack of dietary fiber can lead to many health issues –chief among them - chronic constipation, whichis more often than not the result of a lack of fiber and exercise in a daily routine.Avocados and its oil can act as a vehicle for getting the healthy fat into your system, and the fruit itself will give you much needed fiber.

3. High increase of “good” cholesterol (HDL) 

It is found that avocado oil increase HDL, the “good” cholesterol. Also, some studies in animals found that avocado oil play a main role in lowering of LDL cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides.

 4. Potassium… 

 It is a sad fact of life that most individuals do not get enough potassium in their 21st century diets. Oh sure, we eat the odd banana and a potato or two, but many people are living with low potassium levels. Ask any family doctor. High potassium levels can facilitate reduced blood pressure, and by extension - a lower risk of heart attacks, kidney problems and strokes. Nevertheless, avocados contain more potassium than banana.

 5. Hair, hair, hair… 

The healthy oil in an avocado – the oil that is so beneficial to your body - is also a wonderful tonic for your hair! Avocado oil helps to repair over-processed, heat ravaged, damaged hair. Simply mix up an egg, a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil and half an avocado – apply it as a mask to your poor hair and watch as it restores luster and sheen to your crowning glory. In addition to this (as if this wasn’t enough) the oil promotes faster and healthier growth.

 6. Skin, beautiful skin... 

 Proteins, lecithin, potassium, sterolin, antioxidants and rich assortment of vitamins and nutrients loaded in avocado oil are beneficial for the skin. Avocado oil actually contains omega-3 fatty acids – essential fatty acids. Due to the specific chemical composition of avocado oil, it has a outstanding capability of retaining water in the skin and making skin smooth, elastic and fresh. Truly speaking, the amounts of nutrients in avocado oil are simply innumerable.

 7. Vitamin E – for your body and mind 

One of the top five foods for vitamin E content, avocado oil improves the health of the skin,eyes and hair, all the while giving the immune system a good boost in the process. That’s all body stuff. But avocado oil has also been found to aid in the functioning of the mind – memory and mental acuity actually improve with increased intake of vitamin E delivered to the body by avocado oil. And let’s not forget that avocado oil also increases the efficiency of the digestive tract.

 8. Avocado oil aids in weight loss!

 Avocado oil contains a high concentration of oleic acid, which may assist you in an effective weight loss regime. Not all by itself of course, but consumed in a balanced diet and combined with regular exercise, you will see the results in a relatively short time. Due to the high concentration of nutrients contained in the oil you will feel fuller, faster – in essence curbing your appetite. Another factor contributing to weight loss – remember we said that avocado oil aids in digestion – well, that characteristic enables your body to better utilize the nutrients acquired from the other foods you eat – resulting in increased energy and a lessened reluctance and aversion to physical exercise. Yes, avocado oil can help get you up off the couch and partaking in physical activities you may have felt were far beyond your energy level or inclination. And of course, regular exercise helps keep your weight down.

 9. Reduce Symptoms of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

 Arthritis is definitely one of the most painful inflammations of the joints. Arthritis affects millions of people all over the world. Numerous studies have found that unsaponifiables extracts from avocado reduce the arthritis pain and the paints related with osteoarthritis.

 10. Avocado oil is far better than most other oils in the kitchen

 Avocado oil is derived by pressing the fleshy pulp from the fruit. Most other oils are obtained by pressing the seeds, making them unsuitable for both salads and cooking. Ever try canola oil on a salad? Not so good. And while olive oil may be a close second to avocado oil, it has a much lower smoking point. When you consider that most oils lose the majority of their nutritional benefits when they approach their smoking point – we see that the only choice on top of the stove has to be avocado oil.


And lets not forget....avocados can make a beautiful looking brownie!

 Avocado Benefits and Nutrition Facts

Eat

12:43:00 PM

There’s nothing that says I love you quite like chocolate covered strawberries. At least until now. This sweet, chocolate-y drink has a rich flavor with the sweet overtones from the strawberry liqueur. If you want something closer to the real deal, muddle two fresh strawberries instead for authenticity. This is the perfect surprise for your sweetheart. All you need are some candles and maybe a tasty dinner to round out the night.

Ingredients

·         1.5 ounces of vanilla vodka

·         2 ounces of milk

·         1 tbs. of chocolate syrup

·         0.5 ounces of strawberry liqueur

Utensils

·         Jigger

·         Shaker

·         Martini glass

Directions

1.       Mix all of the ingredients into the shaker and then top with ice.

2.       Coat the inside of the martini glass with chocolate syrup.

3.       Pour the cocktail into the chocolate coated martini glass.

4.       Serve beside candles and enjoy!

Eat

5:38:00 AM

Each year during the holidays thousands of folks make resolutions to lose weight at the beginning of the New Year, only to be left feeling frustrated with their efforts as they fall back into their old patterns of eating and not exercising. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. You can meet your resolutions to lose weight, when you know why most people fail and what you can do about it. Today I’m sharing the top 5 reasons your New Year’s weight loss resolutions fail and how you can avoid these common traps.

 

Your Resolutions Are Overwhelming

If your New Year’s resolutions are along the lines of; lose 25 pounds, change diet completely and workout 6 times a week…you’re probably feeling overwhelmed. Making changes to lose weight and be healthy can be especially overwhelming if you make lots of huge changes at once. In order for change to be long lasting, it has to be sustainable. Make a plan for how you are going to reach your goals. Make small changes and stick with them. Break your goal of weight loss down into how much weight you can lose every 2 weeks. Make attainable goals to your diet, like reduce sugar by 50%, eat leafy greens every day, drink body weight in water daily, etc..., commit to an exercise routine that will increase in frequency and intensity as your fitness level improves.

You Don’t Feel Well

You’ve stopped eating processed foods, and you’ve worked out every day this week…not only do you not feel healthy, you probably feel bloated, achy and tired. Your sore muscles make it hard to sleep and more often than not you are gassy and bloated. Don’t despair, your body is adjusting, but these are signs that you are overdoing it. When you stop eating processed foods and start eating whole foods that are full of fiber, it takes your digestive system a little while to get used to the switch. While it’s hard to avoid all of the unpleasantness, prep the week before you start your new diet by adding a fiber supplement to. Start out with workouts for your current fitness level, moving every day is better for you than working out once a week and being stiff and sore for days.  

It’s Not Fun

Changing ourselves is not fun, it’s hard work and requires that we have discipline. When we change for weight loss we don’t only change our eating patterns, we may also change our social behaviors and patterns too.  If you are avoiding processed foods and cutting out alcohol you may find yourself saying ‘no’ to invites from friends and co-worker, as the temptation to eat unhealthy foods may be too much. Learning how to be healthy and have fun is possible, but you do have to set boundaries and limits for yourself. While it may be hard and not fun during the first few weeks, you will begin to adjust to the changes you are making and you will begin to feel more comfortable eating a healthy salad with lean protein while your friends nosh on French fries. Celebrating your milestones will also bring back the fun to health and fitness, just make sure rewards don’t tempt you to binge on extra calories. Favorite rewards are; a massage, a new workout outfit or a manicure.

There’s Nothing Left for You to Eat

You’ve chosen the new diet fad that excludes all your favorite food groups and now you have 3 foods left that you can eat…well not really, but it probably feels like it. Very rarely do you need to exclude a food group, but if and when you do, you have to have a meal plan. It’s all fine and well to say you aren’t going to eat bread anymore, but what are you going to eat, if you’ve been eating sandwiches every day for lunch? Choosing a realistic and affordable diet that includes foods that you like to eat in the proper portions, ensures the likelihood that you will stick to the diet. Once you’ve chosen the diet, make a meal plan that outlines what you will eat and when you eat it, this reduces the chances of cheating or binging on junk food on busy days.

No One is Checking Up On You

Unfortunately, when we are left to our own devices it’s just too easy to skip a workout or binge on sweets, however having someone to check in or check up on you, not only prevents us from cheating, it also helps us to get back on track after a mis-step. An accountability partner is someone who will be supportive and who will hold you accountable. Your accountability partner may be starting a new health and fitness regime, just like you, or maybe they have already gone through the tough first weeks and knows what the challenges are and can help you stick with your resolutions.

Enjoying the Art of Living has life coaches and nutritionists hat have worked with successfully with people who are at all different places, with different weight and health goals bu have all agreed that diets do not work and that weight loss and health can be done by enjoying the art of living,

For more information contact us or sign up for the latest, including a online program still being perfected, to enhance your own personal art of living.  

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email *

8:26:00 AM

Want another reason, besides the many one’s you’ve already been considering, to trade in that steak for a salad? Brace yourself…

We are getting too much protein!

Sure, protein is the building block of life and is essential for a balanced, healthy diet. It’s the reason we grow hair, put on muscle, and produces hormones. But there can be too much of a good thing.

Both men and women alike are eating far too much protein than they body truly needs. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) states that we should be eating 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (which breaks down to 0.36 grams per pound). That means the average sedentary woman should consume 46 grams and the average sedentary man should intake 56 grams of protein. However, recent studies show that women on average intake 67 grams a day, while the average male consumes a whopping 82 grams!

So what does our body do with all this extra protein? Well, a few things.

Too Much Protein Stimulates a Biochemical Pathway to Most Cancers

Expert in anti-aging, Dr. Ron Rosdale, discussed this very topic in a YouTube video. Amino acids introduced to our body by eating too much animal protein daily activates the protein enzyme inside all of us called the, “Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR).”

I know, big word. Don’t give up.

The mTOR is a chemical reaction of other proteins inside your body. When two genes fall in love and collide, BOOM! A biochemical pathway called the mTOR. I know, weird stuff goes on in there.

Our body is a bit of a yin and yang. There are things in there to balance out the other. So the mTOR plays the bad cop in the good-cop-bad-cop scenario when it comes to your body cleaning itself out.  mTOR is essential for the cleaning cells that replace damaged cells to do their job, but when mTOR becomes the alpha dog in the house, it becomes a bit of bully.

When the mTOR is overly stimulated, it doesn’t allow your cells to regenerate, because it shuts down the process that cleans out damaged cells (the process is called “autophagy” if you truly care). Rather than promoting rejuvenation, the mTOR encourages growth.

This includes cancerous growths.

Studies have shown that when mTORs act abnormally (such in case, over stimulated), it contributes to tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis.”

A great way to avoid the overstimulation of the mTOR is trade in that leg of lamb in for something a bit more lean like grilled chicken, or perhaps a cup of chickpeas (1 cup boiled is 15 grams!). Next Taco Tuesday, try making black bean tacos instead of beef tacos. Maybe swap out meaty meatballs, and roll up some eggplant balls. There’s a lot of easy and delicious ways to lower your protein intake.

More Protein Means More Glucose. More Glucose Means More Hormones Out of Whack!

50% to 60% of the protein that we eat will turn to glucose naturally. That’s fine and dandy. We need glucose. However, the more protein you are ingesting, means more glucose.  Suddenly 50% to 60% is a much larger number.

Too much glucose leads to your blood sugar being high. That’s when our precious hormone called “insulin” comes in. Once we’ve stressed insulin, we’re throwing all of hormones off their game.

Insulin produces testosterone in our bodies. When we eat, both estrogen and testosterone get introduced into our systems. As we digest our meals, an important protein in our bodies called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) binds onto excess testosterone and estrogen within our bloodstream. However, as insulin is working away at the sugar, that means more estrogen gets by, converting to fat tissue that sits in our bellies.

As we continue to consume more and more protein, the estrogen to progesterone ratio becomes out of whack. This leads to feelings of irritability, insomnia, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms only worsen as menopause draws near.

High Protein Diets Ignore Carbs, Draining Your Adrenal Gland

We’ve been hearing for the longest time that carbs are the enemy. Atkin’s has made a killing off of high-protein, low-carb diets. However, a lot of people complain that after the initial weight loss of joining these fad diets, they actually gained the weight back and then some.

The reason for this is because restricting carbohydrates means you’re denying your body energy. Yes, cutting off the carbs will mean a quick weight loss. Starving yourself will do the same thing too. However, in the long-term, both would detrimental.

If you are looking to kick off weight and enter a high-protein, low-carb diet, I would bet the house that you probably exercise in some way as well. Adding the stress of working out into this situation can lead to the following hormone-changing issues:

•       Lower thyroid output
•       Lower testosterone level
•       Higher cortisol output

A study conducted by Life Sciences showed that men on a high-carb diet versus men on a low-carb diet saw more production of testosterone as well as the SHBG that we spoke about earlier. In the case of women, you would want more carbs than protein to offset the insulin deficiency caused by overconsumption of protein.

 Oh yeah, that brings us back to insulin. The circle of life! Cue up, Elton John.

Carbs also increase the insulin levels that we were talking about earlier. As the amount of protein increases, insulin decreases. Instead of a high-protein, low-carb diet that trendy mainstream programs promote, we should be balancing things out more. The yin and the yang.

Sensible carbs and sensible proteins.

There are bad carbs, yes. Stay away from potato chips and high fructose corn syrup filled breads. But there’s also good carbs.

Just like there’s bad proteins. Stay away from fatty red meats like beef, steak, and lamb. But there are good proteins out there too. Here’s some of the good carbs and proteins to keep an eye out for:

Good Carbs:

·         Sweet Potatoes

·         Oatmeal

·         Brown Rice

·         Quinoa

·         Bananas

·         Oranges

·         Buckwheat

·         Apples

·         Kidney Beans

·         Chickpeas

Good Proteins

·         Lean chicken

·         Eggs

·         Chickpeas

·         Black beans

·         Hemp seeds

·         Edamame

·         Almonds

·         Salmon

·         Bee Pollen

·         Sprouts

·         Walnuts

·         Tempeh

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555161/

https://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Dietary_Reference_Intakes.aspx

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/03/too-much-protein.aspx

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3291999/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=Yv-M-5-s9B0

http://journal.diabetes.org/diabetesspectrum/00v13n3/pg132.htm

http://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/hormonalimbalance/hormonal-imbalance-caused-by-sugar.aspx

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/low-carb-diets

Eat Featured

1:44:00 PM

Think you can’t have a magnificent Valentine’s Day as a single lady? Think again. This year’s can be your absolute loveliest yet.

Here’s our challenge to you: juice Valentine’s Day.  Juice it of its goodness and throw out the pulp. You know, the commercialism. That money-grubbing notion that you haven’t shown love unless you’ve shelled out wads of cash on expensive jewels and crazy lavish dinners. Or that if you’re not in a relationship, then you’re the loser that have to look on as others “win.” Throw it all out.

So what’s the goodness? What’s worth keeping?

Love.

Love that takes action to express itself.

Thoughtfulness.

Going out of your way to celebrate and serve someone else in a way that considers their desires first.

Atmosphere.

Basking in the beauty of a softly lit space, sumptuous music and sweet, sweet peace.

With that in mind, we’re giving you a few of our favorite positively lovely Valentine’s Day plans that’ll have you counting down the days 'til VD!

Decide to indulge in a fresh, new experience.

Single Valentine’s Days can go sour if you’re stewing about the ex who broke your heart all day - meditating on the past. The best way to get present? Create a much more beautiful, brand new memory! Decide to go indoor skydiving, take a Thai cooking class, book a hot air balloon ride with a friend, enjoy a spa service you’ve never had, read your poetry at an open mic for the first time … your heart will be so full!

Go deep.

But on the other hand, sometimes it’s time to go deep. Sometimes days like VD are perfect for reflection - if you feel that would be healthy for your heart. If you can’t stop yourself from thinking about relationships, why not lean in and make all that pondering meaningful and uplifting?

Take yourself on a little retreat. Find a beautiful cafe or park or even get yourself a hotel room for the night somewhere pretty. Heck, you could even invite another single, positive friend to join you and double your reflection and growth.

Then spend some time journaling through these questions:

• What blessings do I bring to the life of someone I’m in a relationship with?
• In my past relationships, what did I learn about how to have a great one? How did I contribute to how things played out?
• What life and love lessons do I want to bring with me into a future relationship?
• What broken patterns do I want to leave in the past?
• What hurts still need healing? I can I move towards healing them?
• What traits do I realize now are important to have in my future love?
• If a relationship is something I desire, what practical step can I take this week towards finding a meaningful relationship?

You’ll be amazed at the richness and healing that can happen when you use questions like this to mine your past of what’s good and what builds you up.

Take yourself on a date, thoughtfully.

Spend some time carefully crafting a day that celebrates what you love. Ask yourself, “What’s a dinner I love?” Treat yourself to it. “What’s an outfit I feel beautiful in?” Wear it. “What’s an album I love?” Play it on a loop. “What’s a movie I love?” Get cozy and watch it. “What’s something fun I don’t let myself do often?” Get out those watercolors and paint! (With your favorite album playing.) “Who’s a person I love?” Call them up and make plans to be together, whether it’s your baby niece, a childhood friend or your office bestie.

Which brings us to …

Be the love-er.

Self love doesn’t mean you have to be by yourself. Or even that things need to be all about you. Giving to others does something special to your heart. It’s a gift to you and to them! Reach out to people you love and scheme how to make the day special for them. Tell a friend with kids that you’re coming over to hang out with them so she and her hubs can have a night out. Have lunch with your mom and bring her that new book she’d love to read, wrapped in a pretty bow. Think of something you've promised to do for a friend or family member and haven't yet - then do it! Joyfully! Grab drinks with some girlfriends and find a moment to let them know why (specifically) you’re so thankful for their friendship. Volunteer at a women’s shelter and spend time listening to the women’s stories.

Love is all around and the best way to feel it is by giving some, whether it’s to yourself, or to the wonderful people around you.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Make it beautiful.


If you like what you see...JOIN US . 

We do not over indulgent our lessons, articles, recipes and videos on social media, so never miss a feature to help create your own enjoy your art of living! We never pass along your information nor do we wear out our welcome.   (and we make unsubscribing as easy as a click!)  

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

Heal Live Love

11:41:00 PM