It's super-obvious to try staying connected to and loving those around you.
But what about staying connected to and loving yourself?
You weren't really taught that, were you?
Instead you can ignore or beat yourself into submission for any number of things: the way you look, how well you're aging, how much you weigh, how much you've accomplished today. Is it ever enough?
And when you do accomplish what you've set out to do, do you really celebrate?
Or do you joylessly start chipping away at the next thing on the list?
Instead of comparing yourself to someone else, can you really look at yourself and see that you're beautiful and different (as we all are!) even though there are areas you're still working on?
This is the most important relationship of your life, so you must cultivate it.
And no, it's not selfish or corny to think this, it's vital.
There's so much that has happened to you along the way that's covered up just how beautiful and ok you really are, which is why loving and caring for yourself is essential.
Taking care of yourself is also the only way to genuinely take care of others.
I tell clients that self-care is like the instructions you get on a plane: in case of an emergency, secure your oxygen mask before helping others with theirs.
It's the only way.
If you aren't taken care of first, you cannot truly help others (your kids, husband/wife, parents, friends, pets. Whoever).
So how can you show love to and appreciate yourself?
By doing even the smallest thing … winking at yourself in the mirror ;), eating your meal on a gorgeous plate, strutting a little while you walk like John Travolta in "Staying Alive", wearing those bold shoes you've been too nervous to wear.
One idea on my list (in addition to the strutting of course, ha!) is indulging in some luscious, healthy, raw vegan chocolate truffles (recipe below), also just in time for v-day ;)
Because as you know, it's not necessary to eat "bad" foods to indulge and reward yourself. The more nutrient-dense foods usually taste way-better anyway!
Check out the ingredients:
-Raw cacao contains more than 300 different chemical compounds and more antioxidants than blueberries, acai, pomegranates and goji berries combined and protects cells from damage and keeps immunity strong.
-Coconut oil is a healthy fat that fuels the brain and body, helps you feel satisfied and makes your skin look younger.
-Unsulphured blackstrap molasses is the 3rd boiling of cane sugar syrup and is high in magnesium, calcium and potassium; it also contains a good amount of copper, which is why it's been linked to the reversal of white hair.
-Cashews contain copper (good for getting rid of grey hairs), magnesium (controls stress hormones) and vitamin K (prevents wrinkling and premature aging).
Love yourself up.
Xoxo,
Lauren
Raw Vegan Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
-1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or 30 minutes in hot water
-2 tbsp water
-1 cup raw cacao powder + 3 tbsp for rolling the truffles
-1/2 cup cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil, melted
-1/3 cup organic unsulphured blackstrap molasses
-1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Optional equipment
Small cookie scooper, 1 tbsp size
Directions
1. Blend the soaked cashews in a food processor with 2 tbsp of water until they are nicely chopped.
2. Add the cacao powder (1 cup), coconut oil, molasses and vanilla and blend until well combined, scraping down the sides at least once.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl, cover and freeze for 45 minutes, or until firm enough to roll into balls.
4. Once the mixture is firm, spread the remaining 3 tbsp of cacao powder out on a large plate; scoop out equal amounts of the mixture with the cookie scoop, roll into a balls with your hands and lightly coat each truffle in the cacao powder.
Makes about 25 to 30 truffles.