Day 13 Of Finding Empathy.

Summer is just around the corner, and there might be a few parents out there looking to avoid the "I'm bored!" summertime slump. As adults, it's hard to have empathy for kids who whine and complain about having nothing to do! 

However, there is a new way to banish the "I'm bored!" phrase from your kids' summertime vocabulary while still firing up the brain synapses.

Without screentime.

Without spending a ton of money.

Without hours of material prep.

Without scouring the internet for activities.

If your kids love to tinker, try new things, and explore the "why" behind the "what," the STEAM Kids In the Kitchen book is the answer to keep kids engaged and learning all summer long!

It's filled with interesting activities and educational projects like:

Pizza Bubbles
Color Changing Lemonade
DIY Solar Oven
Strawberry DNA Extraction
Green Eggs and Ham
Kitchen Mini Makerspace
And so many more!!!

These projects will have kids:

question like a scientist,
design like a technologist
build like an engineer
create like an artist
deduce like a mathematician

– and, most importantly –

have fun in the kitchen!

There is both a print and ebook available to purchase here.

And until May 23rd with every STEAM Kids in the Kitchen purchase, a STEAM Kids In the Activity Placemat will be included for FREE!

Enjoy cooking up learning with STEAM Kids in the Kitchen and keep the boredom at bay all summer long.

Let me know how you like blowing cheese bubbles and catching sunlight with sun catcher cupcakes!

Until soon friends.

Day 12 Of Finding Empathy.

Being a mother is tough stuff. We deal with lots of things that are not glamorous or respected. Like barf, chauffering kids around, grocery runs, late night bloody noses, packing lunches, working through funny feelings and buying endless birthday party gifts. The list goes on, and so do the expectations. It doesn't matter who is helping us raise new humans; it can feel like we are the keeper of all things.

Don't get me wrong, being a mom is a beautiful job. It comes with moments of bliss, but with all the expectations, a mom's job can start to feel like there is no time to, well, ENJOY being a mom.

Last week, my daughter and I spent thirty minutes each day making, drawing or doing something together. It was delightful. We didn't have an agenda. We didn't have expectations. Best of all, we didn't argue. 

We just made stuff together and then talked afterward respectfully about what we made, how each of us might create something different and what we liked about the other person's work. We even collaborated on a project! 

We made some fun stuff but more importantly, we spent focused time together. The realization was in the age of deteriorating attention, being present is paramount in finding joy. Just being together with purpose brought on so much happiness to both of our lives.

So, let's take time out to be together even after Mother's Day is long gone. Get together more frequently, create something, anything, together. Enjoy the moments of happiness and joy that only being together can bring to our lives.

Until soon friends and mamas.

Day 11 Of Finding Empathy.

It's Mother's Day this weekend and Teacher Appreciation Week! Oh, goodness. Let's empathize with the people who give us so much and do something amazing. However, what do we give these selfless people in our lives?  

A stack of gift cards?

A bunch of flowers? 

A mug That says "Best Mom/Teacher Ever?"

We want these darling heroes to feel loved. We want to give a thoughtful gift that says "Hey, thanks for all the crap you deal with!"

Well, here is a quick, fun and unique project that will make any mom or teacher feel super special! This is a project called "art bars." They are so fun and affordable to make. Kids of all ages get excited about making this lovely project.  Here is what will be needed:

Art Bar Present For Mother's Day Or Teacher Appreciation Week

• Alter Eco Chocolate Bar(s)
• 6" x 9" pieces of cotton canvas or paper
• Watercolor pallet, markers, colored pencils etc.
• double stick tape
• ribbon
• "You Color My World Amazing Tag" {click here to download}

Step 1: Paint or draw a masterpiece on the canvas or paper. Let dry.

Step 2: Place two pieces of double stick tape on the back of the chocolate bar. Wrap the masterpiece around the chocolate bar. Tie with a ribbon and add a gift tag.

Voilá! A unique and thoughtful gift under $5.

Enjoy the process and see you soon creative friends!

Day 10 Of Finding Empathy.

Who deserves more empathy than our moms? With Mother's Day just around the corner, it might be essential to take a moment to think about ALL the super mothers that provide support in our lives. Sure, there are the biological moms, friends that step-in as a mom, and sisters who come forward to give excellent mom advice.

But what about the Mom Squad?

They are the group of mom friends that pick up a kid at a moments notice, drop off a good book when we need to stretch our "mom brain" and stuff Goldfish crackers in our kids pocket so the walk home from school won't be so miserable.

They are absolute gold as they offer support in the ways we don't know we need.

We should celebrate them. Throw them a party to say thank you. Maybe a Frosé party?

Yes!

Llamacorn Cactus Plant From ProFlowers. It's adorable!

Sweet Cake Pops From ProFlowers

Afterall, what mom wouldn't want to sip wine slushies and chat for hours on end with her mom friends?

This is such an amazing way to celebrate mom!

The best news of the day is our friends at ProFlowers have the whole Frosé party plan ready to put into action. Here is what ProFlowers has to say celebrating Mother's Day with Frosé goodness.

---

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the person who has given us so much in our lives. Our moms and mom figures are worthy of all the praise and celebration we can. Instead of the tried and true Mother’s Day brunch, why not try something different this year that’s a little more fun and has a little more wine?

A Mother’s Day frosé party is just what you need to go the extra mile and show all your favorite moms that you appreciate them! Frosé is an adult slushie made with fresh fruit and frozen rosé. This pretty pink drink is a refreshing, delicious and easy to make! ProFlowers created a handy frosé party guide with tips for stocking your table, styling your glasses and creating the perfect drink that’s uniquely yours. Take a look to see how you can host the best frosé party of the season!

Image: ProFlowers

---

Well, let the party planning begin and say thank you to every single mom in our lives that make things better every day.

Cheers to Mom(s) everywhere!

Until soon friends.

Day 9 Of Finding Empathy.

Creating something is hard work. It takes bravery to begin work that is important. We must rely on nerves similar to that of a sea captain holding her boat steady in a storm to create something that is the most authentic and highest expression of ourselves.

When we go through the creating process, we most likely will get caught a cycle that focuses on the outcome. It might go something like this:

It might be wise to stop this internal dialogue right before it begins. It focuses on the outcome, not the process. Think about it. It's the process that makes us smarter not the product. The process is where the value lies.

What if we changed our internal cue cards to focus on the vital part of creating? The process is the part that contains empathy and control over the future.

What if we changed our dialogue to:

This might make us enjoy our creative journey by providing the empathy to move forward to tomorrow.

Until soon creative friends.

Day 8 Of Finding Empathy.

Sometimes we need a boost to get out of a funk, rut or hole. We may think we need a magic wand or fancy tool to help us out of our negative space.

Nope. We just need each other. 

That's it. 

Well, and a dash of creativity.

We are all creative. It's a skill we should all cultivate, nurture and habitualize as it has the power to not only change our lives but the lives around us. However, we can often become overwhelmed by possibilities and by choice. It ends in a cycle of chasing our tail.

This is when we need a PIC or "Partner In Creating." We need someone who can empathize, listen and most importantly meet for coffee. Sometimes it's awkward to start a deep dive therefore here are five steps to make a creative meet-up meaningful and fun:

Good luck with the meet-up. If you need me and want to get coffee, just drop me a line.

Until soon creative friends.

Day 7 Of Finding Empathy.

It's hard to understand what is happening to our planet earth. From the melting polar ice caps to the last male northern white rhino, changes are happening around us. One of the hardest things to notice is the planet's breathtaking beaches covered in microplastic. Add in multiple patches of plastic bits the size of Texas floating in our once pristine oceans and it's apparent we have done some real damage to our environment. The plastic we discard so quickly won't potentially decompose for 450 years. Look at this chart on "How Long Does It Take For Trash To Decompose."

Yikes.

Gulp.

Who else feels bad about the way we have treated planet earth?

When did we put personal convenience over the health of the planet? Our morning disposable takeaway coffee cup with a plastic lid seems downright stupid now, or the bottle of water grabbed from the grocery store because we couldn't wait to get home seems silly.

When I was a kid, the idea of bottled water seemed ludicrous. Why would anyone bottle water? Water fountains were everywhere! Plus, mom said it was ok to be thirsty for a couple of hours. We wouldn't die.

So what the happened in the last thirty years?

When did we put convenience over sensibility?

When did we lose empathy for our planet?

It's wonderous and beautiful. Let's be beautiful too.

Today and tomorrow, in honor of Earth Day, let's take time to recycle a few plastic bits from our neighborhood or use a reusable cup coffee cup. More importantly, let's make small decisions every day that lead to a better planet tomorrow.

Until soon friends.

Day 6 Of Finding Empathy

On the weekend, most of us want to kick up our feet and relax. We deserve a break from the weekday hustle. It's understandable and necessary for us to tackle Monday with a clear head.

However, what if this weekend we took on a DIY project?

Something new.

Something we have never done.

Something that will stretch us.

Like baking bread, sewing socks, taking photographs, drawing sketches, playing guitar or making something that makes us think. Do you think we will find creating something new is harder than it looks?

Yes! 

Last weekend, I made a planter stand out of wood. Scrolling through social media, the headline "Simple Plant Stand DIY" caught my eye. I was looking to get me out of my creative rut, and this project seemed like a simple and straightforward way to make something fabulous.

Well, "Simple Plant Stand DIY" took me all day Sunday, some of Monday and half of Thursday. I almost cut off my thumb, twice. I am still picking wood glue from jeans, and the plant stand is only "standing" because it's being held together by a tiny previously used IKEA screw and a bit craft of paint. One slight breeze and this DIY is going to look like a stylish bit of kindling sitting on my office floor.

The whole process was frustrating, exhausting, and humbling.

Notice Anything? I Forgot The Drill Bit.

To top it all off, after the plant stand was complete, I realized I needed a plant to go to the plant stand. Which became a whole additional problem. Luckily, ProFlowers has a simple solution to picking the perfect houseplant; a "House Plants Flow Chart." 

Here is some great insight from ProFlowers on how to pick a great plant:

"Fresh houseplants are the perfect addition inside a home in desperate need for some color and a splash of fresh decor. A carefully selected houseplant can help fill out an empty corner or pull together a plain-looking room. Plants range in shape and size and have different criteria for care.

There are a handful of things to consider when selecting new plants. For example, how often will you be home?  Are you planning to put your plant in a sunny or a shady spot? Do you have any pets? With all of these things to consider, how can you know what plant will be the best for you?

If you’re looking for a more entertaining way to answer this question, take a look at this fun flowchart ProFlowers put together to help you find the best houseplant for you!

Image: ProFlowers

While I am glad this DIY project is over, it did make me empathize and think deeply about people who make things everywhere and every day. Even when something seems simple, it takes a dedicated and thoughtful hand to create something valuable.

Hold Your Breath Or This MIght Topple Over...

Good luck with your DIY and until soon friends.

Day 5 Of Finding Empathy

When we are young, it's hard to imagine growing old. We might think that being young is the singular opportunity in our lives to live wild and free. As we grow older, the world around us can be unforgiving in its expectations. We can stop looking for the highest most authentic expression of ourselves or the wild part of us.

However, what if we have a personal responsibility to live our lives "wild" no matter what age?

What if this untamed self, creates a unique gift in this world? 

Freeing ourselves from expectations might give us the opportunity to live a long life and space to create empathy for each other.

Until soon friends.

Day 4 Of Finding Empathy

We are always running; our brains always turned on. We require a connection at every minute. We become attached to the moment of now. We need to know what's going on with everyone, everywhere and at all times. As we take in this modern world, it can seem as if everyone else in this world has life figured out. They know the silver bullet, wonder drug or quick magic needed to make life the best it can be.

It can start to feel like we are behind the times, caught in a web of immediacy. We might start to ask ourselves if everything we do is wrong. We beat ourselves up as the world around us screams move faster, be more and do more!.

And the wheel of "You are not enough" just keeps spinning.

We forget that finding empathy in ourselves is crucial to our wellbeing. Finding space and time to soak in what's essential around takes "Wellpower" or the power to make ourselves whole. Wellpower gives us the time to stop the chatter of quick magic and create space to find empathy for ourselves.

Until soon friends.

Day 3 Of Finding Empathy

Life doesn't always work out as planned and it can be downright brutal. A sudden death, a lost dream job, a housing crisis, a beloved pet vanishes, a nasty divorce, an overwhelming cancer diagnosis, or any life-shattering event that makes us feel deep, heavy emotional sadness and disappointment. 

How can we do to be more empathetic to the people around us that need support?

The first step is to pause and listen. 

The second? Provide something that says "Life is shitty sometimes, but I'm here for you."

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 2 Of Finding Empathy.

It's hard to find the right words to say, including to ourselves. Maybe we are stuck in a creative rut or searching for a sage piece of advice. Our internal dialogue has nothing to offer that is meaningful. The thoughts we jot down don't seem right. It's a no spark, no voice moment. We can feel like we have a brain clog.

Today, I have a creative roadblock. Let's be honest; I'm putting up barriers. I'm not doing the work. I have a form of writer's block. The creative side of me is stuck. However, a wise man once said "Plumbers don't get plumbers block. They show up and do the work, fix what needs improvement, and they move on." 

So, what kind of wrench will get our creative juices flowing again?

A  whole bunch of quotes.

We should think of a quote as empathy from the universe. Afterall, the cosmos has experienced everything, and it just might have the right words to keep us going.

Thankfully Invaluable has 30 beautiful quotes help get us back to living our creative life.

Here is what Invaluable has to say about creative roadblocks:

---

It's happened to all of us. You're on a creative kick and then all of a sudden you get stuck and are in a creative rut. Not only is it super frustrating but it can also make you want to abandon the work completely, something you shouldn't do. That's why words of encouragement can be so helpful. It can be from a friend or partner, but the right words are often enough to make your ideas click or at the very least enough to inspire you to get back to work again.

With that in mind, sometimes people aren't available to tell you the words you need to get back to work. That's why having quotes on hand for when you need inspiration is a great way to always stay inspired. Using these 30 different creativity quotes from Invaluable, you can take solace in the words of Da Vinci and Rembrandt, whether you're a painter or looking for creative inspiration in other areas of your life, be it cooking, writing, or other creative ideas. Hear how their thoughts on striving for perfection or what they look to for inspiration, and you may find exactly the thing you need to hear to get back to your creative dreams!

---

Universe thank you for the pep talk and Invaluable for the quotes. Let's now spread the words.

Until tomorrow friends.

Empathy, we don't always see it in our everyday lives. Sometimes it is clouded by limbic brain fueled emotions such as jealousy, confusion, rage, anger, and sadness. Lost in the moment of self-preservation and ego, the experience of empathy isn't always at the top of mind. Like when someone cuts us off in traffic, our boss snaps at us, or our kids complain about dinner we can find ourselves reacting to the situation versus using the power of empathy to change our situation. As change makers and leaders mark empathy as the model for creating a world with a higher human purpose, as it becomes more and more of a buzz word for a way of thinking and living we should ask ourselves:

What is empathy?

After some initial research, the definition of empathy is complex.  A web search for the word becomes surprisingly confusing. Is it an emotion? Is it a way of thinking? A logical approach to seeing a different perspective? An experience?

The answer seems to be yes on all accounts.

Will honing our empathic powers change how we feel toward others such as disgruntled co-workers, political adversaries, bad bosses, frenemies, and anyone who doesn't align with our core values? Most importantly, what does empathy look like to each of us? If we spot it in our every day, will we create change in ourselves and the world around us? Will it make us better leaders and humans?

For the next 30 days, let's empathize with empathy. It seems so misunderstood.

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 30. Recipe 30.

Here we are at the end of 30 recipes. It took a bit longer than expected. Honestly, there was a ton more cooking in the kitchen and other methods that didn't pan out. There were also a lot of learnings not just about cooking but about creating which I will share soon.

In the meantime, this Coconut Macaroon recipe is quick to mix up, comfortable, and delightful. It's a classic.

---

Coconut Macaroons

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the flour and coconut. Add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and mix together with the flour and coconut.

Step 3: Using a small cookie scoop or large spoon, drop the dough onto the sheet. Make sure they are approximately 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 min or until golden. Remove from oven and immediately transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Step 4: In a medium microwavable bowl, add the chocolate chips and the coconut oil. Heat in 15-second intervals, stirring every 15 seconds, until the chocolate is smooth. Dip the cookies in the chocolate or drizzle the chocolate on top with a spoon. Let dry and enjoy.

---

Now, let's go eat some cookies!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 29. Recipe 29.

Pinterest is a fantastic place to find new opportunities and inspiration. There are great ideas that make our lives enjoyable, including tasty life altering recipes. Lucious photographs of perfectly baked bread, cakes oozing with caramel, and delicious one-pot meals dominate this social media heaven.

But if you are scrolling through and see "Taco Pizza" keep scrolling.

In fact, for the love of god don't make "Taco Pizza."

It's gross.

"Oh, BARF!!!" gross.

No one in my family could gulp down the crunchy, meaty, and worst of all sweet, spongy texture of this concoction. Yes, as a family we felt lucky to have food on our table. However, we also felt fortunate to all agree that we should never make this recipe again, ever.

Don't take our word for it. Take this recipe for a whirl and let us know if we should give taco pizza another chance.

---

Taco Pizza

• 2 tubes (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
• 1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
• 1 pound ground beef 
• 1/2 envelope taco seasoning
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 2 cups shredded mixed cheese
• 1 cup shredded lettuce

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Unroll the crescent roll dough and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Pinch the gaps together to seal. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Let cool.

Step 2: Beat together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Layer over the cooled crust.

Step 3: Brown the ground beef and drain. Add the taco seasoning to the meat cook according to package directions. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Layer the ground beef evenly over the cream cheese layer. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Cut into serving-size pieces and serve immediately.

---

There is always a stinker in the bunch.

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 28. Recipe 28.

We all need an easy way to start the day. Slogging through the hours can be overwhelming, and sometimes the piece of buttered toast for breakfast just won't cut it.

Here's a sweet little something that will give you a healthy dose of Vitamin C and a kick of protein to keep our energy in check.

It will make us say orange we glad we started the day off right.

---

Orange That Sweet Smoothie

• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup lite coconut milk
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup ice
• (optional) 2 fresh orange slices

Step 1: Place the almonds, coconut milk, orange juice, greek yogurt, and almond extract into a blender. Mix until smooth. Add the ice and blend until smooth.

Step 2: (optional) place the fresh orange slices on the side of the glass and pour the smoothie into the center of the glass.

---

Cheers to starting the morning off beautiful.

Until tomorrow friends.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Day 27. Recipe 27.

It isn't often we fall in love hard for something. Every once in a while, however, a substance comes along that sweeps us off our feet. We find ourselves surrendering to the bliss that is brought on by this thing that suddenly gives our lives pizazz and meaning.

And it's always the simple things where we find love.

Cacio e Pepe is no exception. 

Deeply salted noodles caressed in Pecorino Romano cheese is the taste of divinity. 

My husband unknowingly requested we buy red sauce "Just in case the kids wouldn't eat the plain noodles."

Oh, how he ate his words as the entire family sat together quietly filling our bellies to the brim with Cacio e Pepe.

Everyone fell in love hard with this recipe.

---

Cacio e Pepe 

(adapted from Tales Of Ambrosia)

• 1 lb Rummo Bucatini or Rummo Spaghetti dried pasta {affiliate link}

• 1/2 cup sea salt

• 2 cups of Pecorino Romano Cheese, finely grated

• Black Pepper to Taste

Step 1: Bring a tall pot of water to a boil with the sea salt. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.

Step 2: 3 minutes before the pasta is done, place a large microwavable serving bowl in the microwave and heat for approximately 1-2 minutes until warm. Remove from microwave and set next to the stove.

Step 3: When the pasta is done, using a ladle place 1-2 scoops of salted water from the pasta in the warmed bowl. Add half the cheese and let melt. Drain the pasta and add it to the heated bowl stirring with the salted cheese mixture. Add the remaining cheese if the pasta is too wet. Top with black pepper to taste, add any remaining cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

---

Who thinks this is love on a fork?

Until tomorrow friends!

Day 26. Recipe 26.

We all want to make today better. However, it's hard to get on top when we don't fuel up with the right stuff to start our week. Sure, the cereal loaded with sugar is easy to grab, and the hot bowl of oatmeal will take too long to make us feel good, so we end up skipping the most important meal of the day.

We just walk in the week hungry, and that isn't right.

To sprint into the week, what should we eat?

A delicious, crispy, golden muffin top of course!

Bake them the night before and we can head out into our day in a jiffy.

---

Oaty Cherry Muffin Tops

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup agave syrup or honey
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs at room temperature
• 12 teaspoons cherry preserves

Step 1: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees and spray a standard size muffin tin with cooking spray. Make the oat flour by placing the rolled oats into a blender and pulse until finely ground.

Step 2: In a large bowl, add the oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, syrup or honey, yogurt, oil, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Add the eggs one at a time and mix. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. 

Step 4: Fill each muffin cup 1/2 full with batter. Top with approximately 1 teaspoon cherry preserves. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

---

May this recipe make you the top muffin this week!

Until tomorrow friends.

This post contains an affiliate link.

Day 25. Recipe 25.

Things can get mundane in this world and Monday is no exception. It can be ho-hum and honestly a real drag. What will get us up and dancing? 

Maybe a little twist.

And delivery of Wickedly Prime Salted Cocoa Truffle Spread {affilate link} from Amazon.

---

 Wicked Truffle Twists

• 1 bag pre-made pizza dough
• 1 container Wickedly Prime Salted Cocoa Truffle Spread {affiliate link}
• 4 tablespoons turbinado sugar
• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Step 1: Let the pizza dough warm on the counter for at least 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: On a floured surface, roll the pizza dough out in an approximate rectangle of 18" x 12". In a microwavable bowl, heat the truffle spread in 30-second intervals until warm and smooth. Smear the spread on the pizza dough leaving 1/4 inch uncovered at each edge.

Step 3: Pick up the short end of the dough, fold the dough over 1.5". The spread is now tucked into the crevice of the fold. Cut the 1.5" from the rest of the dough with a knife. Twist each end of the 1.5" of dough in opposite directions. Place the twist on the baking sheet and repeat this step until all the dough is twisted. Brush melted butter on top of the twists and sprinkle with sugar.

Step 4: Bake the twists in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Serve warm.

---

Twisted and wicked no?

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 24. Recipe 24.

We didn't pick up a card; the drug store shelves only hold a few pathetic tchotchkes, and the florist just ran out of roses. It's late on Valentine's Day. How do we say "I love you!" when we only have a few minutes to spare?

Chocolate,

Strawberries,

And a few sprinkles of love.

---

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

• parchment or waxed paper
• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1/8 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• heart sprinkles (optional)

Step 1: Lay a piece of parchment or waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Wash and gently dry the strawberries. Place them on a paper towel to wick away moisture thoroughly.

Step 2: In a small microwavable bowl, heat the coconut oil and the chocolate in 15-30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted and stirred smooth.

Step 3: Dunk a strawberry in the chocolate and cover 3/4 of a strawberry leaving the stem and 1/4 of the strawberry uncovered. Place on the paper, sprinkle with small candy hearts (optional) and repeat with the remaining strawberries. Let dry for 1 hour.

---

Who said a last-minute Valentine gift isn't extra special?

Happy Valentine's day!

Until tomorrow friends!