Day 22. Recipe 22.

Hot like a Ferrari but eco-friendly like a Tesla, they make us want to treat our bodies better instantly. They are all over Instagram and Pinterest with their bright colors, exotic ingredients, and glamorous styling. They are the supermodels of the smoothie world. 

If we want to get someone's attention this Valentine's Day, we might blend up something so cool, it's hot, a smoothie bowl.

This one is no exception.

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Smooth Lover Smoothie Bowl

Serves 2 / Prep time 15 minutes

• 1 can (13.5oz) lite coconut milk
• 1 cup frozen organic strawberries
• 1 large ripe banana
• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
• 1/4 cup frozen organic raspberries
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, diced
• 1/8 cup cacao nibs
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate, shaved
• 1/8 cup black chia seeds
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Step 1: In a blender, add the coconut milk, frozen strawberries, banana, frozen pineapple and frozen raspberries. Blend until smooth. Add the blood orange juice and blend again.

Step 2: In two small bowls, pour the smoothie from the blender and dived evenly. Top with diced fresh strawberries, cacao nibs, chocolate, chia seeds and coconut flakes.

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Good luck with your smoothie bowl, smooth lover. Don't forget to say "I Love You!"

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 21. Recipe 21.

Sometimes our Valentine doesn't need chocolates, flowers or a sweet little stuffy to know that we care. They need something straight from the heart. They crave something that says we would get up at the crack of dawn to show them our complete and undying love.

And it needs to be buttery, sticky and downright delicious.

Let's make this Cherry Brioche French Toast Bake, and let our little cupids know we love them right down to the bottom of their tiny little hearts.

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Cherry Brioche French Toast Bake

Serves 8 / Prep Time 20 min / Cook Time 40-45 min

For the casserole

• 12 slices 1/2" brioche bread
• small heart shaped cutter
• 1/2 cup dried pitted tart Montmorency cherries
• 5 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup real maple syrup (warmed)

For the topping

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease am 8" x 8" casserole pan. Cut out hearts from all 12 slices brioche bread and set aside. Break apart the remaining scraps of bread and layer them with the cherries into the baking dish. Place the bread hearts on top of the cherries and torn pieces of bread.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs. Add the milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour the mixture over the top of the casserole dish. In a small bowl, combine the butter, dark brown sugar and salt. Pour on top of the bread hearts.

Step 3: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the middle is no longer wet and contents look puffy. If the top starts to brown before the dish is fully cooked, cover with aluminum foil and continue to bake until done.

Step 4: Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before serving with the warm maple syrup.

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May your Valentine's bellies fill with buttery goodness and hugs abound from all your Valentines!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 20. Recipe 20.

Sometimes our heart aches for a delicious, sweet, but still a good-for-us treat. We want to fall in love with something that won't induce a pang of guilt. An XO Snack Ball will satisfy our Valentine's sweet tooth, and 5-Ingredient Pancakes will set a Valentine's Day morning off right. With, however, all the delicious options, it's hard to imagine a salad could provide us with the something to crave. Usually, we don't win friends or Valentine's Day with salad.

But be still my pumping heart.

This salad is heart-stopping delicious and good for you too.

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Hearts Of Watermelon

Serves 2 / Prep time 15 minutes

• 1 cup watermelon slices cut approximately 3 inches wide and 5 inches long
• 1/4 cup cubbed or crumbled sheep's milk feta
• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves washed
• a dash of salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Step 1: Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter and cut 6 watermelon hearts. Dived the mint leaves in half and arrange on two plates. Add 3 watermelon hearts to each plate.

Step 2: Add a dash of salt to each watermelon heart. Drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar on each plate. Serve immediately.

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May your heart go on after this one!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 19. Recipe 19.

Since Valentine's Day is just a week away, one of my little studio assistants has been begging me to take over this blog and make something special to celebrate the holiday that honors true love.

So here it is. My little helper might be tiny, but she has created a snack ball (for one) jam-packed with sweet and salty delights!

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XO Snack Ball

• 1/2 cup marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons salted butter
• 1/4 cup pretzels
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried strawberries
• 1 small package of heart-shaped fruit snacks
• 1/2 cup Angie's Real Butter Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn
• 1 tablespoon white chocolate
• 1/2 teaspoon Valentine's sprinkles

Step 1: In a medium bowl, add the marshmallows and butter. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir for 10 seconds or until combined.

Step 2: Add the pretzels, strawberries, fruit snacks and popcorn stir to combine.

Step 3: Butter your hands and form a ball with the ingredients. Place the white chocolate in a bowl and microwave for 15 seconds or until melted. Heat as needed and stir until smooth. 

Step 4: Place the snack ball on waxed or parchment paper. Drizzle the white chocolate and throw the sprinkles on top. Let sit for 1 hour or until the chocolate has set.

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My little helper hopes you have lots of Valentine's hugs and kisses!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 18. Recipe 18.

Not all of us look forward to Valentine's Day. It's right around the corner, and some of us might feel like we have a cold and frosty disposition to the day filled with candy-colored hearts and gooey sediment galore.

We might even feel like we have a black heart.

But then someone gives us a batch of these miracle muffins filled with sweet, tangy wild blueberry preserves and the thought of Valentine's Day becomes magic in our hearts.

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Black Heart Muffins

• 2 1/2 cups Spelt flour
• 1/3 cup black chia seeds
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup blue agave syrup
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon rind
• 1 cup skim ricotta 
• 1 cup plain Greek-style thick yogurt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 eggs at (room temperature)
• 1/2 cup wild blueberry preserves
• a small heart-shaped cookie cutter

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spray a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray covering both the cups and the tin top.

Step2: In a large bowl, combine the flour, chia seeds, baking powder, and salt. Stir to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk together syrup, oil, rind, ricotta, yogurt, vanilla, and eggs. Place the wet ingredients with the dry and stir to combine.

Step 3: With an ice cream scoop, place one heaping scoop of batter into each muffin cup. Bake the muffins for approximately 25-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the muffin comes out clean. Let the muffins cool for 10 minutes.

Step 4: With the small cookie cutter, cut a heart from the top of the muffin. With 1/2 a teaspoon of blueberry preserves, fill the heart shape with the preserves.

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Watch the magic as these muffins melt hearts everywhere!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 17. Recipe 17.

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Every year it sneaks up on us like holiday pounds or lettuce in our teeth. Before we know it, we are shopping at the supermarket on Valentine's Day trying to decide between a gorilla balloon and a 12 bath soap shaped hearts for the love of our life.

Not this year.

This year we make the special someone in our life a delicious, simple and lovely Valentine's Day lunch. The recipe below is just the ticket to getting a "Yum!" out of our best chum.

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Strawberry Bruschetta

• 1/2 loaf french bread cut into 1/2 slices
• 1/2 pound medium strawberries, sliced, tops removed
• Two tablespoons olive oil divided
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
• salt to taste
• 4 oz cream cheese or goat cheese at room temperature

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and turn on the oven broiler. Cut the bread into half inch slices and place on the cookie sheet. Drizzle the bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place the bread in the oven for 2-3 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the broiler and set aside.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, place the strawberries, 1 tablespoon olive oil, vinegar, mint leaves and a dash of salt and mix to combine. Let the mixture sit on the counter for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Spread the cheese on each slice of bread. Divide the strawberry mixture evenly and top the bread with the strawberry mixture. Include a bit of the balsamic from the bottom of the bowl on each slice of bread.

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Stay tuned for more Valentines Day recipes this week!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 16. Recipe 16.

Guacamole seems like a simple dip to throw together. Afterall, it is just a few ingredients thrown into a bowl and smashed up. Do we need a recipe for something so simple?

Yes!

Unfortunately, there is some lousy guacamole out there friends like whipped guacamole or guacamole with peas.

"Oh, Barf!"

The below is a classic, delicious and party-worthy recipe. 

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Easy Guacamole

adapted from Alton Brown's Guacamole Recipe

• 3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 medium sweet white onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Step 1: In a large bowl place the scooped avocado and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated.

Step 2: Use a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Fold in the onions, jalapeno pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice and combine.

Step 3: Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve. 

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Now, let's grab the chips and cheer for team guac!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 14. Recipe 14.

This soup good for us. 

We should eat this at least once a week.

My kids gave it two "Oh, Barfs!" 

But then slurped it up anyway.

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Roasted Carrot And Ginger Soup

adapted from "The Mediterranean Dish"

Cook time 1 hour / Prep time 25 min

• 3 pounds carrots, peeled
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoons coarse sea salt
• 2 shallots minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
• 5 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• (optional) fresh mint for garnish, goat cheese and a bit more olive oil

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil.

Step 2: Chop the carrots lengthwise and place on the baking sheets. Drizzle with the 4 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake the carrots in a 425-degree oven for 45 minutes turning over the carrots mid-way through roasting. Remove from oven and let cool.

Step 3: Place the shallots, fresh ginger, carrots and 2-3 cups broth in a blender or a food processor. Puree together. Depending on the volume the machine can hold, the mixture may require smoothing in two batches.

Step 4: Transfer the carrot puree into an 8-qt stockpot and place on medium heat. Add the additional broth, coriander, and allspice. Stir to combine. When the soup starts to bubble, turn the heat to medium-low and stir in the milk. Once heated thoroughly, remove from heat.

Step 5: Place soup in serving bowls, garnish with fresh mint, goat cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

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Soups On!

Until tomorrow friends.

Day 13. Recipe 13.

Two special events happen this time of year: the Girl Scouts sell cookies and the big old game.

Both are super.

But sorry Super Bowl Number whatever, girls rule because who can sell us something faster than an adorable six-year-old in pigtails?

Nope, not even a 5 million dollar Super Bowl commercial.

Today, I bought a box (or nine) of these darling little sweets. I mixed them up and made them Super Bowl ready by stirring an entire box of Thin Mints to create Super Minty Crispies.

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Super Minty Crispies

Makes 12 treats / approximately 25 prep time

• 2 oz unsalted butter
• 6 oz mini marshmallows
• 30 thin minty cookies (such as Thin Mints)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rice cereal
• 1/2 cup of mini white chocolate chips

Step 1: Butter a standard size muffin tin. Place 1 mint cookie upside down in the bottom of each muffin cup. Set aside. Place 18 cookies in a zip top bag and crush until fine with a rolling pin.

Step 2: In a large saucepan, melt butter on medium heat. It will melt, bubble, turn clear golden and finally start to turn brown. Keep stirring and scrape any butter bits from the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Remove pan from heat and mix in the marshmallows until the marshmallows are melted and smooth with the butter. Mix in the salt, rice cereal, and crushed cookies. Stir until combined.

Step 4: Press a spoon full of the crispy mixture into each muffin tin on top of the mint cookie. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Melt the mini white chocolate chips in a bowl, for 30-second increments, stirring every 30-seconds until smooth. Place the melted chocolate in a small zip-top bag, seal shut and snip off a tiny corner off the bag. Pull the muffin tin from the refrigerator and with a butter knife gently pull out each rice treat and flip over to reveal the cookie side. Pipe a football shape on top of the cookie. Let dry 1 hour before serving.

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This recipe is a touchdown thanks to the Girl Scouts!

Until tomorrow friends.

A simple greeting can turn into a beautiful encounter. Today, say hello, hi, hey to a stranger. Look them in the eyes and smile. Where will the moment take you? Will a new relationship bloom? I am going to try a "hi" today. How about you?

Until tomorrow Happy.

As we walk around with our heads down, the glow of tiny gadgets crops our noses. Artificial light reflects off our faces. We don’t bother to glance up to see the stunning green flash of the setting sun.

We live in cramped spaces built and lit for machines, not humans. We sit in these rooms typing quickly over keypads. They send a long string of sequenced numbers to rotating satellites containing messages. One is a message that is efficiently forwarded to the inbox of our coworker, the next cubical over, congratulating him on the birth of his baby.

We blast our kids with signals that efforts and talents can only bring success if measured by numerics, ratings, rankings and degrees. All tallied by a computer set in temperature controlled space in an obsure corner of our planet.

What is becoming apparent is that we are slowly becoming androids, if we continue to turn a blind eye to the artist inside of all of us. If we don’t create every day, we will lose the battle of what it means to be human.

I was never good at math. I had a hard time understanding phonetics. Until this day, I still have trouble spelling basic words. (Thank you to IBM for spell check.) In the second grade, I didn’t meet state requirements and was placed into a special education class. Years of failed test taking, left me with a profound sense that I just wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t smart. After massive amounts of determination and hard work, I obtained a successful academic and professional career based firmly in creative work. Today I wonder why we as a society place such emphasis on metrics? Instead of saying “Yes, that is the right answer,” why aren’t we asking “Why is that the right answer?” Why have we placed more emphasis on numbers and technology than process?

When we look at the broad view, technology can distract us from building and living up to our true calling. If we are not careful, it distracts us from being inspired to draw, write, act or create something of value. To maintain a sense of human self, we need to start asking how we can pivot today into a more human tomorrow? What does it look like if we don’t allow technology, metrics, ratings, rankings and fear control us? Will we let the reflected life lead the measured life?

Creating is the catalyst for change. We use technology to dictate our lives. Androids control the temperature in our rooms, drive vehicles, and tell humans how to interact with each other. We label it automation and moving humanity forward. Technology, however, diverts each of us from creating and living up to our true purpose. We binge watch television and scroll mindlessly through social media. We artificially construct connections and value by relying on technology to do it for us. People are drawn to technology because it appears to simplify life and relationships. It takes the fear out of direct interaction or responsibility. However, creating real human interactions is what makes us well, human.

Let’s talk for a moment about creating. Creating is not art. It’s a skill that can be learned and applied to any organization, platform, project, product or cause. It reframes our lives and creates new perspectives however like a muscle, it needs to be exercised. 

Let’s also talk about the fact that technology can be a beautiful thing. It saves lives, it simplifies certain aspects of our lives and streamlines processes, case in point spell check. 

However, if we don’t balance technology with our creativity, it could destroy what it means to be human. The two should walk and talk hand in hand. It’s apparent from the choices we make that we are letting technology take over rather than letting them play together. We would rather become factories than pieces of art.

How to do we alter future of humanity? We need to take back what it means to be human. We need to create every day. We need to do soul work. Let’s do work that is messy, uncomfortable and wrong. Creating is the basis of being human. We are flawed so let’s embrace it and make stuff that is true to our purpose.

In the end, what matters to humans? Other humans, not technology. I ran into an acquaintance the other day. After a few moments of chit chat, she said she was so glad she never had kids because of overpopulation of the planet. As a mother of two young children, it was interesting to hear her challenge my life choice. I created two living beings from my body who will be the future of humankind. That is profound but what was more profound was having this other person have a completely different point of view than my own. It was a real moment, a real connection that made me think and feel. We need to let our human stories be told and play out the lives we are too fearful to pursue.

What can we do today to start to pivot? Put down the smartphone and see a friend. Create a real connection. Get up from your computer and get outside. Create space in your body and mind. Draw with your kids. Stare at some art. Listen to music. Watch the clouds outside. Write the first sentence of the novel that’s in your head. Snap more photos of the world around you. Jot down the business idea and get the idea in motion. Start the idea that is percolating in the gray matter. Create something today. A better tomorrow is just ahead by being more human today.

Humanity is counting on you and so is your happiness.

Until tomorrow great humans.

Oh, snow! It can bring about feelings of dread or happiness. Some of us love to watch the white flakes gently fall from the sky while others look at the flakes in disgust. I have always been the later. The sight of snow as an adult has always brought about a sense of claustrophobia and the rush to stare at anything that resembles the Caribbean. As the years have gone by, I have moved farther and farther away from the snowy winters of the Midwest and now reside in a land of the sunshine and palm trees.

This week, I decided it was time to get back to my roots, and I met a big bunch of snow head on. After many hours frolicking in the white powder, I decided snow isn't so bad. In fact, there is a ton of creative stuff that can be done with snow and it's fun. The coolest idea was to make a recipe with freshly fallen snow. Sounds kind of gross right? Perhaps a chance to catch dysentery? However, like a subtle layer of powder over the landscape that won't melt, I had a burning desire to create a new recipe from a big scoop of icy snowflakes.

But I didn't do it. I missed my chance. I left the snow back in the mountains. I failed at an opportunity to create something new.

I had to improvise. This recipe isn't made with real snow, but it is a frosty, delicious dessert inspired by the pure driven snow. 

Cherries In The Snow

makes about 4- 6oz servings

• 12 oz dark sweet frozen cherries
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup sour cherry juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 - 33.8 oz coconut water 
• frozen coconut whipped cream

Step 1: Place the cherries, sugar, juice and vanilla extract into a large saucepan. Stir ingredients together and let simmer on medium heat until the juice becomes slightly thickened. Let the sauce cool completely.

Step 2: Once the cherry sauce has cooled, pour the coconut water into a frozen ice cream maker and use according to the manufacturer's directions. The coconut water should become "snow" in approximately 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Place the "snow" into serving glasses and pour the cherry syrup on top. Garnish with a dollop of coconut whipped cream.

It's it truly one of the most refreshing and delicious desserts ever made. Snow really isn't so bad, is it? Maybe it can even make us happy.

Until tomorrow Snow Birds.

The Midwest is flat. It's where I grew up. In a flat land where almost nothing creates a landscape. In my experience, most winters were full of snow topped corn and bean fields. One or two deciduous trees broke the horizon. Everything was dead and brown in the middle of winter. The bitter winds blew over the plains, and if one didn't dress accordingly, the cold would break a spirit in half. Winter in the Midwest was harsh and brutal. Needless to say, after 30 years, I left the flatland and headed to a state full of a different kind drama including my favorite kind, mountains.

It's hard to get over the drama that a mountain provides. It makes us feel tiny and wild. They throw their shadows up and stand like mother nature's fortress over the land. Even in the dead of winter they still seem green and alive. Their blue snow sparkles like diamonds in the sky. Mountains make us remember we are human. No matter how hard we try, at any moment, a mountain can overwhelm us and lose us in the fury of being big.

I'm going to enjoy feeling small today. What Titan will you feel overwhelmed and awed by today?

Until tomorrow Mountian Women and Men.

Let's just talk about how much we all like to feel comfortable. Personally, I love a warm bed, stretchy pants, and soft a pillow. I also love to settle into everyday patterns. We find comfort, or at least I do, in keeping things exactly the same way everyday. The daily routines provide a level of emotional support that helps me to get through to tomorrow. However, there are times when the daily routine becomes a crutch for not growing in our lives. 

That's when it's time to explore and set off on an adventure. It's time to put the creature comfort in the closet and take a leap. Maybe it's attempting something that gives us butterflies or traveling to new space? Maybe they are one in the same. Today, I got out of my creature comforts, welcomed the cold and wet. Funny enough I had a wonderful day taking photos in the snow and expanding my little world a bit. It could even be said that I got uncomfortable to get comfortable.

What will you do today to get yourself out of the comfort zone?

Until tomorrow Creatures of Habit.

A long, long time ago when I was just a tiny little creature, I lived in a vast open space where it snowed a lot. In fact, I remember one blustery winter night when a blizzard raged outside. My fine parents struggled to keep the snow and cold out of our house. They resorted to covering the kitchen door with a My Little Pony sleeping bag as snow fought its way through the slim cracks in the door and the floor. After a night of full of flurries and drama, I woke up, turned on the radio and held my breath. I waited for the announcer to call our district a snow day. When they did, I excitedly jumped around then suited up into random, mismatched, cold weather gear, including a pair of crazy hot pink moon boots. Digging through the garage, I found the flimsy, yellow plastic sled that would fill my morning with simple joy.

I was out on the back hill for hours, climbing and sledding down. The freezing ice flakes seeped into every crack my gear would allow. Snow went up the gloves and down the boots making me cold, wet and alive. Huffing and puffing up the hill, I could smell the icy snowflakes and take in the beauty of the freshly fallen snow. With just a top coat of white powdery frosting, a quite hush fell over the landscape. After hours of cold wet sledding, I'd go inside and beg my mom for a cup of hot cocoa. I remember feeling joy with every sweet, chocolaty sip.

That lovely moment was years ago. There have been only a handful of snowy moments since then and they can't compare to the simple joy of that particular snow day. Soon, I'm headed up to the snow with little ones of my own. I hope to show my kids how simple things in life can create memories and bring joy.

Today, do something simple that will make your life amazing and joyful.

Until tomorrow Snow Birds.

The two words rhyme, art and smart. They seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly or Sonny & Cher. However, until recently it hadn't been proven that art could make us smarter. However, thanks to a new study, it has been shown that art can tap into the brain and help us empathize. Art can have a positive effect on our kids too. The results can be read here on Fast Company Co. Create: "Science Says Art Will Make Your Kids Better Thinkers And Nicer People." In fact, the art doesn't need to be abstract to make us smarter. Perhaps we prefer to take in a Broadway play, watch cinema, or gaze at sculpture. We can even try our hand at making art. Whatever art we decide to capture today, let's tap into the thing that tells the story we are human and in turn makes us better people.

Until tomorrow Smarty Pants.

Do you find we are frowning a lot lately? Just the other day I found myself with the corners of my mouth turned down for no reason. The weight of the world was pressing down on my shoulders and apparently my mouth. Funny enough there are some serious benefits to smiling even when we are feeling not so happy. Here are thirteen great reasons to smile from Inc. magazine: "13 Great Reasons to Smile More." 

My personal favorite reason is to "be an activist for happiness." What is yours?

Until tomorrow Smiley Faces.

The Smoothie. We either love to sip a sweet power packed smoothie or hate the idea of drinking a cold, blended cup of goop.  Either way, smoothies are usually dedicated to health nuts and punch lines. However, smoothies can make us happy. That's right a few cups of fruit, a dash of protein and a blender can make your body and mind jump for joy.  Here are some surprising ways a protein smoothie can make life easier via LifeHack "Do You Know The Benefits of a Protein Shake?"

It goes without saying that we all could stand to slurp a few more smoothies into our bodies. Here is a recipe for a protein-packed slurry full of go-go juice.

Go Go Smoothie

• 1 cup coconut water
• 1/2 coconut milk
• 1 small banana peeled
• 1/2 cup roasted & salted pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup frozen wild blueberries
• 3/4 cup frozen organic strawberries

Step 1: Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Makes about 2 - 8oz servings.

Step 2: Drink up and jump for joy with happiness.

The Rolling Stones said it best "You can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need." So much for wanting donuts! Hello, needing smoothies.

Until tomorrow Blender Beauties!

Emotions can get the best of us. We can rely on other vices to soothe our aches and pains. We can have a drink, eat something sinful or partake in debauchery. However, sometimes we are just down right grumpy. It can feel like nothing will get us out of our funk. Nothing! That's when we need to turn to yoga. Yep, yoga. In just a few short poses, we can create a mind and body connection that will whisk the grumpy away. Here are "3 Poses That Improve Your Bad Mood." 

Yoga is known to lower the stress hormone cortisol which can help reduce the moody emotions. I'm going to try a few poses today and try to get back to feeling better. How about you?

Until tomorrow Grumpy Yogis.

We all want to be happier. Even if we are the happiest person on the planet, there is always room for more joy. Sometimes we focus on particular unhappy parts of our lives. We look to gurus, diets, professionals and celebrities for advice. We think if we fix just one part of us, happiness will follow. Sometimes it's our body in which we are unhappy. Sometimes it's our mind. 

However, when we treat the mind and body as two separate pieces, everything can still feel out of whack. The mind and body rely on each other to make us a whole being. If one part of us is out of balance, unhappiness can follow. What's the magic that will bring the mind and body into a more blissful state? 

Good old fashioned exercise. Yep, I know. It's not what we wanted to hear, but studies show exercise is the key to making our bodies healthy and our brains! More can be read here at BrainHQ "Physical Exercise For Brain And Health." When our body and mind are balanced, we are happier. I'm going to get moving today and do a little yoga. How about you? What kind of movement will you create today?

Until tomorrow Happy Makers!