{HMW} Why 'Just Love Your Body' Doesn't Work (And What Does)

Dear Reader,

I've been thinking about something that's been bothering me in the wellness space lately. Maybe you've felt it too, (especially as we approach summer): the pressure to suddenly "love your body" as if it's a switch you can just flip.

Here's the thing: telling someone to love their body when they're struggling is like telling someone to fall in love with a stranger.

It's not how love actually works.

Real love, whether for another person or for ourselves, grows from trust, communication, respect, and time.

You can't rush it, and you certainly can't force it.

Instead of trying to fake it till you make it, start focusing on something much more practical:

learning to work with your body

listening to understand what it needs.

taking a neutral stance on its appearance and ability

learning what makes your body feel pleasurable and alive

If you're tired of the "just love yourself" advice that leaves you feeling like you're failing at something that should be simple, you are not alone.

With all successful long-term relationships, its often a CHOICE you make every day to stay committed to it while also accepting that some days will just really suck.

It's important to remember just how deeply certain societal internalized messages stick, but that you can decide to shine a light on the negative thought or belief patterns that no longer serve you.

As always, if you would like support with this...you know where to reach me!

Have it:

Interesting Article Alert: How Mindful Eating can Improve Metabolic Health

A family friend got our daughter a personalized UMD laundry bag and I swear it's the best graduation gift. She loved it.

Made it:

5-Senses Sunday

If you’ve had a week that needs soft edges,here’s your gentle invite to slow down with me:

🍠 Taste Okinawan food history

🧶 Touch the science of knitting + calm

🌸 Smell... something you won’t forget (ever)🎧 Hear something new

🌳 See nature, no matter the weatherAll inside 5-Senses Sunday.

Want it:

Filed under: Must try this right now.

I've been meaning to try Kala Namak salt for a while now - just learned Amazon sells it. Apparently it mimics the flavor of eggs in vegan egg dishes.

Ingredient Spotlight:

Taro Root

Taro Root is the purple-hued tuber that's been a staple in Asian, African, and Pacific Island cuisines for centuries. With its mildly sweet, nutty flavor and creamy texture, taro is like the sophisticated cousin of the potato family.

You've probably encountered taro in bubble tea, where its distinctive lavender color and vanilla-like taste make it a popular boba flavor. But this versatile root goes way beyond beverages. Try it roasted as crispy chips (they're addictively good), mashed like potatoes for a colorful side dish, or blended into desserts and ice creams for a unique twist.

Taro is packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamin E, making it as nutritious as it is Instagram-worthy. You can find fresh taro root in most Asian grocery stores, and increasingly in mainstream supermarkets in the produce section. Look for firm, unblemished roots that feel heavy for their size.

21 Sweet and Savory Taro Root Recipes to Try

Announcements & Upcoming:

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