5 ways to practice Self Love!
In the gloomy winter months of Seattle it is easy to feel low energy and down. We have a couple tips and tricks that we hope will boost your mood and give new insight on how practicing self love can make you feel better.
Winter is not the only month to practice self love, try these tips all year round!
Start your day off with food that gives you energy!
This amazing smoothie bowl is a great way to start the day. It is full of antioxidants and superfoods like goji berries, cacao nibs, and blueberries. The rich and creamy texture is really filling and will give you the energy you need to have a productive day and get your morning off to a good start.
Tip: Put all your ingredients for your smoothie in the blender the night before and leave it in your fridge to blend in the morning. That extra couple minutes in the morning mean everything! If you don't have time to eat it in a bowl, put it in a mason jar and bring it with you.
Take a luxurious bath!
There are a lot of different things that you can add to a bath to enhance the experience besides just bubbles. Some of our favorite things are calming essential oils like lavender oil, Epsom salt to ease the muscles and joints, or flowers and citrus for the beautiful aroma.
Try taking a bath in the morning or night to raise your core temperature, so you can stay warm even when it is cold outside. We put fresh eucalyptus, blood oranges, and milk in this bath and used indi chocolate soap with rose essential oils. We chose rose, because rose is said to be an antidepressant and an aphrodisiac.
Tip: If you have any left over eucalyptus, hang it up around your shower head so when you are showering the steam releases the oils from the eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is said to have many healing properties, especially if you are having any issues with your sinuses or respiratory system.
Listen to a dope playlist!
Music is powerful for boosting the mood. Put together a sweet playlist of all the songs that make you happy. We put together this playlist all in the name of love. Check it out on the indi chocolate Spotify.
Tip: In moments where the rain has subsided, try going for a walk and listen to your favorite music.
Make yourself a delicious meal!
There is nothing better than a home cooked meal. We like to keep it simple and use our cacao spice rubs for a little zest. Studies have shown that salmon, cacao and citrus are all mood boosting food. Make this for yourself or to share with a loved one, either way we hope this meal will replenish you.
Tip: If you are eating this meal by yourself, try eating with no distractions. It might feel strange to eat with no cell phone, TV or music to put your attention on, but developing a habit of mindful eating can really transform the way you eat and can have positive impacts on the rest of your life. Try it out, at least for one meal.
Drink chocolate, eat chocolate, enjoy!
Studies have shown that eating a little piece of dark chocolate everyday can not only boost your mood, but it can also prevent and protect yourself from feeling the negative effects of depression. Yes chocolate is magical. Come try our drinking chocolate in our cafe made with our 72% dark chocolate.
What is the difference between hot cocoa/chocolate and drinking chocolate? Drinking chocolate is made with real chocolate and cacao butter, it is rich and creamy and full of antioxidants. Typically hot cocoa has been so heavily processed there are no remaining health benefits, plus it is mostly sugar.
Tip: Try replacing your second cup of coffee with a drinking chocolate. Cacao has theobromine, which is similar to caffeine, but not quite as potent. Drinking chocolate in the afternoon is a great way to finish your day strong and fills you up all the way until dinner time. Many cacao farmers start their long days of working on their farms with a warm frothy cup of drinking chocolate.
