Lifestyle

Self-LOVE!

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Ohhh, Valentine’s Day… some people love it, some people hate it. But whether you’re seriously single or merrily married for 25 years… Today is all about LOVE.

But for today’s post, I want to talk about a different kind of love. It’s ‘self love.’ Of course, you need to love others and show them that you care, but too often, we are our own worst critics. We passionately deprive ourselves of our favorite special treats and we stick to strict and rigid regimes in hopes of “getting healthy” or losing weight. 

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‘Self love’ doesn’t mean you’re being selfish. It doesn’t mean that the world revolves around you and that you expect to be treated like a princess. No, that’s ‘arrogance.’ Self love does mean that you respect and care for yourself and you learn to nourish your mind, body and soul. One of my favorite forms of self love is the simple act of eating dark chocolate

Every night I portion out 3 or 4 squares of rich dark chocolate. I break it up into cute little pieces and I eat it slowwwwwly, savoring every beautiful bite. I enjoy it while I’m writing in my journal all alone at home, or out at a friend’s apartment watching a movie, or sitting at Whole Foods with another like-minded, chocolate-loving friend. I’ve snuck it it my backpack and nibbled on it during my night class or at small group. Wherever I go, I always have my little ziplock baggie of satisfying dark chocolate. I keep a secret stash in my car… just in case I forget it (heaven forbid)!

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If you know me, you know I eat my dark chocolate every night. It’s almost as important to me as breakfast (I’m NOT about skipping it). Sure, sometimes I’ll have a scoop of coconut milk ice cream instead, or a homemade treat… but there’s nothing quite like rich dark chocolate. So, when Whole Foods had a sale on Theo chocolate bars this week (gluten, dairy and soy free!) you better believe I bought six! 

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Today’s healthy tip? Stop depriving yourself of a special treat only to end up knee-deep in a pint of Benny and Jerry’s. Rather, choose love (over deprivation) and treat yourself to some chocolate. Not a dark chocolate fan? No problem… I eased into it a couple years ago. Start with 1/2 milk and 1/2 dark and slowly make your way all the way up to the dark stuff. You won’t regret it!

How about you? How do YOU choose love?!

 

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31 Comments

  • Reply Tandy | Lavender and Lime

    I also indulge in 4 blocks of chocolate nearly every night! Perfect way to end the evening. I love your socks πŸ™‚

    February 15, 2016 at 5:56 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Tandy! …and agreed. Nothing quite like dark chocolate after a long day!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:15 pm
  • Reply Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    I eat some dark chocolate every night. If I didn’t, then I would only end up binging on some crap chocolate.

    February 15, 2016 at 11:05 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Yay for QUALITY dark chocolate! It is so satisfying πŸ™‚

      February 17, 2016 at 6:15 pm
  • Reply David @ Spiced

    I’m totally with you here, Cailee! We’ve been enjoying a couple little squares of dark chocolate after meals here, too. I just like to have something sweet after lunch and dinner, and we share the same love of dark chocolate. Now I need to swing by Whole Foods and try out Theo chocolate!

    February 15, 2016 at 2:42 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      You must give it a try! And that’s awesome! There’s nothing like a sweet little treat to satisfy your taste buds/ cravings after a nice meal!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm
  • Reply Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary

    Self love really is important, Cailee! I’ve always believed in the importance of loving yourself and treating yourself. I’m not one who supports deprivation! I am allergic to chocolate, so I can’t get on board with your whole eat dark chocolate daily thang, but I do understand… my husband is a total chocoholic! πŸ˜‰ Cheers, my dear – to living life loving yourself

    February 15, 2016 at 4:18 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Cheyanne!! And I’m so sorry you’re allergic πŸ™ But I totally get it… I can’t eat gluten, dairy or soy… but I’ve found what I CAN eat and LOVE and stick with that! Here’s to treating yourself… however that may be for you!!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:13 pm
  • Reply Kris | iheartwellness.com

    Ohhhh Cailee, you and I are on the same page : ) I LOVE dark chocolate…I’m the darker the better kinda gal with my chocolate and my coffee! Theo brand is my FAVOURITE, low sugar and so smooth.

    Sending you love girl! Keep inspiring!!

    xxoo
    Kris

    February 15, 2016 at 5:29 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      YES!! Thanks Kris! I think we have very similar taste buds! Coffee and chocolate for the win! Also, you must try Theo Salted dark chocolate (if you haven’t already)! It’s so classic πŸ™‚

      February 17, 2016 at 6:12 pm
  • Reply Eva @ Eva Bakes

    Omg – I love this idea of eating some dark chocolate every day. I actually hosted a chocolate tasting this weekend and found some awesome new brands and bars. Time to stock up!!

    February 16, 2016 at 2:00 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Oh my gosh! What?! A chocolate tasting party?? Now that’s what dreams are made of! Sounds amazing! …and yes! Time to stock up (I sure did)!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:11 pm
  • Reply mira

    Love dark chocolate! It makes me happy! Need to try these!

    February 16, 2016 at 4:24 am
    • Reply Cailee

      You must! Theo is my fave πŸ™‚

      February 17, 2016 at 6:06 pm
  • Reply Susie @ SuzLyfe

    Self love and self care are paramount. They might seem selfish, but there can be huge benefit to strategic selfishness.

    February 16, 2016 at 12:41 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Hehe, yes! I think so too… I think that self love is definitely different than arrogance of self-centeredness! It benefits everybody!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:06 pm
  • Reply Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    Self love is very important, Cailee. Oh, I love dark chocolate. And I can eat them all day long, you can call me a chocoholic! πŸ˜‰

    February 16, 2016 at 6:03 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Gotta love dark chocolate! It’s just so rich and satisfying… plus it’s from a bean so it’s plants based, right?! <3

      February 17, 2016 at 6:04 pm
  • Reply Manali @ CookWithManali

    I love theo chocolate! didn’t know there was a sale on it, gahhh! πŸ™ Yup I eat dark chocolate practically everyday too!!

    February 16, 2016 at 6:06 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      I kinda got REALLY excited about the sale and loaded up! And yay for dark chocolate daily treats!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:03 pm
  • Reply Amanda Elizabeth - Meet at the Barre

    I’m totally with you on this! We work hard and workout hard so we need to indulge once and a while, it’s only human!

    February 16, 2016 at 7:38 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      YES! Here’s to little treats and a balanced life <3

      February 17, 2016 at 6:02 pm
  • Reply Harriet Emily

    Self love is so important! I love treating myself to some delicious dark chocolate too, it’s my favourite! Thank you for sharing such an inspiring post πŸ™‚

    February 16, 2016 at 8:57 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks girl! So glad that you liked the post. And yay for dark chocolate!! It’s seriously my fave!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:02 pm
  • Reply Rach @ This Italian Family

    Cereal is my favorite evening snack/dessert! I definitely treat myself! πŸ™‚

    February 16, 2016 at 9:04 pm
    • Reply Cailee

      Yay for treats! Glad you’ve found something you love!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:02 pm
  • Reply Kezia @ Super Naturally Healthy

    So true – I tell people and my clients all the time that deprivation gets us nowhere but true health begins with choosing love honour and respect your fine self πŸ˜‰

    February 17, 2016 at 9:16 am
    • Reply Cailee

      YES!! That’s awesome! I could not agree more. Deprivation is NOT the answer!

      February 17, 2016 at 6:01 pm
  • Reply Britt@MyOwnBalance

    Well said! I definitely believe self-love is very very important to a happy and healthy person!

    February 17, 2016 at 11:29 am
    • Reply Cailee

      Thanks Britt! Glad that you agree <3

      February 17, 2016 at 6:01 pm
  • Reply Katie @The Semisweet Sisters

    It’s the little things in life isn’t it? I love dark chocolate! I try an eat a piece or two after dinner also. It’s so hard to find dairy free chocolate out there, my boyfriend has a dairy allergy & out of all the chocolate at whole foods they only had 2 that guaranteed they were dairy free. My favorite dairy free brand is casanova chocolate but I think they only sell it in FL.

    February 26, 2016 at 4:46 pm
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