Y’all! You guys! You’s guys! We have a new TRIBE of over 500 LoveJoy warriors. Here we are. Together. Ok, I’m not typically a kumbaya kinda gal but I am beyond amazed and thrilled! Welcome and big cyber hugs all around.

Now, let’s get down to business. I walked into a gas station this weekend with the kiddos and we were bombarded with all kinds of Valentine’s Day hoopla. 3 foot tall cards and bears and CANDIES were screaming at us from the shelves! Needless to say, I’m not a fan of commercialized holidays. If that’s your thing, thank you for spreading love in any and all ways! Now, I love holidays – Christmas and Easter are favorites and I even like Valentine’s Day. I mean, who doesn’t love feeling extra loved? I just don’t care for the commercialism side of it all. I started thinking, how could we change this?

Noah’s class recently sent home a note sharing they have a make your own Valentines policy, which I think is sweet. This sparked a conversation about why we celebrate this holiday and different ways we can show love to others – particularly in platonic ways.

So, tribe, this came to me and I am officially asking a favor. More like a request to play with me. I hope you’ll participate in our first LoveJoy Challenge -not that I ever intended on challenging us to anything until this fell into my lap and my heart! What would happen if all 500 of us spent a few moments each day spreading love? For the next 12 days, if each of us spread a little love and light to someone else that would equal over 6000 ACTS OF KINDNESS! I know. I couldn’t believe it either. I got out my calculator to make sure it wasn’t a mistake but that’s the truth, folks. Can you imagine the impact we’d all have on the Universe? Cherubs might swoop down from the sky! I don’t know about you but I think there might be a little more joy, maybe a little more peace, spread throughout our corners of the world. Pretty amazing, eh?

The kids and I talked about our first act of kindness at the breakfast table this morning ove Lemon Poppyseed Paleo Pankcakes. We decided to draw pictures this afternoon for a special friend of ours who will be having a double mastectomy at the end of the month and mail them out to her. We also talked about making a thank you card for our postman. In the past, we’ve left cookies for our trash collector. That was a fun one because we watched from the window as he walked up to the little wrapped box with wonder and curiosity and then a big, beautiful smile crossed his face. Then the boys danced around with joy because he loved it – even though he didn’t even know what was inside the box!

We talked about how a smile to anyone is an act of kindness or holding the door open for someone. We could pass out goodie bags to the homeless or bring a smoothie or coffee to someone you have a meeting with or the instructor of your workout class. We could even make our partner or spouse their coffee in the morning or leave a love note for them or your kiddo in a little hiding spot around the house. Anything goes folks!

Oh, and I almost forgot! I hope this recipe warms you up and lights your heart on fire to play. Enjoy!

Paleo Hot Coco with Whipped Cream

ingredients
4 c. almond milk (or whatever milk type you prefer)
6 TBL pure grade a maple syrup
1/2 tsp organic cinnamon
4 scoops of Cocoawell (this link takes you to the sweetened version on Amazon but we use the unsweetened version that you can get at most natural foods stores) or 4 heaping TBL of cacao
pinch of sea salt
pinch of cayenne (omit if you don’t care for the spicy kick)

Heat almond milk on medium heat. Once simmering, turn heat to low and add all other ingredients and stir until coco is smooth and silky. Top with this Paleo Whipped Cream.

Paleo Whipped Cream

ingredients
1 can of chilled full fat organic coconut milk
1 TBL pure grade a maple syrup (raw honey is a great sub and I have also used about 10 drops of stevia, but I prefer the maple syrup)
1 tsp organic vanilla
pinch of sea salt

Pop your coconut milk in the freezer for an hour or so to get it nice and chilled. You can also leave it in the fridge overnight if you’re good about planning ahead – I am not. Open your can of coconut milk and scoop out all of the solid, coagulated milk into the bowl of your stand mixer. Leave the leftover liquid for another day (I’ll throw it into my coffee, a smoothie or even the above mentioned Hot Coco). Add all of the other ingredients to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 5-7 minutes or until whipped and fluffy. If it’s not whipping to your liking, crank that puppy up to high for a minute and that should work just fine. You can also use a hand mixer, it will take a few more minutes but will be just as delicious!

I hope you’ll come play with us over the next two weeks and show the world how Love and Light are truly spread ❤

In Love and Joy!
B