February is a month of transition, love, and quiet resilience. The shortest month of the year, it carries the lingering stillness of winter while hinting at the promise of spring. It’s a time for warmth in small moments—steaming mugs of tea, cozy blankets, and heartfelt connections.
Symbolically, February is tied to love and self-compassion, with Valentine’s Day reminding us to nurture not just relationships with others, but also with ourselves.
Nature remains in hibernation, yet subtle shifts begin—a slightly longer day, a gentler breeze, the first signs of renewal. February teaches us to embrace patience, self-care, and the quiet beauty of growth beneath the surface.
February is a great time to focus on heart centered thoughts and actions. For many this includes showering others with love. This is also a great time to love on yourself. This month, I intend to plan a lot of fun online offerings around what it really means to live a heart centered life.
Heart-centered living is a way of approaching life with awareness, compassion, and authenticity. It means making choices based on love, kindness, and inner wisdom rather than fear, external pressures, or ego-driven desires. When you live heart-centered, you prioritize emotional well-being, meaningful connections, and alignment with your true values.
Some key aspects of heart-centered living include: Self-awareness & intuition – Listening to your inner voice and making choices that align with your soul’s truth. Compassion & kindness – Treating yourself and others with understanding, love, and non-judgment. Gratitude & presence – Appreciating the present moment and cultivating a sense of joy in everyday life. Authenticity – Living in alignment with who you truly are, without pretending or people-pleasing. Connection – Prioritizing deep, meaningful relationships with others and the world around you.
Final February Thoughts
As we enter into this finally month of winter and focus on love, let’s remember these simple ways to practice self love.
Self-Love Reminder: You deserve rest. You deserve joy. You deserve to treat yourself the way you would a dear friend.
Have a Mindful Treat: Whether it’s a piece of dark chocolate, a homemade baked good, or a warm cup of cocoa, take a moment to truly savor something sweet—without guilt, just love.
Gentle Affirmation Practice: Try placing a hand over your heart, closing your eyes, and whispering: “I am worthy, enough and I am loved.”
“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” — Wayne Dyer
Karma is a concept that is often misunderstood. Many people see it as a system of punishment and reward—a cosmic scorecard that doles out justice. However, at its core, karma is not about retribution but rather about cause and effect. It is the natural unfolding of consequences based on our actions, thoughts, and intentions.
As I continue to struggle with my hip recovery, I often get people saying that I don’t deserve this because I do good in the world. Would I be experiencing this if I didn’t do good things? Is what they are referring to karma? I do not think so.
In my mind, karma is not punitive or rewarding.
In many spiritual traditions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is seen as a teacher rather than a judge. When we act with kindness, integrity, and compassion, we tend to experience more peace and fulfillment. When we act with harm, dishonesty, or negativity, we may encounter challenges—not as punishment, but as an opportunity for growth and self-awareness.
A key aspect of karma is that it is not instant, nor is it always obvious. Sometimes the effects of our actions take time to unfold, and they may not always manifest in the ways we expect. This can be frustrating, especially when we feel we are acting with good intentions yet still face difficulties. However, rather than seeing these moments as punishment, we can view them as an invitation to reflect and realign with our highest values.
In our daily lives, karma reminds us to be intentional with our actions. How we treat others, the energy we put into the world, and the mindset we carry all contribute to the experiences we attract. If we want more love, we can offer love. If we want more kindness, we can be kind. This doesn’t mean life will always be fair or predictable, but it does mean we have more power over our experiences than we often realize.
Ultimately, karma is a mirror.
It reflects our choices and allows us to take responsibility for the energy we cultivate in our lives. Instead of fearing karma as a force of punishment, we can embrace it as a guide. A guide that helps us live with greater awareness, intention, and purpose.
As I move forward with my struggles I will continue to do good without any attachment to being rewarded (or punished). In my downtime I am crocheting hats for the needy, making cards for my neighbors, sharing uplifting messages on social media, baking bread for others and generally trying to share goodness from my heart.
Valentine’s Day Heart Shaped Whoopie Pies are sure to bring a little love into your world. A heart-shaped red velvet whoopie pie is a soft, cake-like cookie with a vibrant red hue, sandwiching a luscious layer of creamy vanilla filling. The slight cocoa flavor adds richness, while the smooth frosting provides a perfect balance of sweetness. Rolled in festive Valentine’s sprinkles, each bite is a delightful mix of fluffy, moist texture and indulgent creaminess—making it a perfect treat for sharing love and joy.
Ingredients:
For the cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk (1/2 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice = buttermilk)
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk dry ingredients: In a bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Cream butter & sugar: In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
Add buttermilk & food coloring: Alternate adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, mixing just until combined. Stir in red food coloring until fully incorporated.
Pipe heart shapes: Transfer the batter to a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off). Pipe heart shapes onto the baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until set. Let cool completely.
Make the filling: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
Assemble: Spread or pipe the filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then top with another to make a sandwich.
Decorate: Roll the edges in Valentine’s sprinkles for extra flair.
In order to grow we must first remove what it is in the way.
Spring cleaning is not just about sparkly windows and clean cabinets. We can take spring cleaning into a personal level and clear out the mind, body and the spirit. When we think about spring cleaning for the spirit, we can turn to the principles of Yoga.
Patanjali, creator of the Yoga Sutra, wrote about how the practice of Yoga contains 8 “limbs”. The Yamas and the Niyamas are the first two limbs and help guide us to being the best version of ourselves. The yamas are guidelines for how to operate in society, while the niyamas show how to elevate our inner being.
Suacha is the second Niyama.
It is loosely defined as cleanliness or purity. I believe this is a time more than ever for Suacha. The post pandemic opinions that run rampant AND it being a presidential election year this may be a LOUD cry for a radical practice of Suacha, (that may be a little dramatic…). Sometimes we get so clouded by the opinions of others and the internal response that it gives us, that we struggle to remember what is our own truth because it becomes so muddied with clutter and then uncertainty.
Suacha is a principle in which we literally clean up our lives, and I believe this all starts with our thoughts. If our inner landscape is a mess, it is likely the rest of life follows suit. Relationships are probably splintered, and our general happiness may be clouded if our inner world is cluttered. This principle encourages us to watch the unclean thoughts that enter into our mind–fear, worries, competition, anger and more.
Of course this also can mean making time for cleaning up our environment. When our living space is orderly and tidy, it I likely we will feel more grounded and clear. The level of tidiness in our outer world can also make a substantial difference in how you feel. When your rooms are tidy, it has an influence on your unconscious. The less cluttered your environment — the less you have to think about — and the more you can ease into everyday life.
I love to think about a garden this time of year. We might see the beginnings of green shoots but we also see all of last years growth laying on top and around the attempt of new growth. In order for the green stuff to grow into amazing beauty, we must first pull out and throw away all of the old material that is in the way. Imagine if we got rid of the same old stuff in our and heads and hearts? Things like bitterness, the past, the hurt feelings, regrets, shame and the like. Without all that stuff in the way, it is likely you may have some amazing growth!
More than anything I believe, Suacha invites each of us to look at practicing a deep, soul cleansing. This is a time to ask ourselves what is bringing clutter into our hearts and minds. Is it the media? The gossiping and negativity? Perhaps it is the barrage of opinions that run rampart on our social media. The division we witness in our current world is evident as an apparent onslaught of emotions that clog the veins that lead to our spiritual self. And in turn, we have become hardened, angry, tarnished souls with little compassion for each other. Ouch…
This is a pivotal time in our own responsibility to ask ourselves hard questions.
What is seeking to be released or cleansed from the very essence of our beings? Are there mental and emotional patterns that are no longer serving us? What is seeking to be cleansed on a micro (individual) and macro (global) level? How can we get curious about this deeper meaning?
Here are some tips to allow Suacha to become part of your practice for living your best life:
To cleanse the mind, meditate, pray and/or journal for 10–20 minutes each day
Purify the body with a yoga practice a few times a week
Sweat out those toxins–go for a hike, ride your bicycle, MOVE
Doodle in a journal and let your creative side process your feelings
Clean your entire home at least once a week
Burn incense, lay your crystals out in the moon, diffuse oils
Acknowledge all your emotions, positive and negative write them down, then tear the paper and release it.
Trust your intuition, it will guide you on what are the best Suacha practices for YOU
Suacha is not a one time thing or even a springtime thing.
Suacha, like Yoga, is a way of being. Learning to begin watching your thoughts, you may find that your words and actions that follow may be in need of a little cleaning up.
Stay tuned for more springtime wisdom as we enter into the fabulous season of growth!
Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.With over sixteen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an experienced 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor.
With over seventeen years of experience, Stacie Wyatt is a E-500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is featured on Insight Meditation and all major podcast platforms featuring her podcast Embracing Wisdom with Stacie.
In a world that often feels fast-paced and self-centered, the act of serving others stands as a profound counterbalance—a way to connect, inspire, and build a greater sense of purpose. Service to others doesn’t require grand gestures or vast resources. Instead, it begins with small, heartfelt acts of kindness that ripple outward, creating an impact far greater than we might imagine.
Why Service Matters
When we serve others, we tap into a deeper sense of humanity. Science and spirituality alike remind us that helping others not only benefits the recipient but also nurtures the giver. Acts of service release oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone, fostering connection and joy. Beyond this, service cultivates empathy, strengthens communities, and reminds us of the beauty of interdependence.
Small Steps Toward Big Impact
Often, we underestimate the power of small actions. A simple smile, a kind word, or a thoughtful gesture can brighten someone’s day. What may seem ordinary to us can be extraordinary to someone in need. Consider volunteering a few hours at a local shelter, helping a neighbor with groceries, or simply being present for a friend who needs to talk. These moments of service weave a tapestry of kindness that uplifts everyone involved.
The “greater good” begins with individual intention. When we act with selflessness and compassion, we inspire others to do the same. Imagine a world where these acts multiply—where kindness becomes contagious and communities are transformed. By cultivating an attitude of service, we contribute to a collective spirit of unity and hope.
Reflect and Engage
Take a moment to reflect: How can you serve today? Perhaps it’s through your talents, your time, or simply your willingness to listen. Every action, no matter how small, carries the potential to plant seeds of positivity that will grow and flourish in ways you may never witness.
As we move forward, let us remember the power of service. Together, we can build a world rooted in compassion, one act of kindness at a time. Serving others isn’t just an act—it’s a way of being, a path to cultivating the greatest good within ourselves and our communities.
What will your next step be in creating this ripple of service?
Looking for a fun and healthy way to treat your furry friend? Try making homemade peanut butter pumpkin dog biscuits! These easy-to-bake treats combine two dog-approved flavors—peanut butter and pumpkin—into a wholesome snack that’s packed with nutrients.
Pumpkin is great for your dog’s digestion, while peanut butter adds protein and a flavor they’ll love. The best part? You can control exactly what goes into the recipe, ensuring it’s free from unnecessary additives or preservatives. Plus, making these biscuits is a great family activity that your dog will definitely thank you for—with tail wags and happy barks! My picky little chihuahua loves these!
“You can always give something, even if it is only kindness!” — Anne Frank
I have come to learn that during this season of focusing on our own goals and our own aspirations we can sometimes become consumed with ourselves. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I have found that this time of year we can lose site of the opportunities to show kindness for someone else as we strive to achieve our own goals.
A few years ago, as I was leaving a class at a senior facility I grabbed my bag and attempted to hurry out to get on with some personal errands I had to do. I stopped for a second to say goodbye to a sweet little man who often just sits at the computer and cries. He chooses to never participate in yoga and I rarely see him interact with anyone. Instead, he just cries. Weeps is more like it.
There was my moment to choose myself, or choose kindness.
I pulled up a chair and leaned towards him. He wiped his tears and stuttered a bit as I sat to talk to him. Since the yoga class prior was about setting goals for growth and personal development, I asked him if he had a goal. He very quietly whispered, “do you think it is too late to learn to read?”
This beautiful man is 61 years old and he had never learned to read.
No wonder he sits in front a computer crying until someone types into the search bar what he is looking for. I got a bit closer and pulled up an easy online reading game and together, we sounded out the letters of the alphabet and some simple words in the game. His face was beaming when he realized that he looked at a picture, a letter and a word and together “read” the word apple. He clutched at my arm and said, “I am reading”.
Five minutes of my life.
I got out of my life and my goals and gave kindness. It really is so simple.
Coconut lemon scones are a delightful baked treat that combines tropical coconut flavors with the bright, tangy zest of lemon. They are tender and slightly crumbly, with a rich yet refreshing flavor profile.
Ingredients:
Scones
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold salted butter, cubed or grated
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large glass bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, and salt. Cut the butter into the mixture using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Add the coconut.
Make a well in the center of the dry mixture and add ¾ cup of the heavy cream, beaten egg, and lemon juice. Mix the dough together. It should have a slightly dry texture, but not crumbly. Add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream if the dough seems too dry.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for 1 minute. Form the dough into a round 1-inch thick, and use a knife or a pizza 4. cutter to cut the round into 8 equal wedges. I also cut them one more time to make mini scones. Arrange the wedges in a round, but about 1 inch apart, on the baking sheet. Brush the wedges with 4 tablespoons heavy cream and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the scones are golden and the edges are lightly toasted.
For the glaze:
In a glass bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, lemon juice, and lemon essential oil. Drizzle the glaze on top of the warm scones.
Serve the scones warm or cold. Either way they will be delicious!
*Note: It is important to be sure you are using an essential oil that is safe for consumption. Many so called ‘essential oils’ from drugstores and grocery stores are quite toxic if taken internally. I choose to use only Certified Pure Therapuetic Grade doTERRA Essential oils. I recommended working closely with someone who can mentor you on the use of essential oils. You can also downloaded this free ebook that is a perfect guide for using essential oils.
I would love to hear what you think! Comment below and let me know if you loved these!
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Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts used for various purposes, including aromatherapy, skincare, and overall wellness. Using essential oils for your physical and emotion health is such a great way to empower yourself. Here’s a beginner’s guide to using essential oils safely and effectively:
1. Understand Essential Oils
What Are They?: Highly concentrated extracts from plants, capturing their scents and beneficial properties.
Common Uses:
Aromatherapy (stress relief, energy boost)
Topical application (skin care, massage)
Household cleaning (natural cleaning solutions)
2. Popular Essential Oils
Lavender: Relaxation, sleep aid, skin-soothing.
Peppermint: Energy boost, headache relief, digestion.
Diffusion: Use a diffuser to disperse oils into the air for inhalation.
Inhalation: Add a drop to a tissue or your palms, then inhale deeply.
Topical Application
Dilution: Mix with a carrier oil (like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil) to avoid skin irritation. Common ratio: 1-2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
Spot Treatment: Apply to areas like wrists, temples, or soles of feet.
Baths
Add 3-5 drops to bathwater with a dispersant (like a tablespoon of carrier oil or Epsom salts) to avoid direct skin contact.
Household Use
Add to cleaning solutions for a natural, pleasant scent.
Use in DIY room sprays or linen mists.
4. Safety Guidelines
Dilution is Key: Never apply undiluted oils directly to your skin unless specified as safe by the manufacturer.
Patch Test: Test on a small area of skin before regular use.
Internal Use: Only consume oils if labeled as food-grade and advised by a healthcare professional.
Storage: Keep oils in dark glass bottles, away from heat and light.
Keep Away from Children and Pets: Some oils can be toxic to pets (like tea tree, eucalyptus, and citrus oils) and harmful if ingested.
5. Choosing Quality Oils
Look for labels like “100% pure” or “therapeutic grade.”
Check the Latin botanical name to confirm authenticity.
When I was first using essential oils I was so overwhelmed. I wasn’t sure what did what, if I was going to mess up or if I was going to make a horrible concoction, so I got a great resource book and starting learning. In no time I gained confidence and was able to learn how to use them safely and effectively.
Learning new things is exciting to me and this topic still excites me. When I am helping new people get started I often say, “remember when you had to learn how to cook?? You needed a recipe or cookbook, right?”…..Oils are so similar! We all need the equivalent to the Joy of Cooking when it comes to using essential oils. Here is my fave resource book to learn from.
Grab your resource book and commit to learning 1-2 oils a week! In no time you will be making up remedies, creating fabulous diffuser blends to switch up the mood in your space, tossing together a cool DIY and probably sharing your new knowledge with just about anyone!
The most important thing to remember is to choose your preferred company based on the ethics that align with you and your vision for life. I personally chose doTERRA. Here are three key reasons why doTERRA is often considered a great choice:
1. High-Quality Standards
CPTG® Certification: doTERRA uses a proprietary Certified Pure Tested Grade® (CPTG) process to ensure its oils are pure, potent, and free of contaminants. Each batch undergoes rigorous third-party testing.
Sourcing Transparency: The company shares detailed sourcing and testing results with consumers, emphasizing their commitment to quality and accountability.
2. Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing
Co-Impact Sourcing®: doTERRA partners with farmers and distillers worldwide to create sustainable and ethical sourcing relationships. They focus on fair wages and community development.
Environmental Commitment: doTERRA emphasizes environmentally responsible practices, ensuring their sourcing and production do not harm ecosystems.
3. Holistic Wellness and Education
Education and Support: The company provides extensive resources, including training for wellness advocates, usage guides, and customer support, to help users maximize the benefits of essential oils.
Product Variety: Beyond essential oils, doTERRA offers wellness products, including supplements, personal care, and cleaning solutions, promoting a holistic approach to health.
Keep this handy chart because it really can be as a simple as this, too.
Starting a home yoga practice can be a transformative journey for your mind, body, and spirit. Starting a yoga practice at home also offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. However, like starting anything, it can be scary and uncertain. By understanding a few tips to get started, you can begin with a little more knowledge and courage.
Here are some tips for beginners:
1. Set Your Intentions
Decide why you want to practice yoga (e.g., stress relief, flexibility, strength, or mindfulness).
Keep your goals realistic and focus on enjoying the process.
2. Start Small and Simple
Begin with shorter sessions (10-20 minutes) and gradually increase duration.
Focus on basic poses like Child’s Pose, Downward Dog, Warrior I, and Cat-Cow.
3. Choose the Right Style
Explore styles like Hatha (gentle and beginner-friendly), Vinyasa (flow-based), or Yin (deep stretches).
Experiment with different classes or teachers to find what resonates with you.
4. Create a Comfortable Space
Set up a quiet, clutter-free area with enough room to stretch and move.
Use props like a yoga mat, blocks, and straps to support your practice.
5. Wear Comfortable Clothing
Choose clothing that allows free movement and doesn’t restrict your breathing.
6. Listen to Your Body
Avoid pushing yourself into pain; yoga is about progress, not perfection.
Use modifications as needed and honor where your body is each day.
7. Practice Breathing Techniques
Focus on deep, steady breathing (like Ujjayi breath) to calm your mind and enhance your practice.
Pair your breath with your movements for a meditative flow.
8. Stay Consistent
Try to practice regularly, even if it’s just a few minutes daily.
Consistency is key to building strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.
9. Seek Guidance
Consider joining a beginner’s yoga class or using online videos/tutorials.
A qualified instructor can ensure proper alignment and provide personalized tips.
10. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
Yoga is a journey, not a destination. Celebrate small progress and enjoy the learning process.
Remember, everyone’s practice looks different—focus on your unique path.
Check out these additional tips for beginning a home yoga practice. If you don’t think you have the perfect space, maybe this article will help you get started!
Stacie believes that it is her life purpose to share the gift of Yoga with anyone who is willing to say yes. In addition to raising a family and being an advocate for those with disabilities, Stacie is founder of Embracing Spirit Yoga which specializes in bringing adaptive Yoga into community centers and rehabilitation clinics. Bringing her depth of compassion to the mat–or the chair–she offers students the opportunity to grow as an individual in all aspects of their life.
With over seventeen years experience, Stacie Wyatt is an experienced 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Life Wellness Coach, Senior YogaFit Instructor, Mind/Body Personal trainer, Stress Reduction and Meditation Instructor, Pilates Instructor, and Barre Instructor. Stacie is also certified in Integrative Movement Therapy™and is also a believer in the power and application of essential oils for health and wellness and proudly shares doTERRA essential oils.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Balls make a perfect Valentine’s Day treat. They’re more than just a dessert—they’re a symbol of love, thoughtfulness, and indulgence, ideal for making Valentine’s Day extra special.
Here’s the recipe to make them:
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake Balls Recipe
Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1 cup white chocolate chips (melted for coating)
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs (optional, for texture)
Extra raspberries or powdered sugar (for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Filling:
Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth.
Gently fold in the fresh raspberries. Be careful not to overmix; some chunks are okay.
Chill the mixture for 1-2 hours or until firm enough to roll.
Form the Balls:
Scoop out portions of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Freeze for 30 minutes to make them easier to handle.
Coat in White Chocolate:
Melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler.
Dip each cheesecake ball into the melted chocolate, ensuring even coating. Place back on the parchment-lined sheet.
Garnish and Serve:
Optionally, sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs while the chocolate is still wet.
Let the coating set completely at room temperature or in the fridge.
Serve garnished with extra raspberries or a dusting of powdered sugar. You can also pipe red frosting for a touch of elegance.
