Living Healthy
The Heart of the Matter: Loving the Only Body You Have
Sherry - 01/27/2026
More Than a Valentine
February is often filled with paper hearts and boxes of chocolate. But this month, I want to talk about a deeper kind of love—the love of stewardship.
We only get one body. It is the vessel for our souls and the vehicle for our purpose. When we talk about "Heart Health," we aren't just talking about blood pressure; we are talking about honoring the gift of life. This month, let’s blend the celebration of love with the practical care of our physical hearts.
I like the motto "Eat well, Live well, Be well." Let's see how we can make that happen.
🥗 Eat Well
Love = a colorful plate
The Power of Red & Purple
There is a providential reason why so many "heart-healthy" foods match the color of the season. Deep reds and purples in nature are often signs of powerful antioxidants like lycopene, beta-carotene, and anthocyanins. These nutrients help protect our arteries and keep our "engine" running smoothly. What do you think of when I say vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, and beta-carotene? Color!
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The Science: Foods like beets, pomegranates, and red peppers aren't just colorful; they are nature's cardiovascular support system. Anti-oxidants are necessary for heart health and brain health. Blues and purples are wonderful, too. Blueberries, grapes, and eggplant.
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The "Plus One" Challenge: I say this a lot, but don't overwhelm yourself by focusing only on things you need to give up, or quit eating. Think about filling up, not taking away. This month, add one red or deep purple food to your plate every single day. Love freely! The more the better! Just take that first step. Try something new. Think beautiful, bright, and colorful.
- Some people love red roses. (Me!) Think of the beautiful deep red and the bold green leaves and stems. Strive to make your plate like a long stemmed rose in a pot of earth. Dark leafy greens surrounding colorful fruits or vegetables, and a palm size piece of meat. Well. I'm trying to give you a good visual.
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Sherry's Favorite Tip: Try adding some roasted beets or pomegranate ariels to a salad or a handful of raspberries to your morning oats. Don't look over the simple blueberry. A small bowl of berries with a large spoon dollop of whipped coconut cream is lovely.
🚶 Live Well
Love = walking
The Rhythmic Heart
Our hearts were designed for rhythm. In our modern world, we are often "out of sync"—stressed, rushed, and sedentary.
Living well isn't about running marathons; it’s about giving your heart the gift of movement. I call it the "Providential Walk." Just 10–15 minutes of rhythmic walking helps lower cortisol and allows your heart to do exactly what it was created to do: circulate life through your veins. Maybe you've heard the phrase, "Oh, my beating heart!" or "Be still my heart!" That means someone probably caught our eye. And it's usually a good feeling, not a bad one. Loving your heart means getting it pumping. Get that heart rate up every day.
I'm a firm believer in walking in nature to soothe the soul and strengthen the heart. Even if you only have a few minutes, it's worth it to get out in the sunshine and the green of nature. If you just can't do it, then walk around inside your house, or your shop, or the mall. Anything is better than nothing.
When you walk, think of it as a "thank you" to your body. You are literally moving your heart toward health.
💡 Be Well
Love = stewardship
An Act of Love
Aristotle once said, "Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." While he was speaking of friendship, I believe there is a profound truth here for ourselves. Our soul inhabits this physical body. To love ourselves is to care for the home our soul lives in. As said above, we only get one body. I want to love my body. Cherish it. Support it.
We often find it easy to be kind to others, but we can be so harsh with ourselves. This month, let’s shift our perspective:
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Eating well isn't a punishment; it’s nourishment.
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Sleeping well isn't laziness; it’s restoration.
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Moving well isn't a chore; it’s a celebration of ability.
As you move through February, remember that your health journey is a path of love. Every small step you take in the right direction is a win. You only have one heart. Guard it, nourish it, and love it well.
PS I think chocolate was mentioned earlier. People ask me if chocolate fits on 'The Providential Path.' The answer is yes—but we’re talking about the dark, sophisticated, 70% - 80% cacao kind. You know, the kind that actually tastes more like cocoa than a sugar cube? You can enjoy these to your heart's content!
Go ahead. Enjoy the roses (reds) and the chocolate!
PPS You can learn a lot from GreenMedInfo.com
https://greenmedinfo.com/article/polyphenols-have-variety-cardioprotective-propertiesactions