We’ve declared this February to be SELF-CARE MONTH! All month long we encourage you to make a choice to put your health and wellness a priority by loving yourself. Whether it’s choosing one day of the week that is all about you or even just one hour or a few moments each day, this month BE SELF-ISH!

Each week our team will be sharing tips and insights from our wellness network on topics to help you create or improve a self-care routine. You deserve to eat deliciously, bathe luxuriously, feel sexy, and think positively!

It’s that time of year again! You’ll see all sorts of cleanses abound this January, making all kinds of crazy claims. But common sense is a good first rule of thumb. (No, a vodka cleanse probably is not the best idea.) And you may want to take stock of what your personal goals are before embarking on a new cleanse program. Here are 5 things to consider before doing a detox.

Not all oils and fats are created equal. Heavily processed, hydrogenated, "trans" fats and oils that are used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. However, fats and oils from whole foods and other high-quality sources can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair and nails and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly. Our bodies also need fat for insulation and to protect and hold our organs in place.  A healthy percentage of high-quality fat in a meal satisfies and leaves feelings of energy, fulfillment and warmth.

We all do it. We’re feeling down and frustrated or even celebratory. The next thing you know, there’s a chocolate cake in our hands and it’s off to the races. So the question is, how can we circumvent the common practice of turning to food to deal with emotions?

Irritable. Unproductive. Unmotivated. Sleepy. If this sounds like you during the middle of the day, you’re not alone. Many of my clients complain of these exact same feelings that leave them with little energy to do nothing more than scroll mindlessly through Facebook each afternoon.