♥️ Let’s Turn Self- Care Into Self- Love
♥️🙋🏾♀️ February is almost here! It’s always been one of my favorite months, full of opportunities to spread love and joy to friends, family, and myself. Some of my favorite people celebrate birthdays this month, which gives me another reason to join in the fun.
This is also the time of year when I really hit my reading groove, settling into stories that nourish and inspire. I hope you take a moment to truly love on yourself this month. Let’s turn self-care into self-love.
February is officially Spice Month here on the blog, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m sharing my go-to spice that somehow finds its way into everything (yes even eggs), how I easily travel with my favorite spices (a non-negotiable for me), and the spice that has unexpectedly become the star of my morning coffee (hint, hint).
These topics are pure joy for me when I’m teaching; talking about spices is probably my favorite subject. By request from a few fellow bibliophiles, I’ll also be sharing my 2026 To Be Read (TBR) list. I love crafting this list because it makes choosing my next read effortless and intentional. I recently shared 2025 books I still think about, so if you’re looking for fresh book recommendations, be sure to check out that post as well. 👇🏾
📝 This Month’s Blog Topics:
- 🧳 How to Travel with Spices + video!
- Over the New Year’s holiday my family and I traveled to the Washington DC area to spend time with friends. While there, I filmed a quick video on how to travel with the spices! Eating flavorfully while traveling keeps me on track!
- ⭐️ Star of Anise: My Coffee Star!
- Star of Anise was introduced to me some time ago from a local Chef. Ever since I started putting this spice in my coffee, I completely stopped using syrups! Yes, you heard me correctly, This spice is ama-zing!
- 📚 My 2026 To Be Read (TBR) List
- Ok Bibliophiles, this list as you know requires deep thinking, and consideration. Although it is ever-changing (as I hear others recommendations!) I do use it as a guide all year. Especially reading my vast unread physical collection 🤦🏾♀️! We’re not even going there… ok maybe we will hahah!
- 🌶️ Spice of the Month!
- You don’t want to miss this post. I might have caused a slight mad dash to Costco 👀 the last time I talked about this spice during class…. yes it’s that good and I’ll give you 10 reasons why!
I’m sharing this calendar preview to keep us on track! If you like this format, drop me a line and let me know! Let’s chat 👸🏾
📚 Books of the Month: Let’s Read!
For this month’s books, I first recommend checking them out at the library for Free! Can we talk about the joy of that?!?!? I LOVE the library and check out many many books a month. 🏃🏽♀️ Start with your library!
🌶️ Yup this book is back…. I didn’t finish it yet and probably won’t for a long time to come. I’m so mesmerized by all the herbs and spices I had never even heard of.
Padma Lakshmi’s The Book of Spices & Herbs is a beautifully crafted celebration of flavor, culture, and history that goes far beyond the kitchen. Part reference guide, part storytelling, the book invites readers to understand spices and herbs not just as ingredients, but as powerful connectors to ancestry, trade, healing, and home cooking traditions around the world. Padma’s voice is both authoritative and warm, making complex culinary histories approachable for everyday cooks.
😆 I’m kinda over the labels vegan, vegetarian, ect.. I do have hard limits (no prok or beef), but I consider my way of eating plant-based more than anything. If I had a dollar for every time someone said to me “It’s too expensive to eat healthy” I would be a rich woman! I’m really looking forward to diving into this book by Toni Okamoto learning more about stretching those budget dollars!
🍽️ I’ve been eager to read The Art of Gathering because hosting has taken on new meaning for me lately. As I look ahead to hosting Easter dinner for family and friends again this year, I’m excited to learn how to be more intentional and thoughtful in the way we bring people together.
My husband and I also made a commitment to host more Sunday dinners with our family this year, and so far, those gatherings have become some of the most enriching moments I spend. There’s something deeply grounding about shared meals, unhurried conversation, and opening your home.
I’m looking forward to the wisdom this book offers not to perfect hosting, but to keep getting better at creating spaces where people feel welcomed, connected, and cared for.
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Stay well,
💛 J