From Guest Blogger: Susan Rahaim

A Little Background:
My name is Susie Rahaim. I am 29, married, and the mother of three beautiful girls ages 5, 3, and 1. I began my quest for health as a dancer in college.

After completing a required holistic health class my eyes were opened to the toxins in our food, water, and even everyday beauty products. I began to read food labels, buy organic produce, and seek out organic meats. I read countless articles and books on processed foods and the detrimental effect too many can have on our body. I began to understand the connection of whole foods and our overall health and well-being. When I started to have chronic pain after the birth of my first child I dove deeper into the connections of whole foods and our bodies' functions. I began to cook more greens and use herbs, fresh ginger and garlic daily. I snacked on nuts and veggies and completely eliminated foods from a package. Not only did I begin to feel better, my moods and my whole body shape changed! The amazing thing is I feel more connected to the earth, to God and I have such a deeper respect for my body and health. I hope all of you can be inspired to reach for optimal health.

Do You Know What you Are Eating?
Food, Inc is a documentary movie bound to stir up some controversy. The Movie shows an unflattering look inside Americas corporate controlled food industry. The basic message is to stay away from mass-produced beef and chickens (instead eat grass fed beef occasionally, and free range antibiotic and hormone free chicken/pork), eat organic and what is in season whenever possible, and avoid ALL processed foods because they are technically not food.

After watching Michael Pollen speak about his documentary on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah was left with the question I think we all had, "SO WHAT CAN WE EAT?" This is the same question my sister had for me after I had her view the movie.

It may seem complicated to eat healthy, but it's actually quite easy. I am a 29-year-old mother of three little ones who has figured it out. It simply takes some training and discipline on your part. By training I mean retraining your taste buds to like the foods they were meant to like such as kale, brussel sprouts, and parsley. While training you have to be self disciplined to not grab that handful of crackers or chips when you are hungry.

Here are a couple easy ways to eat healthy:
1. Go grocery shopping at your local health food store, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, or farmers market. Here you will have the best selection of organic fruits and veggies, grass fed beef and free range hormone/antibiotic free chicken/turkey and pork, and snack food made without hydrogenated oils and corn syrup (instead made with whole grains and seeds.)

2. Clean out your pantry and fridge so you do not have old tempting items there. Replace old processed foods with nuts and seeds and whole grain brown rice cakes, sprouted grain breads, and natural popcorn.

3. Change what you eat. Each snack you reach for should be a fruit, veggie, or nuts and seeds. When planning meals cook organic meats and try to eat meat free at least one day of the week. We do not need crackers in our diets, or snack bars, or cakes or cookies. When you rid yourself of these things you no longer crave them. Instead you crave the "healthy food" such as luscious dates as a sweet treat after dinner.

If you follow the three steps above you will be off to a good start. Just tell yourself it just is not an option to eat unhealthy anymore. Have you noticed that I have not yet mentioned a fat gram, calorie, or carb? That is because this way of living is not about calorie counting. It's about eating whole food; foods given to us by God to eat; foods not from a can, box, frozen & reheated, or put into a bar. We thrive on fresh, whole foods grown from the earth, picked, and then eaten by you. If you follow this way of eating I guarantee you will not have a weight problem. Your hormones, thyroid, lymph system, immune system, and organs will all work efficiently. This means your body will naturally get and keep you at your optimal weight!

Here are some simple things you can swap out in your kitchen:
milk: almond milk
wheat bread: Ezekial brand sprouted grain breads
crackers: Mary's Gone brand seeded crackers and sticks
chips: all natural popcorn (Newman brand) but preferably homemade
salted peanuts: raw almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts, or any raw nut
splenda: stevia natural sweetener. (other good sweeteners are pure maple syrup, honey, sucanot)
spreads: almond butter or any raw nut butter
dips: homemade hummus (chick peas, tahini, garlic, oil, lemon pureed)

You may be saying "come on" or "how am I going to eat this stuff?" Well, this stuff is what you learn to like and crave. Also having on hand daily organic celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumbers, apples, bananas, pears. These are all great grabs when you need something.


A Few Last Things to Remember
1). Include greens in your diet every day. Kale, Mustard, Collard greens are excellent options.

Quick recipe for "Kale to Krave"
Put a little olive oil in pan: saute with 2 cloves garlic, add bunch of chopped kale and 1/2 cup vegetable broth, simmer down for 10 min. Enjoy!










2). Replace meat with nuts, nut butters, beans, lentils, and quinoa (a whole grain) as good protein sources.

3). Try to go at least one day a week without eating meat (good for you, good for the planet).

4). Drink water, water, and then more water.

5). Eat organic fruits and veggies and what is in season. Eat a different salad everyday (romaine, endive, parsley, or bok choy for example).

Ask yourself these questions when eating or making a food choice:
- What is this?
- Where did it come from?
- Did it grow from the ground?
- Is this a whole food?

My sample day just to give you some ideas:
Breakfast
2 pieces Ezekiel sprouted grain bread, spread 2 Tbls raw creamy almond butter, drizzle of honey on top





Snack
2 whole carrots, 1 whole cucumber cut in 1/2 with a sprinkle of salt, handful of raw cashews

Lunch
Endive salad with tomatoes, olive oil & lemon dressing, homemade humus with celery sticks, seeded crackers, 2 dates

Dinner
3oz salmon caramelized with sucanot on top, roasted butternut squash, baked potato fries (homemade), steamed broccoli, romaine salad with toasted pine nuts, shredded carrots and cabbage, and balsamic oil dressing.

Dessert
Any piece of fruit. 2 Mothers brand caramel brown rice cakes.

Include throughout your day tons of water. Add lemon and try to drink 1 or 2 cups of green tea.

I feel full and satisfied after these meals and I can look back on my day and see everything I ate was a whole food!

I have some delicious recipes to share and also want to share later the hidden truths behind dairy and wheat and the food industry in general... more to come!

Remember you are what you eat everyday! Read food labels... and keep counting those whole foods!

March is officially Nutrition Month so I wanted to share some "food for thought." A lot of us get discouraged when the warm weather rolls around because we feel we need to overhaul our physique. It's been burned into our brains that we need to have this rock star workout routine, but sometimes our lives don't support it at the moment.










(Pink and her Rock Star abs)


My earlier post was my personal "Spring Cleaning," which included my workout routine I HOPED to achieve. HOPE is stressed. There are many times when my day starts at 5:00 am and I don't stop until late at night. And I realize that you are no different (um... especially new moms who are up at all hours of the night). However, I think it's important to maintain a positive attitude and continue to plan your workouts like you would appointments even if you know you'll have to miss some.

But, if you are at a place in your life when you can't hit the gym on a consistent basis, remember the golden, 70% rule. Your physique is determined by 70% nutrition, 20% sweat sessions and 10% genetics.

Based on your diet, the 70% rule can be a God-send or your demise. If you are a consistent, clean eater, isn't it fabulous to know that you can forgo that extra snack and two glasses of wine because you didn't get to pilates and still come out ahead?

Or that you substituted white fish for the hamburger you may have eaten if you ran those three miles (workouts and eating "entitlement" is a whole other topic) and you are still on your way to having abs like Alba? The first step toward a better body is a nutritional adjustment.









Guest Blogger: Susie Rahaim

I thought there would be no better person to blog on the positive life changes clean eating can bring than Susie Rahaim. Not only is she schooled in holistic nutrition, she's also the busy mother of three beautiful girls, ages 5, 3, and 1. Her personal quest for better eating is inspiring and I've had friends tell me that they've learned so much from her about how to raise their children to eat (and enjoy) whole foods.

Stay tuned for Susie's first blog with us, "Do You Know What You Are Really Eating?" And as always, Keep Counting for a balanced and beautiful spring!

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, eating healthy, healthy living

So, I have to take a minute to blog about the Oscars because 1) Count Me healthy bracelets were featured in the official Oscar baskets last year (Yay, it was amazing) and 2) It's the most fabulous of all Hollywood events!

There is no better excuse to throw a get together with girlfriends to dress up and try really flashy cocktails that you would never go out and even attempt to order in public!

I've been reading up on Oscar parties and sorry to say, I just don't feel like sending out the invitations that look like movie director clapboards or giving out Golden Boy statutes (there is such a thing as prop overkill). Sometimes I think themed parties go just a little too far, like wearing a sequins blazer AND skirt. So, if I was going to throw an Academy Awards Soiree, this is how I would do it. And, I just might. So all of the girls who read this and see me on a regular basis, I am divulging all of the surprises that may be awaiting you.

Invites:
VIP passes, of course. Since this is last minute, it will be an "E-VIP" pass. Please note, I am all about beautiful paper invitations but time is of the essence.

Attire
It is a "Cas (as in Casual) Oscar Gathering." This is a twist to try. Friends can dress in their favorite denim, casual tops, but wear the biggest, funkiest earrings, cocktail rings, tiaras, and necklaces you can find. If you want to take it a step further, try an updo to accentuate your massive CZ earrings. If you wear the real thing, I have my gun license and would not only act as hostess but also as your bodyguard. Top it off by wearing satin evening shoes that we can all Ooooh and Aaaahhh over. So fun!


Festivities
Everyone will have to arrive early to watch the pre-Academy Award show on the E! Network for the Red Carpet arrivals. The hits, the misses, and the "Trash Your Sylists." I would hand out a form to each friend with the Award categories and contenders and before the Oscars start everyone would need to turn in their picks (in pen, no erasing!) It would be like Super Bowl betting, only better. Then, when it was over we'd tally up who had the most correct answers and the winner would get a fun prize. Okay, the gold statuette as a prize would be appropriate here I guess.

Oscar Cocktail:
I'm normally a vodka soda with lime (or red wine) gal, but signature events call for signature cocktails!

Red Carpet Martini

Ingredients
- 2 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces pomegranate liqueur (recommended: PAMA)
- Champagne
- Gold leaf, for garnish

Directions
Pour vodka and pomegranate juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass rimmed with gold sugar and top with a splash of chilled Champagne. Float gold leaf and serve.

Menu:
For a minute I tried to be all creative and "channel" appetizers based on the nominees. Then I realized that I would probably just make or buy what I like and what I think my guests would enjoy!

Just a sampling of the appetizers (taken from of all places, Disneyfamily.com)

Spinach-&-Brie-Topped Artichoke Hearts
These made my mouth water, plus they are (somewhat) healthy. Plus, they are a pretty twist on the classic spinach and artichoke dip, so people will think you are uber-creative. Creamy brie is the topper, but parmesan would also work for a lighter version.

In this deconstructed version of hot spinach-artichoke dip, we stuff artichoke hearts with lightly seasoned cooked spinach and melt brie on top.


Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes
Yield: 18 servings
Ease of Prep: Easy

Ingredients
- 1 9-ounce box frozen artichoke hearts
- 2/3 cup cooked chopped spinach
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 18 thin slices brie

Directions
Preheat broiler. Prepare artichoke hearts according to package directions.
Combine spinach, lemon pepper and salt in a small bowl. Top each artichoke heart with the spinach mixture and brie. Broil until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

Tomato-Basil Skewers
These are for the hostess who is Oscar glam but short on time. Skewering mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes makes them easy to nosh at a party.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ready in: 10 minutes
Yield: 16 pieces
Ease of Prep: Easy



Ingredients
- 16 small fresh mozzarella balls
- 16 fresh basil leaves
- 16 cherry tomatoes
- Extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle
- Coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions
Thread mozzarella, basil and tomatoes on small skewers. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spicy Sweet Turkey Meatballs
So, since we're only having apps, it's good to serve something hearty for those who like a little more than the fruit and veggie scene. These bake in the oven which makes for fuss-free cooking and quick clean-up.

Hands-on time: 15 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 meatballs




Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 scallions, very finely chopped
- 1/2 cup very finely chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs (unseasoned)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten

Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce:
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 or 3 slices fresh ginger smashed with the side of a heavy knife

Directions
- To make the meatballs: Heat the oven to 400.
- Gently mix together the ingredients (hands are best for this), then form meatballs by rolling tablespoon-sized scoops between your palms.
- Arrange on a lightly oiled or parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until well-browned and cooked through. Serve with toothpicks for dipping.
- To make the dipping sauce: In a small pot, stir all the ingredients together over medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Simmer 3 or so minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens a bit.
- Fish out the ginger and serve in small cups for dipping.

Are you throwing an Oscar soiree? If so, what are you serving? May the stars align for you and as always... keep counting!

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, countessess, entertaining, party

Aggghh it's finally March and THE BEGINNING OF SPRING! What comes to mind when you hear the word spring? I imagine flowers, green grass, spring cleaning and the start of my own personal "bikini body ready" routine! Yep, shapeless tunics won't cut it. I'm going to have to give in and show some skin.

I think you should read the health mags and blogs with their "bikini body ready" plans to get you in shape. But while reading, remember that no two people are the same. Motivation, taste buds, and "vices to adjust" are all personal. Read the articles with an open mind and always remember to adapt a program to you.

This year, I'm looking at my own bikini body ready prep as just a facet of the larger, overall spring cleaning of my current life. I think that winter naturally throws our lives out of balance due to poor eating, lack of sunshine, and the "laziness of a hibernating bear" that comes with darkness greeting us so early each evening. If you Spring Clean Your Life as a whole, I truly feel it is easier to lose weight and keep it off.

Here are some steps to Spring Clean Your Life (write these steps down and build your plan)

1). Choose your Motivation
2). Choose your Workout Plan
3). Change Your Eating Habits for the better
4). Healthy Habits that need to be priority
5). Organize Your Work Space

Please just use my personal plan below as a rough template to adapt to your own spring cleaning!

The 2010 Spring Cleaning of My Life

1). CHOOSE YOUR MOTIVATION (both "body" and "organization" motivation)

My Body Motivation! Hmmm... nice weather, my cousin Corey's June wedding in Michigan, photo shoot in late April, and getting body "baby ready" for whatever may come my way in a year (or three).

My Organization Motivation! Everything is easier when you have a clean work space. Plus, being organized means feeling less scattered, which would make me way more apt to stick to my workout plan.

2). CHOOSE YOUR WORKOUT PLAN

My Workout Plan (I plan for six days a week, but if I only hit 5 because of a busy schedule, no problem). I'm a morning person, so if I don't do it in the morning... it's not happening):

- Monday: 30 minute treadmill and pilates with Crystal B
- Tuesday: Rest
- Wednesday: 30 minutes on treadmill and pilates with Crystal B
- Thursday: 30 minutes on treadmill and Tracey Anderson video
- Friday: 45 minutes on treadmill
- Saturday: 40 minutes mix on treadmill/elliptical + legs
- Sunday: 40 minutes mix on treadmill/elliptical + abs & arms

3). CLEAN UP YOUR EATING
My Clean Up! These are the personal "eating vices" I hope to address, as well as healthy foods that I enjoy and would like to add more of in my diet. Everyone's tastes are different, so please insert your own. For some of the foods, I added my favorite brands and/or how I prepare. By the way, Count Me Healthy is great at tracking some of these bullet points!

- Ditch sweetener
- Reduce diet soda
- Ditch energy bars full of fake stuff because all they do is hurt my stomach
- Ditch soy crisps
- Reduce caffeine
- Reduce sodium
- Reduce I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (yes, I'm admitting that I spray it on everything)
- Drink more water



Foods I love and want to eat more of:
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Fish (love all white types)
- Brussel sprouts (broiled at 450 with olive oil spray, sea salt and pepper )
- Broccoli & cauliflower
- Sashimi (the salmon sashimi with chives from Whole Foods is AMAZING)
- salads
- Almonds and Unsweetened almond - milk (I am going to turn into an almond I eat so many. I need to watch my portion size)
- Green tea
- Stevia, (I prefer the liquid in the dropper)
- Decaf coffee (Newmann's Own)
- Oatmeal with fiber (I mix 1/4 cup of the dry organic with almond milk, cinnamon, stevia and Renew Life Fiber Smart)
- Protein pancakes
- Kombucha (GT's No. 9 is my fave and found at Whole Foods)
- Red grapefruit
- Hummus
- Kashi bars

4) Healthy Habits to Make and Break
Here are mine:
- Limit my drinking to one glass of wine a night (or not at all)
- Remember I owe it to myself. I AM WORTH IT.
- Stop eating snacks that are over 5 grams of sugar and don't contain fiber
- If I want to snack late at night... go to bed
- Read more (book club bound)
- Get more sleep
- Take my Vitamins
- Schedule my health maintenance: Doctor, chiropractor, dentist, hypnotist (yes, I want to try a hypnotist... it worked for Fergie, enough said)

5) Organize Your Work Space

This means cleaning my office at ful (picture below is my purple office at ful) and my home office. This also includes backing up my Mac on my hard drive, shredding documents that I no longer need and organizing my notes.

Here's to a healthy, fabulous spring. Remember, Balance=Beauty! As always, keep counting.

Labels: chelsea gossett, count me healthy, eating healthy, health tips, healthy living, March, spring cleaning

As I was walking through the mall with my mom earlier this morning, we started to discuss how incredibly important it is to both love and be proud of your occupation (and for all of those full-time mothers reading this... I totally believe that being a mom is a full-time job).

A lot of Heart Month has been devoted to better eating habits and exercise, but helping your heart goes beyond physical wellness. Your emotional life has to be healthy as well. So, another way to help your heart is by doing what you love and loving what you do.



The conversation in the mall started when I tried on some gorgeous electric blue pumps, snakeskin booties, and some random flats. I had the shoe salesman running! In the end, they didn't work because 1) I didn't have that "wow" factor you get when you try on shoes you love and 2) they didn't feel good. So, I told her I was so sorry, but I'd have to pass. I actually felt bad because she put so much effort into it. I secretly thought about how much I would dislike being a shoe salesman. Now, just because I think I would dislike it doesn't mean that someone else wouldn't think it's the best job in the world (probably because they are damn good at it).


I just feel like we have one time on this earth and we need to make the most of it. Each of us are going to have many different jobs throughout our lives, which are largely determined by factors out of our control (sudden move, death in the family, new life in the family, changes in economy), but we can always control our mindset and goals. Also, we all have god-given talents that are terrible to waste if whatever job you are doing doesn't hone these gifts. Having a job you hate infiltrates bad vibes into your entire life and my personal opinion is that it also leads to bad wrinkles, premature aging, and weight gain, because all you look forward to is what you're going to eat for lunch and then dinner when you get home.

If you are in a job that makes you anxious, bored, or resentful, it's time to make a pros and cons list. Ask yourself some questions like:

Why am I in my current job situation?

Can I see myself in this job even two years from now?

Most days can I not wait for work to end or do I usually (somewhat) enjoy myself?

Do I feel like I make a difference?

Am I proud of the job I'm doing?

Do I feel like I'm using my talents?

Is my dislike for my job infiltrating other areas of my life, like my family and my eating habits?

If you aren't happy with your answers, it's time to start making a pretty plan. You are worth more than feeling mediocre in your career. Again, I understand that lately, the economy has dealt us a 17 at the blackjack table of life. You may be biding time in a job that pays the bills until you can move on to something else. This is fine... BUT MAKE SURE YOU MOVE. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut. Here are a few things to ask yourself if you are unhappy with what you are doing at the moment and want (actually NEED) to change:

What do I love doing? What am I good at?

What kind of classes, certification, and start-up capital do I need to make this happen?

What is preventing me from changing careers?

How can I overcome what is preventing me?

If I can't imagine leaving my current job (even though I hate it) because of my current circumstances, what baby steps can I take toward my dream job?

Be honest and kick-start your motivation by reading about women who have made it big by following their dreams and gut (does Stephanie Meyer of the 'Twilight' series ring a bell?)







Lastly, remember that your career DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. It is so easy to get caught up in this, but it is critical to keep it in mind in order to have a balanced life. And if you have a job you love... keep at it! Do you have a job you love? Hate? If so what is it? As always, keep counting!

As we continue Heart month, we can't forget the health benefits of vino. My heart loves wine and thank God wine loves my heart. I've tried multiple times to forgo the delicate Pinot Noir with friends or crisp Chardonnay on a hot summer day, but I just can't. It's pure, decanted bliss and I guess that just like everything else in life--moderation is key.

I came across some Wild Wine Facts I wanted to share. These are from an Australian blog, Tallis. They may just make for some interesting sip conversation at your next dinner party.










How many bubbles in a bottle of sparkling wine?
Scientist Bill Lembeck states there are around 49 million bubbles in a bottle of champagne.
















What is the origin of the champagne glass?
The champagne coupe or champagne saucer is the saucer-shaped stem glass once used for serving champagne, but now more commonly used for cocktails. Legend has it the shape of the glass was modeled on the breast of Marie Antoinette. Some say this is false though. The glass was designed especially for champagne in England in 1663, preceding those aristocrats by almost a century. Champagne is now served in a flute style glass, which better retains the bubbles and temperature of the wine.







Where is the world's oldest wine cellar?
The Titanic, resting on the sea bottom, still holds the world's oldest wine cellar. The bottles are still intact even through the wreck and the ocean's depth.

What is the highest price ever paid for a bottle of wine?
The highest price paid for a bottle of wine was an insurance claim of $225,000 to settle a 1787 Chateau Margaux dropped by a waiter in 1989. (I FEEL SO BAD FOR THIS WAITER).

How many different grape varieties exist worldwide?
There are 10,000 wine grape varieties worldwide.









Where was the oldest bottle of wine found?
The bottle dates from approximately 325 A.D. and was found in 1867 during excavation for building a house in a vineyard near the town of Speyer, Germany. It was inside one of two Roman stone sarcophaguses that were dug up. The greenish-yellow glass amphora has handles formed in the shape of dolphins. One of several bottles discovered, it is the only one with the contents still preserved. The ancient liquid has much silty sediment. About two-thirds of the contents are a thicker, hazy mixture. This is most probably olive oil, which the Romans commonly used to "float" atop wine to preserve it from oxidation. Cork closures, although known to exist at the time, were quite uncommon. Their oil method of preservation was apparently effective enough to keep the wine from evaporation up to modern day.
The bottle is on permanent display, along with other wine antiquities, at the Historisches Museum der Pfalz (History Museum of the Pfalz), worth a visit if traveling near the area of Speyer, Germany.

How big is the world's largest wine bottle?
It holds 480 Litres of dessert wine, stands 2.4 metres tall and weighs as much as a cow.

How did the phrase "rule of thumb" originate?
Before thermometers were invented, brewers would dip a thumb or finger into the liquid to determine the ideal temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, for adding yeast.

***My own little wine fact:
One of the best presents I ever received was a yearly membership to the California Wine Club. I highly, highly recommend this for the PERFECT GIFT. You can personalize the monthly package by choosing 2 reds, 2 whites or one of each. Most of the wines are gold and silver medal winners and you also get a plethora of background information about each wine when it comes to your door. I can't even tell you how many of my friends and relatives received this present from the Gossett's. Or, better yet, how many of our friends have called us up saying they were having a difficult day, but were cheered up when they saw the CWC box at their front door.

I want you to take a moment and reflect. Turn down the television or music--clear your mind. Think back to when you got your first love letter. Do you remember whom it was from? Do you remember what it was written on and what color the ink was? How was it folded? How did it wind up in your hands? Was it shoved in your desk when you weren't looking; placed into your palm as you passed in the hallway?

Most importantly, how did it make you feel when you read it? Did your heart jump?

In Atlanta recently, I had a minute to myself. While sitting on the second floor of my hotel, in between meetings, I tried to decide what to get Al for Valentine's Day. The man never asks for anything. "What about a love letter?" I thought, while opening my Kombucha and praying that it didn't explode on the winter-white masterpiece of a couch I was lounging in. "Not a mass-produced card with the words already laid out using a perfect font and spacing. No. A real letter."

My mind then wandered back to St. Mary's in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. I was in the fifth grade when I got my first love letter. I don't remember how it was folded, but it was ripped out of a three-ring, lined notebook. I wouldn't dare divulge who it was from because it's a small world. But I do have to say that despite the crazy misspellings and our total lack of understanding of what "love" meant--it rocked my world.

A hand-written letter is becoming a lost art in our e-universe. This weekend, I'm going to try and free up some time to write how I truly feel to the person who has blessed me so much by coming into my life.















Here are a couple tips to writing a love letter for Valentine's Day:

Make sure it is from the heart.
Don't ever steal someone elses words! It comes across as artificial as Joan Rivers nose (a real downer is "How do I love thee, let me count the ways.") Writing should be an extension of how you talk, and "how you talk" is one of the things that made your honey fall in love with you.

Make it Specific
You've fallen in love because of places you've been together. Call out some of these places you've been to or experiences you've had. Talk about details of a certain trip (remember that amazing room in Vegas last year). You can also write about what may have happened in that room. Ha! The bonding of shared experiences make for great letter writing.

Invest in Beautiful Paper
I'm a huge believer in finding a Stationary Shop that you love. Beautiful paper makes the letter a work of art. I have a woman I go to for everything, (invitations, stationary, thank you cards). Her name is Shara, at Shara's Paperie. She just started a web site so people can get her creations nationally: www.sharaspaperie.com.












Spice it Up
Okay, so you have this beautiful, well-written, personal, from-the-heart letter. How do you give it to your man? Well, why not play hide-and-seek? Maybe place somewhere in the lacy bra and then make him find it! I'm just saying....

Here's to much love and excitement on Valentine's Day! And as always... keep counting!