It’s been a week filled with joy for me! My book, Zesty Changes, released on Tuesday after 3 years of being in production. It’s been a blessing to get these stories from 30 amazing women into the world.

All of this celebrating has me remembering a time when I struggled to find pockets of joy when I was at my lowest. I know first hand how difficult it can be to find gratitude and happiness when you’re in a dark place. 

If you struggle with picking out joy in your everyday life, here are five ways you can identify what makes you happy:

1. Keep a daily gratitude journal. Write down what you are grateful to have, even the small things.
   
2. Get Up with a plan to do something just for you today. Prioritize your happiness!
   
3. Get Dressed in something that is cheerful and makes you feel happy.
   
4. Get Out and do one thing you love to do, that you haven't done in a while, that makes you smile. It can be as simple as taking a walk, going to the library, or grabbing lunch from...

Have you heard? My book, Zesty Changes, releases next Tuesday, March 14th!

Zesty Changes has been a labor of love. It’s taken me three years to put together as I interviewed women around the world and invited them to share their unique stories. 

While the stories in the book start with the lowest points of their lives, what’s most important is the one feature they all share: the power of hope. 

Hope is transformative. It’s what leads us out of the dark and into the light. When we’re looking for all the ways to better ourselves, whether that’s our mental, emotional, or physical wellbeing, hope is the driving force. We want things to get better, and we believe we can get to that place of joy and peace!

But hope isn’t always easy to find. I’ve felt lost and hopeless at different points in my life (which I share in-depth in the book) but I’ve always been able to find my way to a happier, zestier way of...

As we wrap up heart month, I want to share one more important resource for you. 

Did you know that an apple a day really does keep the doctor away? Especially when it comes to heart health!

Apples can help lower the risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease.

Here are five reasons why you should include apples in your diet:

1. Apples aid in weight loss. They’re low calorie and high in water and fiber, which help you feel full.
2. With a rich source of pectin, apples are great for digestion.
3. Apples have anti-aging qualities. The acids found within them protect the skin from damage.
4. Need to lower your cholesterol? Apples contain polyphenols, which help to lower LDL cholesterol.
5. With a combination of soluble fiber and polyphenols, apples keep your heart healthy by lowering cholesterol, inflammation, and blood pressure.

More Health Tips in Zesty Changes

My upcoming book, Zesty Changes, comes with a FREE guide filled with life-changing health tips and tools. You can...

As it’s heart month, I want to talk about a specific type of pain and trauma…heartbreak. 

Did you know 50% of marriages fail after the age of 50? This means that if you’ve broken up with a partner or spouse, you’re not alone. I've been through two divorces. The last one took 9 grueling years to complete. I know your pain!

Heartbreak weighs us down. It can put us into a state of terrible anger, loneliness, and depression.

I’ve experienced several different types of heartbreak in my life, including giving up my daughter for adoption. All of these incidents required great healing.

In order to heal and process, you need to surround yourself with people who love you and care for you. Talking through your heartache and pain is the most healing thing you can do. It's so easy to feel alone in times of hardship. Take the time to reach out to people and fill them in on what's going on with you.

Here's moving prose about healing your pain:

“Grandma,...