Don’t forget to play some music and dance – like nobody’s watching (that is, until you post it on social media). Everything will taste much better.
reasons to dance, sing & laugh
“They” say dancing improves brain function (I think they mean choreographed Michael Jackson dancing, but let’s pretend it applies to Mom and kids in the kitchen dancing, too). But dancing definitely reduces stress, is great exercise, helps boost confidence and self-esteem – for kids and adults, keeps you young at heart and improves mental health. My grief psychologist and I both agreed that my daughter used dance as her outlet for grief when she was only 5 years old. How beautiful that she had that outlet available for her (not to mention that she had the emotional intelligence at such a young age to use dance for her soul!). Laugh and sing while you’re at it. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and remember, the benefits far outweigh the risks (haha).
Remember, we have a choice how to feel – always. Don’t feel very happy? Try putting a smile on your face. I read once to fake it – act how you want to feel. At first I thought ‘No, no, that’s not being true to your feelings.’ But there is a time and a place to forcing a smile on your face. You might find it’s all the push you need to feel your soul warm up and actually start to feel happy. Smiling is contagious, not just from one person to the next, but also from your outer self to your inner soul. Laughing definitely improves your mood and relationships so laugh at yourself dancing if you have nothing else to laugh at. As the old, yiddish proverb says,
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.”
Singing actually has physical benefits too. Think of the high you feel during and after a music concert – the effects run deeper then simply being excited seeing live musicians. When you sing, the musical vibrations move through you increasing oxygenation in the blood stream and keeps your heart healthy, and it also reduces stress, anxiety, increases endorphins and all that other good stuff too (ever notice your posture improves when you sing!?).
Even though, when music is played in the kitchen the process is heavily delayed by dancing and laughter, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The next time you’re in the kitchen don’t forget to play some music – dance, sing and laugh your way to feeling your best and enjoy every moment. 
The end result from this baking dance-a-thon – my dairy-free,
vegan, gluten-free (optional) chocolate cupcakes baked for
my 11 yr old’s birthday (recipe coming soon in my recipe book).
