I have often heard the insinuation that writing and blogging are self-indulgent things.

This, my friends, is how those who have given up on their dreams attempt to corrode the roots of people making the grand, frightening, upending decision to seriously make art.

I have heard family say it, friends say it. I have heard other bloggers say it — and about themselves, no less.

So let’s just be clear.

Art is, by its nature, self-indulgent.

That is not its greatest weakness, but its greatest strength.

When we see art that is incandescent, that sets a spark alight in our own spirits, it is almost assuredly the result of an artist having connected to the deep Self.

Just to be clear, I’m talking about atma — the true Self — not the collection of identifying labels that we carry around with us (e.g. “I am a short blonde photographer that lives in Virginia who likes plants”).

Art requires Self-indulgence. Artists need to indulge in the depth of the Self, the true spark of life that burns inside of us all.

Artists look both inward and outward. And with their eyes turned in two directions they translate the universe into something essential, felt, known. Or, even better, they wake us up to the idea that nothing can be known. And in so doing they erase our limited interpretation of the-world-as-it-is.

So, yes, let’s all take some time today to be Self-indulgent, Self-aware and Self-positive.

Listen to your Self, trust your Self, and nurture your Self.

(And then… enjoy a delicious turmeric mango smoothie with bee pollen? I can’t do transitions today MY BAD).

I whipped this smoothie up on Sunday as a light, fresh, zingy sip for my woefully sniffly husband. It features banana, mango, orange, coconut water, ginger, turmeric, bee pollen and maca. The flavor is simple and balanced: sweet, tangy, tropical and just a bit spicy. You can't really taste the fresh turmeric root, but the ginger is punchy and enlivening.

Turmeric root combined with ginger is my between-seasons panacea -- it's particularly wonderful for the Winter-into-Spring transition. Turmeric provides anti-inflammatory super powers, and ginger kicks the digestive fires into gear. The combo gives this winter-seasonal smoothie a bit of much needed fire.

Turmeric and ginger are also considered good natural alternatives to acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter drug often taken for flu symptoms and pain which can cause dangerous liver toxicity. Ginger and turmeric are both pain-relieving and powerfully anti-inflammatory, with no toxic affects.

Speaking of toxicity, bee pollen has been shown to provide significant anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing abilities in mice with acetaminophen-induced liver toxicity. According to SCIENCE.

What I'm getting at is, turmeric, ginger and bee pollen are all excellent natural support for your body when you have the flu or a cold, especially if you happen to have been taking acetaminophen (e.g. NyQuil or Tylenol etc.) to combat symptoms (like Logan has been).

I've been using bee pollen for around seven years. It's has a honey-sweet taste, with a chalky texture. If you're on the fence about trying it for the first time, just read this extensive article from Draxe and have your mind blown.

Oh and maca, an adaptogen, is just full of sunshine and rainbows too. It typically improves and balances energy levels, balances hormone production, improves mood, increases fertility and balances cholesterol. To start.

Turmeric Mango Smoothie with Bee Pollen, Ginger and Maca

Created by Renee on February 20, 2017

This smoothie is all about freshness! Fresh mango, orange, turmeric root and ginger give this smoothie tons of flavor, brightness and intensity. If you can’t get fresh turmeric + ginger, use 1/4 teaspoon dried of each, taste and adjust by adding more to your liking.

• Prep Time: 5m

• Yield: 1 large serving or two smaller servings

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas

• 1 small fresh mango, peeled and pit removed

• 1 medium-small orange, peeled & seeds removed

• 1 inch fresh turmeric root, peeled

• 1 inch fresh ginger root, peeled

• 1 teaspoon bee pollen + more to taste

• ~1 cup coconut water (I used water reserved from a can of full fat coconut milk)

• 1 tablespoon coconut cream, scooped from a can of chilled full fat coconut milk

• 1 fresh medjool date, pitted

• 1 teaspoon maca + more to taste

Instructions

1. Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a high powered blender: frozen banana, fresh mango, orange, turmeric root, ginger root, bee pollen, coconut water, coconut cream, date and maca. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust consistency by adding more coconut water as you like.

2. Serve topped with a bit more bee pollen. Enjoy!