Love, Connection & Filling Your Cup First
February has a beautiful way of inviting us back to what matters most:
love, connection, friendship, and the simple joy of gathering.
While Valentine’s Day often centers around romantic love, I’ve always believed this season is also a meaningful reminder to nurture the relationships that sustain us every day — our friendships, our community, and our relationship with ourselves.
As I sit here the morning after such a special evening, my heart feels incredibly full. I’m so grateful for everyone who showed up, supported, and helped bring these gatherings to life. Thank you for being part of this growing Pangea’s Plate community.
Because true wellness isn’t created in isolation.
It’s built in connection.
Connection Is Health: Lessons from the Blue Zones
One of my favorite concepts to share with clients comes from the Blue Zones — regions of the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives.
Across every Blue Zone, one factor consistently stands out:
strong social circles and meaningful connection.
Not perfectly clean diets.
Not intense workout routines.
But community.
People in these longevity hotspots prioritize:
Gathering regularly with friends
Sharing meals together
Supporting one another through life’s seasons
Feeling seen, valued, and connected
Connection isn’t just a “nice to have.”
It’s protective. It regulates our nervous systems, lowers stress, boosts mood, and supports overall health and longevity.
In other words — the time spent laughing with friends, sharing a meal, or simply feeling supported is deeply nourishing on a cellular level.
Last night’s gathering — and every opportunity we create to come together — is a reminder that wellness is something we build collectively.
Self-Care Is Not Selfish — It’s Necessary
As women — and especially as mothers — we often find ourselves at the bottom of our own priority lists.
We give.
We care.
We manage.
We support everyone around us.
And yet, we cannot pour from an empty cup.
Self-care isn’t indulgent.
It’s not something we “earn” once everything else is done.
It’s a foundational part of sustainable wellness.
When we nourish ourselves, we:
Show up with more patience and presence
Have greater energy for our families and work
Feel more grounded and emotionally resilient
Create a ripple effect of wellness in our homes and communities
Sometimes self-care looks like a quiet walk or nourishing meal.
Sometimes it looks like saying no.
And sometimes… it looks like gathering with incredible women, celebrating connection, and allowing ourselves to receive the same care we so often give.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
My heart is so full reflecting on last night’s “Fall in Love with Broadfield” Valentine’s-themed Broker’s Open and the beautiful Galentine’s gathering that followed.
What made these events so special wasn’t just the setting — it was the people, partnerships, and shared intention behind them. Gathering in community to celebrate connection and officially kick off this soft launch season of Pangea’s Plate alongside friends, neighbors, and local collaborators felt incredibly meaningful.
I’m deeply grateful to the amazing partners and people who helped bring the evening to life:
Braveworks (@shopbraveworks) — my favorite local charitable organization and truly a purchase-with-a-purpose mission. Their work empowering women here in Charlotte and within collectives around the globe is extraordinary. If you haven’t yet experienced their shop and mission, I highly encourage you to explore and support their beautiful artisan goods online and follow along with their impact-driven work on Instagram at @braveworksorg.
Robin Tonelli Art (@robintonelliart | @bubblewrappopart) — bringing fun and creative energy with her Bubblewrap Pop Art installations, making the evening interactive, vibrant, and supportive of local Charlotte artists.
Eleven Eleven Wellness Bakery (@11elevenbakery) — sharing their delicious and healthy gluten-free breads and nourishing organic sweet treats that felt both indulgent and wholesome.
Use code Pangeasplate1111 for 11% off your first order for new customers.
Farm Fresh Carolinas (@farmfreshcarolinas) — providing beautiful fresh produce and vegan specialty foods while supporting local farmers and artisans in our region.
Use code Nourish15 for $15 off your first order for new customers.
These collaborations are what Pangea’s Plate is all about —
community, connection, and supporting one another’s wellbeing.
And last - but certainly not least - I also want to take a moment to spotlight someone incredibly special in my life and in this community.
Some friendships are simply written in the stars — and my connection with Leslie Snipe is exactly that. My Scorpio sister (with birthdays just one day apart), Leslie has been one of my closest friends for nearly two decades. She has an uncanny way of sensing what I’m thinking and can finish my sentences when I can’t quite find the words — the kind of friendship that feels effortless and deeply rooted all at once.
Honest, funny, kind, and always showing up when it matters most, Leslie is the definition of a true-blue friend. She brings that same heart and integrity to her work as a realtor with David Hoffman Realty, guiding her clients with care, intuition, and a genuine commitment to helping them find spaces that truly feel like home.
I’m endlessly grateful for her friendship and the way she continues to show up in my life and in this community. If you ever have the opportunity to meet or work with her, you’ll quickly see why she’s one of the best humans around.
Follow Leslie: @snipeandtheycity
Learn more: https://davidhoffmanrealty.com/agents/Leslie-Snipe/8869538
For friends, family, and followers who couldn’t be there in person, all of those mentioned above and I will be sharing highlights and photos from both gatherings on social and via email very soon — so stay tuned. If you did attend, we would love for you to share your photos and tag us so we can all capture the memories we made together!
Be sure to visit the Shop page on my website for direct links to all of my favorite partners, products, and wellness resources. Please be patient and feel free to reach out with feedback if you’re looking for something specific — all the tech is still a work in progress but I am finally making progress with the amazing support of my new virtual assistant, Trina, who I am so very grateful to have on my team!
A Sweet Note (and Your Promised Recipes)
One of my favorite ways to celebrate connection is by sharing nourishing food — especially decadent treats that feel both joyful and supportive.
I’ve included links below to download some of my favorite Valentine’s/Galentine’s themed party recipes:
Pink Hummus
Heart-BEET Salad
Protein Energy Balls 2 ways: Chocolate Covered Cherry & Strawberry Coconut
These are perfect for sharing with friends, bringing to gatherings, or keeping on hand for a nourishing, feel-good snacks and treat that supports steady energy and balanced blood sugar.
With Gratitude
This season is a reminder that wellness isn’t meant to be pursued alone.
It’s built in community.
Strengthened through connection.
And sustained when we allow ourselves to both give and receive support.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for supporting local, small businesses whenever possible.
And thank you for being part of the Pangea’s Plate community — it truly makes this work all the sweeter.
With so much gratitude,
Lisa
Founder, Pangea’s Plate Health Coaching & Consulting
Helping women thrive — on & off the plate.
