When “treating yourself” isn’t actually treating you well
My dear friend Jenn likes to say there’s a difference between treating yourself and treating yourself well.

Treating yourself usually looks like chocolate, wine, or a night on the couch — and there’s nothing wrong with any of that.

But treating yourself well is different. It’s quieter. It’s the kind of care your heart actually feels.

And since this is a Valentine’s Day message, I want to gently nudge you toward the kind of heart 💗  love that lasts longer than a box of chocolates:
  • consistently add one more plant to your plate
  • take a walk after dinner
  • go to bed a little earlier
  • give yourself a moment to breathe before the next thing
  • and know your numbers — including Lp(a) — so you’re not guessing about your heart
Those tiny choices don’t take away from the fun of Valentine's Day.
They just make sure your heart gets a little love too.

And a quiet shout‑out to Jenn — my longtime partner in heart‑healthy mischief at the Wellness Foundation — who’s been nudging me in the right direction for years.
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Tired of feeling stuck with your weight or your health?

Most people aren’t given the simple daily habits that actually move the numbers — weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, energy, and more.

You can change your health by changing your habits.
Small, consistent shifts in what you eat and how you live can lower inflammation, support heart health, balance blood sugar, and help you feel better in your body.

Start with 5 simple diet habits that make a real difference.
These easy, practical tips will help you start losing weight, lower inflammation, and feel more in control — beginning today.



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This blog is dedicated to Irl Flanagan, who was my friend and grammar mentor. Over the last 20 or so years, he spent countless hours editing my manuscripts and teaching me the intricacies of sentence structure and the true meaning and the proper usage of words. 

Irl passed 4 months before his 100th birthday. He held my writing to a high standard, and I honor him by doing the same.

About Me

Most people want to feel better, live lighter, and get their numbers moving in the right direction — weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, energy. But lasting change doesn’t come from willpower or restriction. It comes from small, doable habits practiced day after day.

Peggy Kraus, MA, RCEP, CDCES, is a clinical exercise physiologist and diabetes care specialist who has spent nearly three decades helping people improve their health through simple, evidence‑based lifestyle changes. Her programs are grounded in research and built around habits that lower inflammation, support heart health, balance blood sugar, and make weight loss sustainable.

Peggy has worked with thousands of people, guiding them toward meaningful improvements in their health — from weight loss and lower glucose to better blood pressure, cholesterol, and energy. Her approach is practical, encouraging, and rooted in the belief that anyone can change their health by changing their daily habits.
Photo of Peggy Kraus