Healthy Chicks

On most days, I wake up craving something warm like hearty oatmeal, eggs and avocado on toast or a good ol’ fashioned veggie omelet. Being a Vata body type, I naturally crave warm meals. But lately, most likely due to the change of seasons, my body has been asking for a little something greener and cooler; that is, a green smoothie of course.

Although to tell you the truth, I still enjoyed an egg sandwich on a gluten free english muffin about 2 hours later because that’s what I wanted…that’s what I needed. Dare to dig deep and listen to YOUR body.

Egg sandwich or not, this green smoothie totally kicked off my day on a fresh, healthy note! Enjoy this minty concoction on those mornings you want to refresh and reset, or as an afternoon treat. Go ahead…get a little minty.

Get Minty Green Smoothie for Healthy Chicks

In the Mix:

• 1 c. coconut milk (you can also use almond milk or water)
• large handful kale, organic
• 2 stalks celery, organic
• 1/4 c. cucumber, organic
• 1 medium banana
• 1/4 c. frozen pineapple
• 1 TB ground flax or hemp seed* (I used both)
• 3 organic mint leaves, fresh

*I used Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts that I received in my BeStowed box last week

~Add coconut milk, seeds, mint, fruit and then veggies. Blend on low until ingredients catch, and then blend on high for about 30 seconds, or until you get the desired consistency.

What’s your favorite breakfast lately? Do you typically go for warm or cool meals in the a.m.? P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my FREE 7-Day  ”Get Happy & Healthy” Wellness Challenge” starting Monday, April 8th.

I didn’t have a post planned for today, but wanted to share some exciting news with my readers! I was riding home on the T after a rather rainy coffee date with a friend, and was pleasantly surprised when I looked down at my phone. Boston University’s Sargent Choice Nutrition Center has recognized Healthy Chicks as “Best of the Food Web.”

When I saw that I’d been featured, I quickly head over to their site to read more. As I read every last word, my body filled with warmth, chills and gratitude as their words really touched my heart. That right there is exactly why I choose to do what I do, and it means the world to me to be recognized for that.

As you all know, connecting with my readers & clients, and helping other women lead happier, healthier more vibrant lives (without dieting) is what I live for! It’s my “natural high,” my purpose, my calling. If I can make someone smile a little bigger, feel more comfortable in their curves or question what they’re putting into their bodies, I have done my job.

I encourage you to go out and read the article. They really couldn’t have captured who I am and what I believe in any more perfectly. I am grinning from ear to ear!

As always, please feel free email me, leave a comment or check out my health coaching programs. I am here for you and want to help you

Good afternoon ladies! As most of you know, this year has been a whirlwind of excitement growing my blog, expanding my health coaching services and narrowing down my niche. It’s been fun, tiring, enlightening, crazy, wild, and life-changing all at once!

While I live and  breathe my Healthy Chicks brand, I want to share my story with the world, and help as many young women struggling with body image issues, dieting and finding their inner zest for life! But I can’t do this all alone, at least not just yet.

That’s why I’ve entered to win a scholarship to Marie Forleo’s B-School, to help take my business to the next level…with a bang! This is something I’ve been working long and hard on, and I 100% believe Marie can give me just the kick-start I need.

It’d mean the world to me for you to view, like or comment on my entry video on Youtube. Your support means everything to me! Also I owe a HUGE thank you to The Boy for putting up with me for hours last night and this morning during filming, while keeping his cool and utmost patience. I’m one lucky, thankful Chick!

XoXo,

PHOTO TAKEN: Hiking in Costa Rica

WHAT YOU DO FOR WORK: I’m the elementary school librarian at the Casablanca American School in Morocco. I basically get kids excited to read books and learn!

NUMBER ONE PASSION: Traveling. I am so lucky to be living in a country that is exotic AND close to Europe.  My next trip is going to be to Tangier, Morocco, Ceuta, Spain and Gibraltar, UK.

I FEEL MY HEALTHIEST SELF WHEN I AM: Eating tons of veggies and spending some time outside. It’s been really difficult finding a quiet place to relax outside in such a big city, so being out in nature has become a gift.

BUT I AM ALSO A REAL GIRL & SOMETIMES: I have a lazy day in my pajamas with too much coffee and watch New Girl.

TOP THREE KITCHEN STAPLES: Olive Oil, zucchini, kiwi

NUMBER ONE GUILTY PLEASURE: Nutella.  Morocco has so many different and cheap brands of Nutella that it takes a lot of self control not to devour an entire jar.

EXERCISE THAT MAKES YOU SHINE: Running.  I love how a good run clears my head and uplifts my spirit.

FAVORITE COMFORT FOOD: Sweet potato fries (especially the fries from Trident Cafe on Newbury St in Boston).

MESSAGE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHER HEALTHY CHICKS: Be patient with yourself and with your body. We tend to be our harshest critic on everything that we do and most of the time it’s not true or fair. Taking a step back and giving yourself a break will help you energize, focus and appreciate you for you.

If you’d like to be featured as one of my Healthy Chicks in the Community, or know someone who you want to make blush, email me for more deets. And remember, if you aren’t feeling your healthiest self or are struggling to make positive changes, shoot me an email anytime to schedule your FREE 15-minute info session / sign up for one of my health coaching programs.

Happy Superbowl Sunday ladies! Today’s post is a Vlog (my second Vlog EVER actually) because I wanted to share with you something that I get questions about all the time: how to handle “over-indulging” without all the guilt that comes with it, or feeling like you “ruined everything.”

I was inspired to create a Vlog after chatting over coffee yesterday with the lovely Cait from Cait Plus Ate at Daybreak. (Side Note: If you don’t know Cait already, you should totally check out her blog especially if you are a fellow foodie or live in the New England area.) She just did her first Vlog (and totally rocked it) and she gave me the courage to give it another shot!

After all, I am very passionate about this topic and want to reach as many readers (or shall I say viewers) as possible. Plus, I feel much more confident this time around, judging by my last video where I was a tad nervous.

OK, 1, 2, 3…ACTION!

What are your favorite indulgences? Do you let guilt get the best of you?

Hey ladies, check out my latest newsletter to find out how setting intentions this New Year’s can give you the life you want for yourself.

If you’re not already signed up for my FREE newsletter service with healthy tips, recipes & lotsa love, I suggest you do so below:

XoXo,

Links:

Healthy Chick’s Energy Trail Mix: http://healthy-chicks.com/2012/12/18/6-ways-to-increase-your-energy-through-food/

7 Cost-Free Ways to Live a Happier, Simpler Lifestyle: http://healthy-chicks.com/2012/12/05/7-cost-free-ways-to-lead-a-happier-simpler-lifestyle/

Practicing Gratitude: http://healthy-chicks.com/2012/11/30/gratitude/

Health Coaching Services: http://healthy-chicks.com/health-coaching/

Want more quick, healthy tips? Simply enter your email below!

Good afternoon, and Happy Memorial weekend! I hope you are all out enjoying this beautiful weather, BBQing, beaching and sipping on refreshing, summery drinks.

Attention Boston friends & readers: I just wanted to remind you that I’ll be hosting an interactive workshop called Get Real (About Food) for my business Zesty Living at Oficio on Newbury Street on Thursday, June 14th. You can read more details below, and purchase your “Early Bird” tickets here on Eventbrite. It’ll be a wonderful night of networking, socializing, learning and eating delectable (healthy) treats. Yes, I’ll even feed you!

Special Bonus: To all my blog readers and friends of readers, you can use promo code blogperk for $2 off your ticket!

Happy weekend,

[source] Got leftover pesto hanging around the house? Try this easy peasy recipe!

Remember how I told you all that I’m a huge fan of experimenting with new recipes? Well, this afternoon my sister had the brilliant idea of making use of my grandma’s homemade pesto we had stored in the freezer. (Sidenote: freezing pesto is a super practical way of making it last longer, while keeping it fresh and tasty. My grandma taught me a little trick to freeze in ice cube trays for individual servings.) Once I knew pesto was on the menu, my little brain started to ponder.

After a trip to Whole Foods, I decided we’d incorporate some all-natural chicken into tonight’s meal. And peas. And penne. Alas, dinner was planned.

Here’s what we used for tonight’s easy supper*:

*makes about 4 servings

• 2 c. brown rice penne
• 1 large boneless skinless chicken tenderloin, all-natural & raised without antibiotics (organic is best – I got ours at Whole Foods)
• 1/2 can sweet peas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 c. frozen spinach, organic
• 1/4 c. homemade pesto (may adjust according to taste)
• 1 1/2 TB olive oil
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• salt  & pepper to taste

1. Boil your water and cook penne according to directions. In the meantime, pat chicken until thin and then slice into small cubes.

2. Coat medium skillet with olive oil, and cook chicken on medium heat. Once slightly cooked, add in lemon juice, garlic, and pesto, coating the chicken thoroughly. Continue to stir.

3. Once chicken is tender & completely cooked, reduce to medium-low heat, mix in frozen spinach and peas and cover.

4. Drain the pasta and mix in with chicken mixture, making sure spinach is fully cooked.

~ Garnish with a dash of lemon juice, salt & pepper.

I loved how this dish came out, especially the way the peas added an extra bite to a traditional dish. Usually I’m the type to load on seasonings, olive oil, salt (guilty as charged), and parmesan cheese but this dish really had a powerful flavor on its own with the lemon juice and pesto combination.

Better yet, we had leftovers for once so I get to enjoy this meal all over again tomorrow. Perhaps, I will enjoy it chilled with a slight drizzle of olive oil for a quick ‘n’ easy lunch.

Have a lovely evening,

Remember when I told you guys I made a vision board with The Boy last month? Well, I decided to revamp it completely! You see, my first vision board was on a scrap piece of white-lined paper and it didn’t give me enough room to really express every little thing I want in life. Plus, with all the focus lately on my new health counseling business Zesty Living, I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and what I want for myself.

That’s when the vision board construction went down. For the past few days, I’ve been tearing witty words, motivating pictures, and inspirational phrases out of magazines, as well as surfing the web for ideas.

Voilà! This is the result:

I decided to break it down into sections: career, relationship, and personal well-being.

Career/Financial:

• Create and sell some sort of wellness product, be it inspirational greeting cards, all-natural body scrubs or innovative spice blends!
• Be financially stable, with a comfortable salary that I can support myself with & not have to cringe every time I “treat” myself to something nice
• Have a successful, positive, buzzing health counseling business a la Zesty Living with 1-on-1 coaching, group workshops, and (HOPERFULLY) some corporate wellness mixed in
• Be published in a women’s health magazine featuring an article on holistic health & wellness…a dream come true to have my own byline!
• Speak in front of a group of people regarding health, happiness and finding balance

Relationship

• Move in with The Boy in an adorable little Boston area apartment where we’ll wake up together each morning, sip coffee, make tasty dinners, and stay up drinking wine and laughing our faces off!
• Be a “power couple” both reaping the benefits of being successful entrepreneurs, making our own schedules and ultimately working for ourselves
• Happy & in love

Personal

• Feel more calm & at peace with myself
• Do more yoga – practice regularly!
• Have enough money to be able to treat myself to monthly massages, gym memberships, yoga retreats and other wellness activities
• Travel more! (Oh, and be able to afford it and not feel bad about it!)
• Trouble-free, energized, motivated go-getter
• Super healthy, happy, fit & feeling my best self
• Have a plethora of delicious, wholesome, all natural food to cook with each and every day

Have you ever made a vision board? What do you want for yourself this year? What positive steps are you taking to get there?