Healthy Chicks

TRUTH: The most beautiful I ever felt was when I was pregnant.

Despite gaining nearly 40 pounds, not fitting into my favorite clothes, and treating myself to any foods I wanted, I felt like a freakin’ Goddess.

I loved watching my bump grow month after month, nourishing my body (and baby), and of course my glowing skin was a nice perk. More so, I loved how I felt in my body — especially when the baby kicked, I was in the zone doing laps in the pool, or meditating with my hands gently rested on my belly and heart.

I felt beautiful and connected in a way I had never felt before, in a way that’s hard to describe. I was simply so amazed and grateful for my body growing a tiny human — especially after struggling to get pregnant — and that to me felt beautiful.

Here’s the thing: beauty is an inside job. It’s 99% how we feel and speak to ourselves. 

In my teens and early 20s, I struggled a lot with my body — my thighs were “too fat,” my boobs were too small, and I wasn’t as skinny as the rest of my friends. … Read More!

Confession: I have a major fear of public speaking. In fact, I fear doing any type of video, lecture, podcast or anything where I’m being recorded. I’m much more comfortable writing — pen to paper or behind a computer screen.

Fun fact: I turned beet red and almost fainted during my Communication Studies class in college, and actually had to close my eyes for a moment to get centered so I could finish my presentation.

So when Northeastern college student Zoe Kenealy asked to interview me for her new podcast, Ready to Launch, my initial thought was hell no. I then realized that was my good ol’ pal fear talking, and I quickly emailed her back taking her up on the opportunity.

During the interview, we talked about how fear tends to hold us back from doing the things we want to do — whether that’s launching a new creative project or ditching the calorie counting (in fear that you’ll gain weight).

But did you ever stop to think what’s on the other side of that fear?

I decided to break through my fear and open up to Zoe on her podcast, which you can listen … Read More!

Hooray, it’s Friday and March 1st! That means spring is coming, right? Good news: it’s actually only 19 days away (not like I’m counting or anything)!

I’m so excited to bring you this month’s spotlight on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world. As a yoga and meditation instructor, Lauren passionately and selflessly shares her gifts with the world through volunteering and her recent work with the Boston VA Healthcare System.

In this interview, we chat about her dream celebrity dinner guest, new career teaching Veterans yoga and her love for her home Tower Garden. I’ll let Lauren take it away from here!

NAME: Lauren Durso

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS/LINE OF WORK: As a Certified 500hr Advanced Yoga & Meditation Instructor, I teach to private clients and group classes at my private home studio in Walpole, MA as well as local studios. My recent career addition is joining the Whole Health Systems team with the Boston VA Healthcare System, working full time teaching Veterans yoga and meditation. I am a Wellnesspreneur, as I also own my own Juice Plus+ franchise educating people about whole food nutrition supplement options … Read More!

With Valentine’s Day a week away, love is in the air. While it’s fine to spoil your kiddos with candied hearts or splurge on a fancy dinner out with your sweetie, what about the love you’re giving yourself? That’s right, self-love baby! Here are three simple ways you can love yourself more starting now:

1. Quit Your Diet

Toss the scale, stop counting calories and look inward. Ask yourself how you want to FEEL. Then rather than focusing on the foods you need to take out, focus on fueling your body. This method is called crowding out; by incorporating more of the nutrient-rich, feel-good stuff, we naturally wean off of the foods that leave us feeling depleted.

What foods energize you? Make you feel vibrant? Fill you up? Prioritize those, but know there’s always room for a slice of pizza, a donut or your fave latte too.

2. Create a Morning or Evening Ritual

How do you start or end your day? If it doesn’t feel good to you, change it up. Bring in feel-good routines like journaling, DIY facials, hot lemon water, affirmation card pulls, a cozy cup of tea, or a juicy book. Here’s an … Read More!

Happy Friday, beauties! I’m loving all the discussion happening around yesterday’s post, which I shared on instagram and Facebook. It’s good to know I’m not alone when it comes to craving more downtime, away from social media. It’s been really freeing realizing it is a choice, and we get to choose how we spend our time — in all aspects of our lives.

Anyway, it’s time for this month’s feature on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world. I couldn’t be more thrilled to spotlight Michaela of More Positivity, who makes it her mission to spread more wellness, happiness and positivity into the world.

She seriously oozes good vibes, and scrolling through her instagram feed makes you feel good — it’s contagious. In today’s post, we chat about her giant unicorn pool float, the power of truly living your life (even when things look dark), and why there’s always room for a little dessert. I’ll let Michaela take it from here!

NAME: Michaela P of More Positivity!

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS/LINE OF WORK: I created More Positivity, which is an empowerment website and blog! … Read More!

As you know by now, I’m pretty much an open book when it comes to sharing our pregnancy journey, my early miscarriage and the ins and outs of life as a new mom. To be honest, I truly enjoy writing about my journey and the number of messages I get from you guys — letting me know I gave you hope or made you feel not so alone — makes it all the more worthwhile.

Below I’m sharing a candid Q & A of the most frequent questions I’m asked, including some sent to me directly on my instagram stories recently. Feel free to add any other questions in the comments below, and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Any recommendations for holistic fertility treatments?

I recommend finding a functional medicine doctor to get to the root cause of any health stuff that may be going on. When we started trying to get pregnant, I joined Parsley Health, which I highly recommend if you’re looking for a holistic, individualized approach. Aimee Raupp, acupuncturist and author of Yes You Can Get Pregnant, is also an incredible inspiration, sharing great tips on fertility and nourishing your … Read More!

Happy 2019, ladies! It’s no secret that New Year’s resolutions — specifically those focused on women’s bodies — really get my blood boiling. Our inbox is flooded with “New Year, New You” messaging, touting this is the year to start fresh and lose the weight for good.

But what if you don’t want to lose the weight? What if you already like the YOU that you are? What if 2018 rocked your world, or you’re going through heartbreak or you feel a little lost? All valid, BTW.

Rather than jumping the gun and setting a resolution because you “should” (join the gym/make more money/lose the weight), quiet your mind and think about how you want to feel. You know, in your soul.

What’s your why?

Who do you want to surround yourself with?

What do you want to manifest this coming year?

In 2019, I intend to create more flow in my life — through my new role as a mother, taking charge of my finances, building my freelance writing career and spreading Spark Your Bliss to more women/getting them into some bigger stores. Welcoming abundance, baby!

If you need a little help setting feel-good resolutions that … Read More!

‘Tis the season for peppermint mocha lattes, sleigh rides and taking care of YOURSELF. While you may be busy with cocktail parties, work deadlines and holiday shopping, it’s important to breathe, and put yourself first too. Here are 5 tips for a a more peaceful holiday season!

… Read More!