Healthy Chicks

Sometimes we need a hug, sometimes we need mental clarity, and sometimes we just need a good healthy dose of inspiration! While I can’t technically give you all a hug (though I totally would if I could…e-hug?) I’ve got just the Spotify playlist for you that should  clear your mind and ignite your creativity.

As someone who is constantly thinking (and writing) music is a great way for me to unwind, let loose and allow my thoughts to form naturally. Whether I’m writing at a local coffee shop, brainstorming in my bedroom or attempting to reach a deep meditation, music is always a blessing. I hope you enjoy this ultra-inspiring, thought-provoking playlist, including 10 hits that have been on my radar lately!

What do you do to clear your mind and ignite your creative juices? What are your go-to tracks or artists?

XoXo,

[source]

TGIF all my little healthy chickies! Since it’s Friday – and in the Twitter world Friday is always “Follow Friday” where you mention your favorite tweeters (um, is that what they’re called?) – I figured I’d go with the theme. Here are some of my favorites this week…enjoy!

Fave Website: My Secret Boston - This site is super cool and lets you in on all things secret, yet phenomenal in Boston. From fun places to eat to where to shop & drink, these people know their city! I particularly like the SEE+DO section and this activity especially caught my eye; who knew? You must take a peak if you haven’t yet!

Fave Song: “Magic” by B.O.B. & “Marry You” by Bruno Mars; these babies have really been getting me through my dreaded treadmill runs. 

Fave Snack: Cheese ‘n’ crackers; I simply can’t stop eating them this week, as if I were a little kid again sitting at one of those plastic picnic tables! I must say…I’ve upgraded my cheese taste from string cheese to the more “classy” varieties. My new favorite is Dill Havarti from good ol’ Trader Joe’s.

Fave Television Shows: This is embarrassing to admit but it’s been Bachelor and Jersey Shore. Bachelor is fun to watch because these girls are NUTS, absolutely insane…and that’s an understatement. They all think they’re “in love” with this man who’s not even that great and they’ve only just met him. I just don’t understand how 25 girls can walk into a house and all happen to fall in love with the “oh-so-wonderful” Bachelor. Really? REALLY? Then there’s just no words for Jersey Shore. It just simply makes me laugh (uncontrollably) , and I secretly want to be friends with Snooki for a day…girl cracks me up! 

What are some of your faves this week? 

XoXo,

[source]

As you can tell from the title of my post, today I will be talking about all of my favorite things. However, I now also have that song from  the classic The Sound of Music stuck in my head (and I’m sorry if you now do as well). Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…OK I’ll stop now. Those most definitely are not a few of my favorite things. I hate cats. But I do have a BUNCH of my very own favorite things and that’s what I’d like to share with you today. Enjoy!

My Favorite Perfume: Asteria by Marina de Bourbon – not only is it in a pretty purple bottle, but I fell in love with the scent the very first day I discovered it. It’s feminine, sexy and sweet all at the same time. 

My Favorite Lip Balm: C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm, Bath & Body Works – this one is easy as it’s actually called “My Favorite Lip Balm.” My sister got it for me as part of a Christmas gift last year, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It makes my lips perfectly smooth and shiny, and has a nice shea butter/almond taste to it. 

My Favorite Workout DVD: Exhale: Core Fusion -Body Sculpt with Fred DeVito and Elisabeth Halfpapp – this DVD will seriously whip your ass into shape in no time. I felt toned, sexy, and confident within the first TWO WEEKS. Amazing, really. I urge everyone to try it at least once. 

My Favorite Hummus: It’s a toss up between Sabra’s Roasted Pine Nut and Trader Joe’s Three Layer (Traditional, Cilantro and Roasted Red Pepper). Can you say yum? 

My Favorite Guilty Pleasures: Peanut Butter & Chocolate or Wine & Cheese. Hands down. No question about it. 

My Favorite Turn On: A funny guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously….and is tall…and dark and handsome (hehe just kidding, kinda). Funny and tall will do (with a nice smile, of course). 

My Favorite Undies: Victoria’s Secret Lacie Thongs in pretty colors 

My Favorite Cuisine: Italian, Mexican & Asian (I’m a sucker for sushi) 

My Favorite Travel Destination: Italy. I studied abroad in Reggio Calabria one summer, and would go back in a heartbeat. I’ve never been so happy than what I was in Italy. The country is beautiful, the people are lovely, and the culture is refreshing. Oh, and the food is to-die-for. 

My Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate. Always, chocolate…topped with hot fudge, preferably. 

My Favorite Healthy Snacks: Veggies and hummus, raw almonds, unsalted popcorn, sliced tomatoes with salt & pepper, apple slices & peanut butter, Light Laughing Cow cheese wedges (Garlic & Herb is my fave) with celery, and string cheese. 

My Favorite Wellness Book: “Naturally Thin” by Bethenny Frankel – It’s a great read for anyone who has ever struggled with counting calories, thinking food is the enemy or thinking they are FAT. A must read in my mind. 

My Favorite City: Boston (because I live there) but NYC for visiting. 

My Favorite Board Games: Apples to Apples, Cranium, and my newest favorite Balderdash 

My Favorite Accent: English

My Favorite Workout: A long, sweaty run with phenomenal music on my iPod 

My Favorite Caffeine Fix: Black Coffee with a splash of vanilla soy milk in the a.m. I also can’t say no to a well-made cappuccino, especially from the North End. 

My Favorite Birthday Dinner: Chicken Parmesan with a side of Fettuccine Alfredo – quite the combo, I know. 

My Favorite Holiday: Christmas & The Fourth of July (Because my birthday is July 5th)

My Favorite Nutrition Bar: Toss up between Luna Bars & Lara Bars : ) Get a variety pack of Luna Bars from Amazon.com on sale here now! 

My Favorite Hobbies: People watching & writing away in adorable little cafes 

My Favorite Addictions: Coffee, peanut butter, my blackberry & my pink Mac 

My Favorite Band: The Beatles- Favorite song by them? Toss up between this one & this one, oh & this one ; )  

What are a few of your favorite things? I’d love to hear! 

I’ve never been too much of a trends girl. In fact, if we’re talking fashion I’m farrrrr from “trendy.” I wear what I think looks good on me and what I feel comfy in. Yes, I have a pair of Uggs and no, I don’t think they look cute by any means. I just think they are the most comfortable things to prance around with in the winter. If people are raving about a certain restaurant or bar, I don’t fall for it until I try it myself, and I thought the whole hot yoga thing was ridiculous until I took a class. BUT, I do make my own trends and there are a few things I’m absolutely loving right now that I thought I’d share with you. Trendy or not, here goes:

Dog Days are Over: Yes, the song. If you watched the VMA’s then you surely saw Florence and the Machine’s performance of this absolutely amazing song. Seriously, it’s so inspiring and motivating, making for the absolute best song to run to. If you haven’t heard it yet, listen to it now. Just don’t blame me if you want to start dancing crazily around your apartment (or at work). 

Butternut/Spaghetti Squash: It’s official: my two favorite squashes are back. I saw them both on sale at Trader Joe’s the other day, and I can wait to get my hands on some of them. I plan to make butternut squash baked with cinnamon, agave syrup and nutmeg, the absolute perfect fall dish. I also can’t wait to make my famous “Spaghetti and Meatballs” made with turkey meat balls and spaghetti squash. Nifty, huh? 

Fall dresses: Even though summer’s over, I loooooooveeeee wearing dresses in the fall. I’m a dress girl. If you look in my closet, you will see that 85% of it is dedicated to dresses, of all colors, lengths and patterns. I particularly like pairing flowery dresses with boots and a cute scarf, or neutral dresses with a pair of flats. If you’ve got a summer dress that’s a little short but still wanna rock it, pair it with some cute leggings and some flats!

Mixing Coffee Flavors:  Going out for coffee every day can get expensive, so I’ve been attempting to make it from home. Lately, I’ve been exploring new coffee flavors, instead of always sticking with my same old french vanilla. I also love mixing flavors you never would have thought i.e. chocolate truffle with hazelnut. Just do a scoop of each, add in a cup of water and you’re golden! Lately, I’m obsessed with the cinnamon hazelnut I found at the supermarket the other week. Cinnamon hazelnut with fresh vanilla? YUM. I just add in a little vanilla or chocolate soy milk and it’s to-die-for.

Twitter: If you haven’t noticed, I’ve recently became mildly obsessed with Twitter. I know this is something everyone is doing, but it took me a couple years to get into it. I’ve had a personal account for more than a year, but never seemed to get into it. (Maybe that’s why I only had 50 followers?) Anyway, now I officially love it, and have been updating my status quite frequently every day since last month when I created my account. Follow me @healthy_chicks to join the fun!

In-House Yoga: I know it’s not as fun or “classy” as joining a fancy yoga studio surrounded my cool, hip yogis, but when you’re on a budget this will do. I’ve been doing On Demand Yoga in my apartment, and particularly like the quick “Less is More” segment I came across the other day. I also have been attempting to practice my own yoga, going through several flows both standing and on the floor. So far, so good. Maybe soon I’ll be doing it in the park…once I get a little more confident in my poses that is! 

What are some things you’re obsessed with these days? Anything out-of-the-ordinary we should all know about?