Healthy Chicks

I used to be one of those girls who would flow through life settling. I settled on a long-term toxic “relationship” in college that was going no where because I was too afraid to say what I really wanted: a real relationship. I settled on a few entry level jobs after college, until I I realized I had much more potential than sitting at a desk in a position I loathed.

Worst part? Not only did I settle, but I’d complain about it. I want a boyfriend. Why isn’t he calling me back? I hate my job. I need more money. Why am I not making more money? Why is life so hard for me? Why am I having the worst luck? Wah. Wah. Wah.

And then I realized, while it may be difficult at times, things are really pretty simple. We are all in control of our own lives, and ultimately play a huge part in our own destiny. Therefore if you are unhappy in one area of your life (be it financial, personal, etc) then make a change. Maybe that means letting go of a relationship that isn’t working, or asking your boss for a raise or promotion you’re well deserving of.

Can’t make a change? Then learn to adjust your attitude and the way you view things so that you can at the very least feel more in control of your life.

I’ve come a long way in learning to adjust my perspective and follow my heart to live the life I want to be living. Now, whenever I catch myself complaining or worrying, I try to remember where I came from, how much I’ve achieved, and where it is that I am going: that is forward.

{words to live by when you’re feeling ‘blah’ via Pinterest}

[via my fortune cookie from Billy Tse's last week]

I’m really not a fan of the actual fortune cookie (tastes like sweet cardboard to me), but I am always a sucker for the secret message within.

This particular fortune really stuck with me, as I have many ideas for my business rolling around my head at the moment. Each and every day, I feel even more inspired about everything I’m learning at IIN, my growing practice as a health counselor, and the wonderful people I meet along the way.

I am truly blessed to be living the life I want to be living for myself (rather than have to be living), even if that means taking some risks and not always being certain of the “what if?” But I guess that’s all part of the journey, right?

If you’re feeling inspired by a particular something or someone, then by all means go out and live that inspiration while it’s on fire. What are you waiting for? As my fortune says, it’s time to “go deep.”

How many of you tend to let your dreams and envisions for your “ideal life” get the best of you at times? Well, trust me you are not alone. You know what they say, we all want what we don’t have. But what about stopping to think once in a while what you do have. And not in the cliche kind of way. Of course, we are all grateful to have food on our plates, some sort of family and a roof over our home.

I’m talking about the things we have that we don’t realize we have; the things that were once merely on our “want” list.

I personally tend to think about the “what ifs” and the “dont’s” from time to time, primarily when it comes to the oh so scary future, financial issues and career opportunities. However, whenever I find myself getting like this I try to remember that many of the things I now have (a loving boyfriend I wouldn’t trade for the world, a happy & healthy relationship with my body, a super cute North End apartment) were once on my “want” lists.

You see, many of those hopes and dreams from months/years/decades ago are now a reality for many of us, even though we may not realize this now. When you think of it this way, those doubts slip away as you can see clearly that many of our little worries and doubts are most likely to come true. Maybe not now. But they will, eventually. That is, if we keep on dreamin’ them.

So I encourage you to always keep dreaming. Never stop. I know I won’t.

[source]

I found this quotable image today on Pinterest, and thought it was absolutely fitting for today. After all, it is the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, you know that day of love. It was interesting reading how other people filled in the blank “Love is…”

Such as…

“Like heaven but it hurts like hell”

“a moment that lasts forever”

“that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own”

“hard work”

I’m sure all of us embody different definitions of what that four letter word means. Whether we are single or taken, a college senior or a senior citizen, heartbroken or passionate, love is a powerful thing and has a certain meaning to each and every one of us. So I challenge you to go ahead and fill in the blank. Love is________.

I shall start. Love is….

“a crazy, passionate, wild beautiful journey that makes each day a little more ‘worth it.’ It adds a lil extra spice to a bland day.”

OK, your turn. Love is…

[source]

I’ve always admired people like my father, and my  boyfriend for that matter, for having the amazing capability of making the best of every situation. You know the make-lemonade-glass-is-half full-kinda-people.

After all, if every time you’re thrown a few lemons you just sit there hiding in your room with the lemons, where’s the fun in that? It’d be a pretty sour life now wouldn’t it?

Lately, I’ve been really trying to make the best of what I’m given, and remember that every little obstacle in life is there for a reason and helps us grow. If life were perfect, it’d be pretty darn boring if I do say so myself. Plus, the little hurdles & struggles we have to overcome make things a little more exciting, even if we don’t realize that at the very moment.

But anywho, 99% of the time things end up working themselves out naturally, so why not make the best out of it? If you do so, I can guarantee you’ll be much happier at the very least.

Yea, you may be feeling a little blue on the inside, but the sun is out and it’s a beautiful day, so why not go for a run?

You’re struggling to pay your rent and worried about monetary situations, but you really can afford to skip those lattes & to-go orders this week and know that if you reallllly had to, you could babysit, take on a part time gig, & essentially make it work.

Things have been going poorly in your relationship lately, but nothing a martini with your best friend or phone call to mom can’t fix, at least temporarily.

You’re stressed out of your mind and there’s literally “NOTHING YOU CAN DO” TO MAKE IT BETTER, buttttt you’ve had that gift certificate to the spa hiding in your top drawer since Christmas. Perhaps it’s time to whip it out?

You feel FAT, UGLY, BLOATED, TIRED, CRANKY, BLAH, but won’t some deep breathing or a yoga class snap you back to reality and help you find that inner confidence?

You see, making the best out of a crappy situation really isn’t that hard. It just takes a little effort. Go ahead and try it. I promise, it won’t  hurt. What do you do to “make the best of it?”

Yesterday, my friend introduced me to the fabulous world of Pinterest, an online board to “organize and share things you love.” Why have I never heard of this site before? It’s absolutely genius, like an online scrapbook of sorts!

Creative minds no longer have to worry about losing their thoughts on scrap sheets of paper or forgetting about that must-have bathroom set up you came across in a magazine. You can pin everything from your hopes and dreams to your wedding fantasies to favorite quotes. Needless to say, I can’t wait to start my own pinboard. I think it’ll really help organize my thoughts/dreams/hopes/fantasies all on one page.

But in the meantime, I figured I’d share this inspiring quote that my friend “pinned” on her board. It is Quotable Sunday, after all.

[source]

Oh, and GO PATS!

Lately, I’ve been having an internal battle with myself regarding success. There’s no doubt I’m not living the conventional lifestyle of a 20-something. I don’t work in Corporate America, I’ve never known what it tasted like to get a big promotion, or wear a suit to work.

I guess you could say I took the path less traveled. I quit my job to do what I love, am now attending school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to get my degree as a Holistic Health Counselor, and feel happier than I’ve felt in a long, long time.

As my dad always tells me, I’m an entrepreneur at heart and have always been that creative, do-it-my-way, less conventional type. With that said, it also means working hard for myself, keeping myself motivated (and holding myself accountable), oh and less benefits and a smaller paycheck (well, at least at first).

While that can get me down at times, I’ve realized it’s my choice. Rachel Wilkerson just wrote an amazing post about this very matter, “Accept Your Success (and Lack Thereof) as Your Own Fault.“[ It could not have come at a better time for me, and I highly recommend you read and join in on the discussion.]

My point here on this lovely Sunday is remembering you have control over the way you live your life. So, live your life the way you want to. If you bypass all the judgement/opinions/voices, you could find something really, really great. Perhaps a dream come true.

It’s no doubt that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not because of gifts and eggnog and garland and snow (though those are all wonderful too). But really, the greatest thing about the holiday season is all the love that surrounds us.

Family gatherings where we celebrate each other and remember those who have passed, carolers and generous volunteers who brighten the days of those in need, first kisses, Baby’s first Christmas, blossoming romances and old romances,  handwritten holiday letters, miracles. That’s what the holiday season is all about. And clearly, there’s no doubt that love is all around us.

How are you spreading your love this holiday season? Share your comments here!

You know how sometimes when you’re down, nothing can pick you up quite like a bowl of homemade chicken soup or some homemade bread? There is a reason for that! We equate food with emotions, as many times eating is more of an experience than just something we do.

And just as food can lift us up to our cheeriest selves, so can love. This week, practice sharing your love and gratitude with food. Bake some homemade, healthy muffins for a loved one, or surprise your sweetie with a cup of hot cocoa made with extra love.

Food and love are one in the same my friend, so start spreading the cheer!

XoXo,