Healthy Chicks 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

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It’s officially holiday season, and I put together a little gift guide including some of my favorite holiday gifts for families — featuring mindful kids, moms and even your littlest yogis. Enjoy!

Note: Includes affiliate, where I earn a small commission on some purchases.

Gifts for Mindful Kids

Mindfulness cards, books, breathing tools & more!

(1) “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck by yours truly 

(2) Subscription to Highlights magazine (our kiddos love it)

(3) “Everyday Mindful Mantras for Minis” by Erin Marrazzo

(4) Calm Strips for sensory breathing & calm 

(5) “On the Nature Trail” Nature Activity Book 

(6) Hand2Mind Mindful Maze Set (we take these on all of our road trips)

Gifts for Mindful Mamas

Feel good gifts for moms craving a little wellness, self-care & mindfulness

(1) Spark Your Bliss affirmation card deck be yours truly

(2) “Moon Juice” by Molly Alesch (a sweet story about mama and the magic of the moon)

(3) “Dear Mama, You are Enough” Print by yours truly (scoop it up at a holiday market or grab the 4-pack bundle with kids prints too!)

(4) “The Little Frog’s Guide to Self-Care,” … Read More!

November “Mindful & Magical Me” Card of the Month

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Our November card of the month from my Mindful & Magical Me Deck is…

[Drumroll please…]

The Maple Leaf.

Here’s your mindful moment to do with your child: Simply trace your hand on a piece of paper to create your own maple leaf! On each of the five lobes (your fingers), write down something or someone you are grateful for. Take time to reflect on what you wrote and share out loud.

I love this mindfulness activity for children ages 3 & up! Fun tip: for those who can’t yet write themselves, you can write for them or even ask them to draw what they’re grateful for. The answers always melt my heart.

What are YOU grateful for today?

Here are some more simple ways to practice gratitude this holiday season!Read More!

My Big Why: A Brighter Kinder Future for Kids

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This past week, I had the opportunity by The Profitability Project and The Mama Ladder to enter my business for a grant given to mom entrepreneurs. For my entry, I was asked to share my WHY. The reason I do what I do.

So here goes:

My WHY = creating a brighter, kinder future for our children (and their grownups) through yoga, education and mindfulness.

I’m a firm believer in the Ripple Effect. When you have a positive impact on a child or parent’s life, that good energy pours out into the world ten-fold.

That’s why I’m on a BIG mission to spread mindfulness to as many kids, families and caregivers as possible. After all, studies have shown that mindful activities can improve focus, reduce stress & anxiety, and even boost compassion. And our children deserve a brighter, kinder future!

Thank you to all the families, kids, teachers and special people in my life for joining me on this journey! … Read More!

Easy Trader Joe’s Dinner: Late Summer Pesto Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage

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I love August. It’s that time of summer to slow down a tad, soak up those last beach days and enjoy all the seasonal produce.

I whipped up this gluten free pesto pasta salad the other week (using 100% ingredients from Trader Joe’s) and it was a big hit in our family. It’s easily “deconstructable” so you can leave some plain pasta or veggies on the side for those picky eaters. Not to mention, it’s easy to prep making dinner a breeze.

You can also adjust the recipe to your specific dietary needs such as leaving out the chicken sausage and cheese for a vegan option.

Gluten Free Pesto Pasta Salad with Broccoli & Chicken Sausage

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta
  • 1 package chicken sausage of your choice, sliced in wedges
  • 1 bag frozen broccoli
  • Big handful arugula
  • 1 package heirloom cherry tomatoes
  • 8 oz. mini mozzarella balls (I like the marinated package)
  • 1 cup Trader Joe’s Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto (regular pesto also works)
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • About 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  1. Cook the pasta according to directions. In the meantime, steam the broccoli until tender
Read More!

Mommy Monday: Simple Ways to Stay Cool, Calm & Collected with Your Kids this Summer

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I kicked off the week back on Great Day at 9A “Mommy Monday” sharing simple ideas to stay cool, calm & collected with your kiddos this summer.

Summer can put a lot of pressure on parents to do everything. And with no school, kids may feel over-stimulated, complain they’re “bored” or even act out. Trust me, I feel your pain!

The good news is, there are simple things we can do as parents to help — and you don’t have to break the bank or lose your cool in the process! In this fun interview, I share:

  • How to create a calm down box/basket with your children
  • A fun DIY bubble wand craft you can make at home
  • Why you should go camping in your own backyard
  • Upcoming kids yoga events in Connecticut

Catch the replay here on WFSB!

Looking for more mindful tips? Grab my “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck on Amazon!

Read More!

Summer of Salads: Try These Easy No-Lettuce Gluten Free Salads

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Summer is here and it’s hot hot hot. When the temperatures rise, I’m all about whatever’s easy, healthy, and doesn’t require a lot of prep (or an oven for that matter).

That’s why it’s officially the summer of salads. And while the Kale Caesar Salad is our go-to, we’ve also been exploring some different recipes…including trying out some lettuce-free salads!

Today on the blog, I’m sharing two easy gluten-free no-lettuce salads perfect for all your summer BBQs, on-the-go lunches and family dinners. The best part: these hold up well in the fridge for munching throughout the week.

Mini Grape Tomato Caprese Salad

  • Grape tomatoes, halved
  • Cucumbers, diced
  • Marinated mini mozzarella balls, halved
  • Olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Salt & pepper

Black Bean, Corn & Chickpea Salad

  • Black beans
  • Chickpeas
  • Fresh Corn (off the cob)
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Cucumbers, diced
  • Fresh lime juice (1 whole lime)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Read More!

Healthy Kids Snack: Red, White & Blue Yogurt Cones

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I was in charge of preschool snack last week and when I saw the box of ice cream cones hanging around the kitchen, I had the best idea to make these adorable yogurt cones.

A healthy spin on ice cream, the cones are filled with whole milk yogurt, fresh fruit and toppings of your choice for summer fun for the whole family! This festive snack would be perfect for Memorial Day Weekend, 4th of July, birthday parties or summer BBQs.

Red, White & Blue Yogurt Parfait Cones

Here’s what you need (12 servings)

  • Box of organic cake cones
  • 1 container whole milk vanilla yogurt (I used Stonyfield Organic banana vanilla “Banilla”)
  • Strawberries, blueberries or other fruit of choice
  • Optional toppings like shredded coconut, granola, or chocolate chips
  1. Fill each cone with yogurt almost to the top.
  2. Add your fruit and optional toppings.
  3. Serve immediately!

Note: Assemble right before serving to prevent cones from becoming soggy! You can also try freezing to create a “frozen yogurt” experience. Read More!

Great Day at 9a Mommy Monday: Mindfulness Exercises for Families

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Did you SEE the news?

This mama was featured on Great Day at 9a local CT news Monday chatting mindfulness tips & yoga poses for families! I had such a great morning sharing my work and greatest passion with the lovely Nicole Nalepa and Scot Haney.

During the segment, we covered:  

  • the benefits of mindfulness exercises for all
  • slowing down and tuning in with flower breathing
  • kids yoga: mountain pose, tree pose & windmill pose for Earth Day
  • creating a sensory snack picnic outside in nature

Catch the replay here, and keep shining bright! Want more mindfulness? Take a peek at the “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck. Read More!