October 2010 - Page 2 of 4

Bring Healthy Habits to Your Table

5 Comments / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Yesterday was one of those days I thought, “Damn it’s cool to be a blogger.” When people ask, “But how do you pay your rent?” (um I have a part time job too), “Don’t you get bored?” (nope…not one to sit on the couch all day), or “You’re so young. Give the corporate world a chance…” (no thanks), days like yesterday make it all the more clear to me of why I love to do what I’m doing so darn much. Quite frankly, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Not a lot of people I know get to write all day long (my #1 passion), surf the internet doing social media (something I’ve grown quite fond of), and wonder the city of Boston daily. Oh and free food and fun event invites definitely doesn’t hurt!

But back to the point. Yesterday I was invited by the kind people of Healthy Habits Kitchen to come check out what exactly it is they do, and let me tell you it’s pretty darn cool! Oh, and look how adorable it is inside…

[lounge area for tastings & events]

[look at all that food!]

Well now that you’ve got a little virtual … Read More!

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Can't Get Motivated to Workout? Grab a Few Friends!

2 Comments / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

I just got off the phone with one of my best friends from college. It was so good to hear her voice, shoot the shit and catch up with everything going on in our lives (let’s just say, that’s a lot). In the midst of our discussion on our latest love interests and Halloween costumes, my friend mentioned she’s been doing P90X with a few of her roommates and friends. “Oh, and we’re also eating super healthy. Lean meats, lots of veggies and fruits. It’s great.” WHAT?! From someone who used to eat loads of bagels, processed foods and Manwiches (ha), I couldn’t have been more thrilled about her new, healthy lifestyle.

She explained to me that with her hectic job (working 40 to 50 hour weeks) and social life, she finds it hard to eat healthy and exercise. The trick? Grab a few friends to motivate you! Now that her entire apartment is on the same “get healthy” page, it’s so much easier for her to incorporate healthiness into her lifestyle. Every night, the entire apartment does 90 minutes of exercise together, they cook delicious wholesome meals together, and motivate one another when others are slacking. It’s the … Read More!

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Happy Hump Day: Give Yourself a Makeover (In the Nude!)

6 Comments / Uncategorized / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Happy Hump Day all! And now to continue on with my Hump Day series, we have our…(you guessed it)….drumroll…

Hump Day Lesson of the Day: When you have the apartment to yourself, give yourself a “naked makeover.” Hear me out. Today I woke up and was feeling a lack of motivation to get ready. Quite frankly, I could lounge in my comfy PJ’s and old slippers all day long. But I knew I shouldn’t (and wouldn’t). What could I do to get myself going? Well, step one was to get out of these ratty pajamas. And when I took off my clothes, that’s when I realized I had the apartment all to myself and the idea came to me: I can give myself a makeover…in the nude! If you find yourself in a similar predicament or just want to pretty-up (in a slightly scandalous way), read on…

Step 1: Lock all your doors. We don’t want the new neighbor interrupting to borrow a spatula or any surprise visits from UPS.

Step 2: Disrobe…to the extent you feel comfortable in. I left on a lacy bra and undies, but go as bare or as conservative as you like!

Step 3: Lather … Read More!

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No You Don’t HAVE to go on a diet: Cleaning Your Body and Soul

5 Comments / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

The other day, I decided I want to dedicate one day a week to cleansing my body. No, this doesn’t mean I’m going to fast or go on one of those crazy cabbage soup/grapefruit diets. I don’t do diets (anymore). Every day I hear/see/read of young women who “have to go on a diet” and it makes me go crazy. No, you don’t have to go on a diet. Fueling with healthy foods? Yes. Devoting more time to exercising for the mind and the body? Sure. Cutting out carbs and sugary treats once a week? Fine. But saying you have to go on a diet sounds miserable.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: diets don’t work. Seriously. Sure, you may lose a couple of quick pounds to look slightly better in your too-tight dress…for one night. But wouldn’t you rather live a healthy lifestyle where dieting isn’t a part of it, and you look and feel good all of the time? If you say no to this, then sorry I can’t help you, but if you are nodding your head yes, then stay tuned.

I used to be one of those girls who “had to go on a … Read More!

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5 Things to do Right Now!

4 Comments / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

1. Throw on a cute fall outfit:tights+boots+fall skirt+scarf=my go-to trendy fall outfit. It makes me feel fall-esque and that I love.

2. Go buy your most favorite coffee or tea from your fave coffee shop (or have your dad buy it): My dad bought me a black pumpkin spice coffee and I added in my own chocolate soy milk to make it the perfect fall drink. Buy your perfect drink!

3. Light a yummy fall/winter-y candle: Light up that Jack Frost candle you’ve been saving for winter, or a yummy pumpkin or apple pie scent. Your house will smell of happiness in a few minutes.

4. Go for a long walk/run sans music: I went for a 40-minute walk this morning, and although it was a little chilly for my liking, I loved being by myself with no iPod, simply soaking up the fall scenery. Gotta love foliage!

5. Search for festivals in your area: This post is extra-short ’cause we’re about to go to the APPLE FESTIVAL! It’s an annual festival in the neighborhood I grew up in, with anything and everything fall! They’ll have apples, pumpkin butter, kettle corn, crafts and music. Sorry to cut you short but … Read More!

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Oh, the Memories: The Nostalgia of Going Home

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

[source]

I have a confession: I’m sitting in the Panera I used to work at when I was in high school and am getting way too much satisfaction over the fact that I’m on the other side of the counter, enjoying my coffee this time. You see, my boss was a complete witch. Really, she was like the nasty stepmom in Cinderella. “Cut the bread!” “Make the jelly!” “Faster! Faster!” She’d make me cry every day of the week, and that is not an exaggeration. Going into Panera used to be as horrifying as going into the doctor’s office for a shot…or doing a presentation in front of the entire class. It was complete hell. One time the grape jelly ran out, and I told the customer he could have strawberry instead if he wanted, and she almost ripped my face off. “You never tell the customer no! Go make some grape jelly” Um, how am I supposed to do that? She pulled me into the back room and threw a ginormous carton of jelly at me, and had me scoop it for hours. She was the devil. Needless to say, I quit after a few months.

"Chick" or Treat: Get into the October Spirit The Healthy Way!

Leave a Comment / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Today was one of the most beautiful fall days in Boston, making me oh so giddy about October! I simply love the month ’cause it utterly, 100% breathes fall. September still has some hot days, and November sometimes brings snow, so I like to hold onto October for as long as I can. So go ahead, embrace the month of October for all that it’s worth. But do so the healthy way! Here some little ideas to get you through:

Support the Cause: October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so start supportin’. Participate in local 5Ks or half marathons that support the cause, host a “Passionately Pink for the Cure” day in your office, where all donations go toward finding a cure for cancer, and get involved with local volunteer groups! Oh, and take care of your bod (and your boobs)…it’s the only one you got and you want to keep it nice, fresh ‘n’ healthy!

Get Poppin’: There’s nothing I love more in October than some freshly popped kettle corn. It simply screams fall, and I just gotta have it! However, while the kind they serve up at the fair is oh so tempting (and oh so … Read More!

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P.S. Happy Hump Day!

4 Comments / Uncategorized / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

It’sssssss……HUMP DAY! WAHOO, congrats on getting half way there…just a few more hours at work until you’re officially over the hump. But until then, here’s my weekly Hump Day Lesson of the Day to get you through and hopefully make you giggle a bit…

Don’t Dress Too Sexy for Work: A few months ago (back when I worked a full time office job) I wanted to look good for an event so I put on my hot (yet profesh) pencil line dress. When I zipped it up, it was a little tighter than usual in the butt region but hey, maybe all those squats and lunges were to blame…and that’s a good thing. I asked my friend who is always honest if the dress was *too tight* and she said, “No way. It shows off your curves and is very flattering.” So I listened to her and head off to the office.

I was walking down the streets with extra swagger. I look gooooood I thought to myself. Then I felt something. Something was not right. I went to adjust my dress when I realized it was hiked up all the way to my lower back, completely exposing my ass … Read More!

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Calling All Boston Fit Chicks: A Fabulous Giveaway!

4 Comments / Health & Wellness / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

[source]

If you remember Legally Blonde, Elle said “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.” While she may have been a tad ditzy, she was absolutely on point with this one! I think we can all attest to the feel-good high we get after a nice, long sweaty workout. If you like being happy (who doesn’t?) and love a good deal (um, hello) then this is the giveaway for you!

The kind folks at CoupMe are giving away one of four fitness deals for…wait for it…free!

Choose between these four fab Boston/Cambridge offers:

* 4 belly dancing classes at Johara Snake Dance Productions in Brookline or Cambridge, MA ($60 value)

*4 Zumba classes at Shape Up Personal Training in Cambridge, MA ($60 value)

*3 Pole dancing classes at Boston Pole Fitness in Boston, MA ($75 value)

*3 weeks of boot camp PLUS nutrition plan at Durbrow Fitness Training in Cambridge, MA ($348 value)

Just leave a comment on my blog (bonus points if you make me laugh) with which fitness deal you’d love to win and why! Also, tweet about the deal to friends on twitter & leave a comment here saying you … Read More!

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