14-Day Winter Self-Care Challenge {Starts 1/9/17}

It’s the most wonderful time of the year indeed!

With that said, this time of year can also be particularly tough for some. Family, comfort food, frigid temps and holiday stress can be a trigger for many. Through all the mayhem, many of us subconsciously put our self-care on the back burner (when in reality, it may be the only thing keeping us sane).

That’s why my soul sister Kelley + I crafted up a winter self-care challenge for you to put yourself first again this coming year.

Our 14-day Self-Care Winter Wellness Challenge is all about YOU + will give you all the tools you need to rock 2017. Oh, and they’ll be no talk of dieting, calories or “losing weight” (pinky promise!) – we’re GAINING our health, confidence, and self-love back ladies!

The challenge will begin on Monday, January 9th + includes:

1. Daily dose of positivity sent straight to your email (even better than your morning mocha!) with clear action-steps to implement right away for the two weeks

2. Access to our private ‘Soul Sisters’ Facebook group to hold one another accountable – We’re a firm believer that the main reason we don’t follow … Read More!

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Surviving the Holiday Season When You’re Feeling Not So Hot in Your Body

It’s the most wonderful time of the year indeed! I have to admit, I’m a sucker for decked out houses with holiday lights, Christmas music & cozy holiday meals.

With that said, this time of year can also be particularly tough for some. Family, comfort food, and holiday stress can be a trigger for many, especially those dealing with body image issues or eating disorders. Personally, in college when I was struggling with body image & a borderline eating disorder, the holidays brought a lot of fear to the surface.

Will I gain weight?

Will my family notice my weirdness around food?

Do my thighs look fat in my new jeans?

Why can’t I just be normal??!

These were the types of thoughts that would rattle through my head. And more recently, similar types of fear have come up for me. Currently, I’m struggling with hypothyroidism, which in the past few months have caused me to gain weight (about 10 pounds!) and feel foggy & exhausted throughout the day. While I’m working to get to the root of the problem and take back my health, it hasn’t been super easy for me.

The other day after spending a beautiful … Read More!

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Healthy Chicks in the Community: A Farming, Mashed-Potato Loving, Creator

Happy Friday, ladies! I’m off to a great start to the weekend. I already got a bunch of Christmas shopping done this morning, went into Target for one thing and left with a million things (including this new hat!), and am now listening to Christmas music on Spotify.

Speaking of Christmas, be sure to check out my Holiday Gift Guide I put together if you haven’t already. It’s got some fabulous finds for anyone one your list, including a special holiday trio when you purchase one of my “Spark Your Bliss” decks.

Alright, it’s now time for this week’s feature on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a weekly series highlighting badass women in the community doing their thang. I’m excited to introduce you to Angelina, a lovely lady I met at a Holiday Fair last month. She had the coolest handmade gifts — from gorgeous rugs to adorable veggie magnets — and I just had to share it with you. Without further adieu, I’ll let Angelina take it from here!

NAME/AGE: Angelina Donnelly / 27

TWITTER: @DirtyCarrotsCo

CURRENT CITY: Easton, MA

PHOTO TAKEN: Last winter visiting my sister in Vail, CO

WHAT YOU DO FOR WORK: The past … Read More!

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Healthy Chick’s 2016 Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But if you’re like the most of us, hunting for gifts can be quite the ordeal, and panicking while slugging your peppermint mocha latte is not going to get you any closer to crossing off your list. Here are some fun + fresh ideas for just about any gal on your list!

FOR THE SPIRITUAL GURU

The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein! This book changed my life and is sure to help those seeking a more spiritual life.

14.99, Amazon.com

FOR THE SOUL SEEKER

My Healthy Chick’s “Spark Your Bliss” affirmation card deck is here, and I want every lady who needs this to have it! For a minimum of $25, you’ll get a deck mailed out your way (with 36 beautifully designed cards + mandala print tuck box). And I’ve added a holiday special for $35 that I think you’ll love including a deck, Organic Living Superfoods goodie + sweet surprise.

$25+, Kickstarter.com

FOR THE HEALTH NUT

Give the gift of health with Organic Living Superfood’s Happy & Healthy Gift Basket! You can customize your own gift box, choosing your favorite superfood snacks for your loved ones.

$49.99, OrganicLivingSuperfoods.comRead More!

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Spark Your Bliss Affirmation Card Deck

Goood afternoon, loves. Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving with lots of delicious food, cozy vibes and family.

About one year ago, I said out loud that I wanted to create my own positive affirmation deck. I strived to design something for the everyday chick, rather than exclusively for yogis or meditation gurus.

But then the fears creeped in…the ol’ “but it’s going to be so hard,” “but what if I can’t” “but it’s already been done before,” “but how can I stand out?”

Then this summer a little voice inside me said, “sweetie, but what if you CAN?”

And so I did, and Spark Your Bliss Deck was born. I worked hard + thoughtfully to create a deck that speaks my truth – 36 beautiful, positive mantras complete with journaling exercises + supporting action steps to boot.

My cards are going to be ready for the holidays, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic! To celebrate, I decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign to help raise money + send out some cool gifts to my supporters. Hint hint: they make for great gifts for the New Year 😉

You can contribute + get all the deets here.

Rewards for … Read More!

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My Body is Changing {And So Am I}

I have a confession: my body is changing.

In fact, to be completely honest, it has been changing ever since I reached my upper 20s. I think for a while I resisted that because I didn’t want it to change. I didn’t want me to change. I was scared of the change.

While I thought all of the body insecurity stuff was far behind me, a part of me was super envious of the body I had at 18, 20, 23. Yes, my thighs were thick but at least I had my super flat & toned belly to fall back on. That was my “thing.” It makes me sad to look back to my 18-year-old radiant self to a girl who still thought she wasn’t “good enough.”

Now at 29, my tummy is getting much rounder, and I have little belly dimples. I can “squish” my love handles, and my weight fluctuates with the seasons (sometimes up to 10 pounds!) My thighs have — gasp! — cellulite.

I am now slowly but surely learning to be OK with this — embracing the change, but most importantly my body.

While some days are easier than others, I realize I have a … Read More!

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Shop Local with Me Tonight at the Holiday Marketplace in Walpole

It’s the holiday season.

The holidays are upon us, and it’s definitely in the air! Heck, Starbucks even released their infamous holiday cups (designed by artists around the world) — and this year customers aren’t complaining!

Anyway, if you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit (and you’re local to MA), tonight’s Holiday Marketplace event at She Breathes in Walpole is for you.

Members of the community will be showcasing their homemade goods — including jewelry, art, tote bags, personal care products and a wide array of artistic treasures that make the perfect gift. And I’ll be there selling handmade body scrubs!

Important Deets
Wednesday, November 16
6:00-9:00pm
85 West Street, 2nd Floor
Walpole MA 02081

Hope to see you there!

With love,

Rachel… Read More!

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An Ode to Love {At a Time the World Really Needs It}

Love.

Today, let’s choose love.

We need to come together, we need to unite, we need to let go of hatred and anger and shift the focus to LOVE.

I’ve seen so many mean, nasty, angry comments on my newsfeed lately (both toward people and this country) and the reality is: it’s not going to make things any better.

It’s OK to feel. It’s OK to be upset. It’s OK to be angry. But spreading anger and hatred is definitely not the answer.

Today, let’s choose love…and let’s allow that to help us rise up.

After all, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can.”

With love + gratitude,

Rachel… Read More!

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When things don’t go as planned, rise up + make a new plan (or at least some lemonade)

A couple months ago, I was in the process of applying for what I thought was the part-time job of my “dreams.” It was in a cool new-to-me industry, the hours were flexible and it would be quick commute from my home.

I had a plan.

I would land said job, make a decent side income, and be able to support myself financially so I could continue to invest in my own business. It was perfect. I had it all laid out.

But then 3 interviews, one month, and no callbacks later, I decided that maybe this plan wasn’t in the cards for me after all. I got super bitter, and lots of fear started flowing through my mind. I felt frustrated, rejected, and afraid for my future.

WHY DIDN’T THEY LIKE ME?!

WHY CAN’T THEY BE DECENT HUMANS AND AT LEAST LET ME KNOW I DIDN’T GET THE JOB?

WHAT DID I DO WRONG?

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!

While I complained & vented to my husband and close friends, they continued to reassure me that maybe the process is just taking a little longer, that not getting a call back didn’t necessarily mean that I didn’t get … Read More!

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Tis the Season to Take Care of Yourself { 7 Self-Care Tips for Fall}

Self care is one of my utmost favorite topics. In fact, last week I got to spend the evening with the lovely folks at Suffolk University chatting all about self-care for college students!

After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. (You gotta fill yours first!) With that said, I wanted to share some of my favorite self-care tips for the fall season so you can start practicing too!

1.) Set your Fall intention: Make it bold. Make it about you. How do you want to FEEL this season?

2.) Journal It Out: Take time to journal, especially in the morning. One of my favorite exercises is morning pages, where you free write and let it out on the page. Don’t try to edit or make it “look” a certain way; just write what’s in your heart.

3.) Let go of Negativity + Clutter: Donate clothes that no longer fit you, store away your summer wear to make room for fall apparel, and remove yourself from relationships + situations that are bringing negativity into your life. It’s time for new beginnings!

4.) Spend time in Nature: Do it, daily. Take a fall foliage hike (while you … Read More!

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