DIY Old-School Sweetgreen Earth Bowl: Chicken, Warm Grains & Veggies (Gluten Free)

Leave a Comment / Food & Recipes /

The weather is warming up, which means grilling season is back baby! And I’ve got the perfect half salad half grain bowl combo you’re sure to love.

Back when I was on the sweetgreen marketing team, one of my favorite OG meals was the Earth Bowl. (Sorry folks, it’s no longer on the menu but I’ve re-created my Healthy Chicks version and it’s pretty damn good). It’s healthy, hearty and full of vibrant flavors. What’s not to love?

This colorful Earth Bowl replication combines all your spring and summer favorites: arugula, crunchy veggies, grilled chicken, a little cheddar and an incredible herby green goddess dressing. Delish!

Healthy Chicks Warm Grains, Greens & Chicken Bowl

*makes about 4 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb. chicken breasts, roasted or grilled
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa (2/3 c. uncooked) or grain of choice
  • 1-2 heads broccoli, chopped (~10 oz or bag pre-cut equivalent)
  • Olive oil, for roasting broccoli
  • 2 cups corn, cooked (you can grill or steam from frozen)
  • 1 bag arugula
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • ~1 c. sharp cheddar, cubed
  • Herby dressing of choice (we use Gotham Greens Vegan Goddess)
  1. Prepare the chicken however you prefer — we love grilling
… Read More!

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Repeat-After-Me Bedtime Affirmations for Kids

Leave a Comment / Mindful Kids /

We take turns putting the kids to bed, and even on the nights my husband puts our daughter to bed she 99% of the time calls me back up for one more snuggle.

I cuddle up with her, and we usually do some simple repeat-after-me bedtime affirmations to help calm her body and busy mind. After we finished them last night, my little one told me she came up with some of her own.

“Do you want to hear?” she enthusiastically asked. And then she proudly exclaimed:

“I am love-full.”

“I am sweet”

“I am beautiful.”

“I am Isabella.”

“Were those good affirmations, mommy?” she asked. Yes, yes they were sweetie.

Hearing this made my mama heart so full. And if you have little ones, you can practice simple bedtime affirmations too!

In fact, my new Mindfulness Deck for Kids, coming out this spring, includes several affirmation exercises I use with my own kiddos and in my kids yoga classes — including a go-to bedtime affirmation.

Get on the wait list for my Kids Mindfulness Deck here!

P.S. Here are some other ways to bring more mindfulness into your kids bedtime routine!… Read More!

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How to Create Your Own No-Pressure Valentine’s Day Tradition

4 Comments / Lifestyle, Mindful Moms /

Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day comes once a year.

In all honesty, this holiday used to kind of annoy me. All the posts, all the pressure, all the “stuff.” Often I’d end up frustrated at my husband for not doing anything “special.”

At the end of the day, what I really wanted — what I needed — was the same thing I want on any other day — time together.

That’s why last year I decided to create our own Valentine’s Day tradition. Seeing as though my love language is quality time (and words of affirmation), I took matters into my own hands by creating a new tradition we can do together as a family: heart-shaped pizza.

This year, we poured red wine and listened to classic oldies love songs while making homemade heart-shaped pizza.

The kids tried to help but mostly ended up just eating all the cheese and bickering with each other. It was perfectly imperfect. It was us.

Here’s your reminder to take the pressure off this holiday (and any holiday for that matter) and do what feels good to you whether that’s doing nothing, making heart-shaped pizza or going all out … Read More!

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My 3 Words for 2023

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I haven’t been as active on social media lately, as I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, planning and living. I even took over a month off Instagram to unplug, which felt good — exactly what my soul needed to recharge.

It’s also given me some time to reflect on what I want to call in for 2023. At the beginning of each year, I always choose three words I want to embody. This year I landed on: play, presence and purpose.

PLAY: Playing more with my kids, getting messy, having FUN and building my kids yoga business (which the very core is about mindfulness, movement and yes, play)

PRESENCE: Being more present with my family, focusing on one thing at a time, unplugging more often to be in the here & now

PURPOSE: Making a difference, living & working with purpose and also being purposeful with how I spend my time.

Do you choose a word(s)? I’d love to hear yours below! … Read More!

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5 Quick Ways to Shift Your Energy this Winter

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle, Mindful Moms /

Baby it’s cold outside, and while I highly dislike being cold, I don’t like stuck, stagnant energy even more. Feeling in a winter slump? Here are 5 quick ways to shift your energy this season!

1. Brisk Walk Outside

Get outside for a brisk walk in the cold! Soak in the sunshine and breathe in that fresh winter air.

2. Meditate Over Coffee

Pour yourself a hot cup of coffee, tea or cocoa and spend a few minutes in meditation. As you sip your drink, think of how you want to feel and set an intention for your day!

3. Holiday Dance Party

Pop on those holiday jams and shake it out! Dancing is a wonderful way to move stagnant energy through the body.

4. Freshen up Your Wardrobe

Give your winter wardrobe a seasonal refresh by purchasing a new item that feels good (and while you’re at it, toss something old that doesn’t feel good).

5. Play in the Snow

Play outside in the snow! Embrace your inner child by building a snowman, make a snow angel, or catch snowflakes on your tongue. … Read More!

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A Magical Gingerbread Kids Yoga Adventure

1 Comment / Mindful Kids /

I’m beaming as I just taught a “Gingerbread Man” themed yoga class to 13 preschoolers this afternoon. And let me tell you — it was quite the adventure!

  • We practiced belly breathing while sipping “hot chocolate” followed by a “Hot Chocolate” Polar Express dance party to explore Mountain
  • We warmed up by sneaking past the gingerbread animals to escape the house!
  • Then we ventured off for a magical sleigh ride adventure through the park at night (where we spotted some horse, a tree with twinkly lights, stars in the sky, and more)
  • To end the class, we shook our worries out then rocked our beanie animal friends to sleep once we got back to the gingerbread house (for the sweetest savasana).

That moment witnessing 13 little ones laying still cuddled up with their animal friends made my heart so very full.

Here’s your reminder to embrace your inner child this weekend, BREATHE and have fun! … Read More!

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3 Simple Ways to Bring More Mindfulness to Your Kids Bedtime Routine

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Kids thrive on routines. From breakfast to bedtime, children like to know what’s going on. That’s why you’ll notice they even ask for the same shows over and over again. (Right now in our house it’s Curious George Christmas.)

Among all the routines, the bedtime routine is probably the most talked about in the parenting world. It’s a way for children to “wind down” before bed, and typically includes a mix of tubby time, lullabies/songs, books and good night kisses.

The other night, my 4-year-old daughter was a little worked up before bed — moody, whiny way overtired and on the verge of a meltdown, and all of our usual bedtime tricks simply weren’t cutting it.

Here are 3 simple steps we took to help calm her body and mind — infusing more mindfulness to her bedtime routine.

3 Mindful Bedtime Tips for Children

Breathing: As Danielle Tiger always says, “When you feel so mad that you want to roar, take a deep breath and count to four.” Deep breathing is a wonderful way to help regulate our emotions.

However, sometimes when I encourage my kids to take a deep breath I am met with resistance. Before bed … Read More!

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What is your soul calling you to do? {My Aha Moment from a Women’s Retreat}

1 Comment / Lifestyle /

I went away on a women’s spiritual/business retreat two weekends ago, which was truly transformational and life-changing. It’s hard to put into words exactly what I experienced while there, but I will try.

Before I embarked on this journey, I asked for clarity and boy did I get it. On the first day, while sitting in a field amongst 75 women in ceremony, I had a major a-ha moment. We were in a deep guided meditation, where I was shown different versions of ME standing in a cave — literally every version of my former self flashed upon my eyes (the me struggling with body image, getting my footing in Boston, going off to college) but the central focus was on 5-year-old Rachel, me as a child.

An old, wise woman then came into the cave and brought us all together for a nurturing motherly hug, then grabbed my hand and whispered into my ear, “You are meant to be working with children,” then she turned back and said “Remember, never lose your sparkle.”

After those words were spoken, a light lit up within me. I visualized myself surrounded by children, animals and magic. I saw dolphins dancing in the … Read More!

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Healthy Chicks Grilled Chicken Burrito Bowls

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During the summer, we like to grill out as much as possible. There’s just nothing like that fresh grilled taste during the sweet summertime. Don’t you agree?

Take a break from the usual burgers and dogs with this healthy and refreshing take on your favorite Mexican burrito! Made with tender grilled chicken, rice, greens and all the fixings, this salad is made for summer nights.

Healthy Chicken & Rice Burrito Bowls

What you need:

  • 1 lb chicken
  • 1 lime
  • olive oil
  • your favorite poultry seasoning blend
  • ~1 c. cooked rice (I use Tasty Bite Organic pre-cooked Basmati for ease)
  • 8 oz. black beans
  • Package mixed greens, chopped (We love Little Leaf Farms but any greens will do)
  • 2 avocados
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • sea salt
  • Toppings: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, shredded Mexican cheese to your liking
  1. Marinate the chicken with olive oil, juice of 1/2 lime, and your favorite poultry seasoning. Store in fridge for at least a couple hours.
  2. Grill chicken until cooked through, and set aside.
  3. In the meantime, mix the cooked rice with black beans and sea salt to taste.
  4. Prepare your own simple guacamole topping with avocados, garlic, sea salt and remaining lime juice.
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5 Amazon Finds for the Mindful Mama Under $20 (Including Prime Day Deals)

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle, Mindful Moms /

It’s Prime Day, and I wanted to share some of my favorite Amazon finds perfect for the mindful mama. From our go-to fair-trade coffee to a clean lip balm I can’t live without, here are five Amazon products under $20 I’m loving right now.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

For Your Morning Pick-Me-Up: Kicking Horse Dark Roast Coffee

Hubby and I are big coffee drinkers — and when you’ve got two little toddlers running around it’s a morning must. Our latest favorite is Kicking Horse Coffee, which we originally discovered in our Thrive Market box.

Their coffee is organic, fair trade and comes in several delicious blends. Their Grizzy Claw Dark Roast is dark & decadent with notes of dark chocolate, and is sure to get the job done for your wake-me-up fix!

Buy on Amazon here (20% off for Prime Day)

For Daily Positive Affirmations: Spark Your Bliss Deck

Need a mindset shift or some more positive vibes in your life? I’ve got the perfect self-care tool for you! While it’s not an official Prime Day deal, my very own Spark Your Bliss affirmation card deck is 10% off … Read More!

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