What are you releasing this spring?

“Spring is proof that there is beauty in new beginnings” -Matshona Dhliwayo

I started seeing an energy healer seven years ago and have booked sessions on and off ever since. Before my call last week, it hit me that all of my sessions tend to fall on the same date — right around April 1st give or take a few days. 

I then realized that it’s no coincidence. I’m subconsciously being called to shed old layers of myself to welcome the new. After all, energetically, spring is a season of renewal and new beginnings so this makes perfect sense. It’s no wonder many of us are called do some serious spring cleaning this time of year too (mentally and physically)!

It also makes sense why I had been seeing turkey vultures in our yard this spring. While at first I was freaked out by the symbolism, turns out they represent cleansing & renewal. A ha! 🤯 I heard the message loud and clear. 

I’m so excited to dive deeper into this discussion at next week’s Spring Bliss Circle to celebrate the shift in seasons and have some fun pulling affirmation cards, meditating + journaling too! Would love to have you there! 

What are you Read More!

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Hey It’s OK…to Feel Your Feelings

The other week, my little girl and I dressed up in matching fairy “butterfly wings.” She insisted on wearing the pink ones, and me the purple (which I gladly accepted — it’s my fave color).

We giggled and laughed and flapped our wings… it was pure bliss.

Fast forward to later that day: she had one of her classic toddler tantrums. I think it was because I wouldn’t give her another Larabar or because her block castle fell down — it’s all a blur. But it doesn’t really matter at the end of the day.

What matters is how you choose to respond. Lately, I’ve really been working on the language I use when speaking with my daughter. While it’s tempting to say, “Stop crying” or “It’s OK,” I’ve been trying to shift my language to let her feel all her feelings.

Here are some responses I’ve been using in those tantrum moments: “What’s going on, love bug?” “I see you’re mad. Grr..Are you feeling angry?” “We’re going to have lunch first and then we can have another yummy snack later.” “Do you want a hug?”

And guess what? It works. It’s not magic, it’s just a shift in language.Read More!

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Home Sweet Home & a Reflection on My 2020 Word

If you remember back at the beginning of the year, my word I chose for 2020 was “rooted.”

I wrote,

“I want to feel rooted in all areas of my life — my career, my home, my relationships. For me, rooted means getting grounded, establishing myself and continuing to plant seeds and grow…

2020 will be a year of further establishing myself as a wellness writer and entrepreneur, deepening my relationships (and prioritizing regular date nights/meet-ups with close friends), and the year our family plants our roots and buys our first home together.”

Last weekend, we officially moved into our new home. As I sat down to eat my avocado toast in the kitchen as little love ran around in her penguin pajamas, I felt a wave of gratitude fill my entire body. “This is what rooted feels like,” I thought to myself.

You see, we had gotten these white plates for our wedding six years ago, and have been waiting to find our home sweet home to use them — and unpack most of our gifts to be honest.

Over the years, we’ve lived in three different apartments together, and then my parents house for a … Read More!

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For the Love of Reading: a Review of Priddy Books to Spark Children’s Creativity & Development

Note: I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to review and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

Fun Fact: I’ve been reading to our sweet daughter Isabella Rose since before she was born. I have found memories snuggling up, placing one hand on my pregnant belly, and reading her stories as a way to connect and bond with her.

It’s hard to believe she turns two this week, and while life sure looks a lot different these days, one thing has remained constant: our love for reading together.

We have dozens and dozens of books, and Isabella loves sorting them and independently picking out the book she wants mommy or daddy to read in that moment. Whether it be a way to wind down before her nap, afternoon giggles or bedtime stories, we’re a huge fan of reading in this household.

Our Love for Priddy Books

We’ve loved Priddy Books since the early days, as First 100 Words and First 100 Animals are staples in our house — introducing our little one to some of her first words through pictures.

I love that the … Read More!

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Healthy Chicks in the Community Series: Meet Dietitian & Nutritionist Lily Nichols

Hello beauties! I can’t believe we’re already approaching the end of summer. Time is flying and we’re about two months away from meeting Baby Boy!

It’s time for this month’s spotlight on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world & beyond. I’m thrilled to feature Dietitian & Nutritionist Lily Nichols, who’s is all about educating women on real food and nutrition during pregnancy.

I first discovered Lily through her book Real Food for Pregnancy, which I thoroughly soaked up during my pregnancy with Isabella. I especially loved her approach on postpartum nutrition, and the importance of incorporating nurturing, healing foods during the transition. Truly, it couldn’t be more important and I know it’ll be a key part of my recovery this fall as well.

In this inspiring interview, we chat with Lily about a day in the life of an RDN, her go-to foods (and why she’s not afraid of fat), and the number one message she wants to share with mamas-to-be on their pregnancy journey.

NAME:

Lily Nichols

WHERE DO YOU LIVE:

Washington state, but I’ve lived all over the country.

GIVE US A SNAPSHOT INTO

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I’ve Been Diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes…This is How I’m Shifting My Perspective to Tackle It

{UPDATE: I diligently tested my blood sugars at home 4x a day with the glucometer and my numbers were perfect. I was officially cleared by my doc to stop testing. The diagnosis may have been a fluke after all — my inkling is that my body just couldn’t handle that crazy amount of sugar.}

“We’ll only call you if it’s bad news,” the midwife said after the dreaded one-hour glucose test.

Sure enough, I get a phone call yesterday afternoon — it was the OB office. “Hi Rachel, we’re calling regarding your glucose test…” I knew what was coming. “Unfortunately you did not pass.

And then what I never expected to hear: “Your results were above the limit. You have gestational diabetes.

My stomach dropped. I was in complete shock. “But how? I eat healthy! I don’t even like sweets!” I said through the headache I still had from yesterday’s forced sugar rush. The nurse explained to me that sometimes the healthiest women develop gestational diabetes, and it doesn’t necessarily have to do with WHAT I was eating but HOW my body processes the sugars in my food.

What came next was a blur but … Read More!

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DIY Sweetgreen Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado

Fun Fact: I worked on the sweetgreen marketing team for 3.5 years, and helped them launch in the Boston market. While I have many fond memories working at an exciting startup for my dream company, one of my favorite perks was my daily salad fix.

True story: I named the Harvest Bowl. My go-to order? When I wasn’t designing my own dreamy custom, I’d go for a trusty favorite, the Kale Caesar (add avo). I mean, is there anything better than creamy caesar dressing and parm crisps?

Now that I live in Connecticut and can’t get my sweetgreen fix, I’ve had to get a little crafty in the kitchen to come up with my own version. And while sweetgreen doesn’t disclose their exact recipes, they do share the ingredients — which is super helpful when it comes to the signature dressing.

Enjoy this sweetgreen Kale Caesar makeover — perfect as a side dish or refreshing summer dinner.

Sweetgreen Kale Caesar Salad with Avocado

Makes 4-6 servings

  • Bag chopped kale
  • Chopped romaine hearts 
  • Package cherry tomatoes, halved 
  • 1.75 oz. Oven-Baked Parm Crisps, crumbled (1 bag)
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • Juice of 1/2 lime (the lime squeeze is key!)  
  • Grilled chicken (optional,
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On Following Your Intuition & Listening to Your Gut

Last night, during our monthly women’s Bliss Circle, the topic of following your intuition came up during our session. Our intuition tells us so much about ourselves, but often we straight up ignore it and blow it off.

Here’s the thing: most of the time, you know exactly what you need to do if you just listen, and when we ask others for permission we take away some of our power.

Think of all the times you get a sudden idea while you’re driving, in the shower, or writing in your journal. That right there is your intuition talking to you so it’s about time you listen to listen to it.

A few days ago, an Intuitive Healer I worked with years ago when trying to get pregnant with Isabella reached out to me, letting me know she was thinking of me and was guided to send me a gift.

Flash forward to yesterday afternoon, as I was getting ready for the evening’s Bliss Circle. I had a necklace on, but took it off because it just didn’t sit right with the outfit I was wearing. A few hours later, I heard a voice — my intuition — saying … Read More!

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Healthy Chicks in the Community Series: Meet Sara Benzinger of Honey Bee Maternity

Happy May, beauties! It’s time for this month’s feature on Healthy Chicks in the Community, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world & beyond.

I’m thrilled to feature Founder of Honey Bee Maternity, Sara Benzinger. Through her consignment shop, she sells gently used maternity & nursing wear at a fraction of the price — making it a budget-friendly, sustainable option for new mamas and mamas to be.

In this inspiring interview, we chat with Sara about challenges she’s faced opening up her own business, why she’s prioritizing her self-care practice, and her love for exotic foods!

NAME:

Sara Benzinger

WHERE DO YOU LIVE:

Bethel, CT

GIVE US A SNAPSHOT INTO YOUR BIZ/WHAT YOU DO:

I own Honey Bee Maternity, a maternity and nursing consignment store! I help expecting families save money by offering a curated selection of gently used maternity and nursing wear at a fraction of retail prices. 

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE/LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED OPENING YOUR OWN SHOP:

I’ve had to learn to not be so people-pleasing. In the past I’ve made decisions that benefit others but ultimately weren’t good for my business. I’m learning to find the balance, because my decisions … Read More!

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How to Create a Sacred Space in Your Home During Quarantine in 3 Simple Steps

Do you have a special space in your home just for you to reflect?

Now that we’re spending much more time at home during quarantine, it’s important to have a safe space to go to “retreat.” While you may not be able to take over a whole room in the house, you can carve out a special section just for you.

Your “sacred space” is the perfect escape for you to relax, meditate, and tune into your body. It’s a feel-good space for you to go to for meditation, journaling, or simply to enjoy a cup of tea.

As part of the self-care challenge I’m co-hosting, last week I cleared up my messy desk to make it a feel-good space for me to reflect. I hung up my vision board, incorporated sea shells and a plant for new energy, incorporated my affirmation card decks & healing stones for easy access, and added some fun things like chocolate and serenity essential oil.

Here’s how to create your own sacred space!

1. Choose a space in your home to be your “sacred space” (whether it be a corner of your bedroom, your desk, or your office).

2. Before you get started, you’ll … Read More!

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