Quotable Sunday: Love, Love, Love

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle /

It’s no doubt that it’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not because of gifts and eggnog and garland and snow (though those are all wonderful too). But really, the greatest thing about the holiday season is all the love that surrounds us.

Family gatherings where we celebrate each other and remember those who have passed, carolers and generous volunteers who brighten the days of those in need, first kisses, Baby’s first Christmas, blossoming romances and old romances,  handwritten holiday letters, miracles. That’s what the holiday season is all about. And clearly, there’s no doubt that love is all around us.

How are you spreading your love this holiday season? Share your comments here! … Read More!

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Boston Organics: Our First Box Has Arrived!

7 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[source]

I’ve unfortunately been greeted with a terrible cold, and slept until 11:30 a.m. today! I guess that’s my body’s way of telling me it needs its rest. Anyway, as I sniffled my way out of bed, I was delighted to see a package waiting for me at the door. Our first Boston Organics box had arrived, and I couldn’t be more happy to dig in.

My sister and I had originally decided to sign up for Boston Organics because it can be difficult to go grocery shopping for healthy food on a budget when living in the North End, not to mention without a car. We’re also big fans of buying organic when we can, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables. It’s shocking to find out how many chemicals, pesticides, and hormones are added to the foods we eat every day, and the scary thing is it can be hard to tell. Of course not everyone has the money and time to buy organic 100% of the time, but it’s important to at least be aware of these “Dirty Dozen” fruits and veggies you should always buy organic.

Anyway, we decided to give Boston … Read More!

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Quotable Sunday: On Food & Love

Leave a Comment / Food & Recipes /

You know how sometimes when you’re down, nothing can pick you up quite like a bowl of homemade chicken soup or some homemade bread? There is a reason for that! We equate food with emotions, as many times eating is more of an experience than just something we do.

And just as food can lift us up to our cheeriest selves, so can love. This week, practice sharing your love and gratitude with food. Bake some homemade, healthy muffins for a loved one, or surprise your sweetie with a cup of hot cocoa made with extra love.

Food and love are one in the same my friend, so start spreading the cheer!

XoXo,

… Read More!

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Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution: Blog of the Month

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

This morning I was beyond delighted to wake up to an email from Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution team, informing me that Healthy Chicks has been chosen as one of their blogs of the month. Not only do I get to be featured on their website for the month of December, but I get to “wear” this Food Revolution badge on my blog loud and proud.

I’d be lying to say I’m not absolutely ecstatic to be chosen as a featured blogger, as it is a huge honor. But it means more to me than a “title.” I’m a huge supporter of the Food Revolution and all Jamie has done to get the world eating healthier, and start promoting a more respectable food industry. His mission in teaching people how to spend more time in the kitchen (and less time at the drive-through), cleaning up school lunches, and helping people fuel the bodies and soul with proper nutrients is absolutely phenomenal.

I believe Jamie is creating a real revolution, something that can ultimately change hundreds, thousands, even millions of lives and that all starts with just ONE person spreading the word. To be honest, that’s why I’m currently enrolled at … Read More!

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Inspiring Pieces From Women Around the Web

10 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Who inspires you?

Being a blogger and freelance writer, I am also (no surprise here) obsessed with reading other people’s blogs, magazine articles and inspirational essays. Often, I am drawn to other women who I can relate to and cooking-related blogs, because they make me feel inspired, motivated and connected.

This week, I’ve read a number of amazing pieces from a variety of bloggers whom I follow, and felt that I just had to share their stories with you. It’s only fair, after all. Take a look at these powerful women around the web who’ve got me bookmarking their posts left and right.

“Love, Loss and Spaghetti” by Bianca, Confessions of a Chocoholic: I always love the way Bianca writes, making you feel as if you are right there with her, whether she’s traveling Italy, trying one of Boston’s best restaurants, or biting into a decadent gourmet cheese. This powerful piece of love, food, and loss in particular made me feel like I was right there with her, as I could empathize with what she went through.

“Photo Inspiration: 10 Years of yo-yo dieting” by Elina, Healthy & Sane: Elina is one of the most honest bloggers I … Read More!

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A Little Rant: The Crap We are Feeding Our Children (and Buying Into Ourselves)

2 Comments / Health & Wellness /

[source]

Wow! You can now get 20 of these puppies for just $4.99. Does that mean you are going to give in?

Yesterday evening while watching television, I saw an advertisement on TV for McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets. The 20 piece is now “on sale” at a special $4.99. That’s a penny under $5.00 for 840 calories, 49 grams of fat and 125 mg of cholesterol. For all of those taking advantage of this deal…congrats? But are you really doing yourself or your children a favor by clogging them up with saturated fat, sodium and an overdose of calories?

The sad thing is that many families are taking advantage of these Fast Food “deals” just like this one. You can now get a box or two of Mac ‘n’ Cheese for 50 cents, a bag of chips for a buck, and a foot-long grinder for $5, most with a free sugar-laden soda. Schools serve loads of instant potatoes, pizza, and fried chicken in the cafeteria and call that “lunch.” Oh, and some are even going as far as saying pizza counts as two servings of the required vegetables, and if you don’t believe me start watching Jamie Oliver’s Food … Read More!

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Motivation Monday: Dealing with Turkey Day Bloat, Fatigue, and the ‘Blahs’

3 Comments / Health & Wellness /

[healthy snacks like these raw pecans can help keep you in check during the day]

Good evening ladies, and happy Cyber Monday. Any online deals catch your eye today? I received dozens of emails, but decided to hold back from online shopping as I know I can get a little carried away. I work better shopping in-person, where I tend to make more cautious, controlled choices.

Anyway, despite today being Cyber Monday, I noticed many people were in a funk. Most everyone I talked to said they felt sluggish, tired, bloated, “fat” or generally “Blah” and I gotta admit I’m right there with them. Being the Monday after Thanksgiving (which was also a long weekend for many), most of us let ourselves get a little carried away, be it skipping our daily workouts or bingeing on one too many chocolate chip cookies.

Have you let your routine get away from you this past weekend too? No worries! Thankfully, there are several things we can do to kick that “blah” to the curb, and get back to our normal, beautiful, perky selves in no time!

Feel-Good Tips to Beat Those Winter Blahs

  • Skip your morning latte, and instead down a
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Quotable Sunday: Be Thankful for What You Have

1 Comment / Uncategorized /

Good evening ladies! I hope you all had splendid, little Thanksgiving weekends stuffing your face with delicious bites, spending time with family & friends, and shopping your little hearts out. Oh, and the most important part: giving thanks. I, like many of you, sometimes to forget just how much I have to be thankful for. As humans, we tend to forget what it is that we have, instead dwelling on the negatives, the “don’ts” and the “cant’s.”

Whenever I find myself stressing (most of the time over nothing), or feeling down in the dumps, I sit back and remember all I have to be grateful for in life. From our boyfriends and spouses who love us oh so very much and friends and family who are there for us in any crisis to all our wonderful accomplishments and the food on our table, we all have many things to be thankful for every. single. day. Yes, that’s you too!

I suggest you make a list of things you are so lucky to have, so that next time you find yourself getting all Negative Nancy you have something to pick you right back up!

Cheers,

… Read More!

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A Recipe for You: Mini Crustless Thanksgiving Quiches

4 Comments / Food & Recipes /

Welp, tomorrow is Thanksgiving so you bet you’ll be finding me in the kitchen for the day helping the ‘rents cook, and cleaning the house ’til it’s spotless. This year, I decided to make something new since last year my Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes adapted from Babycakes were an epic fail. (I blame my baking skills, not the recipe book.)

Anyway, this year I wanted to make an appetizer, since our family is usually all set when it comes to sides, drinks and desserts. I thought mini quiches would be the perfect pick. Since I stick to a 95% gluten free diet, I baked my mini quiches in a mini muffin tin with, get this, NO CRUST! I know, it sounds crazy but they actually came out crispy, savory and mighty delicious. Oh, and I made two different kinds depending on you’re flavor of choice: a mushroom, onion, cheddar and a spinach & feta.

– THE BASES –

Mini Mushroom, Onion & Cheddar Quiche

  • 3 whole eggs plus 2 egg whites, whisked
  • 1/2 c. whole milk
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 TB butter
  • 1 package baby portobello mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/2 c. sharp cheddar cheese
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