Monday Motivation: Go Outside Your Comfort Zone & Express Yourself

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I have a confession: I can’t dance. Well, that’s not 100% true. I can technically dance, but it’s really a funny sight. I lack any sort of rhythm and find it hard to just “groove to the music.” That’s probably why I didn’t last very long in ballet when I was younger. I’m not very graceful, and tend to be just altogether…awkward.

BUT, since I’m attending a wedding in a few weeks with The Boy (who also admits he can’t dance) we vowed to learn to dance, or at least attempt to learn. So when we both went out with a group of friends to Faneuil Hall the other night, I forced my scared little self to get off my butt and at least try. And that I did. I danced away, to my  best abilities. Granted there was a 90s cover band playing in the background, so it wasn’t necessarily the best dancing tunes, but I’m proud of myself for going a little outside my comfort zone. I won’t lie: the cocktails definitely helped a lot.

But it wasn’t just about the dancing. Anyone can dance, well, if they try. It’s about coloring outside the lines, … Read More!

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My First Time at Exhale Spa: Core Fusion, Pampering & Ultimate Bliss

13 Comments / Health & Wellness /

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I am a huge fan of Core Fusion DVDs. Once I became hooked on Core Fusion Body Sculpt (and made my obsession loud and clear), creator and mastermind behind Core Fusion Fred DeVito was nice enough to send me both Thighs & Glutes and Bootcamp as well. Just as expected, I fell in love with each and every workout I tried. I loved the variety, the intense toning benefits, and all the other physical changes I could see in my body.

So when Exhale Spa in Boston’s Back Bay invited me to take a live Core Fusion class, I jumped at the offer. A real, live Core Fusion class, for me? How could I possibly decline?

The minute I walked into Exhale, I felt like I was in another world…on some kind of serene spa getaway. “Wow, now I can see why people rave about this place,” I thought to myself. As I waited for the Director of Guest Experience to give me a personal tour, I was immediately offered a cup of hot tea and water to sip on. If that’s not customer service at … Read More!

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Hump Day Lesson of the Day: Spruce Up Your Water for Summer!

5 Comments / Food & Recipes /

Good afternoon ladies ‘n’ gents, and Happy Hump Day. I’m having one of those “happy days,” where I just simply can’t stop smiling. Most of that has to do with the fact that I’m going to the Red Sox game this evening with The Boy and his fam. Can you believe this will only be my second Sox game? And to think, I’ve lived in Boston for two years. I should be ashamed of myself.

Anyway, time for my weekly Hump Day Lesson. This week’s topic? The perfect, refreshing summery drink.

Stuck with leftover grapefruit from breakfast, and a lemon wedge sitting in your fridge untouched? Make the most of your leftover citrus fruits and make fruit-infused water. It’s pure. It’s natural. It’s calorie free. And it’s the perfect refresher on a 90-degree day. Enjoy!

What Ya Need:

-Pitcher filled with cold water

-1/2 large lemon, juiced

-1/2 large grapefruit, juiced

-5 mint leaves

~Simply squeeze the lemon & grapefruit juice into the pitcher with the water. Add fresh mint leaves for extra flavor & decoration. Chill & serve in pretty cups with umbrella straws!

Feel free to have fun with this recipe & make up your own combos. It’s … Read More!

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Tuesday Talk: On Giving Yourself Time to Get “There” (You Know, To Your Happy Place)

5 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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Unfortunately, there are no fairy godmothers in the real world. So now what?

Yesterday, I got into a discussion with my fellow blogger pal Jess regarding giving yourself time to get there. There? What’s there, you ask? Well there is undefinable as it can mean many different things for different people, and it changes as we grow. A few years ago, “there” for me was to get to a place where calories and crunches didn’t consume my life, where I could live happily and without anxiety in a diet-free life. I’m happy to say I did finally get there, but you see it took time. Time for me to grow, time for me to change, time for me to figure myself out in a trial-and-error way of sorts.

Now, as a budgeting, struggling freelance writer living in the Bean, there has changed to finding a career where I can both follow my passions and pay the bills. By dabbling in several careers over the past two years, I’ve realized one important thing about myself: I need to work in a career I feel passionate about, where I help people live a healthier lifestyle while utilizing my talents … Read More!

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Wholesome Vegetable Risotto with Sage & Parmesan

9 Comments / Food & Recipes /

Yesterday, while perusing the aisles of my favorite place on Earth (Trader Joe’s), I was this close to purchasing yet another bag of their Asparagus Risotto that I love so much. Then I thought, why not attempt to make my own risotto? It’s something I’ve never done before, and I was definitely up for a cooking challenge. So I did what any girl standing in the middle of a grocery aisle would do: I Googled “homemade risotto recipes.” It took only a few minutes to find this recipe for “Sage Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella & Prosciutto” from Cooking Light.

With a little brainstorming and tweaking, I came up with my own risotto recipe that incorporates more veggies & ingredients that I love to cook with. I must say: my first risotto challenge was a success. I think I just may have created heaven. Hope you enjoy!

Vegetable Risotto with Sage & Parmesan*

*modified from this recipe in Cooking Light, makes about 4 servings

-about 1 container low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

-1 TB Smart Balance butter

-handful scallions, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

-1 1/4 c. Arborio rice

-½ c. dry white wine for cooking (I … Read More!

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Quotable Sunday: Reading (Deep) into Text Messages

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The other day, my friend sent me an article from The Hairpin called “Reading Between the Texts: The Other Side.” The little scenarios made me laugh so hard because, well, we’ve all been there at some point in time. And if you haven’t been there, then you may just be the most normal person I’ve ever met. Whether you’re a drunk texter-aholic or simply an over-analyzer like myself, you’ll surely get a hoot out of this article.

Here is a brief snippet:

The Text

“What are u up to”

The Strategy

K: OK, so in your response, what message do you want to send? Are you trying to play it cool like you don’t really care that much, unless he cares a lot? Or are you like, trying to be sexy and forward?

B: I’m trying to be … sexily uninterested.

K: NICE, okay. So you should make it sound like you’re doing something awesome, but you are potentially free if he begs you.

B: Exactly! So should I be like “nm, at this crazy party, what about u” ?

K: Well that might be weird. It’s like 4 p.m. He’ll think you’re an … Read More!

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Friday Favorites: Picnics, Puffs & Pretty Beach Hair

2 Comments / Lifestyle /

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Beach hair may just be the way to go in this sultry weather…

Happy Friday chickies! Hope you’re all getting pumped for the weekend, and staying as cool as possible. I saw on the news yesterday that there are little things we can do to keep our sweaty & muggy abodes cooler (and conserve energy) like closing the blinds, putting up blankets to cover  large windows, and keeping the thermostat around 70, 71. Hey, it can’t hurt. But something tells me in this kind of heat there’s little we can do to really make a difference other than jacking up the AC. What do all of you do to stay cool in this brutal weather?

Anyway, it’s Friday so let’s get to it with this week’s Friday Favorites:

1. Picnic in the Park: The other day my best friend and I packed up a lunch and headed over to the Boston Common for a picnic in the park. I packed a large salad composed of spinach, mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, fresh mozzarella, tuna, red wine vinegar and olive oil. It was so nice to catch up with my friend, gossip, and people-watch the afternoon away.

2. … Read More!

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Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot: How to Train for a Race in High Temps

2 Comments / Health & Wellness /

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Holy hotness! I know you’ve heard it a million times from your coworker and the weather lady, but it’s hot as hell out today in Boston. It’s no lie the city is the worst place to be in the heat – tons of commuters, little shade and barely any water in sight. Ouch.

However, the main reason I’m complaining about the hotness is because I’ve recently started training for my second half marathon. During my first half marathon in April, the training was nice because a chunk of it was during the crisp spring months, and on snowy days throughout the winter I’d just run inside on the treadmill. But unfortunately summer training isn’t as fun.

The solution? Lately I’ve been getting out super early to run before the sun gets too hot, but even then the humidity can be brutal. I’ve also been eating a solid breakfast like egg whites on toast or fruit topped waffles an hour before my run and chugging the H2O all day and night to stay as hydrated as possible during these hot, summer months.

Anyway, I’m writing this post because I’d really like to hear your suggestions and tips for … Read More!

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What Does Healthy Mean to Me? It’s Not About Counting Calories and Living Off Salad

7 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

In college counting calories, unhealthy     Now @ my happy weight – 15 lbs. lighter

Yesterday while organizing my room, I came across a purse I used back in college. I decided to look through it, mostly to see if I could find a random $20 bill. No luck. But I did find an old “meal plan” I used to carry around with me Junior year and I was appalled by what I read. “Breakfast = puffins or egg beaters with veggie cheese Lunch = handful of grapes & walnuts Dinner=sweet potato.” Um, what? Grapes and walnuts for lunch? That doesn’t even equate to a good snack considering the way I eat now.

Not to mention, my lifestyle and thoughts on healthy living were completely distorted. I was counting calories. I was letting food consume my life. I was unhealthy. Flash forward a few years and I’ve completely transformed the way I view health, and even more so the way I view myself. I now fill my plates with hearty, wholesome meals and have learned to love cooking and creating delicious meals for myself, my family and even my boyfriend. I am a 100% new woman.

So since my blog is … Read More!

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