Happy Hump Day: A Lesson On Treating Yourself With Tasty Goodies in the North End

2 Comments / Lifestyle /

Yesterday I went to G’Vanni’s in the North end for a delicious lunch date with The Boy. We had a Buy With Me, so we went all out. I got the Chicken Saltimbocca with gluten free pasta in homemade marinara sauce, which was absolutely delicious. I had never had that dish before, so thought I’d give it a try. It was the perfect meat to cheese ratio, and the prosciutto practically melted in my mouth. Holy Yum. The Boy ordered a Veal Parmesan Panini, along with a Pepperoni pizza for later. Hey, we had to use all $50, after all! You bet I had a few bites of his meal too…

The Boy & I dining. We totally cleared our plates. (Sorry, not yet ready to plaster his pics all over my blog hehe)

Afterward we went to Mike’s Pastry because let’s be serious: how can you go to the North End without stopping by Mike’s Pastry?

The Boy had never been before so he was dazzled by the overwhelming selection.

Seriously, how pretty are these little gems?

But we decided on one of these…

the classic cannoli…

And I of course got one of these…

[source]… Read More!

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Baked Butternut Squash with Garlic Sauteed Vegetables

7 Comments / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness /

This was my dinner last night:

It was heaven.

What ya need:

*This recipe serves 2

-1 large package pre-cut butternut squash (seriously, these babies are a pain in the butt to cut yourself)*

-handful fresh parsley, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, crushed

-1 c. baby spinach

-1/2 c. baby portobello mushrooms

-1 orange pepper, diced

-salt & pepper to taste

-olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat butternut squash in olive oil, parsley, salt and pepper. Bake for about 30 minutes.

2. In the meantime, chop your veggies and sauté in olive oil on medium-low heat, careful not to overcook. Reduce heat to low, add in the garlic and let simmer.

3. Remove squash from the oven, and assemble on a large plate with veggies. Serve with a sliced whole wheat baguette and butter. YUM.… Read More!

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Healthy Chicks and BSW Head to the Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market: Recipes, Food Tasting, Book Sales and More!

1 Comment / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[all photos courtesy of Boston Sports Woman]

Spring is most definitely in the air. Yes, I know, I know, even though it felt like negative 10 degrees in Boston yesterday, I can still feel it. That’s why I’ve been whipping out some of my favorite spring-esque recipes this week, like my pasta primavera and I even bought strawberries for dessert. Chocolate covered strawberries, anyone? Nothing screams WARM WEATHER like that.

Anyway, as much as I want spring to come now, it’s technically still winter and while I dislike that for numerous reasons, I’m super pumped that it also means the Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market is still open for another three weekends (phew). Every Saturday from January 8th until March 26th, folks gather over to the Armory on 191 Highland Ave in Somerville for a festival to remember.

This weekend, March 12th we – we as in me (The Healthy Chick) and Boston Sports Woman – will be attending the market as a guest, and couldn’t be more excited! I’ll be there spreading the word and taking orders for my cookbook “Healthy Chicks in the Kitchen,” and will even be raffling off one as a prize! Be … Read More!

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EEK It’s That Time of Month Again: Natural Cures for Bloat, Cramps and PMS!

31 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[source]

I haven’t been able to sleep for the past two hours. No, it isn’t due to a bad dream nor the fact that I’m over-analyzing yet again. This time, it’s merely a case of good ol’ period cramps. Sorry for too much information here, but holy OUCH. The “dot” (as my mom likes to call it) sure is comin’ in like a lion just like the weather. But luckily, I’ve got some all-natural home remedies to make these next few days as comfortable as possible, and hopefully as the saying goes it’ll go out like a lamb and I’ll move on with my life.

Until then, here are a few tips to deal with “it” on your own – you know the healthy, easy, all-natural way. Hope they help!

For the Bloat: Let’s face it, being bloated is one of the absolute worst things for a woman. There’s nothing fun about going to bed feeling good about yourself, then waking up feeling like you’re about to give birth to a very large food baby. Not to mention the swelling, the pain and the fact that your favorite jeans won’t zip. Looks like it’s yet another day … Read More!

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Quotable Sunday: On Over-Analyzing

1 Comment / Lifestyle /

I have a confession: I over-analyze things a bit too much. OK, a LOT too much. There aren’t many qualities I don’t like about myself, but this is one I am seriously working to change. After all, over-analyzing is never fun. What did that mean? Where is this going? But what if… If we’re too busy thinking all the damn time, we miss out on enjoying what is right now. Plus, what I’ve come to find true, is many times my over-analytical craziness is usually just a figment of my imagination. Hence, I drive myself crazy for absolutely no reason. And what’s the sense in that?

This week I’m going to try to listen to Tupac and just relax, take it easy and move on with it.

Do you over-analyze things? If so, what helps you to relax and stop thinking 24/7?

XoXo,

… Read More!

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Friday Thoughts: On Kindness, Curves, Herbs and Getaways!

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Happy Friday everyone! Hope you all had a fabulous week. Since it’s Friday, I’m here to share some favorites from the week, since as you know I always have something new I’m absolutely lovin’. Here’s what made the cut this week:

Nice People: Seriously. I’ve come to the conclusion that there just aren’t enough nice, truly genuine good-hearted people in the world. Some random stranger screamed at me the other day for getting on the T before he got off. I didn’t see him, so I quickly apologized and stepped off of the train so he could exit. But that still wasn’t enough. “What is your problem? PEOPLE GET OFF FIRST.” “I’m sorry sir, I know… I just didn’t see you.” “NO, I said PEOPLE first.” He gave me a death stare. Ouch. I’m sick of the ‘tude people.

That’s why when I come across nice people (i.e. the nice man who started talking to me about my blog on the train the other day or the funny guy at Trader Joe’s or my neighbor who made me smile by sending a simply text), I truly cherish it. Nice people out there: keep up the good work!

My Curves: Ever … Read More!

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A Lil Adventure, Baby: On Getting More Out of Life and The City You Live In!

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle /

[source]

I have a confession: When I first moved to Boston I was like a freshman going to college – everything in the city just seemed SO cool to me and I wanted to see & do absolutely everything. I wanted to try every single restaurant, attend every museum, run on the Charles River, see a Red Sox game, hit up all the best bars, party my life away, go on fancy dates and explore with my camera in hand. I wanted to do it all. Unfortunately – and somewhat fortunately for my budget- that bright-eyed excitement has kind of disappeared. It’s not necessarily a bad thing or a good thing; I’ve just gotten comfy in the city I now call home.

However, last night when I attended Blueman Group at the Charles Playhouse for my first time ever, that rush of excitement came  back…and I found myself kinda, sorta missing it. OK, REALLY REALLY REALLY missing it. My oh-so-wonderful neighbor was able to score my best friend and I free tickets and we just had a ball. We started our night off with a yummy dinner at Motien Thai & Sushi Lounge where we split a Spicy … Read More!

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Hump Day Lesson of the Day: On Giving Your Body a BREAK

4 Comments / Health & Wellness /

Happy Hump Day ladies, and congrats on making it half-way through the week! This morning I woke up and felt like I got stomped on by an elephant, ran over by a train, or straight up beat up on. But none of those things actually happened. In reality, I pushed myself to the limits these past few days with exercise. Up until today, I’ve been following my Half Marathon Training plan to a tee. Yup, you heard that right. I haven’t missed a workout. But today I am doing what I truly believe in: listening to my body. I’m going to skip my scheduled 4.5 mile run and shift it to tomorrow instead, giving myself a “me day” today.

With a long day of skiing, several 4.5 mile runs in the past few days, and weight-lifting mixed in, my body truly needs a break. And that I will give it. Not to mention all the city-walking I do here in Boston. That’s a workout in itself!

Do you give your body a break when it’s telling you it needs one? What signifies “pushing the limit” to you? … Read More!

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Happy March: On Making Your Food Pretty!

6 Comments / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness /

You know how restaurants always present their food oh so pretty? Perfect little plates with perfect little – or ginormous – portions and perfect little garnishes on the side. Well, today I felt like eating pretty as well, and I wasn’t going to blow $100 at a restaurant to do so. Instead, I whipped up a tasty turkey sandwich, but instead of putting it on a napkin and munching on it as I blogged, I decided to make it beautiful and actually enjoy it.

Here, my pretty little honey roasted turkey sandwich:

What I Used:

-1 piece original Ezekiel bread, toasted with cheese and turkey

-1 slice American cheese

-1 tsp. pesto

-3 thin slices honey roasted turkey breast, all natural

-1 bag cheddar popchips & a clementine on the side

-pretty napkins

-thin white dessert plate

And there we have it. A prettier lunch in just a few seconds. If you’re interested in more fun, simple recipes I’d love you to check out my cookbook “Healthy Chicks in the Kitchen,” for sale now!

Do you like to make your food pretty every once in a while? What do you do to jazz it up?

XoXo,

… Read More!

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