Working Your Bod in New Ways

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Ouch. Yes, ‘ouch’ is the perfect word to describe how my body feels right now. I’d like to say I am in good shape, and am overall a very healthy girl. I mean, I am the author of “Healthy Chicks” after all. But just because I am pretty fit and run every day doesn’t mean my body was ready for a day of skiing. OUCH.

I haven’t skied since last year, and let me tell you: it sure is a full body workout. My quads are burning, my arms are aching and my butt…oh my poor butt let’s not even go there. Yesterday on the mountain, I used muscles I haven’t used in a really long time. But pain is good, right? I’ll just keep tellin’ my poor body that…

I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even last a full day on the mountain. I had to bail out around 1 p.m. to soothe my body in the hot tub and sauna. Boy oh boy did those spa bubbles feel good on my achy muscles.

Lesson learned? You can be in shape, fit and healthy but that doesn’t mean your entire body is in shape, fit … Read More!

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Friday Favorites: On Pretzel Crisps, Childhood Snacks and Dating

1 Comment / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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HAPPY FRIDAY HEALTHY CHICKIES! Yes, the rain isn’t fun if you reside here in Boston. But whatever…embrace the rain and go play in it. That’s my attitude these days. Speaking of my attitude, this week I’ve really been trying to follow my heart. I’ve always been a major fan of following my heart, as I think there’s no better way to go. Whether it’s leaving a job that you know isn’t right for you or  doing something completely spur of the moment like going on a cross-the-east-coast road trip to Florida with a guy you just met (yup, I did that) because it just felt right, following your heart is important to me. So I’ve really been working on that this week. And since it’s Friday, here are share some other things I’m lovin’ this week too:

1. Pretzel Crisps: The kind people over at Pretzel Crisps sent me two huge bags filled with pretzels to try out. I’ve old had Pretzel Crisps once before, and it was a while ago so I was excited to test out the flavor flave. I have to say they were INCREDIBLE. And no, I’m not just saying that to … Read More!

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Gifts Galore PLUS a Healthy Italian Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe

10 Comments / Food & Recipes, Lifestyle /

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No matter how old I get, I still love presents just as much as I did when I was a little kid. Seriously, what is better than getting an unexpected surprise gift “just because?” No, I don’t need diamonds or expensive clothes to be happy. It’s the little things that count for me, and yesterday was FILLED with them. Let’s just say I felt like a little kid on Christmas. C’mon, who doesn’t love presents?

My day of fun gifts started off in the morning when I met with Catherine and Kathy of Boston Sports Woman for coffee, chit-chat, work and snacks. Let’s just say it never feels like work when I’m with these ladies; we always have so much fun together! Anyway, Catherine is notorious for cooking up fun appetizers for us at her beautiful apartment, and this time she really impressed. She surprised us with a super expensive (hence super delicious) triple creme cheese from Cowgirl Creamery served aside a sliced baguette. If you know me, cheese is the way to my heart. I was one happy camper.

After our glorious meeting, I headed over to The Boy’s for another surprise. Well, this one was … Read More!

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Hump Day Lesson of the Day and a Tasty Post-Workout Snack!

Leave a Comment / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness /

I saw this video on Rachel Wilkerson’s Facebook Page yesterday – it’s originally from College Humor – and just had to include it in my weekly Hump Day Post. Seriously, too funny – and a lesson to remember too. Thanks Rachel # 2!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCmwkIFJ_xw

Also, a Healthy post-workout snack for you. I’ll call it the “Mandarin Madness Munchie”

What Ya Need:

-1/2 c. cottage cheese

-1 mandarin orange, broken into segments

-5 raw almonds

-dash of cinnamon

Layer together in a small bowl and enjoy! … Read More!

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It’s National Margarita Day: A Special Tasty Margarita Recipe for YOU

11 Comments / Food & Recipes /

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This morning, someone tweeted that it’s National Margarita Day. Nah, couldn’t be I thought to myself. Then I googled “National Margarita Day” and sure enough tons of results came up. According to The Food Channel, February 22 i.e. National Margarita Day is named after a lady whose name was indeed Margarita. Legend goes that this absolutely FABULOUS woman whipped up the drink on a hot afternoon, and there you have one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S. Mmm, I can already taste the tequila and salt in my mouth. Glorious. Oh so glorious. If only I was on a beach in 85 degree weather. Wishful thinking, I know.

Anyway, in honor of this incredible “holiday” I am posting my absolute favorite Margarita recipe – that is, my fabulous, quirky, hilarious cousin Sara’s homemade margarita concoction. I’ll call it the Crazy Cousin Margarita (hehehe) in her honor. Enjoy! Oh, and P.S. this recipe is much better for you than restaurant varieties because it doesn’t have loads of sugary margarita mix added in, is fresh and of course made with love. <3

Whatchya Need:

-clear tequila of choice (make sure it’s 100% tequila de agave … Read More!

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6 Little Healthy Ways to De-Stress

8 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

I don’t know about you, put this past week has put some major stress on me. Now, I’m not one to get STRESSED OUT to the max, but I’m only human after all. Luckily, after a weekend with family, The Boy, movies, and lots of good food at my grandparents house, I feel loads better. That’s not to say that another stress attack can’t come on at any given time this week. Luckily, I have a few tricks I use when times get a little crazy.

1. Breathe – Seriously. Go lay down on your bed or a comfy couch and just breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. That’s why yoga’s so effective after all! I do this sometimes at night after a long day. I go to my room, shut off the lights, and after 10 minutes of breathing to myself I am fine again.

2. Massages – No you don’t have to throw away $100 on a professional massage when you have a roommate/best friend/ boy friend to give you a hand or two. If you live with a bunch of ladies, sit in a “train” and take turns giving each other back massages. It’s lots … Read More!

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Quotable Sunday: On Living in the Moment

4 Comments / Lifestyle /

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The other day, my lovely cousin came to me concerned about getting older, and things changing. I have to admit, this topic gets to me from time to time as well. But what really gets me through the day – and life in general – is living in the moment. I strive to live in the now, take every day as it comes, and not fret about the future. If you put too much stress and thought into what lies ahead, you will never fully be able to enjoy the present…the beautiful, amazing wonderful present.

So that’s what I leave you to think about on this sunny Sunday morning. Enjoy the day…it is all yours.

XoXo,
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Friday Favorites And Popchips Giveaway!

36 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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Happy Friday all! Since it’s the end of the week, I figured I’d share some of my current favorites of the week, as you know there’s always something new I’m lovin’.  Here goes:

1. Core Fusion: Boot Camp – Usually I stick to Core Fusion: Body Sculpt (my go-to workout DVD as you know) but last week I got my hands on both the Boot Camp and Thighs & Glutes to change it up a bit. I still have yet to try the Thighs & Glutes but let me tell you Boot Camp is absolutely incredible! You can really feel the burn, in a good way of course. From pushups and burpees to squats and lunges, there is never a dull moment in this fabulous DVD. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone looking to shake things up a bit. Oh, and your bod will love you too.

2. Strong Coffee – Usually I’m a fan of the lighter or medium roasts, but this week I’ve been craving strong, baby! It’s been a really tough week on my family and I (we lost our beloved Papa George) but strong coffee has been, well, keeping me stronger. The other … Read More!

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Get Pumped: Tis The Season for Outdoor Running!

6 Comments / Health & Wellness /

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Oh my goodness. When I just looked at the seven day forecast two seconds ago, I thought I must have seen it wrong. Did I remember to put my contacts in this morning? But I definitely saw it right, and boy oh boy am I ecstatic. The temps are going to hit 50s today and 60s (YES 60s) tomorrow! I feel like a little kid on Christmas…that’s how excited I am.

No, not just because of the fact that spring is near and I can actually go outside without 500 layers on looking like a puff-ball, but the fact that I can RUN outside. You don’t understand how long I’ve been waiting for this day. Sure I’ve made peace with the treadmill, but there is nothing quite like a long, sweaty outdoor run to really get me movin’. When I run outside, I feel alive. I can zone out, unleash my stress and think…about everything in my life that’s bothering me or simply on my mind! Running outside is the bomb. And that’s just a plain truth.

Now that my half marathon is coming up soon, these outdoor runs are going to be absolutely critical to … Read More!

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