Hidden Benefits of Running: It's More than Burning off that Cake

18 Comments / Health & Wellness /

I have to admit: up until this year I absolutely hated running, but I did it. I ran to lose weight, to burn off my dinner, and to look good in my bikini. I’d force myself to go on group runs with my roommates, even though every stride was absolutely painful. I hate this. But I have to keep going, I’d think to myself.

It wasn’t until this year that I began to enjoy running. The weekend of my grandmas funeral, I was filled with a bajillion emotions: anger, confusion, pain, rage, and I don’t know what got into me but I laced up my sneakers and hit the road. It was a beautiful spring day in Boston, and the temperature was in the low 70s. While normally I’d want to quit before the first mile, I simply couldn’t stop this day. I ran and I ran and I ran, letting out all my emotions on the road. I ran three miles that day, and never felt so alive.

Ever since then I’ve used running as an outlet, a way to explore and understand myself. I’ve realized running is so much more than looking good in that tight dress and … Read More!

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My Little Sunday Escape: Getting Away for a Bit

Leave a Comment / Health & Wellness /

I have a confession: I’m a social butterfly, I talk too much, and sometimes I don’t know when to shut up. But that’s not to say sometimes I don’t just like the peace and quiet of being alone. And today is definitely one of those days. During my morning run around the reservoir, I usually just go straight home after I finish my running loop, whether that be 2 miles, 3 miles or 5 miles. It’s just habitual. I run. I run or walk home, and then I go back to the hustle bustle of life.

But today was different. During my cool down, I noticed a little sole bench up on a hill. I may have seen the bench before, but today it was calling my name. I hiked up into the wooded area and sat on the bench to just think about life. It felt good. Then I decided to do something I’ve never done before: I attempted to meditate. OK, that’s a lie; I’ve tried this once before with my roommate in college, but we only got through a couple seconds before we both began snorting with laughter. Today, I was in a zone, and it definitely … Read More!

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11 Quirky Little Facts About Me

2 Comments / Lifestyle /

Hi I’m Rachel. Many of you may just know me as the girl behind the “Healthy Chicks” blog. I felt that since I share posts with you about my life, thoughts and opinions every day it’s about time I let you into a few weird little facts about me (beyond the general stuff I share on my blog). So here goes. Meet the real Rachel (quirks and all) and I hope you all continue to enjoy reading!

1. I’m scared of ghosts. Not that I really believe them, or ever saw one or anything, but I have a weird fear of them. One night my roommate swore we had one living in our apartment, and I started crying and couldn’t sleep the rest of the night. I contemplated jumping in bed with my friend. It’s that bad. 

2. I’ve been single for my entire life. Yup, 23 years and counting. Sometimes I am OK with it. Sometimes I am not. It depends on the day. 

3. I’m addicted to Peanut butter. Any and all peanut butter, although Teddie’s All Natural is my current obsession. I could hands down demolish a jar of peanut butter (by the spoon) in minutes. I … Read More!

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How to Handle a "Fat Day"

13 Comments / Health & Wellness /

[source] 

Fat days. We all know ’em. We all hate ’em. And they happen to the best of us: the skinny people, the curvy people, the happy people and the moody people. Let’s face it: fat days are inevitable my friends, but it doesn’t mean they have to suck as much as they tend to do. I’m writing this post because I had a…dun dun dun (my attempt at scary, frightening music)…fat day yesterday. I woke up and I just felt like a big, bloated blob. It had nothing to do with how I looked in the mirror, what my friends said, or the scale (in fact, I didn’t even weigh myself). I just felt like a big girl, even though in reality I know I am not. I’ll admit: I don’t have fat days very much now, but they still happen once in a blue moon. I used to have “fat days” nearly every day in college…especially sophomore year when I was ironically much thinner than I am now. That’s because “fat days” are mental…it’s an emotion and a feeling in your head, not a reality. You can wake up and “feel fat,” but to the … Read More!

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Unplug: Trust, It Won't Kill Ya (in fact it'll keep ya healthy)

7 Comments / Health & Wellness /

[ew, looks like I need to dust my plugs too!]

I have a confession: I’m utterly, entirely, 100% addicted to my BlackBerry. Actually, addicted may be an understatement. I’m addicted to peanut butter, love, and writing. But that doesn’t mean I’m sitting clenched to a jar of peanut butter all day long, fantasizing about love with a pen in my hand. No, that’s not how it works. But with my BlackBerry it’s a complete different story. I’m literally with it day in and day out that you’d think it’s like my child or something. I’m one of *those girls* who texts someone something sassy (or bold, or daring, or just plain stupid) then puts my phone on silent and checks back every minute to see if I got a response. I’m one of *those girls* who freaks out if I forget my phone at home, like it’s going to be the end of the world and Rachel can simply not go on without it. Really, I left the magical, ever-so-worthy Blackberry at home once and had a pitty party the entire cab ride to the bar. Turns out, no missed calls when I got home anyway! I’m one of *those … Read More!

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Don't Be Afraid to Give Advice (Or Take it)!

Leave a Comment / Health & Wellness /

When I was younger, I used to take advice (even kind, constructive criticism) extremely bad. I hated when people offered me “lessons,” different perspectives or new ways for me to do things. What was wrong with the way I was doing things? When I was in Elementary School (heck, probably up to when I was in high school), I’d throw fits at my dad for trying to teach me how to play basketball better. Poor guy. Being the high school basketball star he was, he was just trying to throw his daughter a few innocent pointers. Little did he know I’d throw a temper tantrum and scream at him because of it. Yeesh, you’d think I’d at least say “thank you.” After all, I was terrible at basketball. I couldn’t make a lay up and I’d lob the ball full-speed at the backboard. All he was trying to do was help, but I wouldn’t let him. Ever. (sorry Big Guy) Needless to say, I never became star of the basketball team in high school. But maybe I could’ve?

Now, I definitely take advice a little more openly, as we should. Imagine if we all treated people who offered … Read More!

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Happy Hump Day: Hump Day Series

4 Comments / Uncategorized /

“If taking vitamins doesn’t keep you healthy enough, try more laughter” ~Nicolas-Sebastien Chamfort 

I’m starting a new series in my “Healthy Chicks” blog, and that is the Hump Day series, a series dedicated to, well, silliness. After all (as I’ve stated time and time and again) healthiness is more than eating your fruits ‘n’ veggies. So let’s live a little, laugh a lot and be downright silly…

 It’s Wednesday and it feels a lot more like Monday to some of us to why not *laugh it off* to get “over the hump.” Last night, all my roommates were sitting in the living room thinking the same thing: When the heck will this week be over? Then comes Wednesday and those feelings are still there. Wednesdays are tough because you aren’t quite over the hump. It’s like being 20. You aren’t a teenager anymore (wahoo), but then again you can’t legally drink. So you just kinda sit there in the middle feeling lost and eager to get over that hump.

So that’s what my Hump Day series is all about: silly lessons from me (and please do add your witty wisdom) to get you over the midweek hump. From embarrassing moments … Read More!

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Wicked Easy Rosemary Parmesan Chicken with Veggies

Leave a Comment / Food & Recipes /

-2 small to medium boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins 

-1 1/2 TB grated parmesan cheese 

-1 TB dried rosemary 

-2 TB cornflake crumbs

-1 TB lemon juice 

-3 TB extra virgin olive oil (for cooking) 

-1/2 small red onion, chopped

-1/2 c. spinach (fresh or frozen)

-1/2 c. zucchini, chopped 

-2 TB basil, chopped 

1. Coat the chicken breast in the rosemary, cornflake crumbs and parmesan cheese. Cook the chicken on medium heat in olive oil until nice and crispy! Add in fresh lemon juice when the chicken is almost done. 

2. In the meantime, heat another medium sized pan and sauté the zucchini, onions and spinach on medium heat in olive oil. Add in chopped basil, and salt & pepper to taste. 

3. Serve chicken with heaping side of veggies and a side salad : )… Read More!

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Healthy Impacts: The Positive Influence on Readers

4 Comments / Health & Wellness /

[me: happy, healthy, & alive–curves & all]

If you haven’t already heard there has been an uproar of comments/concerns/controversy/anger/discussion over the latest Marie Claire article “The Hunger Diaries.” The article shines the light on how “healthy living” blogs may be putting their readers and themselves in danger, potentially promoting eating disorders, extreme dieting, and over-exercising. While I could go on and on about my take on the article or my opinion of “The Big 6,” that’s not why I’m writing. 

I’m writing because I do agree with one thing the article said: that blogs, including healthy living blogs, do have an influence on their readers. And I think that can be a good thing, in many cases! In fact if it were a bad thing, I’d have no purpose in having this blog or working on a memoir based on my experiences before I started this blog. I write because I strive to have a positive impact on women all over, making them feel wonderful about their bodies, happy for being themselves and enthusiastic about living a healthy lifestyle. 

You see if people took a chance to read blogs like my own (and hundreds of other positive, influential, inspiring women) … Read More!

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Single Gal's Fresh Mozzarella & Pesto Pasta

5 Comments / Uncategorized /

This is the tastiest dinner for a single gal (or dude) looking for a filling, hearty fall meal! This dish serves one and can be enjoyed with a side salad, piece of garlic toast & glass of wine…hope you enjoy! 

*makes one serving for the single gal in the kitchen 

For Pasta:

-1/2 c. whole wheat or brown rice pasta

-1/4 c. spinach 

-1/4 c. Roma tomato, diced

-3 mini mozzarella balls, halved or quartered

-2 generous TB of homemade pesto

To Make Pesto:

-1 c. fresh basil leaves

-2 cloves garlic

-1/4 c. walnuts

-1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

-3 TB extra virgin olive oil

-salt & pepper to taste 

1. Cook pasta according to directions on box. In the meantime, add the pesto ingredients in a mini Cuisinart and chop until well grounded, creating a smooth pesto sauce texture. 

2. Mix together tomatoes, mozzarella balls, spinach and 2 TB of pesto. Add in the pasta once cooked. Stir together and add in salt & pepper to taste. Enjoy! 


… Read More!

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