Health & Wellness

Healthy Breakfasts for Busy & Active Professionals

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Last week, I hosted my first workshop at Fitness Together North End for my  health counseling business Zesty Living. On the second Wednesday of every month, I will be leading a wellness workshop on various topics, ranging from healthy snacks to a green smoothie demo. This month’s topic was Healthy Breakfasts for Busy & Active Professionals.

For those who missed out, I wrote a blog post highlighting the discussion:

You know what they say: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” While you may have heard this over and over again, it’s about time you listen up.

Not only is breakfast a great way to start the day off on the right (healthy) foot, but it’s essentially “breaking the fast” from not eating for 8 to 10 hours throughout the night. Therefore, when we awake, our bodies are screaming for food and nourishment, so the first meal we put into them—breakfast, that is—is extremely important.

Studies have shown that eating a healthy breakfast can increase the metabolism, promote clear, focused thinking, curb cravings, decrease mood swings, and potentially lower our LDL (bad cholesterol).

If that’s not enough reason to squeeze in some breakfast, I don’t know what … Read More!

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3 All Natural Mood Boosters

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You’re fighting with your boyfriend. Your PMS level is off the charts. Work is unbearable. Your kids are driving you insane. You’re simply in a funk. Sound familiar? We all have those weeks where we’d much rather crawl in a cave and hideout, but unfortunately that’s now how it works. So, instead, why not make the best of a less-than-perfect day with these all-natural mood boosters that can help turn your day around.

1. Infuse Your Mood Tea*: While many of us drink tea to unwind after a long day or settle our stomach, it can also be used to infuse your mood – literally. Sun Chlorella USA recently came out with their newest “Infuse Your Mood” tea to balance the mind, body and spirit. Made with 100% natural Eleutherococcus senticosus leaf, the tea is crafted to create a natural state of comfort during our far too common hectic lifestyles. As an adaptogen, Infuse Your Mood is meant to reduce stress and improve mental altertness. Enjoy a fresh cup of this earthy-tasting tea anytime you’re feeling sluggish for an instant mood boost.

2. De-Clutter: Every once in a while, all we need is a big dose of de-cluttering. … Read More!

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FALLing in Love with Gevalia Coffee & Teas {Review}

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Last week, the wonderful folks at Gevalia sent me a complimentary package of up to $30 worth of hand-picked gourmet coffee and teas. Naturally, I took my time because if you know me well I am sort of a coffee and tea fanatic. (Really, you should see the entire corner of our new kitchen dedicated solely to coffee and tea!) Plus, nothing says fall like cozying up with a hot cup of tea or coffee.

After browsing through their website, I decided on four delectable blends and I must say, I am falling in love already (shhh don’t tell The Boy!).

Ancient Cherry Tea: I had never tried cherry tea before, so I was especially excited about this one. Plus, The Boy is a big cherry lover, so I figured this would be a good match. Combining sweet cherry infusions with notes of green tea, this blend is perfectly sweet as it. Enjoy with some apple slices or grapes for an afternoon treat.

Honey Ginseng Mint Tea: This herbal tea is the perfect post-dinner tummy tamer. Cooling ginseng and peppermint combine with warming ginger and honey to relax the mind and soothe the soul. Add a dash … Read More!

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Just…Run!

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This morning, I set my alarm clock for 6:15 a.m. so that I could squeeze in a training run before work/the Big Move.

As usual, I was inclined to hit “snooze” and simply go back to bed. However, I decided to call The Boy for a second opinion. He had been up since 5:30 a.m. to pick up the Uhaul for our move, so I knew he’d pick up.

Our convo went a bit like this:

Me: Hi Jay, I woke up to run but I kind of want to go back to bed. I’m beat. (groggy, manly half asleep voice)

The Boy: Well, you know you won’t want to run tomorrow, especially after moving all day. Right?

Me: Hmm…yea I guess you’re right.

The Boy: Plus, you always feel better after you run. Why don’t you just do it?

That right there was all I needed to hear. He was right. I do always feel better after a run, no matter how I’m feeling at the time. Running makes me feel empowered, energized, alive. It allows me to think, breathe and spend some quality time alone with my thoughts.

After I hung up the phone, I immediately threw on … Read More!

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Be Imperfect: Stop, Slow Down & Breathe

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You know when you get so caught up in life that you forget to just pause and breathe? Well, I was having one of those weeks. In between training for a half marathon, working, starting my own business, planning for my event tonight and MOVING (tomorrow!) things got a little crazy, needless to say.

So yesterday I decided to break my perfect go-go-go routine and simply be, imperfect that is.

Instead of forcing myself to go a training run when my body was saying “please, no!”I packed. A lot. I cleaned the entire kitchen, put stuff into storage and got my room ready for the move out. Cleaning and packing felt surprisingly refreshing.

Instead of working another three hours on blog/business stuff, I treated myself to a massage from Exhale Spa. I don’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed. I literally melted into the massage table.

Instead of rehearsing for my event (even when I know I do best when I act naturally and don’t plan), I decided to be BAD and go shopping for a dress for a friend’s wedding this weekend. I got the most adorable purple dress that I feel like a Pretty Princess … Read More!

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Cleansing Eats: Foods to Increase During a Detox

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I get a lot of questions about dieting, cleansing and detoxing. While I think it’s important to cleanse your system out once in a while with a planned detox diet, you can incorporate cleansing foods every day of the week, no matter what type of diet you’re following.

Here are some of my favorite cleansing foods. Get ready to stock your fridge and cabinets!

Garlic: Garlic has natural antibiotic properties, making the perfect solution for pesty colds and allergies. Go with fresh garlic, and crush it into your salad dressings, pasta dishes, sauteed veggies and more.

Leafy Greens: Leafy greens like kale, spinach and collards are packed with antioxidants that help cleanse the body of harmful toxins.

Beans and Legumes: These protein-packed babies are loaded with fiber to keep you fuller, longer. They can also aid in lowering cholesterol and maintaining proper blood sugar levels.

Citrus: Lemons, limes and grapefruit boost the immune system with their high content of Vitamin C. They also aid in the detoxification process! Try squeezing fresh juice into your water, or incorporating into your homemade salad dressings.

Seaweed: Seaweed aids in removing toxins from the body like heavy metals. They’re also packed with beneficial minerals.  … Read More!

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Need a Mental Vacation? Here’s 7 Things to Do Take Your Mind off Life

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Everyone talks about a vacation as some grand escape to the Caribbean islands or taking two weeks off of work to travel. However, while that’s one way to look at a vacation physically, sometimes we just need a mental “vacation,” you know a mini break from life.

If you feel like your mind is spinning in a million directions, you most likely could use a little time off. Here’s how:

1. Hop on the Fifty Shades bandwagon and indulge. You won’t regret it, but when you’re staying up past midnight waiting for the next steamy encounter, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

2. Take a mini vacation close to home, but far enough away that you won’t bump into anyone you know. For me, Cape Cod was the perfect fit. I took off for four days with my family, and wasted my days away at the beach, sipping red wine and treating myself to lobster rolls, clam strips and chowdah.

3. Turn off all forms of technology for an entire day. Yes, that means no twitter, no facebook, no iPhone, no text messaging, and no reading celebrity gossip online. When you unplug for a bit, you may find clarity … Read More!

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Pinpointing Your Goals & August Newsletter

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The other day, I ran into a friend on the street, and we caught up for a few minutes. As we both updated each other on our entrepreneurial lifestyles, we got into a discussion on our goals and to-dos.

In just a few minutes, we realized we both shared something in common: too many goals, thoughts and ideas! I’ve always been the type of many ideas, creativity one of my greatest strengths. I’d lead the creative projects at work, write my little heart away, and buckle down the big plans for the weekend.

While being creative is a strength in my book, it’s also one of my greatest weaknesses. Not creativity in itself, but more so the fact that I have a hard time focusing on just one thing.

I want to publish a book, travel the world, get certified in some sort of group fitness activity (kickboxing? yoga?), take cooking classes, hit my salary goals, start a group health counseling program, build a business with The Boy, get published in a women’s health magazine, start writing wellness newsletters for corporations; the list goes on and on.

As we discussed our endless “to-dos” my friend suggested writing everything … Read More!

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A Year’s Reflection on my Experience at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition

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This week, I received a special package in the mail: my certificate from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners that states that I’ve met the requirements to be a Certified Health Practitioner. Yes, I am finally officially official, and boy does it feel good. It seems like just yesterday that I enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to begin my journey to become a health coach, and now I’m finally there.

Here are some highlights from the year:

September 2011: I began my classes at IIN, and became amazed by the weekly lectures. I also attended IIN’s Fall conference, where I met a group of like-minded students and inspiring speakers like Deepak Chopra and founder Joshua Rosenthal himself. I also shared my first “I love you” with The Boy, something neither of us had ever said to anyone before.

October 2011: I completed my second half marathon in Newport, RI, which I will also be taking part in this year. I felt strong, powerful and inspired, and also broke my PR by five minutes!

November 2011: I celebrated one year with The Boy in the lovely Waterville Valley, NH. Everything was perfect, and I couldn’t be more … Read More!

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The Last of the Cleanse: Day 4 Recap

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Yesterday on The Cleanse was definitely the best for the both of us: lots of energy, good moods and pizzazz. However, I’m not going to lie that yesterday was also the day cravings starting kicking in. Pizza! Coffee! Cheese! Bread! More cheese! Fortunately, I held tight, drank more water, ate more cleansing foods and all was good.

Some people say, “I could never do a cleanse!” “You can’t eat anything!” ” I would die!”

My recommendation? While it can be difficult because your body isn’t used to eating this way, try to think of the things you can eat. Like super creamy, decadent avocados, greens that give you energy and life, fresh juicy fruit, high quality olive oil, endless herbs, and delicious homemade soups. When you think of the things you can do, then it doesn’t seem that bad now does it?

What we ate:

Breakfast: Super Lean Green Berry Breakfast Smoothie

Snack: Handful raw cashwes

Lunch: Mixed greens, collards, spinach, tomato, avocado, cucumber, hummus, olive oil, balsamic, and lemon juice

Snack: 1/2 banana + carrots and hummus

Dinner: Vegetarian Split Pea Soup from Whole Foods + mixed sauteed veggies including yellow squash, zucchini, broccoli rabe and collards

– – … Read More!

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