Healthy Chicks

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!

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!

[source]

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!

[source]

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!

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!

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!

[source]

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!

[source]

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!