Healthy Chicks

As you know, last week I officially Reached the Beach on New Balance’s media team #NBGirlsRunBeta. I couldn’t be more proud of myself doing something that scares me, and really stepping (well, running!) outside my comfort zone.

You can check out this super-sweet video to get an idea what it was like to spend 48 hours in a van running 200 miles with my teammates. It was pretty freakin’ fabulous if you ask me!

Here’s a full recap of the action-packed, energizing 3 days I spent with my team:

Tours of New Balance HQ + Factory {all day Thursday}

I woke up bright & early Thursday to kick off the incredible weekend of go-go-go! First stop: New Balance’s brand new Headquarters in Brighton.The team recently moved down the street, and their new office is absolutely stunning (it’s part of the brand-new Boston Landing Development.)

Their offices are fully equipped with a show-room, cafe, coffee shop and everything you could ask for! After munching on some egg sandwiches & organic cold-brew coffee, it was time to set out to to our next step.

We squeezed into our van, and set out to tour the NB factory in Lawrence!

While there, … Read More!

Fall is finally in the air, and I couldn’t be more excited! Along with pumpkin lattes, hayrides, and sweater weather also comes a major seasonal shift. During this transition, it’s the perfect time to kick your wellness into full gear!

No, you don’t need to go on any crazy juice cleanses, diets or workout regimes. Instead, try these simple tips to cleanse your mind, body and soul this fall.

1. De-clutter Your Space: Out with the old, in with the new! Fall is the ideal time to let go of anything that isn’t serving you – both physically and emotionally – so you can make room for positive, seasonal shifts!

2. Set Your Fall Intention: New Year’s resolutions are so over-rated. Rather, it’s more productive (and enjoyable!) to set intentions throughout the year. Spend some time alone & ask yourself what you truly want to manifest in your life, and then get clear about the WHY behind it.

3. Fill Up on Seasonal, Whole Foods: Eating with the seasons not only makes sense, but it’s also good for your overall wellbeing. After all, our bodies naturally crave what’s in season. This fall, load up on seasonal fruits … Read More!

This past Friday, my alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. to kick off Reach the Beach weekend! Our first runner was about to begin her first leg, and our team woke up bright & early to cheer her on at the start of the race!

For those of you who don’t know, Reach the Beach is a 200-mile relay race, starting in the Bretton Woods ski area and ending at Hampton Beach. A traditional team is made up of 12 runners, where each teammate runs 3 legs of the relay. I was lucky enough to be a part of New Balance’s media team #NBGirlsRunBeta with 11 other fabulous bloggers and editors.

15.1 miles run, 2 vans, lots of peanut butter, hills galore, 11 new friends, loads of laughs and 200 total miles to the beach later, I’m now back in my Boston apartment recovering and reminiscing on one of the best weekends I’ve had in a while! If you’re considering running a similar relay race or perhaps want to participate in Reach the Beach next year, here’s what you should know. (Stay tuned for a full recap on the blog soon!)

1. Pack more than enough outfits! Seriously, you are … Read More!

Living well isn’t just about what you put in your body; it’s taking some time to think about what you’re putting on your body. Crazy enough, a law hasn’t been passed in the U.S. regulating what goes into our personal care products since 1938. Yup, that’s almost 80 years ago!

Once I began to read the ingredients and learn what I was using on my body, I started to get real freaked out. It’s crazy to see that kind of crap that goes into things like deodorant, lip balm, sunscreen and even kids bath products! When I first started dating my husband, I remember him telling me that my perfume was like “poison” and while I laughed at him then, I now couldn’t agree more.

While I started with little things like switching my toothpaste, I am now pleased to say most of my beauty cabinet is filled with prodcuts I can feel good about — and that work! I’m not perfect, but it’s a start. Here’s what I’ve been crushing on of late:

Best Deodorant: Meow Meow Tweet Baking Soda Free Deodorant Cream, Grapefruit

Best Shampoo: Acure Organics Lemongrass + Argan Stem Cell Clarifying Shampoo

Best Conditioner: Acure … Read More!

Why hello there, Healthy Chicks…hope you’re all off to a wonderful week! I just got back from a week-long vacation to sunny San Diego with my dad. We had an absolute blast downing fish tacos, enjoying the 0% humidity 80-degree weather, taking in the scenic beach views, and enjoying the occasional margarita 😉

But the #1 thing I loved about San Diego was how health-conscious the community is! Everywhere we went, there were dozens of people biking, walking, running, roller-blading or swimming…and everyone seemed so alive & full of life. I also loved the fact that there were TONS of healthy cafes, juice bars and clean dinner options! It made sticking to my healthy habits on vacay super easy.

Speaking of health, I’ve got some fun news for you guys…

Remember the other month when I dared you to improve your skin health for summer? Thanks for all who participated for a chance to win big prizes!

Didn’t get the chance to submit your dares? No worries! I’ve partnered up with UnitedHealthcare’s “We Dare You to Share” campaign again to bring you a whole new round of dares for the month of September.

Each month, they post … Read More!

The past couple of months, I’ve been working on stepping outside my comfort zone in all aspects of my life.

I took part in a 5-day meditation course where I didn’t know a single sole.

I took some risks with my career….and wasn’t afraid to speak my mind.

I hosted my third New Balance Girls Night Out event in June, where I spoke in front of 75+ women.

I said no when something didn’t feel right.

And I said yes to running Reach the Beach on September 18th.

Yup, you heard that right!

What is Reach the Beach, you ask?

It’s a 200-mile relay race, starting in the Bretton Woods ski area and ending at Hampton Beach. A traditional team is made up of 12 runners, where each teammate runs 3 legs of the relay.

The funny part is my dad has been running this race for years, and I’ve just never mustered up the courage to try it myself. But what better time than now?

I won’t lie; when New Balance first approached me about this exciting opportunity, a part of me wanted to say “No.” “I’m too busy.” “Maybe next year.” “I’m not quite ready.”

But I … Read More!

Alright, I’m about to get real REAL over here on the blog. While I absolutely love all my fellow fitness professionals, coaches, yogis, etc. out there, I think lately there’s been a bit of a mixup when it comes to the whole body love thing.

Here me out. I see a lot of this:

“I lost those stubborn 15 pounds, and was able to finally love my body!”

“Work with me so you can lose the weight and then feel proud of who you are when you look in the mirror!”

“Look at my body!!!”

I also see a sh*t-ton of “body selfies.” And girl, more power to you if you’re able to get that 6-pack or you love the way your arms look when you flex. But is that really what it’s all about?

Is this really depicting body love?

Personally, I think we’ve got it all backwards.

For me, I wasn’t able to lose the weight (let alone transform my skewed relationship with food) until I gained some self-respect. I could run for miles & miles, and nosh on kale all day, and still look in the mirror and think I was fat.

You see, it wasn’t until … Read More!

The photo on the left is me right after graduating college. At the time, I weighed myself roughly 5 times a day, counted every calorie I put into my mouth, and ate mostly bland diet food.

I didn’t want to gain any more weight, and I constantly told myself I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough or skinny enough. (Note: this did nothing for my physical or mental health!)

I was self-conscious, afraid, living in fear.

Flash-forward 6 years, and I’m still the same girl but the only thing that’s shifted is my MINDSET. I don’t own a scale, and the last time I weighed myself was at the doctor’s office. The number meant nothing to me.

I don’t even care to look at the calories, as what I care most about is the ingredients and what it is that I’m putting into my body. I eat according to what my body wants & needs; some days this is kale salads, green smoothies and roasted veggies, and sometimes it’s a juicy cheeseburger, slice of homemade pizza or some decadent dark chocolate.