So, what’s a health coach, anyway?

What was your experience like at IIN?

I want to be a health coach…where do I begin?

What’s a day in the life look like for you?

Is health coaching right for me?

As a Certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), these are the types of questions I get each week both online, and in real life. While I love a good ol’ coffee date and certainly don’t mind typing emails, I figured it makes more sense to have all this good, juicy info in one place: here on the blog.

My journey all began back in the Summer of 2011. I was jumping from part-time job to job (everything from barista to spa concierge), searching for my purpose. I had all the passion in the world, but couldn’t figure out how to turn it into my career.

At the time, I was regularly blogging here on Healthy Chicks, and had just gone through some major body breakthroughs. That year, I learned that I didn’t need to count calories, go on restrictive diets or give up bread to be healthy. I learned that nourishing your body (through good food … Read More!

Last week, I took part in “The Happiness Program,” a  5-day meditation course run through the Art of Living Foundation. It was quite a whirlwind of an experience, filled with 24+ hours of breathing, meditating, team-building, yoga, and even an impromptu “Iron Chef” cooking competition!

At times, I was exhausted, uplifted, emotional, and energized, and I left the whole thing feeling incredibly enlightened. While I learned a great deal about meditation (like how to practice Pranayama breathing and the art of the Kriya), I think the most valuable of all were the little lessons I picked up along the way that I can take into my daily life. Alas, I want to share with you — my beautiful readers and friends — some of the advice I took away!

1. Talk Less, Listen More: Are you listening? You know, I mean really listening? I know for me, listening doesn’t come as natural as talking does. Often times, I find myself thinking of what I am going to say next or in my own head when someone else is talking (which not only is rude, but also takes away from being in the present. )

During the course, … Read More!

What do you need to be happy? When will you be happy?

These are two questions we were asked during the Art of Living Happiness Program, a 5-day meditation course that I’m participating in. There were an array of answers from the group, everything from finding a soulmate to career success to financial stability.

I often ask these sorts of questions to my clients during my coaching programs.  Their answers usually look something like this:

“Once I lose 5 pounds, then I am happy…”

“Once I tone my arms, then I am happy…”

“Once I get skinny, then I am happy…”

“Once I get a hot bod, I will find my dream man and then I am happy…”

“Once I stop eating ‘bad’ food, then I will lose the weight and alas finally I am happy…”

Sound familiar? So often in life we prevent ourselves from moving forward and experiencing happiness in the now because we are waiting on something outside of ourselves — be it the dream bod or the high-paying job.

During our “Happiness Program” course, one of our instructors had us do something so simple, yet so profound. Once we completed our list of “When I … Read More!

Are you feeling exhausted? disconnected? bogged down? stressed? stuck? passion-less? like something is missing?

Are you looking to connect with other women in a deep + meaningful way? re-ignite your inner spark? get your glow back? make time for PLAY?

We’ve got you covered!

Join the Soul Sisters for a blissful Day Retreat to Spectacle Island on August 15th, to escape the city and re-connect with yourself (and other fabulous women!)

Myself & fellow Soul Sister Kelley will take you on a soulful, mind-body journey, where you’ll leave with a new found sense of self + awareness. There will be yoga, journaling, crafting, deep chats, meditating & oh so much more!

What’s included:

• round-trip transportation to & from Spectacle Island (meet Long Wharf North at 11:00am)
• a late-morning snack of Organic Living Superfoods + fresh, organic juice from Cocobeet
• a 60-minute summer core flow
• a home-made seasonal vegeterian lunch made with local + organic ingredients (specially crafted by our in-house Healthy Cooking Specialist Kelley)
• Mindfulness Meditation + journaling exercise to help you dig deeper + gain clarity
• Signature Women’s Circle where Rachel + Kelley will help you unlock anything that may be holding you back + indentify your deepest desires

Are you a creative person? How do you create and harness your inner creativity?

Here’s the thing: we’re all creative souls; it just takes some internal work to express what it is you want to put out in the world.

Creativity is one of my favorite qualities that us women possess. The best part about it? It’s unique to each and every one of us, and no one can replicate that. You see, if you put you & I into a room and said “Go ahead, create,” the masterpiece would be completely different.  That right there is the beauty of creating, of harnessing your inner creativity.

Taking time to create is also a huge confidence booster! It helps us connect to ourselves & others in a deep yet playful way. It gives us a chance to be FREE, express ourselves, and escape our ego for a bit. Rather, we can get lost in our own creative world. It’s limitless! How juicy does that sound?

Here are 15 ways to add more creativity to your life right now — whether you fancy yourself a creative or not!

1. Cook a Scratch-made Meal: Hit the farmer’s markets, and buy … Read More!

Good afternoon, Healthy Chicks! Hope you’re all off to a great week. Today, I’m discussing something rather important on the blog, that is summer skin health.

You may not know this about me, but last year right around my wedding I had to get 3 suspicious moles removed (all around my legs — upper thigh, calf, and ankle.) Fortunately, they came back A-OK, although one of them had a few abnormal cells and needs to be monitored.

Now, I’ve always been one to wear sunscreen (at the beach at least!) but this scare has definitely made me hyper-aware of taking care of my skin. Skin cancer is serious stuff, and not something I personally want to mess with.

That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with UnitedHealthcare for their July We Dare You to Share campaign. Each month, they post 3 new dares on their website, encouraging folks to take simple, small steps to living a healthier lifestyle. After all, wellness is not a marathon and it’s the baby steps that truly count in the long run!

This month’s theme is all about SKIN HEALTH, which I couldn’t be more thrilled about! The 3 dares include posting a photo of you … Read More!

I think there’s a major misconception that the things in which we read/see/experience online are a clear & accurate depiction of real life.

Sometimes we get into the mindset that all the fabulous foodies, fit friends, cool creatives, and gorgeous gurus are living the dream and we’re left “behind” in a little hole. Stuck. Alone. #Failure

Have you ever felt that way?

Oh boy can I ever relate! One of my #1 intentions for “28” is to let go of the comparisons to other women, recognizing that their successes and strengths in no way makes me weaker. I’m working on it. I’m a work in progress.

And just as I compare myself to others sometimes, I recognize that as a blogger and social media addict I too can come across as having that “perfect” life when in reality it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

I am not perfect. In fact, I am far from perfect and have absolutely no desire in being perfect.

I get you. I feel you. I am a lot like you, and I am also so very different from you. (And that’s what makes it beautiful.)

In the spirit of keeping it real, today I … Read More!

This past Sunday, I turned 28 years old. I enjoyed my day to the fullest, complete with some window shopping in Saratoga Springs, purchasing two new crystals, and spending the evening relaxing at a charming, utterly relaxing B & B (topped off with a lakeside Italian dinner with the hubby). All in all, I’d say it was a pretty darn fabulous birthday.

Each and every year, certain feelings come up for me around my big day: a mix of anxiety, wonder and inspiration. I find that birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate what’s going really well in your life, and re-evaluate the things that aren’t really working anymore. You know, the “stuff” that no longer serves you, that you’d prefer to leave behind in your past.

It’s funny how much changes over the years; our outlook on life shifts and our wants & needs evolve. When I turned 5, all I wanted was the best Barbie doll — the one with the prettiest hair and accessories. At my 11th birthday party, I desired to be popular and invite all the “cool kids” in class, gossiping with my girlfriends all afternoon long. Life was carefree.

At 16, I remember … Read More!