Healthy Chicks

Let’s have some real talk for a minute: How do you spend your final two hours before bed? 

Do you watch Netflix?

Are you up late working on your computer?

Texting your friends?

Social media stalking?

Are you stressed out? Rejuvenated? Tired? Energized?

Do you fall asleep easily or does it take some time?

Do you feel your best self?

If you asked me this question a couple months ago, my answer would have been completely different, and I would have sheepishly said “yes” to the first four questions. In realty, my evenings were spent zoning out with my husband binge-watching Netflix episodes, while simultaneously finishing up work, checking my instagram and texting my friends the latest and greatest.

To be completely honest, it didn’t feel good. My “evening routine” was actually pretty darn draining, and that’s so not what we want right before bed.  

With a little bit of trial and error and listening to my body, I have developed a new routine that works for me. Below I outline my evening ritual, which you can feel free to pull from to get started on your own!

7 Evening Ritual Tips for Mindful Sleep

1. Play With Essential Oils

… Read More!

The first time I felt self-conscious about my body was when I started developing acne around 14 years old. This was followed by years of dieting, obsession with the scale and hating my thighs all throughout high school and well into my 20s.

While I’ve certainly come a long way and have learned to fall back in love with my body and discover joy around food, the journey wasn’t always easy. In fact, even I still have my off days from time to time where I don’t feel 100% confident with my body.

Because I’ve been there, I now make it my mission to empower women to break free from dieting and discover joy around food. A lot of this has to do with a woman’s overall confidence — inside and out.

While most of the woman I work with are in their 20s and 30s, it pains me to see that many young girls start feeling insecure about their bodies in some way as early as ten years old — or earlier! At my cousin’s 11th birthday last year, one of the girls was afraid to take off her shorts when she went swimming in the water … Read More!

During the last seasonal self-care challenge I led, one of the challenges was to take a field trip to your local library, and scoop up a book to read throughout the rest of the program.

Remember when the library used to be such a magical place as a kid, filled with endless stories, secrets and enchantment? It’s time to bring that youthful joy back!

Not only are libraries a magical place, but reading is such a great way to relax, take time for yourself, melt away stress, boost your brain juice and oh so much more.

I listed a few book ideas below, but I encourage you to browse the library and pick something that really speaks to you! I starred the books I’ve read / am currently reading for you.

Healthy Chicks Summer Reading List

1. White Hot Truth, Danielle Laporte*
2. Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert*
3. Love Warrior, Glennon Doyle Melton
4. The Universe Has Your Back, Gabrielle Bernstein*
5. Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert*
6. The Help, Kathryn Stockett*
7. The Art of Racing in The Rain, Garth Stein
8. The Red Tent, Anita Diamant*
9. Buddha’s Brain, Rick Hanson
10. Anatomy of the Spirit, Caroline Myss… Read More!

Those who know me know that I’m not crazy about big, glamorous materialistic things. When it comes to gifts, I much prefer a unique, handmade product with a story behind it. Quite honestly, most of the time my favorite part of the gift is a handwritten card. It has meaning behind it.

When I stumbled upon UncommonGoods, I was smitten. It’s an online marketplace for do-good artisans and designers to showcase their products to a community of passionate people (like you and me) who appreciate that special touch.

Based in Brooklyn, NY, their team of rockstars work to ensure the integrity of the company remains in tact as they grow — from sustainability to creative design. In fact, they are committed to selling handmade, recycled organic products and make an effort to steer clear of using leather, fur or anything that will harm people or animals. Most of all, I love their appreciation of craftsmanship, supporting all the creative souls out there who have a story to tell! We need more of that in the world.

The Shopping Experience: Gift Ideas, Galore!

The shopping experience is super seamless, and also a lot of fun! I had a blast searching … Read More!