Lifestyle

My Super-sized Vision Board: Relationship, Career, Personal & Financial Success

19 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Remember when I told you guys I made a vision board with The Boy last month? Well, I decided to revamp it completely! You see, my first vision board was on a scrap piece of white-lined paper and it didn’t give me enough room to really express every little thing I want in life. Plus, with all the focus lately on my new health counseling business Zesty Living, I’ve been thinking a lot about goals and what I want for myself.

That’s when the vision board construction went down. For the past few days, I’ve been tearing witty words, motivating pictures, and inspirational phrases out of magazines, as well as surfing the web for ideas.

Voilà! This is the result:

I decided to break it down into sections: career, relationship, and personal well-being.

Career/Financial:

  • Create and sell some sort of wellness product, be it inspirational greeting cards, all-natural body scrubs or innovative spice blends!
  • Be financially stable, with a comfortable salary that I can support myself with & not have to cringe every time I “treat” myself to something nice
  • Have a successful, positive, buzzing health counseling business a la Zesty Living with 1-on-1 coaching, group workshops, and (HOPERFULLY)
… Read More!

My Super-sized Vision Board: Relationship, Career, Personal & Financial Success Read More »

Thursday Talk: Are We Our Number One Judge?

7 Comments / Lifestyle /

[source]

I have a confession. I judge myself sometimes, and can actually be pretty darn hard on myself. Well, not nearly as much as I used to. You see, back in college I would judge everything about myself in a negative way. Either my thighs were too big or I was “fat” or I wasn’t “good enough” or I wasn’t “pretty enough” for That Guy (who looking back I realize he probably wasn’t good enough for me). You get the picture.

But now my judgements aren’t necessarily hateful or even negative, but they are there (sometimes). Not all the time. For instance, today I went to take a Vinyasa Yoga class, and realized upon signing in that I was one of the only non-yogis signed up for the class. Correction, there were already two teachers signed up for the class, and then there was me.

Granted I wore my Lululemon Power Tank and Wonder Unders hoping that’d build my confidence up a little. But still, I had that doubt in mind mind, “Will they judge me?” Then a good friend said something that really stood out to me: “There are no judgements in yoga, Rach.” That’s when … Read More!

Thursday Talk: Are We Our Number One Judge? Read More »

My Top 3 Get Healthy Tips & Introduction to Zesty Living

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Good afternoon ladies! I hope you’re all having a bright, sunshiney week so far. As for me, I’m dedicating this week solely to my health, that is taking care of myself inside and out not only foodwise, but also physically, mentally and spiritually.

Trust me, I understand how chaotic life can get at times with work, friends, relationships, children and other plans, making it seem nearly impossible to make time for yourself.

Unfortunately, during these crazy times, we tend to put our health on the back burner (re: skipping meals, nighttime bingeing, letting stress get the best of you, flaking out on yoga class because you “don’t have time”). You get the picture. What we don’t realize is that by doing this, we’re ultimately hurting ourselves in the long run.

Well, we want our health to move from the back burner to the front burner; yup right in front where everyone can see it. You see, no matter how crazy/impossible/frustrating/stressful our lives can get, we at the very least owe it to ourselves to take care of our health. And I promise it’s not impossible to do!

Here are my Top 3 Get Healthy Tips, and none of … Read More!

My Top 3 Get Healthy Tips & Introduction to Zesty Living Read More »

Making the Best of It & Quotable Sunday

2 Comments / Lifestyle /

[source]

I’ve always admired people like my father, and my  boyfriend for that matter, for having the amazing capability of making the best of every situation. You know the make-lemonade-glass-is-half full-kinda-people.

After all, if every time you’re thrown a few lemons you just sit there hiding in your room with the lemons, where’s the fun in that? It’d be a pretty sour life now wouldn’t it?

Lately, I’ve been really trying to make the best of what I’m given, and remember that every little obstacle in life is there for a reason and helps us grow. If life were perfect, it’d be pretty darn boring if I do say so myself. Plus, the little hurdles & struggles we have to overcome make things a little more exciting, even if we don’t realize that at the very moment.

But anywho, 99% of the time things end up working themselves out naturally, so why not make the best out of it? If you do so, I can guarantee you’ll be much happier at the very least.

Yea, you may be feeling a little blue on the inside, but the sun is out and it’s a beautiful day, so why not … Read More!

Making the Best of It & Quotable Sunday Read More »

Tuesday Talk: Nip That Fear in the Bud & Create Room for Success!

6 Comments / Lifestyle /

[source]

I have a confession: I’ve been kinda sorta “off” these past few days. You know: doubting myself, not having the best workouts, worrying about the little things, inconsistent appetite, being anxious, feeling exhausted and on edge. I think it was partially the weather, but also mostly due to a big four-letter word: F-E-A-R.

Mostly due to my health coaching business, that is. Fear of being successful. “Will I be able to make a salary that can support me through my health coaching business?”

Fear of making it happen. “How will I get there? Will I get enough clients? Should I take on a full time job in the meantime, even if I hate it? No, then I will lose my focus..”

Fear of the future, the what ifs? and the hows? “What will my life be like in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years? Will this path lead to the life I want it to be?”

Fear of being good enough.  “I know some people may judge me for taking a huge risk & going off the beaten path to follow my dreams. Are they right?”

While all of these crazy thoughts were flowing through … Read More!

Tuesday Talk: Nip That Fear in the Bud & Create Room for Success! Read More »

Pinterest & Quotable Sunday

14 Comments / Lifestyle /

Yesterday, my friend introduced me to the fabulous world of Pinterest, an online board to “organize and share things you love.” Why have I never heard of this site before? It’s absolutely genius, like an online scrapbook of sorts!

Creative minds no longer have to worry about losing their thoughts on scrap sheets of paper or forgetting about that must-have bathroom set up you came across in a magazine. You can pin everything from your hopes and dreams to your wedding fantasies to favorite quotes. Needless to say, I can’t wait to start my own pinboard. I think it’ll really help organize my thoughts/dreams/hopes/fantasies all on one page.

But in the meantime, I figured I’d share this inspiring quote that my friend “pinned” on her board. It is Quotable Sunday, after all.

[source]

Oh, and GO PATS!… Read More!

Pinterest & Quotable Sunday Read More »

Create Your Vision Board & 2012 Aspirations

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[source]

The other day, I was sitting in a gourmet coffee shop with the boy sipping a hazelnut cream feeling awfully zen.

As we sat on the couch sipping our javas, I leaned over to him and said softly, “Let’s make vision boards!”

“Vision what?” he said.

“VISION BOARDS…you know like draw what we want to achieve in life within the next few years. Then we think it and believe it and it’ll most likely happen.”

“Nah, not now. I can’t draw,” he said with a smirk.

“C’monnnnn…you can draw stick figures! I did one a few years ago and everything I jotted down came true. So we’re doing it whether you like it or not. I’ll go first!”

I got him on that one and vision boards we made.

My “5 year plan” included being happy, healthy and in love (with The Boy if all goes as planned!), being published in a well-known health magazine, leading a women’s health seminar in front a group of people, traveling ( a lot) and being in a comfortable financial situation where I’m proud of my success.

The Boy’s included things like growing a garden, owning his first home, continuing … Read More!

Create Your Vision Board & 2012 Aspirations Read More »

Aloha: A Mid-Winter’s Island Retreat

3 Comments / Lifestyle /

Good afternoon, or shall I say Aloha! Don’t get too jealous, I’m not in Hawaii but I am indeed on an island. Fisher’s Island, that is. My grandparents live on this lovely island off the coast of New York year round and, since our schedules allowed it, The Boy and I figured we’d pay them a visit.

Those of you who live in the New England area know how the city living can really get to you during the winter (re: winter blues). There’s only so many gloomy, cold days a gal can handle. But since escaping to the tropics is not an option, sometimes a change of scenery is just what you need! Whether it’s a family ski trip up North or a bed and breakfast getaway with your significant other, it’s important to get out and enjoy yourself during these times.

So that’s what we did! After a 10 minute cab ride, 3 hour bus trip, and 45 minute ferry commute, we are finally soaking in the relaxing island life.

Here’s what we’ve been up to so far:

My grandparent’s ocean-view cabin…

and homemade veggie soup and ham & cheese melts from grandam’s kitchen….

and grandpa’s … Read More!

Aloha: A Mid-Winter’s Island Retreat Read More »

Quotable Sunday: Live the Life You Want to Live

4 Comments / Lifestyle /

Lately, I’ve been having an internal battle with myself regarding success. There’s no doubt I’m not living the conventional lifestyle of a 20-something. I don’t work in Corporate America, I’ve never known what it tasted like to get a big promotion, or wear a suit to work.

I guess you could say I took the path less traveled. I quit my job to do what I love, am now attending school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to get my degree as a Holistic Health Counselor, and feel happier than I’ve felt in a long, long time.

As my dad always tells me, I’m an entrepreneur at heart and have always been that creative, do-it-my-way, less conventional type. With that said, it also means working hard for myself, keeping myself motivated (and holding myself accountable), oh and less benefits and a smaller paycheck (well, at least at first).

While that can get me down at times, I’ve realized it’s my choice. Rachel Wilkerson just wrote an amazing post about this very matter, “Accept Your Success (and Lack Thereof) as Your Own Fault.“[ It could not have come at a better time for me, and I highly recommend … Read More!

Quotable Sunday: Live the Life You Want to Live Read More »

Celiac Disease: The 411 on Getting Tested, Gluten Intolerances, & Gluten Free Recipes

9 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[source]

As many of you know, I follow a (mostly) gluten free diet because I tend to be sensitive to wheat and gluten-containing products. By mostly, I mean that I eat gluten free 90% of the time, but do allow myself Ezekiel bread as the gluten in this bread is easier to digest, as well as the occasional cheat (i.e. a Christmas cookie or freshly baked North End Italian bread while waiting for dinner).

Since I’ve cut gluten out for the most part for almost three years now, I’ve noticed many positive changes, number one being that my digestion has improved tremendously. In college, I used to have terrible stomach pains, constant bloat, and unexplained inability to lose weight no matter what my lifestyle/diet/exercise regime. Now, I can happily say the bloat is pretty much gone, and I feel OK eating just a little piece of bread or a brownie here and there because I don’t go overboard re: stomach issues.

But now I’m left with a pretty BIG problem. I had gone to the doctors this week to get tested for Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that is caused by the intake of gluten … Read More!

Celiac Disease: The 411 on Getting Tested, Gluten Intolerances, & Gluten Free Recipes Read More »