Healthy Chicks

Like any twenty-something girl, I absolutely love to be wined and dined, especially in Boston’s very own Little Italy also known as the North End. Well, this past Friday, I spent the evening wining & dining (and laughing) with my beautiful younger sister Krista and let’s just say we were not dissapointed.

{posing with our brights ready to hit the town!}

We started the evening out at Boston Bottles, our favorite little wine and beer shop which is conveniently located minutes down the street from our apartment. They have quite a generous selection of wine and craft beer, and never disappoint no matter what day of the week. Not to mention the staff is knowledgeable, extremely friendly, and always remember our faces (and our taste in booze) each time we visit.

But wait, it gets even better! Every Friday evening starting at 5:30, Bottles hosts a wine tasting free to the public. Each week, my sister and I look forward to the new selection of wine, and we’re always pleasantly surprised. Not only do we have a blast, but it’s also a great way to try a different type of wine you may never have thought to try. Who … Read More!

{taken via Instagram}

In the mix:

• 1 c. water
• 1/2 c. oats
• 1/4 c. frozen organic wild blueberries
• 1/2 of a banana
• 1 tsp. butter
• 1 TB all natural peanut butter, chunky
• 1 tsp. agave syrup

Cook the oats on low/medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, adding in the fruit and toppings gradually. Top with big scoop of your favorite peanut butter. Serve with a bold coffee like Chocolate Hazelnut with almond milk.

Happy Sunday. Think cheery, sun-shiny thoughts today. As my mug says, “Life is Good. Do what you like. Like what you do.”

XoXo,

… Read More!

Skinnygirl fans, you are in luck! This week, in conjunction with OpenSky , I was given the opportunity take a look inside the life of the superwoman Bethenny Frankel. Ever since I read Bethenny’s book Naturally Thin, I have been hooked as she and I have a lot in common when it comes to eating well and listening to your body. Not only is she an incredible author, TV celebrity, mother and successful businesswoman, but she is also hilarious and extremely blunt which I love.

Take a peak at how amazing this woman is for yourself in her interview with OpenSky below. Enjoy!

You’re a new TV host, Founder of Skinnygirl, 4 time NY Times best selling author and chef, but if you had to describe yourself beyond that to someone, what would you say?

Well, I’m most definitely a businessperson, but I’m most proud of being a mother. Ever since I had Bryn, I make all my decisions based on what’s best for her so that’s how I define myself first now.

It seems like everybody’s biggest challenge for living a healthy lifestyle is time. What’s one simple thing time-starved women can fit into their day to live … Read More!

[family hiking trip in Waterville Valley, NH this past weekend]

As you know, I am an avid fan of running mostly due to it’s hidden benefits none of which include losing weight or getting “skinny.” Sure, these are extra perks that may come along with exercising, but they’re not the main reason I run. Rather, I run for clarity, creative sparks (i.e. coming up with a fabulous idea for a new project), getting outside and de-stressing.

I find that when you exercise for weight loss or to obtain that perfect celebrity bikini body it takes all the fun out. And well, when you take the fun out of something, what’s the point?

Exercise should be exciting, invigorating, motivational and even a little surprising. It should challenge you, make you sweat, make you laugh and even make you cry (in a good way like the tears that came when I ran my first half marathon with thousands of other women).

On the other hand, it should not make you feel bad about yourself, evoke jealousy, create anger and bring out insecurities. If a certain exercise is causing this negative impact, you may want to rethink it; most likely there is something … Read More!

Now that it’s summertime, the weather is hot and most likely so are you. And I’m not talking about how you look in that LBD of yours. I’m talking about your body internally (and externally) feeling overheated.

When our bodies are taking on too much heat, it comes out in different ways for different people. Symptoms may include feeling irritable and angry, increased stressed, breaking out in peculiar rashes and itchiness, or having digestion issues.

These could all be signs that your body needs to cool down – literally! One of my favorite ways to cool down during these humid, summer months is by incorporating seasonal cooling foods and drinks. After all, Mother Nature created these foods for a reason, so let’s take advantage of what’s in season to best heal our bodies!

Here are some of my favorite cooling remedies to incorporate into the diet:

• Fresh berries like blueberries, strawberries and blackberries
• Avocados
• Cucumbers
• Green Leafy Vegetables like Kale, Spinach & mixed greens
• Melons (including Watermelon, Honeydew and Cantaloupe)
• Summer squash
• Coconut, coconut milk and coconut water
• Fennel
• Peppermint tea
• Citrus fruits like lemon and limes
• Chilled water with fresh mint

Incorporate these techniques into your lifestyle:

• Yoga
• Meditation

[source]

Last night, I was lucky enough to listen to an extremely empowering lecture by Joshua Rosenthal, the Founder and Director of Institute for Integrative Nutrition (where I will graduate from in a couple short months!)

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like every time I am going through a certain internal battle or issue, the perfect lecture comes along like it’s speaking specifically to me. This particular discussion was on fear. Fear of change. Fear of growing. Fear of trying something new. Fear of the future. Fear of the unknown. Fear of being in that “transition phase,” as Joshua calls that place of uncertainty.

If any of you have ever ended a relationship or a friendship you knew deep down in your heart wasn’t working, or left a career you weren’t fulfilled in/ that you weren’t passionate about, or even took a risk to go after something you truly believed in, you know how scary that in-between phase can be. “Will I ever be successful?” “Am I ever going to find love again?” “How am I going to make enough money to support myself?”

And 9 times out of 10, everything sorts itself … Read More!

[summertime and the livin’s easy…]

June 20th officially marks the first day of summer, which at temperatures hitting the mid-90s today makes perfect sense. I don’t know about you but it seems as though life is moving at 1,000 mph, and that in the blink of an eye we went from fireside cuddling and cocoa to lemonade stands, summer ales and BBQs.

As I mentioned in my June Newsletter for Zesty Living (feel free to subscribe to receive my FREE newsletter each month if you haven’t already), for me summer is the perfect time to check in with myself and the life I am living. When you think about it, we are already half-way through 2012, so it makes sense to look back, reflect and re-access those goals you set for yourselves.

If you know me well, you know I’m not a huge fan of quick fixes, New Year’s resolutions or rigorous D-I-E-T-S, but rather making little everyday changes that lead to big results. After all, I know just as much as anyone that if you TELL someone to change their ways or beliefs, they’re most likely going to rebel by doing that something even more. That’s why diets … Read More!