Lifestyle Archives - Page 37 of 44

Hump Day Lesson of the Day: Unplugging from Life

5 Comments / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Good afternoon all! Sorry I have been MIA for the past few days. As I mentioned in Friday’s blog post, I was off to Bumpkin Island, one of Boston’s Harbor Islands, for the long weekend. Despite the hundreds of ticks, poison-ivy coated pathways, composting toilets and ZERO running water, I truly did have a blast. I lucked out with just a few little mosquito bites and a pretty sweet tan.

And as bad as I’m making it sound, I miss the camping trip way. Sure, it felt good to take a real shower and go out for calamari and Merlot for my birthday last night, but there’s just something inexplainable about getting away. Not only did I get to see seven different sets of fireworks right on the ocean, eat homemade turkey burgers with feta over the fire and spend time with some amazing people (The Boy included), but it also gave me a chance to disconnect…from everything.

I never thought it’d be so refreshing to simply unplug and enjoy. No smart phones, no TV, no Mac, no blogging, no Starbuck’s iced coffee and limited makeup. What at first sounded like a nightmare ended up being a pretty phenomenal … Read More!

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Looking on the Bright Side and Friday Favorites

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Wow, what a week. I think I speak for everyone when I say TGIF. Seriously, I’ve been waiting for Friday to come for what seems like months. I had one of those hell weeks, you know where everything just seems to go wrong. But I woke up this morning with a new outlook on things. You can’t change whatever happened in the past, so why not move forward? It’s not worth dwelling on past issues, when the future holds much brighter things for each and every one of us. As my roommate put it this morning: “Things can only go up from here!” And she’s exactly right. OK, enough with my philosophical advice; it’s time for my weekly Friday Favorites! Here’s what made my top three this week:

1. Red Lantern: I was lucky enough to work an event the other evening at Red Lantern, a new Asian Fusion restaurant in Boston’s Back Bay. From the beautiful Asian decor and chic atmosphere to the ever-so-delectable menu, I was more than impressed. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, the dumplings had just the right amount of flair, and the calamari fries were crunchy and savory. I’ll definitely be going … Read More!

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Meet the Parents and Friday Favorites

3 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Good afternoon ladies, and happy Friday to you all. Currently, I’m on a bus heading back to my teeny-tiny hometown, fully equipped with one stop light and a Dunkin’ Donuts, in CT. Yes really, it’s that small. Quite the transition from Boston if I do say so myself. I’m excited for a weekend of shopping with my sister, relaxing, catching up with old friends, going to a graduation party and MEETING THE PARENTS (dun dun dun). Or shall I say, my parents are meeting The Boy’s parents for the first time this Sunday! So I guess it’s more like Meet the Fockers really, except for that none of our father’s really fill the De Niro role. I’m praying it all works out well, although I’m sure I’ll have some funny stories. Wish me luck!

Anyway, it’s Friday and that means it’s time for my weekly Friday Favorites. Here’s what made the cut this week:

1. Copley Farmer’s Market: As you know, I am obsessed with attending farmer’s markets of all kinds. If it were up to me, I’d do all of my shopping at the market, though that would require a much large paycheck. So instead I go to browse, … Read More!

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Happy June 21: A Week of Bouncing Back and Doing ME

6 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

summer on a plate – fresh blueberries, sliced banana, & agave syrup topped waffles

Happy June 21st all, you know the first day of summer – the absolute best season in the world! Not only is it the season of loving, but it’s also the season of fireworks, my birthday (24 in two weeks – eek!), BBQs, the ocean, pretty flowers in your hair, clam bakes and lobster fests, blueberry pickin’, frozen yogurt and freshly squeezed margaritas (on the rocks).

With that unfortunately comes the season of mosquito bites, bad hair days, pit stains and even worse – smelling other people’s sweat while squished in between a random dude’s crotch on the train. Not fun.

However, I choose to think of the delightful things summer has to offer! I guess that’s just the kind of person I am. I always try to see the good in things, and tend to push aside the not-so-good. Call me annoying or “too happy,” but that’s how I am and have always been.

On that note, the other day I had a not-so-pleasant experience I thought it was time to share with you all: I had my first ever anxiety attack out of no … Read More!

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Quotable Sunday: A Shout Out to Dad

5 Comments / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Happy Father’s day to all you dad’s out there! Not that any dad’s beside my own read this blog, but you know what I mean. ‘Tis the day to celebrate everything our father’s do for us, and in my case that’s an awful lot.

So dad, here is a post dedicated just for you; yup, the #1 guy in my life who has been there from day one when I was a little puny 5-pound babe who you claimed look like E.T. (Ha, thanks dad.)

But in all seriousness, here are a few things I am particularly thankful for this Father’s Day:

1. That you attempted to make me a nasty basketball player when I was a little girl, despite the fact that I had zero patience when you tried to correct my “follow through,” and still loved me even though I (kinda) sucked.

2. That you put up with a family composed of all women. You should really get a gold medal for that.

3. That you motivated me to fall in love with running, and supported me through training for my first half marathon, even though I cried during the first 5K we ran together. You taught … Read More!

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Holy Jam Packed Weekend and Friday Faves

2 Comments / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

TGIF! I want to jump up and down and do cartwheels I’m so excited (though I don’t know how to do cartwheels). ‘Tis finally the start of my weekend, and I have lots planned. For starters, I’m going to watch The Boy’s softball game tonight. Last week they lost 26 to 4 but I’m hoping I’ll pull the goodluck charm thing on them and bring in their first win! I’ll at least bring out my best cheerleading skills. Then it’s ladies’ night by the waterfront, followed by a day of shopping and yapping away at my “Healthy Chicks” booth at Shop & Talk tomorrow.

My weekend comes to an end with going out to dinner with The Boy’s family, followed by watching his step sister swim at Harvard for the Special Olympics. Talk about a packed weekend…I hope I can fit everything in. I most definitely know I’ll need a few doses of caffeine aka extra large iced-coffees to keep me “on” all weekend.

Alright, enough about my weekend. It’s Friday and that means it’s time for my weekly Friday Faves. Here’s what’s got me giddy this week:

1. Arts ‘n’ Crafts: I was never really a fan of arts … Read More!

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Tuesday Talk: A little Update on this Healthy Chick

13 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

Good morning everyone, and sorry I’ve been kinda a ghost lately. It’s just that I’ve got a lot on my mind, and am now finally going to share all of that with you!

1. For one, I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a certified health coach with a holistic focus, and will begin taking online classes in the fall. I couldn’t be more excited to go back to school and continue my education, especially with something that is so me. It’s no doubt that I love writing, I love helping people, and I love anything related to health, nutrition and well-being. So why not throw all of my passions together and make something out it? I’m confident that one day I will become a successful health coach, helping others get back on track and see that living a healthy life style does not have to be difficult. I’ve always been one for a need to feel passionate with what I do in life, and in September I will finally start this journey! More info to come…

This news is extra-exciting because my sister and I are moving into our North End apartment September 1, right when … Read More!

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A How to Guide: Bouncing Back from an Off Day

5 Comments / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

I have a confession: As happy-g0-lucky-kinda-girl that I am, I sometimes feel a little “off” inside, as I know many who can relate. That “Off”-ness can mean many things to many different people, whether it’s feeling torn, confused, scared, or even having a little less confidence in yourself than usual.

It’s a difficult thing to put a finger on because the feeling comes from within, and you are the owner of it. It’s not something a mani-pedi, glass of red wine, or five hour conversation with your best friend can fix. I’ve come to realize that when you are not feeling your best, 100% self, only you can give yourself the strength and courage to bounce back.

So how do you bounce back? How do you bring yourself to the mental state of assurance, happiness, and “OK”? That’s something we all struggle with from time to time, but here’s a few ways to start:

Play your favorite, inspirational song over and over and over again. Currently I like anything by Adele or Ingrid Michaelson.
Make a happy list. Yes, composed of everything in your life right now that fills your little soul with happiness.
Live in the present,

Tuesday Talk: Sick as a Dog But Join Me for a Little Lesson On Patience

3 Comments / Lifestyle / Rachel @Healthy Chicks

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Good morning everyone! I don’t really have much to say today because I am one sick puppy, hence trying to get out as many words as I can before I sneeze all over my pretty little Mac. What can I say? Memorial Day weekend got the best of me. Between hiking up Welch and Dickey Mountain in New Hampshire, shoving my face with clam chowder at the Chowder Fest and sipping on Woodchuck Spring & Summer ciders, I had my fair share of fun and now unfortunately it has ended in a yucky cold.

However, despite all the congestion, I do have one thing on my mind this morning that I’d like to dedicate this post to: PATIENCE. Wikipedia claims patience to be “the level of endurance one’s character can take before negativity.” The key word right there is negativity. It’s something we all would like to avoid; no one likes to be negative after all. However, sometimes our mind takes over and that little thing called negativity gets the best of us, and all that patience fizzles away.

All of us try so hard to be patient in life. We try to be patient in … Read More!

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