Healthy Chicks

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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!

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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!

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.

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Oh, and GO PATS!… Read More!

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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!

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!

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!

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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!

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The other day, my blogger friend & relationship expert Jen was interviewed on CTV News, where she said some things that really stood out for me. She was stressing that the New Year is a time for fresh beginnings a.k.a checking in with yourself whether you are in or out of a relationship.

Checking in? Now what exactly does that mean, you ask?

Single ladies may ask, “Am I happy where I am?” “Am I focusing on myself?” “Am I being open minded?” “Am I enjoying what I am doing at work/play/home?”

And those that are in a relationship may wonder, “Have things gone stale?” “What can work better?” “Are we affectionate enough?” “Does he/she make me feel good about myself and/or bring out the best in me?”

These are the kinds of questions that you may ask yourself to figure out if you are being the best you, no matter what your relationship status. 

Jen’s most valuable lesson was reminding us to live our best selves. Never let go of that passion. If you like to paint, heck buy an easel and paint away! Don’t worry about being judged by others if you want to … Read More!