Lifestyle

Why Nutella is Worth it: On Enjoying Every Little Bite and Listening to Your Body

2 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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We listen to our heart…Why not listen to our body?

As I’ve talked about many times on my blog, my summer trip to Italy about four years ago was one of the happiest times of my life. Before Italy, I used to fear food. I thought it was an evil substance that would make my thighs even bigger, my pants even tighter and the number go up, up, up on the scale. To put it simply, throughout college, food (and calories) was all I thought about. I wasn’t ever able to enjoy food because I was too busy calculating calories, planning out my “meals” and exercising my little butt off. It was unhealthy. Now I adore food. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside, and I love trying out new restaurants and exploring decadent flavors I’ve never explored before. Now I am happy, though it took a long time to get there.

When I went to Italy, the country made it difficult for me not to enjoy food. Everything looked oh so fresh,  beautiful and mouth-watering. So I ate. I ate it all. The fresh-baked breads from the corner cafe that you could smell from … Read More!

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That Thing You Do: 6 Little Habits that are Totally OK, and Healthy Too!

6 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

It seems as though doctors, and society in general, continuously change their minds about what is “good” and “bad” for you. One week soy milk is the miracle milk, another week it causes cancer and makes you gain weight. Everyone has their opinions, and everyone’s opinions are always 100% different. Some say coffee is a terrible toxin that stunts your growth, and some people (like me) think it’s a daily necessity and without it many people would be Oscar the Grouches. Anyway, today on my morning run I got to thinking – when am I not thinking? – about all these little “bad” things I do that are actually 100% OK, and healthy too. Hopefully you can find comfort, or at least a chuckle, in knowing all those little, weird “unhealthy” things you do are completely OK in my book! [Side Note: I’ve been reading Melissa Nibbles blog for a while now, and every Friday she posts a similar “It’s OK” series (kinda like a spin off on Glamour’s). Anywho, it cracks me up every week and you should totally check it out! I definitely don’t have her humor nor her wit, however!]

1. To be Utterly Addicted to … Read More!

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Girl Talk: The Power of Great Friendships

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[college roommates. just because we don’t see each other every day doesn’t mean I don’t think about ya]

Last night I had a long, hearty session of Girl Talk with my best friend from college. No, not the band although they are great too, particularly this song. Rather, we had a long, raw, honest, full-fledged, hilarious catch-up session. Just us, two girls telling it how it is. It all started off with our take on the Bachelor Season Finale and After the Final Rose bit – what is up with Brad and Emily? There is definitely some tension in the house! Then our discussion quickly led to family, friends, our jobs, and the latest relationship updates, and my friend said something that really stood out to me. “Rach I’m just so happy you finally have a boyfriend  after all these years. You were always meant to be a girlfriend and I always knew you’d be a great one. You used to do the cutest ‘girlfriend’ things for me…that’s the kind of friend you are. I bet you spoil him rotten”

She’s right. During my single years, I definitely played the “girlfriend” role to all of my friends. In fact, … Read More!

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5 Realizations: Thoughts of a Twenty-Something

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Good morning everyone! Now that I’m finally in Miami after a very long, hectic trip I can finally relax. Ahh it feels good. This is my first time in Miami and I must say I am absolutely loving it so far. I did forget it was also coincidentally Spring Break, so it may be like a little college flash-back for me as well.

Anyway, here are some thoughts I’ve been having these past few days:

1. Some People Never Change: This can be good and bad. In my case, it’s GOOD. I haven’t spent time with my roommate and best friend from college in quite a while, and we were finally reunited last night. It’s always kind of weird to see someone you haven’t seen in months, or even YEARS. Will it be the same? Will things be strange? But some people just never change. The second I saw my friend, we gave each other the biggest bear hug in the world, and then it was as if time hadn’t passed at all from the college days. I can’t believe I graduated college TWO years ago. It’s crazy to think about, but I’m glad that certain friendships will forever be … Read More!

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Friday Favorites: On Coconut Oil, Restaurant Week Boston and More!

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

Happy Friday everyone. Hope you all had a good week, or at least managed to get by. Since it’s Friday and on Fridays I share my favorite things of the week, here goes!

Coconut Oil: Ever since The Boy sifted through my hundreds of perfumes and lotions and told me how bad for my skin/body they are, I’ve been extra conscious of reading labels. Do you know how many toxins are in that stuff? I get most of my creams from Bath & Body and Victoria’s Secret but was clueless as to what was in it and how many ingredients they contained. If I wouldn’t eat something bad for my body/with ingredients I can’t pronounce, then why the heck would I put it on my skin? Big no no in the health realm.

Anyway, I discovered the two tubs of coconut oil I’ve had in my cabinet forever, and decided to have a little fun with them. First I hit up Google to research the benefits of coconut oil, and was amazed at how many there are! From being used as an eye makeup remover and moisturizer to hair conditioner and a digestion aid, coconut oil is THE BOMB … Read More!

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A Tasty and Fat Free Recipe: 7 Ingredients for a Great Day

2 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[it’s the little things in life like this heart-shaped foam in my latte]

Yesterday was just one of those all around great days. You know, one of those days where everything just seems to be going your way…like the universe or astrological signs or whatever are on your side. It was nice seeing as though I had my fair share of “blah” days the past few weeks and thought it was due time for the opposite.

First of all, things are starting to look OK in the unemployed realm, as I’m pretty sure I scored myself some means of income. Then I found out that my younger sister got into grad school – her #1 choice – IN BOSTON! I couldn’t be more proud of her…she definitely worked hard for this, and couldn’t be more deserving. Plus, we are going to be roommates next year. Get ready for TWO Healthy Chicks in the kitchen.

Yesterday I also booked a “me vacation” to MIAMI from Sunday to Friday to visit an old friend from college and work on my tan. Hey, when the room is already paid for and your dad can use his miles on cheap flights, how could a … Read More!

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Happy Hump Day: A Lesson On Treating Yourself With Tasty Goodies in the North End

2 Comments / Lifestyle /

Yesterday I went to G’Vanni’s in the North end for a delicious lunch date with The Boy. We had a Buy With Me, so we went all out. I got the Chicken Saltimbocca with gluten free pasta in homemade marinara sauce, which was absolutely delicious. I had never had that dish before, so thought I’d give it a try. It was the perfect meat to cheese ratio, and the prosciutto practically melted in my mouth. Holy Yum. The Boy ordered a Veal Parmesan Panini, along with a Pepperoni pizza for later. Hey, we had to use all $50, after all! You bet I had a few bites of his meal too…

The Boy & I dining. We totally cleared our plates. (Sorry, not yet ready to plaster his pics all over my blog hehe)

Afterward we went to Mike’s Pastry because let’s be serious: how can you go to the North End without stopping by Mike’s Pastry?

The Boy had never been before so he was dazzled by the overwhelming selection.

Seriously, how pretty are these little gems?

But we decided on one of these…

the classic cannoli…

And I of course got one of these…

[source]… Read More!

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Healthy Chicks and BSW Head to the Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market: Recipes, Food Tasting, Book Sales and More!

1 Comment / Food & Recipes, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

[all photos courtesy of Boston Sports Woman]

Spring is most definitely in the air. Yes, I know, I know, even though it felt like negative 10 degrees in Boston yesterday, I can still feel it. That’s why I’ve been whipping out some of my favorite spring-esque recipes this week, like my pasta primavera and I even bought strawberries for dessert. Chocolate covered strawberries, anyone? Nothing screams WARM WEATHER like that.

Anyway, as much as I want spring to come now, it’s technically still winter and while I dislike that for numerous reasons, I’m super pumped that it also means the Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market is still open for another three weekends (phew). Every Saturday from January 8th until March 26th, folks gather over to the Armory on 191 Highland Ave in Somerville for a festival to remember.

This weekend, March 12th we – we as in me (The Healthy Chick) and Boston Sports Woman – will be attending the market as a guest, and couldn’t be more excited! I’ll be there spreading the word and taking orders for my cookbook “Healthy Chicks in the Kitchen,” and will even be raffling off one as a prize! Be … Read More!

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EEK It’s That Time of Month Again: Natural Cures for Bloat, Cramps and PMS!

31 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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I haven’t been able to sleep for the past two hours. No, it isn’t due to a bad dream nor the fact that I’m over-analyzing yet again. This time, it’s merely a case of good ol’ period cramps. Sorry for too much information here, but holy OUCH. The “dot” (as my mom likes to call it) sure is comin’ in like a lion just like the weather. But luckily, I’ve got some all-natural home remedies to make these next few days as comfortable as possible, and hopefully as the saying goes it’ll go out like a lamb and I’ll move on with my life.

Until then, here are a few tips to deal with “it” on your own – you know the healthy, easy, all-natural way. Hope they help!

For the Bloat: Let’s face it, being bloated is one of the absolute worst things for a woman. There’s nothing fun about going to bed feeling good about yourself, then waking up feeling like you’re about to give birth to a very large food baby. Not to mention the swelling, the pain and the fact that your favorite jeans won’t zip. Looks like it’s yet another day … Read More!

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