Healthy Chicks

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Thankfulness. Now, what exactly does that mean? Some of us give thanks before a dinner with our families, and we say thank you every day to the Starbucks barista, but what exactly do those words mean? According to Dictionary.com, thankful is defined as feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative. But I see it as much more than that. If you ask me, it comes from the heart and is the utmost sign of love & giving. If you share your thanks, it’s only natural that good Karma will come back your way.

Take this for example. Two years ago during Lent, I sent out one email a day for 40 days to a person I loved and was thankful for – everyone from cousins to grandparents, new friends to old friends. The results amazed me! Nearly all 40 people emailed or called me back, thanking me for turning a bad day around and ultimately making their day/week/month. How incredible is it that a few simple words of kindness can completely turn someone else’s day around? How a simple gesture of gratitude can make someone smile, even if just for a few minutes?

Now, why is it that sharing … Read More!

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[source] Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting this weekend!

Hey ladies! Sorry I’ve been M.I.A. all week, but I guess I’ve been in vacation mode ever since our New Hampshire getaway. But now I’m back in action, just in time for Friday Favorites. Here’s what I’m obsessing over this week:

• Surfing the internet for tasty Thanksgiving recipes to impress the fam. I have to make a comeback after I made the worst gluten free red velvet cupcakes last year. I guess some things are meant to be left alone, or maybe it’s just my poor baking skills.
• 27th Annual Faneuil Hall tree lighting ceremony this Saturday. I will totally  be attending, and so will Santa!
• Cupcake-flavored lip gloss
• Red pea-coats
• Dad’s homemade turkey chili with turkey & sausage meatballs
• Snuggling by the fireside with a glass of red
• Cleansing – This week, I am cutting out all processed foods, corn, gluten, sweets, cheese, etc. (Pretty much anything that comes in a box or a bag)
• This song (Seriously obsessed)
• All of the gorgeous holiday recipes lately on Jessica’s blog over at How Sweet It Is like these Sweet Potato Pie Cupcakes with Marshmallow Frosting.
• Good, ol’ fashioned holiday

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Good morning everyone, and happy Friday. I am one very happy girl indeed, ’cause after I get out of work tomorrow afternoon I’m heading up to my family’s condo in New Hampshire to spend the weekend with The Boy and The Fam. We’ll be doing the usual, like eating Dad’s homemade chili, going for a brisk fall hike, and sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine and some cheese. And the not so usual, like CELEBRATING MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY with The Boy.

Yup, he and I will be staying until Wednesday to celebrate our one year of being together. We’ve already planned some fun activities like getting hot stone massages, going on a foliage stroll (if there is any left), and simply enjoying each other’s company. I couldn’t be more happy to have met someone like him, and can’t wait to cheers to the big ONE.

Anyway, it’s Friday so it’s time to share some of my favorites of the week. Here goes:

• Long sweater/ leggings combo
• Apple pie, pumpkin pie, or any pie-scented candle
• Fuzzy, bright-colored socks
• Making a healthy take on kid food & calling it comfort food
• Sleeping in on the

I’ve been so caught up in Integrative Nutrition lectures, friends, work, and life in general that I completely let the week get away from me. In fact, I STILL haven’t written about the Bloggers for Boobs event I attended last week. Hosted by Pretzel Crisps and Likeable Media, this blogger cocktail party benefited the Susan G Komen For the Cure. Pretzel Crisps has been on an ongoing mission to raise money to donate for the Susan G. Komen Foundation through their pretzel sales, and will make a minimum donation of $100,000. Talk about a company with a good heart (and good snackin’).

[look at all these tasty flavors!]

The Bloggers for Boobs event was absolutely wonderful, and quite a few people showed up despite the miserable snowy/rainy weather. I was able to connect with other bloggers, chit chat with the event hosts, enjoy a specially crafted cocktail (with Chocolate vodka and raspberry) and snack on pretzel crisps munchies. I  ate far too much cheese throughout the evening as well (oops).

[how pretty?]

In addition to a silent auction with prizes like a 10 pass pack to Exhale Spa, we were prompted to enter a recipe contest. We were … Read More!

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Oh hey fellow Healthy Chicks, and Happy Friday! Let’s just cut to the chase and go over what I’m lovin’ this week. Here goes:

Mega Green: This green juice blend by “Simply Nutritious” is surprisingly mega-tasty as well. I spotted it in the Whole Food’s aisle last night and decided to pick some up. Packed with nutritious ingredients like peach puree, spirulina and barley grass, broccoli and spinach power, this Mega Green juice is Healthy Chick’s approved for sure.

Facials: You may be shocked, but I went 24 years of my life without getting a facial. That is, until this past week. I officially had my first Cool Beam facial at Exhale Spa, and am definitely hooked. Who knew how relaxing a facial could be? From the steaming to the “Cranberry Crush” exfoliating mask, to the cool beam light therapy treatment, I was in pure bliss. I will definitely be back for more of that!

Cleansing: I’m not a huge fan of diet cleanses, you know the Cayenne Pepper celebrity fad or eating only raw foods. However, I’m totally all for going on a temporary cleanse that is right for your body. For me, that means … Read More!

Yesterday during the final meditation phase of my Pranavayu yoga class at Exhale, our teacher (David Magone) said something that really stood out to me. Each day he brings a new lesson to his practice, and yesterday’s was on worrying.

He said that we all spend far too much time worrying, jumping from one worry to the next, that we’re wasting time. As we’re busy taking time to worry, we’re actually hurting ourselves by missing out on the time we have to take action.

For the next 10 minutes, he had us lay there on our mats, eyes closed. Whenever a worry was to jump to our mind, we were to mentally bring ourselves back to the practice, the now. After all, a worry is something that comes from the inside, and by the power of our mind we can shut that worry out for a while, or ultimately eliminate it alltogether.

If you’re like me, you worry way too much about things that aren’t even worth worrying about. For instance, I tend to worry too much about the future: the what if, the but, the fear of the unknown. However, lately I’ve realized that worrying isn’t going to … Read More!

1. The fact that you can still wear your absolute favorite summer dress just one more time (even if this past weekend was the last)

2. That running outside is pleasurable yet again, especially with the scenic fall leaves & wind blowing in your hair

3. Pumpkin everything. Have you tried adding it to your oatmeal yet? If not, I highly suggest you do.

4. The fact that candy corn was on sale for .89 cents the other day at CVS, reminding you that it’s OK enjoy a handful here and there (and to act like a kid again)

5. Hayrides, hot cocoa, cornstalks and apple cider everywhere

6. The discovery that adding a few chocolate chips to your coffee & then stirring = pure bliss.

7. Fall vegetables. Hello acorn, butternut and spaghetti squash. Try one of my favorite ways with butternut squash here.

What’s got you grinning from ear to ear?

XoXo,

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