Lifestyle

The Secret to a Killer Workout: Killer Workout Music, Of Course!

9 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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I have a confession: Just ’cause I’m training for a half marathon doesn’t mean I’m a runner. Well, I mean now I am. But I’m not one of those girls who was born lean and fit with sneakers on…a perfect pony tail…ready to run. I’m also not one of those girls who felt going out for a “nice short 3 mile run” could ever be enjoyable. But that has all changed my friends. You want to know one of the biggest secrets that gets me through? My kick-ass iPod running playlist. It’s called “Half Marathon Training” and the second I press play, all thoughts of hesitation disappear. This playlist brings my inner runner out.

In fact, it brings it out so much that I actually enjoyed…I repeat enjoyed my five mile run on Sunday, followed by a back-to-back four mile run yesterday. I felt sweaty. I felt energized. I felt alive. Oh, and the music (oooh the phenomenal music) made my 47+ minutes of running on the treadmill go by in a snap. When I saw the distance tracker hit 4.9 miles, I thought “Only .1 to go? I’m sprinting this baby to the finish line!” … Read More!

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If I Had to Live off 10 Items For the Rest of My Life: Must Have Diet Essentials

17 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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Good afternoon all! Hope you are all well recovered from last night’s Superbowl binge. Let’s face it: I totally ate like a man. Yup, sucked the chicken wings from the bone and dug into that cheesy bean dip like a champ. I count the Superbowl as a holiday, a cheat day of sorts. Oh, not ’cause I’m so into football…just because it’s what you do. You watch the game. You laugh at the commercials. You stuff your face with not-so-healthy yet oh-so-tasty food. It is what it is.

Anyway, I started the day right with some organic Orange & Carrot Juice with Omega 3’s I found at Trader Joe’s, a banana, and a gluten free waffle. Oh and loads of water of course. I had to flush out all that cheesy goodness somehow. Speaking of cheese, this morning over breakfast I started thinking about my must-have diet essentials. If you know me, cheese is totally number one. Then I got to thinking what if I was forced to only eat 10 items for the rest of my life? First of all, that would be a terrible thing. But for the heck of it, I decided to … Read More!

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Friday Favorites and Super Sweet Chobani Greek Yogurt Giveaway!

81 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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Good morning all my Healthy Chicks out there and Happy Friday! Since it’s Friday, I figured I’d share a few of my favorite things of the week with y’all, ’cause trust me: every week there’s something new I begin to love. Here’s this week’s roundup:

1. The Treadmill: I know, I know. Trust me, I never thought I’d say it either. But ever since I’ve been training for my half marathon – and forcing myself to run on the treadmill due to all the blizzards here in Boston – it’s grown on me. Once I hit my first five mile run EVER on that stupid little machine, I began to have a newfound love for it. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS, ’cause it doesn’t seem like the snow is-a-stoppin’ anytime soon.

2. GO FISH: I’ve been working really hard this week to add more fish into my diet. I love fish so darn much, but it tends to get neglected. The other night I made baked salmon marinated in OJ, tequila, lime juice and habanero sauce with The Boy, and tonight we’re thinking of making almond-crusted tilapia. I’ll keep ya updated on how it … Read More!

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Oof, I’m All Backwards: How to Plan Wholesome, Healthy Meals So You Can Feel Great All Week Long

4 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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Oof, I feel all backwards today! Upside down, out of whack, all discombobulated. You know…something just feels a bit off. Luckily, I know exactly what that something is this time. You see, I’ve been away since Friday morning on a New Hampshire getaway with my family and The Boy. We had a wonderful time relaxing in the steam room, sauna and pool, drinking my cousin’s killer margaritas along with some specialty hard ciders that the boy got me into (they’re gluten free!), hiking in the snow, and eating our little hearts out.

Why am I feeling all backwards then, you ask? Well, it was most definitely the eating part. I ate completely backwards – or would you say upside down? – than I normally do. Back in my tiny Boston apartment, where I cook most of my meals for myself, I have a pretty structured diet: a humungous, nutritious breakfast,  a good-sized lunch and a smaller dinner followed by a little “treat” and a cup of tea. I rarely eat any other way, as this daily menu makes me feel my ultimate best – inside and out!

It usually goes like this: half egg white omelet … Read More!

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I’m Off to NH!

3 Comments / Lifestyle /

TGIF all my little, beautiful healthy chicks! Just wanted to inform you that I’m off to New Hampshire for the weekend with my family. My dad recently purchased a time share for a condo right next to Waterville Valley, so I am oh so excited to check it out. It has THREE floors…and access to the recreation center with a gym, pool, hot tub and the works.

Oh, and I’m bringing along the boyfriend for his first family trip. We’ll see if he can survive my dad’s corny jokes, and my mom constantly trying to cater to him and feed him every single thing she cooks. Mwuahaha.

Anyway, off I go. I’ll be back late Sunday night to return to all of my lovely readers. Have a fabulous weekend. I dare you to do something out of the norm. Step out of your comfort zone & embrace these next few days. Do something a lil scandalous, sassy or spontaneous. ; )

… Read More!

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Got the Winter Blues? Time to Perk Up!

3 Comments / Lifestyle /

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There’s been a hell of a lot of complaining here in Boston lately – not only is it due to the devastating Pats loss the other night, but for some reason Mother Nature doesn’t want to give us a break with the snow, and hypothermia-inducing weather. Seriously, it’s just not OK. But complaining and being Oscar the Grouches about it also is totally not OK either. Here are 7 little things to help perk you up in times of winter depression.

1. There are only 55 days until Spring! It’s true, I calculated it myself on my Calendar. That means birds chirping, flowers blooming and temps in the 50s and 60s isn’t that far away.

2. Valentine’s Day is coming up in a few weeks. For all of you V-Day haters, check out this awesome Anti-Valentine’s Day Bash put on by Boston Event Guide: The Flirt Fest! Tickets are only $20 for a pair or $15 a pop if you buy before Friday. Plus, you can have a little more fun with it by nominating your friends to be Boston’s Biggest Flirt.

If you’re a Valentine’s Day lover, then it’s your excuse to wear pink, red and white all … Read More!

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Friday Faves

4 Comments / Lifestyle /

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TGIF all my little healthy chickies! Since it’s Friday – and in the Twitter world Friday is always “Follow Friday” where you mention your favorite tweeters (um, is that what they’re called?) – I figured I’d go with the theme. Here are some of my favorites this week…enjoy!

Fave Website: My Secret Boston – This site is super cool and lets you in on all things secret, yet phenomenal in Boston. From fun places to eat to where to shop & drink, these people know their city! I particularly like the SEE+DO section and this activity especially caught my eye; who knew? You must take a peak if you haven’t yet!

Fave Song: “Magic” by B.O.B. & “Marry You” by Bruno Mars; these babies have really been getting me through my dreaded treadmill runs. 

Fave Snack: Cheese ‘n’ crackers; I simply can’t stop eating them this week, as if I were a little kid again sitting at one of those plastic picnic tables! I must say…I’ve upgraded my cheese taste from string cheese to the more “classy” varieties. My new favorite is Dill Havarti from good ol’ Trader Joe’s.

Fave Television Shows: This is embarrassing to admit … Read More!

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7 Things About The Healthy Chick

1 Comment / Lifestyle /

  

So Allison over at The Picky Eating Rd tagged me as the Stylish Blogger Award, hence I must share seven things about myself you may not know. Here goes…

1. I am color blind, and get extremely confused between green, red and brown. So don’t judge me if I sometimes don’t match.

2. I went sky diving in New Zealand, and was shaking up until the moment I jumped, and then it wasn’t scary. I just let loose and enjoyed.

3. I went to college in Virginia and fell in love with Southern charm and friendly people…

4. …But not as much as I love the fast-paced city life that is Boston. I have lived here for a year and a half and absolutely adore it.

5. I’ve never had a “real” boyfriend up until now. I had a fake boyfriend in 8th grade who used to hold my clarinet case for me and walk me to the bus. We avoided each other in the cafe at lunch. 

6. My natural hair color is brown (what it is now), though I’ve been blonde most of my life. That’s what happens when your mother owns a hair salon – experimenting!

7. … Read More!

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The Journey to My Happy Weight Sans Dieting

15 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

The other day when I was home spending time with the family, I decided to step on the scale for old time’s sake. I couldn’t believe what I saw. I had lost a whopping 10 pounds from what I was a year and a half ago when I graduated college…by not even trying. I looked up at my dad and said “Wow, why do you think I’m the most fit I’ve ever been in my life? What do you think it is?” He agreed that I indeed looked different, in shape…and glowing. “I know what it is,” he said smirking. “You’re happier and less stressed and in loooooooveeeee,” he said, mocking me.

While I’m most definitely not in love, I have to say he’s right: I am extremely happy lately for a number of reasons. It’s like all of the sudden things in my life are starting to make sense and fall together.

Then this morning I had another big ‘wow’ moment. I slipped on a pair of skinny jeans that haven’t fit me in quite some time, and they slid right on. I felt good, real good.

This is awesome. I don’t have to count calories, watch what I … Read More!

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These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

13 Comments / Health & Wellness, Lifestyle /

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As you can tell from the title of my post, today I will be talking about all of my favorite things. However, I now also have that song from  the classic The Sound of Music stuck in my head (and I’m sorry if you now do as well). Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…OK I’ll stop now. Those most definitely are not a few of my favorite things. I hate cats. But I do have a BUNCH of my very own favorite things and that’s what I’d like to share with you today. Enjoy!

My Favorite Perfume: Asteria by Marina de Bourbon – not only is it in a pretty purple bottle, but I fell in love with the scent the very first day I discovered it. It’s feminine, sexy and sweet all at the same time. 

My Favorite Lip Balm: C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Lip Balm, Bath & Body Works – this one is easy as it’s actually called “My Favorite Lip Balm.” My sister got it for me as part of a Christmas gift last year, and I’ve been in love with it ever since. It makes my lips perfectly smooth and shiny, … Read More!

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