Healthy Chicks

It’s back.

Yes, the true sign that fall is officially here.

It’s not fall until you smell it in the air, Octoberfest is on tap at all the local bars, the leaves start changing colors and, alas, the Pumpkin Latte is served at Starbucks.

Just thinking about it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside…

Go ahead. Get one. You know you want to.

it’s 80 degrees in Boston today. Ask for it on ice, & indulge my friends.

[source]… Read More!

Happy Friday ladies! I’m one happy girl, as this will be the completion of one week living in the North End of Boston. So far, so good. I really don’t think living could get any better… Anyway, it’s Friday and you know what that means; time for Friday favorites. Here’s what made the cut this week:

1. menage a trois: No, not a threesome, silly! Rather, a blend of three red wine varieties. This week, I chose a California Menage a Trois blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and red Zinfandel. It was fabulous, and made for the perfect pairing with my homemade gluten free pizza.

2. The Charles: Living in Boston the past 2+ years, I’ve realized I don’t take enough advantage of what the city has to offer. Take the Charles River for example. While I’ve gone on a few runs/walks/journeys to the river in the past, I never made it part of my regular routine. Now that I live closer to everything, I’m starting weekly runs on The Charles in preparation for the Newport Half Marathon. This morning, I went for a long, slow 8 mile run along the river and it couldn’t have been more … Read More!

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Yesterday, my yoga instructor said something to the class that really stood out for me. He was comparing our worries and anxieties to the clouds in the sky. They aren’t always there, but when they come they can clutter the clear blueness (i.e. clarity) of what’s really there. He challenged the class to let go of all those thoughts, anxieties and concerns and simply slow down; pause between thoughts and just concentrate on one thought at a time. In doing this, you will soon find clarity and feel more like yourself, rather than your distorted “cloudy” self.

I took his words of wisdom to heart, and am trying to carry them with me throughout the rest of the week. Although it is difficult to press “pause” on your life and simply slow down and let go, it’s something that comes with great gratification.

Slowing down to me means many things, both literally and figuratively. It means walking down the street a little bit slower, finding beauty in what surrounds you. It means looking at your watch/Blackberry/pager a little less often, and looking at the smiling faces of passerby a little bit more.

Slowing down means forgetting about … Read More!

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So, it’s official…I’m movin’ out of my cozy, teeny tiny abode that I’ve lived in the past two years in the outskirts of Boston. Thankfully, I’ll be moving on to bigger and better things, that is to the North End. Hello wine, cheese & Italian culture.

As excited as I am for the big move, it’s no lie that moving is a pain in the butt. Period. I am so sick of bubble wrapping valuables, slapping that sticky goo over all our holes and running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Heck, I’ve barely had time for blogging with all this craziness!

September 1st is just around the corner, so here are a few tips to keep you sane when going through a big move. And if you’re not moving, I envy you.

• Stock up on cheap wine. Perhaps Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s? Wine helps tremendously when things get a little tense in the apartment.
• Toss all the crap in your fridge and freezer ahead of time. That’s the last thing you want to be doing on move out day. Keep some staples like whole grain bread, veggies and lean meats

[we had a blast at the wedding this weekend, but now it’s time to get back to reality (and clean eating)]

Good afternoon ladies ‘n’ those few ‘gents who read my blog! Sorry I’ve been missing for a few days, although I promise you I have a good excuse. I’ve been road tripping the past few days with The Boy visiting grandparents, mini golfing and attending a friend’s wedding up in upstate New York. Needless to say, we had a blast enjoying one another’s company, dancing the night away laughing our faces off, and um, eating our faces off. Correction: eating and drinking our faces off.

Yes, I consider myself a healthy gal 90% of the time, but if you think I’m the type of girl who’s going to pass up a good weekend for iceberg lettuce and sugar-free, calorie-free cocktails, think again. That’s where the other 10% comes in, the “leeway” or wiggle room if you will. And let me tell you, that 10% is pretty generous. It lets me indulge in one too many glasses of wine, 10 too many slices of cheese, and an extra chocolate truffle. It allows me to savor my delicious chicken, potatoes and … Read More!

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According to Urban Dictionary, zen is “a total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind. Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind. Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts.”

Zen sounds pretty darn good, now doesn’t it?

To me, that means shutting down, unplugging, relaxing, and finding time to breathe. It’s letting go of the hectic-ness of reality and simply being. It’s finding that balance, and feeling of “OK.”

For me, there is nothing as zen-ful than a relaxing night in with me, myself and I. All I need is dimmed lights with a delicious smelling candle lit, a good book or magazine, a cup of herbal peppermint tea with some lemon and Ingrid Michaelson playing in the background.

Internally, it’s feeling calm, collected and at peace with my mind, body and soul. It’s having no worries, or choosing to let go of those worries. It’s that feeling you get during Shavasana in a yoga practice. That is the utter definition of zen to me.

What does zen mean to you? How do you find that place of … Read More!

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Why goodmorning, ladies! I know this post is a day late, but Friday kind of got away from me between meetings, going out for sushi, and watching The Boy’s last softball game. Anywho, even though we’re a lil delayed, here are this week’s Friday favorites:

Chipotle: I can’t believe that I had never been to Chipoltle before last night. This place is genious! Not only does this Mexican food haven have the BIGGEST burritos you’ll ever see, but they have every. single. topping. & hot sauce you can possible think of. I opted for a healthier option, and went for a salad topped with grilled chicken, pico de gallo, salsa, roasted vegetables, brown rice, shredded cheese and a touch of sour cream. It was heavenly, and you bet I slurped up every last bite of it. The ingredients tasted ultra fresh, and the meal was filling without being too heavy.

Quick Oats: I know, I know, oatmeal talk, again? But it’s so…boring, you think to yourself. Not so much! This morning I made two bowls of Organic Quick Rolled Oats for The Boy and I in just a few minutes. Yes, it’s true: eating healthy doesn’t have … Read More!

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I have a confession: I can’t dance. Well, that’s not 100% true. I can technically dance, but it’s really a funny sight. I lack any sort of rhythm and find it hard to just “groove to the music.” That’s probably why I didn’t last very long in ballet when I was younger. I’m not very graceful, and tend to be just altogether…awkward.

BUT, since I’m attending a wedding in a few weeks with The Boy (who also admits he can’t dance) we vowed to learn to dance, or at least attempt to learn. So when we both went out with a group of friends to Faneuil Hall the other night, I forced my scared little self to get off my butt and at least try. And that I did. I danced away, to my  best abilities. Granted there was a 90s cover band playing in the background, so it wasn’t necessarily the best dancing tunes, but I’m proud of myself for going a little outside my comfort zone. I won’t lie: the cocktails definitely helped a lot.

But it wasn’t just about the dancing. Anyone can dance, well, if they try. It’s about coloring outside the lines, … Read More!