Healthy Chicks

a sample of my cupcakes…

As you know, this is my first year with a Valentine, but it doesn’t mean I forget all those 23 years I hated the damn holiday. If you’re a single lady it’s not exactly fun seeing all of your coupled-off friends overflowing with special gifts and roses and ginormous teddy bears. So, if you want to be a super duper good friend this year, make some last minute gifts for your single AND “taken” friends alike. Here are some ideas:

If your friend is single:

-A “F*ck Love” CD with songs like “Fuck It (Don’t Want You Back)” by Eamon, “No Scrubs” by TLC and “He Loves You Not” by Dream.

-corny valentines (I got my friends Sesame Street ones)

-fun silly bands – seriously, they are so fun!

-an ugly cupcake to throw at the sidewalk on your way to work decorated with brown sprinkles, an exploding heart gummy, cinnamon and black pepper (seriously, we really did this for our roommate and she said to “make it uglier.”)

-undies! (can a gal have enough?)

-a special treat i.e. a manicure or massage (if you’re a super duper nice friend)

-bake ’em a nice … Read More!

I’ve always loved this classic quote from Finding Nemo, as it’s a reminder to just keep moving forward, no matter how tough life may get. Yesterday this quote especially struck home to me, when I was in the hospital speaking to my Papa George for the last time. When I asked if he had any words of wisdom for me, his very last words to me were “Just keep pluggin’ along.”

From now on, whenever I’m in a tricky situation – whether it be in a relationship or financial issues – I’m going to remember these four words and do my very best to pick my head up, smile and pull through. After all, giving up and being negative will get you no where in life. While I am heartbroken my grandpa is no longer with us, this advice I will remember and cherish forever.

I love the fact that I have a strong, supportive family who remains positive and upbeat in tough times like these. Let me tell you: we’re definitely going to just keep swimming ‘n’ pluggin’ along.

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Do you have any “life mottos” or words of wisdom you’d like to share? I’d … Read More!

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I have a confession: I have zero sense of fashion. Healthy? Yup. Good in the kitchen? Duh. Exercise freak? You know it. Fashionable? NO. WAY. Maybe it’s because I’m color blind or maybe it’s because I am mostly-unemployed with little money to spend on clothes, but the truth is I don’t know a thing when it comes to fashion advice. Nor makeup and shoes either. I try sometimes, but I’m definitely no expert…at all. That’s why when I was invited to the “Picture Yourself in Spring” Trunk Show and Photo Fashion event that took place last night, I knew I’d be in for a treat.

I walked in to Savas Studios in the North End, and immediately fell in love. The dim lighting was perfection. The staff were as friendly as can be. They made me feel comfortable, rather than intimidated (always a fear) even though the gorgeous girls put my blah outfit to shame. I was immediately taken to the back room – which was absolutely adorable with exposed brick walls – where I was offered wine (3 kinds!), smoked salmon, crackers and mango bean salsa. YUM. The smoked salmon was to die for.… Read More!

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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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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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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 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!

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!