Healthy Chicks

I don’t usually post grocery lists on my blog because:

a. I don’t like to obsess too much over the what (what foods are the “best”) but rather like to focus on the why (listening to your body & finding the foods that make you feel your best self)

b. My grocery lists change every week as The Boy and I both love experimenting in the kitchen

c. Grocery lists usually bore me. I’m more of a spontaneous, buy what’s in season, analyze the sales, grab-and-go kind of gal. Don’t get me wrong: I love lists and think they definitely have their place, but I don’t typically go by a list when it comes to grocery shopping. I also don’t like following recipes to a T either…where’s the fun in that?

BUT, BUT BUT… today I am going to be posting my grocery list for the week because:

a. The Boy is gone for  a week and a half and I totally had too much fun doing some Single Girl Shopping tonight! (Is that normal?) I loved those days when everything in the fridge was mine and I knew exactly what was running out (no more eggs?) and what … Read More!

Can you believe Valentine’s Day is just around the corner? Whether you love or hate Cupid’s (and Hallmark’s) favorite holiday, we can all appreciate the tasty sweet treats that come with it!

But let’s be honest: these “treats” typically don’t treat our bodies very well. From sugar-packed candy hearts to artificially-flavored chocolates, it can can pretty scary out there in that red, white & pink world!

That’s why I am super excited to introduce you to Dancing Deer, a gourmet baked goods company that doesn’t sacrifice taste for high-quality, natural ingredients. In fact, all of their products are baked from scratch, using all-natural, Kosher ingredients without any artificial preservatives. Now that’s my kind of baking: homemade, pure, simple and delicious! (Plus, I’m not very handy when it comes to baked goods, so it’s nice knowing there’s feel-good companies out there you can trust!)

And in honor of the upcoming holiday, Dancing Deer creates a series of Valentine’s Day packages including their Be My Valentine Gift Medley, which they were kind enough to send me the other day. I must say: I was elated when the doorbell rang to find a special V-Day package just for me! I Mean, … Read More!

Are you taking care of yourself?

Have you checked in lately regarding how much time you set aside for self care? When I was studying to become a Holistic Health Coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, self care was one of the first topics we discussed. Yes, even before we went into the nitty gritty details of nutrition, fitness and more.

What’s self care, you ask? To me, it means taking the time to do “me” things that are good for your body, mind and spirit. Because, as I’ve said over and over again if you’re not happy & healthy on the inside, you are definitely not going to be happy & healthy on the outside. It’s just how it works!

Lately, I’ve noticed I’ve been putting my self care somewhat on the back burner. Between the change in seasons, a new job, starting my own business, and meeting with clients life can get pretty hectic at times (which I know you can all relate). While it’s easy to put yourself last during these crazy phases, it’s actually during these times more that ever that you need to recognize what you are doing, and take care of yourself … Read More!

If you read my post a few weeks ago, you already know how passionate I am about the Clean Plates movement, including their latest book: The Clean Plates Cookbook.

Now I’ve got some exciting news for you, especially for those of you who missed my newsletter on Monday. (P.S. you can subscribe to the right; it’s 100% free!) Anyway, back to the exciting news. SpaFinder is giving away a copy of The Clean Plates Cookbook to one lucky reader.

Simply head on over and check out my latest article “Giveaway! The Clean Plates Cookbook: Clean, Delicious Eating for Vegans & Omnivores Alike,” then leave a comment on their Facebook page stating what clean eating means to you.  The contest will run until Friday, January 25th so be sure to get your entry in before then!

Now for a little Q & A! What’s one must-have clean food you keep in your house? … Read More!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while or ever took a sneak peak at my About Me page, you know that healthy living didn’t come naturally to me. In fact, my entire college years were consumed of yo-yo dieting, hours and hours at the gym, “fake food” and obsession with my weight. I can’t even tell you how many tears were shed over the darn scale alone! I was unhappy, and in effect definitely unhealthy. I felt frustrated, F-A-T, alone and “not good enough.”

It wasn’t until I graduated from college that I decided to throw all of my “food rules” and restrictions out the window and actually start LIVING. At this time I also discovered yoga, running, clean eating and my secret talent for cooking. When I switched from dieting to living (and felt OK with it), everything and I mean everything began to change.

If this sounds like you, or you know someone struggling with similar issues, here are 10 mantras to repeat over and over again to start make that positive shift toward a healthier lifestyle. Because, after all, you won’t see a change in your body or your health if you aren’t OK up … Read More!

The other day, I entered the 13 in 2013 Pin-spiration contest, hosted by SheKnows. The contest required each contestant to pin 13 photos from SheKnows, signifying our inspirations for 2013.

You can view my entire board here, but I wanted to focus on of my greatest inspirations/intentions for the New Year: taking more time to unplug. While being a freelance writer, health coach, and blogger often requires me to be quite “plugged in” practically all day long, I am going to make it a point to take more time each day to disconnect and do “me” (and “we”) things.

For instance, last night I shut down my laptop and threw my phone in my purse (on silent) to enjoy two hours of quality time with The Boy. It was so nice to chat about our days over Haru Sushi (a new fave!) 100% engaged in the conversation and present with each other. No emails. No twitter updates. No Instagramming our maki rolls. No texting my best friend. Just being…in the moment, in the now.

So go ahead and take a break from your iPhone, your laptop or whatever else it is that you’re hooked on and simply … Read More!

Good morning ladies, and happy Monday! I’m please to announce a very exciting giveaway on Healthy Chicks today involving both fitness AND fashion. If you’re like me, you like to get down and dirty with your workouts and, well, sometimes that leaves you looking (and feeling) like a sweaty mess. Think: wet hair in your face, sweat dripping down your back, you get the picture.

But who said workouts couldn’t be pretty too? With Sparkly Soul headbands, you can keep your hair out of your face and sparkle throughout your entire workout sesh. Not to mention, their gentle elastic headbands are designed with your comfort in mind,  minimizing slipping, too-tight headaches or hair damage.

I love all of the pretty colors they come in – from Kaleidoscope Pink to Apple Green – so you can pick and choose what color makes you feel your most sparkling self! I myself have the Gold thin headband, and just ordered another one in Charcoal. They’re perfect for any fitness activity, from hot yoga and Pilates to kickboxing and long-distance running.

OK, let’s get to the good stuff: I will be giving away ONE sparkly soul headband in the color and size of your … Read More!

[gearing up for an afternoon of skiing at Waterville Valley, our first ski of the year!]

[beautiful Sunday afternoon stroll to the town square]

[a moment of tranquility by the gazebo]

[sunshine peeping through the clouds in the mountains!]

[lovin’ the vintage feel of the town center]

[letting our thoughts get lost with the clouds…]

[blackboard menus…my favorite kind]

[Dashing through the snow…]

Hope you all had a safe, happy & healthy weekend!… Read More!