Healthy Chicks

Journaling saved my life.

“Huh?” you must be thinking. “How could a piece of pen & some paper do such a thing?”

But you see it’s far more than just simply jotting down words. Journaling is a way to express yourself, unleash creativity, pour out all the emotions, and get clear about what it is your heart truly desires.

When you think about it, many of us had our first experience with a journal during childhood — in the form of a diary. Little girls everywhere would rush home from school writing down the latest gossip, deep secrets and magical fantasies. If you’re like me, many of my entries are filled with things like “Today I have a crush on____.” “Joey didn’t talk to me on the playground today.” “She’s my BFF forever and ever and ever.”

While it may seem silly, at the time it was my little Rachel’s way of venting; it was therapeutic in a sense. After all, nothing you write in a journal is off limits.

However, it’s the journaling I deep-dived into as an adult that truly was the game-changer for me. In my early days of college, I wrote a lot about heartbreak, body … Read More!

Good afternoon, babes! Hope you’re having an amazing week, and soaking up some sunshine. Hubby & I just moved into our new place in the ‘burbs yesterday, and we’re already loving the simplicity and quiet. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore Boston, but I’m definitely a country gal at heart 😉

Anyway, I wanted to let you in on a little secret over here: I used to absolutely hate my body, in particular my “fat thighs.” I was super self-conscious to the extent that I wouldn’t wear jeans or shorts, let alone be caught dead exposed in a bathing suit. Trust me, I had the worst tan lines!

By focusing on what I hated about my body, my mind was filled with negative thoughts like “I am not good enough,” “If only I could have her body” and “Once I lose some weight and that thigh jiggle, maybe then I’ll be happy.”

Newsflash: those thoughts got me no where.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of negative bod talk stemming from the whole “bikini body” goals. It’s all over the place on social media, tabloids, magazines, and blog posts shouting at us ladies that THIS IS WHAT … Read More!

Hello beautiful ladies! Hope you’re off to one heck of a summer; I know I am. I left my full-time job, celebrated my 29th birthday, camped with some of my faves, chilled by the ocean, took an incredible calligraphy class, and have been eating all the food. Um, hello wine + cheese.

One of my favorite parts about summer is being outdoors and staying active — be it hiking, long walks on the beach collecting sea glass, morning runs or standup paddleboarding.

Fitbit makes it easier than ever to track all of your activities in a stylish, simple way. With the latest and greatest member of their active line — the Fitbit Blaze — they’ve totally pumped it up a notch. I absolutely love the plum wristband on the one I was given (my fave color!) but it also comes in blue and black if purple’s not your thing.

Check out these sleek features to see why I’m lovin’ the Blaze:

Have you ever had someone try to steal your glow — you know kill your vibe? You’re feeling great, you’re having an A-OK day, and then someone kind of stomps all over it.

This happened to me today while going about my daily errands. I ran into someone from my past whom I haven’t seen in years, and casually told them what I was up to. Before asking anything about me, they were quick to say — while laughing hysterically — “What? You quit your job without having another job?” When I told said person about how excited I was to finally focus on my health coaching and freelance writing and look for something part time, they continued to laugh at me. Big, roaring, I-am-judging-you-right-now snicker.

No questions. No congratulations. 100% judgement.

While at first I was insulted, I quickly reined it in and remembered how amazing I am and how I shouldn’t need to feel validated by another — mind you someone who barely knows me. I haven’t felt this happy in a while, and I’m going through a huge transitional period right now, including moving into a new place with my husband. This should be an exciting … Read More!

Happy Friday, love bugs! I don’t know about you, but I am totally feeling those summer vibes. Yesterday I hit the beach with one of my BFFs and we spent the day laughing, enjoying little appies (including this incredible local goat cheese spread!) & sharing a pitcher of sangria 😉 Hey, you only live once! I’d say I’m starting 29 off with a bang.

Anyway, it’s time for this week’s spotlight for Healthy Chicks in the Community, a weekly series celebrating badass women doin’ their thang. Remember last fall when I ran in the Reach the Beach relay with 11 other fabulous ladies? Well, I was lucky enough to meet the beautiful, confident, bubbly Ashley Diamond who also ran the relay! I loved her big, welcoming personality, making RTB newbies like me much more comfortable. I’m thrilled to feature Ashley on the blog today; she sure is one “Healthy Chick” you’ll love getting to know!

NAME/AGE: Ashley Diamond / 32

BLOG/TWITTER: A Healthy, Happier Bear and I am on Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter at
@healthyhappier

CURRENT CITY: Brooklyn, New York

PHOTO TAKEN: This picture was taken while hiking in Vermont with my family this June.

WHAT YOU DO FOR … Read More!

29.

Yesterday was my 29th birthday. The final year of my 20s. Almost 30. True adulthood.

Like all of my past birthdays, a bajillion feelings come sneaking their way to the surface, and I get a little self-judgy. It’s a time where I reflect back on where I am now, and where I think I “should” be.

When I was 22, I thought I had it allll figured out. I was ripe out of college, and had just moved to Boston with my best friend to start our lives in the city. I had super high expectations for myself of where I’d be at certain milestones in life — career, personal successes, love life and more. I would nail my dream job, find a husband, and make it big.

By 29, I’d be established in my career, own a big house with a backyard and grill, have a puppy and maybe a kid on the way. Put simply, I’d have my “shit together,” you know as adults should.

While things certainly didn’t map out as “planned,” I wouldn’t want it any other way.

We struggle, we change, we make decisions we don’t know are “right” but they feel right so … Read More!

Happy Friday, loves! I don’t know about you, but I’m totally feelin’ those weekend vibes. Maybe it’s the fact that I wore my new hippie elephant dress for the first time today, and totally felt in my element. Anyway, it’s time to move along to this week’s feature for Healthy Chicks in the Community, a weekly series celebrating badass women doing their thang.

I’m excited to intro you to the ever so beautiful Maura, who I was lucky enough to meet at Balans Organic Spa in Boston. (If you haven’t checked it out, it’s a must…their massages are on-point!) I love Maura’s passion for what she does, and how she totally walks the talk when it comes to holistic wellness. I’ll let you see for yourself!

NAME/AGE: Maura McCartney / 25 years old

BLOG/TWITTER: Balans Lifestyle Blog

CURRENT CITY: Boston

PHOTO TAKEN (WHERE/WHEN): LA / 2015

WHAT YOU DO FOR WORK: I support individuals to lead more vibrant, fulfilling lives by optimizing health, habits and lifestyle choices. I am the nutrition and health consultant at Balans Organic Spa and Balans Wellness studio — I absolutely love it! There is nothing more rewarding than witnessing my clients blossom into healthier, more … Read More!

This past Monday officially marked the first day of summer, and I was lucky enough to ring it in with a few other bloggers for a night of fitness, shopping & dining in Chestnut Hill Square.

We started the night off with a sweaty spin sesh at SoulCycle, followed by some shopping at Athleta (where I just had to buy these crops in Tahitian Teal, don’t they just scream summer?!?) After some shopping, it was time for dinner at Seasons52, where we were wined + dined galore.

We started off with a Peach Bourbon Smash cocktail (a sneak peek from their new summer menu!), and our lovely waitress brought us a couple different flatbreads to try: Blacked Steak & Blue Cheese and Lobster & Fresh Mozzarella. Both were absolutely delicious, but the lobster one was the favorite; I think it was the lobster sour cream that really put me over the edge 😉

After the flatbreads, we moved onto a watermelon feta & heirloom tomato salad, which was oh so refreshing! Our waitress then brought out another strawberry cocktail to try, with fresh strawberries that were infused in vodka…oh my! (Time to start pacing myself!)

For my … Read More!