Healthy Chicks

Good afternoon friends, and happy Friday! I am so thrilled to bring back one of my favorite Healthy Chicks traditions: Healthy Chicks in the Community. If you’re new over here, each and every week I would spotlight a fabulous gal via a mini interview here on the blog.

To bring it back with a bang, I can’t think of a more perfect woman to feature. When I first met Kelsey, I was immediately drawn to her infectious, glowing personality and genuine care for other people’s wellbeing. She’s one of those selfless souls that has the biggest heart, and you can feel that energy just by being around her. (The girl literally radiates positive energy!) Go ahead, see for yourself…

NAME/AGE: Kelsey Margaret O’Neil, 22

BLOG/TWITTER Website: kelseyoneil.com Twitter/Instagram: @Kekeoneil

CURRENT CITY: Boston, MA

PHOTO TAKEN: In Jaipur India, by Helena Monterio

WHAT YOU DO FOR WORK: I recently graduated from Boston University, and am looking to move to Southeast Asia (hopefully Kathmandu, Nepal) to work in humanitarian aid/disaster relief in September!

NUMBER ONE PASSION: This may sound cliché, but I love volunteering and helping those in need in developing countries, whether it be at orphanages in India or Leprosy … Read More!

This past Sunday, I turned 28 years old. I enjoyed my day to the fullest, complete with some window shopping in Saratoga Springs, purchasing two new crystals, and spending the evening relaxing at a charming, utterly relaxing B & B (topped off with a lakeside Italian dinner with the hubby). All in all, I’d say it was a pretty darn fabulous birthday.

Each and every year, certain feelings come up for me around my big day: a mix of anxiety, wonder and inspiration. I find that birthdays are the perfect time to celebrate what’s going really well in your life, and re-evaluate the things that aren’t really working anymore. You know, the “stuff” that no longer serves you, that you’d prefer to leave behind in your past.

It’s funny how much changes over the years; our outlook on life shifts and our wants & needs evolve. When I turned 5, all I wanted was the best Barbie doll — the one with the prettiest hair and accessories. At my 11th birthday party, I desired to be popular and invite all the “cool kids” in class, gossiping with my girlfriends all afternoon long. Life was carefree.

At 16, I remember … Read More!

No.

It’s such a simple word, yet many of us have such a hard time actually saying it.

For years, I struggled with being able to say no to other people. As an ambitious, people pleaser, I thought yes was what they wanted to hear, and I pretty much banned the word “no” from my vocabulary.

Why?

I wanted people to like me. I was scared what would happen if I actually turned somebody down. I didn’t want to come across as rude. So I forged on with years of saying yes to everything that came my way.

Yes, I can make that deadline.

Yes, I’ll be there.

Yes, I can absolutely do that for you.

Yes, I have time. Of course I have time for you!

Yes, I would love to.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I said yes to just about everyone and everything that came my way…expect for one important person, the most important person: myself. After years and years of not truly valuing myself, I mustered up enough courage to finally start practicing this whole “no” thing. Heck, I’ve seen others do it before…it’s time I may as well try myself!

I didn’t just say “no” to anything … Read More!

You know I love a good sweat sesh just as much as the next girl. And with my recent departure from the corporate world, budgeting in the Bean has been my saving grace (in all aspects of my life.) From lifestyle to fitness to grocery shopping, I’m all about keeping my bills low while living it up (even if this means walking to my favorite coffee shop instead of taking the T to enjoy my java!)

So when I found out that The Street in Chestnut Hill was starting up a free summer fitness series, I was sold in a hot second. All summer long, The Street will host complimentary workouts on the green, ranging from yoga to bootcamp. (Fun fact: they’ll even be offering baby bootcamp for you mommas!) And I’m all about shaking it up…variety is the spice of life after all!

If this sounds up your alley (which I’m sure it does!) you’ll want to save the date for THIS Saturday morning June 27th for Street Sweat x Lexi’s Clean Kitchen.

Come get your sweat on from 10:30-11:30am with MOVE Fitness, then join other wellness-nuts for an after party at lululemon athletica. You’ll sample … Read More!

What does listening to your body mean to you?

To me, listening to your body is getting to a place where you can surrender to the “should’s” and let it be. It’s doing what feels right for you, even if it’s not the “right” answer. It’s trusting in yourself to take risks, move in ways you didn’t think you could and quieting any negative thoughts your ego may be shouting at you.

Listening to your  body surely is a process and certainly not something that one can ‘master” overnight. In fact, I think it’s all one big journey we’re constantly learning + growing upon.

Last weekend, I was given the opportunity to try Stand Up Paddle-boarding (SUP) Yoga for the first time with my rockin’ aunt Tiggy on Fisher’s Island. (You can read more about it here via her article on MindBodyGreen)

As someone who has never even stepped foot on an SUP, quite frankly doing yoga on top of that kind of scared the crap out of me. My ego was questioning this big-time…

What if I fall off?

What if I can’t find my balance?

What if I fail miserably?

What if you downright suck at it?

To … Read More!

Summer.

What do you think about when you hear that word? More importantly, how does it make you feel?

In all honestly, summer actually used to bring quite a bit of anxiety for me. I absolutely hated my body, and slipping into a bikini was my absolute worst nightmare. (Thank goodness for baggy shorts + towels!)

I’d pass on invites to cocktail hours and Mexican night because I was afraid I’d gain weight, and I’d weigh myself up to 3 times a day just hoping the number on the scale would go down.

Only problem was no matter how many times I pinched my thigh fat, kicked the scale, or started yet another diet, my weight stayed the same (or went up!) and my confidence always went down, down, down. So much for the season of love, beach parties and summer fun!

Sound familiar? Oh trust me, I’ve been there girlfriend.

But is this really the way you want to feel? Didn’t think so. While for the most part I’ve overcome these body woes, they can still creep up when least expected. Fortunately, I’ve now learned how to tackle these feelings like champ (instead of let them eat away … Read More!

If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you probably recall my involvement last summer in New Balance’s Girls Night Out campaign, a night for women to socialize, sweat and have fun with their girlfriends! Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to return as a host for June’s GNO event, and I couldn’t have been more honored to dive in.

We all met at the New Balance Boston Experience Store in Back Bay to kick off the evening, and were served Essentia Water (thank goodness, it was a hot one!) and delish homemade granola bars upon our arrival.

[eek, that’s my name on there, minus the extra “R” ;)]

When I got there, I was immediately greeted by the lovely staff at Regan and New Balance, and then head straight to the back to get my TribeTats on before the girls arrived. I was super thrilled to have them as one of the sponsors, as I absolutely LOVE what their company is all about — self-expression + empowerment, baby! While all the tats were super cute (decisions, decisions!), I decided on the gold feather as they’ve always been super meaningful in my life. To me, they symbolize strength and … Read More!

Lazy mornings are the best kind of mornings, aren’t they? There’s nothing like starting the day with some incense, journaling and self-care to really set your mindset for the day.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for buzzing mornings too — long runs, brunch with your girlfriends, a 45-minute spin sesh — but lazy mornings have a special place in my heart lately.

And on said mornings, my body really doesn’t feel like cooking one bit. Even the thought of turning on the stove and having to clean the dishes just makes me cringe. That’s where the Vitamix + green smoothies come in to save the day! I’m a “whatever is in the fridge” kind of girl when it comes to recipes, and this simplified banana smoothie did just the trick.

Lazy Ladies Banana Green Smoothie

What Ya Need:

• 1 frozen banana
• large handful leafy greens (kale or spinach — the more the merrier!)
• ~ 3/4 c. almond milk; add more or less based on desired consistency
• 1 scoop of all-natural peanut butter
• 1 tsp. raw cacao powder

Blend together in Vitamix or powerful blender, and enjoy chilled! (Note: If you do not have frozen bananas … Read More!