Healthy Chicks

I wanted to check in with you all and simply ask, how have you been doing?

I’ve been trying to stay positive through this all because it’s how I roll but the other day it hit me hard — I felt the anxiety creeping in and let myself cry. Then I took an epic nap when the baby napped.

It felt good. It’s what my body was craving.

If you’re feeling anxious/scared/confused/isolated/worried/stressed during these times, you’re not alone.

Here are a few tools that have been helping me focus on wellness and shift my mindset during this global pandemic.

Focus on things you CAN control

Take care of your wellness! At our home, we take daily vitamin D3 drops, lots of vitamin C (in the form of clementines and oranges, mostly), lots of hydration, and nourishing food like bone broth and homemade soup.

Get Outside

Get outside and soak in the energy of Mother Earth! Get at least 10 minutes of fresh air and sunshine each day, get grounded, play and re-energize.

Curate Your News Feed

Curate your news feed to make it work for you! This means turning off the news if it becomes “too much” and reading … Read More!

I’m a big fan of women supporting women, which is a big reason I launched the Healthy Chicks in the Community series. Heads up: I also recently created a private Facebook group for women to connect, create and cultivate if you’re looking for more community. (You can request to join here!)

Speaking of women in the community, I’m excited to introduce you to this month’s feature, Connecticut local Kimberly (KC) Brunini. As the Owner of THE BAR[RE] CT in Rocky Hill, CT, KC offers a variety of fitness classes to suit your unique style. (Fun fact: I’m hosting a Spring Equinox Spark Your Bliss Circle there on March 19th!)

In this inspiring interview, we chat about the challenges of launching a business, her love for pasta, and their sister yoga studio coming this spring!

NAME:

Kimberly (KC) Brunini

WHERE DO YOU LIVE:

Cromwell, CT

GIVE US A SNAPSHOT INTO YOUR BIZ/WHAT YOU DO:

I own THE BAR[RE] CT in Rocky Hill, which is a small group fitness boutique studio, where we specialize in barre fitness but offer a variety of other formats. The idea behind THE BAR[RE] is you would never show up to a bar where you’re only … Read More!

It’s tax season and I’m sure many of you are focusing quite a bit on money. Money talk can bring up many feelings for people — stress, anxiety, excitement, greed, guilt, joy, and more. At the end of the day, I think we’d all like to develop a healthier relationship with money (myself included).

This month, let’s focus on developing an abundance mindset.

Today on the blog, I wanted to share a few simple tips I utilize to bring more abundance into my life:

I have a gratitude journal practice

Each morning, I write down one to three things I’m grateful for, which helps open up space to attract more abundance (instead of coming from a lack mindset i.e. “I don’t have enough”).

I Carry an Infinity Symbol with Me in My Wallet:

My dear friend Cathy Ripley Greene taught me this trick: Draw an infinity symbol on a small piece of paper, and stash it in your wallet where you keep your money. Also, be mindful of keeping your wallet/purse clean, only with things that bring good energy (i.e. no loose change, old receipts, trash, etc.)

I Say “Thank You” When Money Comes in

No matter how much, … Read More!

There’s no doubt about it: my dad makes the best chili. It’s packed with chorizo meatballs, ground turkey, beans and a whole bunch of secret ingredients. Fun fact: he actually made it as a finalist in last year’s NFL “Taste of Tailgating” recipe contest.

And while his chili is my favorite winter comfort food, sometimes a girl wants something a little lighter. That’s where Healthy Chicks Chicken Chili comes into play!

I recreated a recipe I remember from childhood with a new twist, and also saved a ton of time by using a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This simple White Bean Rotisserie Chicken Chili has a ton of flavor, is a bit lighter than your traditional chili and takes less than 30 minutes to make. Enjoy!

Simple White Bean Rotisserie Chicken Chili

Makes about 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 c. organic chicken broth (I used Pacific Foods)
• 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded (Whole Foods has a great deal on these)
• 1 yellow onion
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped  
• 2 cans white beans
• 1 can green chiles  
• 1 jalapeño, diced 
• 1 can tomato paste 
• 1 bunch cilantro, chopped (save half for garnish) 
• 1 TB cumin
• 1/2 TB chili powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon 
• Salt & pepper

… Read More!

Happy February! It’s that time again for our Healthy Chicks in the Community feature, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world and beyond!

I’m honored to spotlight fellow wellness mama Erika Beal. As a Body Confidence Coach and “Self-Love Activator,” she helps women break the diet mindset and make peace with food — and their bodies. When I first met Erika at a Mom Boss event, I was drawn to her purple hair and magnetic personality. She was also unapologetically herself — so very clear on who she is and what she offers. Fun fact: she was also 9 months pregnant!

In this month’s interview, we chat with Erika about finding peace with your body, how she launched her dream career, and why squats are her favorite exercise. (The reason might surprise you!)

NAME:

Erika Beal

WHERE DO YOU LIVE:

South Windsor, CT 

GIVE US A SNAPSHOT INTO YOUR BIZ/WHAT YOU DO:

I help women accept and embrace their bodies and discover the confidence they never knew they had. My goal with clients is to break them out of the diet mindset and shift to a more … Read More!

#TRUTHBOMB This working mom life isn’t always a walk in the park.

Some days I feel like I’m totally crushing it — my writing flows, money comes in all while I’m loving on my baby girl. Other days it feels hard — scrambling to meet a deadline, whip up a mediocre lunch, make a solo run to the grocery store all in that tiny window I get before little love wakes up from her nap.

I sometimes struggle with the balance of being a “good mom” and prioritizing me and my work. I’m human. Both are important to me. On the days I get a little stressed out, I know that energy carries on to her, so I’m working on being more aware of that.

The other day, a dear friend gifted me a note that said, “Create a nice moment for yourself at least once a day.” She said she knows it’s what I preach, but sometimes it’s hard to remember to actually DO IT for yourself.

The other day, when I could feel the overwhelm of working/momming/doing it all bubbling up, I asked for help from my husband, told him that I needed a moment. He … Read More!

With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve been focusing a lot on self-love. To me, it simply means taking time to love and appreciate yourself — mind, body and soul. Self-love comes in many colors: making yourself a nourishing meal, taking a moment for yourself on your yoga mat or prioritizing your mental health.

It’s also about surrounding yourself with the women in your life who are going to lift you up, support you and make you feel like the best version of yourself. And what better way to spread love than through good food?

This Galentine’s Day (an unofficial holiday in honor of women supporting women), gather your favorite gal pals together to show them how much they mean to you. These Almond Butter & Chocolate Chip Love Bombs are the perfect gluten free, low-sugar treat that says “I love you” with every bite.

Almond Butter & Chocolate Chip Love Bombs

*recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food Cookie Dough Bars, makes about 25 balls

Ingredients:

• 4 cups almond flour
• 3/4 c. almond butter
• 1/2 c. coconut oil
• 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
• 2 tsp. raw cacao
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 c. chocolate chips (I used dairy-free)
• pinch of cinnamon

… Read More!

New year, new Healthy Chicks in the Community feature, a monthly series highlighting rockstar Girl Bosses doing their thang in the wellness world and beyond!

I’m thrilled to kick off 2020 with Kristen Reed, a Holistic Nurse and Reiki Master sprinkling her healing touch out into the world! I love her holistic approach to nursing — bringing together her love for people and health through Reiki, health and wellness coaching, and self-care.

In this months’s uplifting interview, we chat with Kristen about how she continues to bring holistic modalities into the medical world, her recovery from two back breaks (and a break up), and her love for sumo oranges. I’ll let Kristen take it away from here!

NAME:

Kristen Reed, RN, BSN, BA, HN-BC

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS/LINE OF WORK: 

My holistic health business, “Nursing Your Way to Wellness” helps busy women like you find more balance, manage stress, and live their healthiest, happiest lives☀️through Reiki therapy, Health & Wellness Nurse Coaching and wellness workshops!

With 1-on-1 coaching sessions, we work together to help you achieve your optimal health: feeling more balanced, energetic, resilient, and vibrant, with lifelong insights for lasting, powerful change, so that you can do ALL … Read More!