Healthy Chicks

Calling all local-lovers, environmental enthusiasts, health freaks, foodies and hungry people alike. This Saturday, Oct. 2nd is the First Annual Boston Local Food Festival.  No, this isn’t just your everyday Farmer’s Market or rinky-dink fair; this is a one-of-a-kind festival to remember! The delicious outdoor festival will take place at Boston’s Fort Point Channel from Congress St. Bridge, the Boston Children’s Museum up to the Moakley Bridge at Northern Avenue. Did I mention that there’s FREE admission? Yup, not cost to come!

Still not convinced? Well I’ll let you in on some insider highlights that’ll have you drop your Saturday cartoons and lazy couch potato lounging in a jiffy. Not to mention, I am one of their featured bloggers (take a peak) and am also volunteering on the day of the event, so you should definitely come say hi! 

Some hot highlights of the event: 

1. Prime location: Yes, you saw the directions. That means a whole afternoon filled with waterfront fun…can’t beat that. Shop, eat, and laugh the day away with your friends and family in the midst of the lovely Boston fall scenery! 

2. Budget-Friendly: You heard that right. Not only do you get to sample delectable food … Read More!

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This morning a side of me I don’t like came out: impatience. Blah. Impatience. It’s both unnecessary and unhealthy. It even sounds unhealthy. I would say in the grand scheme of life I’m a pretty patient girl, but this morning I was far from patient, and I don’t like to be that way. I don’t know if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or what, but something was up. It may have been the fact that my mother woke me up at 7:30 a.m. and tried to have a conversation with me while I was half asleep (sorry mom, it wasn’t really me). Anyway, my not-so-patient mood increased when I was informed that UPS was indeed not going to redeliver my package I missed on Saturday, and that I had to go pick it up. Grrr, I don’t have a car. They expect me to walk? Why can’t they just bring it to me? (impatience getting the best of me in my head. They are busy too. I’m not entitled for royal treatment). 

Once I realized that I was not going to win this battle and that the package was not … Read More!

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Do you know that there was a time when all I thought about was calories and my weight? It was downright tiring but I simply couldn’t get it out of my mind. I’d count calories in everything I ate, even if it was just a tiny yogurt, an apple or a small salad. I’d weigh myself every day (sometimes five times a day) and beat myself up if the number on the scale went up at all (even .5 pounds). I’d exercise obnoxious amounts in order to burn off everything I ate and so I’d feel “skinny.” It was downright self-sabotaging and every time I look back on my former self, I can’t believe that this negative inner “weight talk” consumed an entire 4+ years of my life. There is so much more to life than that. 

While it’s sad to realize that’s how low I used to think about myself, I couldn’t be happier about the person I am today. Four years later, I’m now a happy, confident, determined young woman who doesn’t think an ounce about calories or stress about weight gain. I’ve finally come to the realization that there is so much more to … Read More!

Now that it’s officially fall, one thing in particular has been on my mind: pumpkin. Pumpkin picking, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin carving, pumpkin everything. But since I can’t have everything all at once, I decided to make do with what I could and bake some pumpkin muffins. But this isn’t just your ordinary recipe; these babies are unique, perfectly soft ‘n’ fluffy and delightfully tasty. Enjoy with a glass of milk or hot cup of tea!

*Makes approximately 12 large muffins

-1 c. canned pumpkin puree

1/8 c. chocolate soy milk 

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 c. plain greek yogurt 

1/3 c. applesauce or vegetable oil 

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1  c. whole wheat flour* 

1/2 c. all purpose flour* (*substitute 1 1/2 c. gluten free flour for regular flour for those with wheat sensitivities) 

1/3 c. agave syrup 

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

1/4 to 1/2 c. Ghirardelli Semi Sweet chocolate chips 

½ c. sunflower seeds 

1. Preheat over to 375. Mix dry ingredients together, then adding in all the wet ingredients slowly. Mix well, being sure all the flour has dissolved but do not … Read More!

As you know, I’m a huge fan of all-natural, fresh ingredients…especially ingredients that you can pronounce.  Yes, it’s true that I used to be a calorie-counter and low in calories meant it was good for me. But that all changed when I went to Italy four summer’s ago. I remember before I embarked on my journey I was SO nervous I was going to gain tons of weight while abroad: loads of pasta, pizza and bread, what am I going to do? Needless to say, I had a minor panic attack. However, when I got back from my two month trip and stepped on the scale, the exact opposite was true: I had lost five pounds. Yup, that’s right. I lost five pounds with my only exercise being walking to school and the local markets every day, and  while eating lots of fresh pasta, breads, cheeses, fruits, veggies and even a serving of gelato daily. 

It’s no miracle as to why I lost the weight. You see, what they serve in Italy is completely different than the “Italian” food you see here. It’s unbelievably fresh (god take me back there now), local (I bought everything I ate from markets on … Read More!

Tonight for dinner I made one of my favorite quick and easy dishes:  Light ‘n’ Healthy Summer Pasta (or shall I call it Fall pasta?) Really, a dish like this can be made every season, with minor veggie variations of course. Anyway, back to the point: as I was running around boiling the water and sautéing my veggies, I thought about how terrible it’d be if I didn’t have some extremely vital kitchen staples. You know, the things you take for granted when cooking but it’d be a complete kitchen nightmare if suddenly you were all out. Yes, those lovely lifesavers. Anyway, I put a quick list together of my personal gotta-have-it supplies and thought I’d share with you fine ladies!

1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil- The perfect “dressing” for a salad, the best and only way to cook veggies, and the most wonderful combination with pasta. EVOO is definitely a MUST in my book (er…kitchen). 

2. Fresh herbs: I always like to have a few fresh herbs around the house. Right now I have basil and dill, but I like to change it up depending on what I’m cooking that week. Other faves are cilantro, parsley, mint leaves, and … Read More!

First off, I’d like to take a moment to honor this day, and remember all of the loved ones who were lost. We should all keep that in mind throughout the day, and try to maintain a positive, hopeful mindset for the future. 

I plan to spend this gorgeous Boston fall Saturday as simply as possible. No crazy plans or hectic appointments. Instead I’m going to relax, reflect and be happy. It’s said a picture’s worth a thousand words so instead of my usual wordy posts, I decided to enlighten you with photographs instead. This is how I plan to spend my lazy yet thought-provoking Saturday…

Seek out life’s simple pleasures. Find joy in the little things. This can be going for a walk and feeling the crisp fall air blow through your hair, or sending a “thinking of you” note or a hug to a friend in need…

Paint your nails…a pretty color…on the porch outside…with your best friends

Finally tackle that pile of laundry you’ve been procrastinating all week…

Do something crafty and creative, like organizing your bulletin board or starting a crochet

Drink a lot of H2O (with lemon if you have it)… I have to admit, … Read More!

The other day after dinner, I reached into my cabinet for a handful of Ghiradelli Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. I’m a huge fan of dark chocolate, and these little gems do it for me every time. “What are you doing? Didn’t you just eat dinner?” my neighbor asked, confused of why I was eating chocolate right after my eggplant lasagna indulgence. “It’s my dessert!” I shouted back at him. “What, you eat dessert?” Um, duh! And let me tell you: sometimes it’s a lot more than a handful of chocolate chips. Just ’cause I’m healthy doesn’t mean I resort to broccoli and peas for my post-dinner treat. 

Dessert. Ahhhhhh. Just the sound of it alone makes me  feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s honestly one of the best things on earth, the perfect ending to a perfect meal. As you can see, I am totally a sweet tooth fanatic. But there is no way I’m going to have the taste of salad or pasta sauce in my mouth and call it a night. I at least need a piece of gum or a savory mint before I hit the hay. I know some people who brush their teeth immediately … Read More!