Workout Woes: 3 Feel Good Moves When You Just Aren’t Feeling It

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

We all know exercise is beneficial not only for our body (who doesn’t love a little extra glute-toning), but for our mental health as well. Many women track hours at the gym, have a strict running routine, or even take several group fitness classes (such as core fusion) in one day. But what’s a girl to do when she’s simply not feeling it? Do we really need to be so strict on ourselves?

Let’s face it, we are only human. While many of us strive to be superwoman at times, even the fitness fanatics among us have their “off” days. And guess what? That’s totally OK and get this…normal.

I know what it’s like to feel guilt for skipping a workout. Heck, I even skipped my 6:15 a.m. Core Fusion Cardio class this morning because the gloomy weather was a huge turnoff, and well, my need for a good night’s sleep was much more important to me. I had a busy week, I was tired and I needed some good old-fashioned beauty rest. Old me would have beat myself up over this for days, but new me simply let’s it go. Now I don’t skip my workouts every day, but when I’m not feeling it I don’t force myself to go.

Anyway, I’ve got some good news for all of you guilt-prone ladies out there. There are little moves you can do that’ll help you to be a little less hard on yourself, while not feeling like a bump on a log.

1. Make it a Clean Day: Just because you’re skipping the gym doesn’t make you “fat” or “unhealthy” at all. If you’re letting this guilt get to you, why not make it a clean day in the kitchen? Eat a hearty breakfast filled with whole grains and protein, like rolled oats with flax seed, almond butter and sliced banana or peaches, or maybe a cage-free egg white omelet like this Vegetarian Farmer’s Omelet filled with sauteed veggies and a slice of Ezekiel bread.

Then drink lots of water throughout the day to flush your system of toxins, and get rid of any extra belly bloat. For the rest of the day, fill yourself up with lots of green leafy vegetables (think kale, spinach, or collard greens), healthy fats like olive oil or coconut oil for cooking,fresh fruit, and lean proteins like antibiotic-free natural chicken or fish. As I always say, the more real and simple the food is, the better so try to avoid anything that comes from a package especially items that have dozens of ingredients.

2. Move It Along: Just because you’ve made the decision to take a break from that whole working out thing doesn’t mean you have to sit around and eat pizza on the couch all afternoon, although we all have those kinds of days too and that’s completely OK.

If you’re feeling up for it, why not go for a walk with a friend around town? As you chat away, you won’t even realize you’ve walked nearly 3 miles around the city! If you’ve been running like a maniac lately and have really been feeling it in your knees, a local yoga class may be a good alternative for you. Maybe it’s just the weather is what’s keeping you from going to your favorite class. Whenever this happens, I chose to do an at-home workout DVD or On Demand exercise instead so I can still start the day on the right food, and get a mini sweat session in.

3. Relax Alright, so you took a day (or even a week) off from running and you’re feeling a little blue. Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe your body needs that break? Have you been to hard on yourself lately? Did you find yourself in a workout rut where you become angry instead of excited to take a class? These are all signs that maybe your body is craving a mini vacation from strenuous exercise.

When you find yourself feeling this way, it’s best to just take some time for yourself. Cuddle up after work with some peppermint herbal tea and a good book. Close your eyes for ten, even five minutes and just breathe. Meditate. Take a long bath or shower with some aromatherapy oils. Taking care of our mental self is just as important as taking care of our physical body, so try to give yourself a little leeway.

If you’re prone to guilt when you skip a workout, find it hard to relax and be at peace with yourself, or are looking for a way to revamp your diet without going on a diet, I may be able to help you. As a health coach, I work with women who are looking to get that “zest” back into their lives & escape a lifestyle of yo-yo dieting. To learn more you can visit my website here or schedule a FREE initial health consultation with me today.

Have a wonderful day,

Quick Healthy Lunch Snapshot: Put Leftovers to Use

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

Whenever you find yourself in need for a quick lunch, whether you are running late to work or rushing to get the kids ready to head out the door, it’s always a good idea to access what you already have. Before you go out and spend $15 on an over-priced salad or sub, consider putting your leftovers to use first. It may not always come out pretty, but I can guarantee you’ll save money, feel good about what you’re putting into your body, and perhaps invent a new favorite recipe. Hey, you never know!

Here’s what I concocted this afternoon when crunched for time:

{sorry, this pic was taken from my Droid. Told you, I was pressed for time}

about 1/2 c. leftover brown rice spaghetti + few tablespoons of all-natural garlic marinara sauce + steamed broccoli & spinach from last night’s meal + a few baby bella mushrooms + 1/4 c. chickpeas + touch of freshly grated parmesan cheese + dash of garlic powder & black pepper

And there you have it. A lunch made in minutes. What’s your favorite way to put leftovers to use? Have you ever created a new favorite recipe based on a leftover combo?

XoXo,

A Three Course Italian Feast: How to Cook Your Way to a Man’s Heart

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

If food really is the way to a man’s heart, I knew I had better be making my man the meal of all meal’s this past weekend. The Boy recently had a loss in his family, and rather than buying him an Edible Arrangement or a prewritten Hallmark card, I decided to get my little butt in the kitchen. I know just how much fresh garlic & seasonings, red wine and a home-cooked meal made with TLC can really mean (far more than any cliche gift in my book), and well that’s what I wanted to do.

So I thought, and I thought and I thought and I thought.

What would be extra special? What would really show how much I care?

And alas, the idea was born. It started out with a CD my sister had given me a while back filled with authentic Italian dinner music. Italian theme it was!

And then came the menu that I designed, printed out and placed aside the table settings with the card I had written him. Ristorante Di Amore or shall I say, “Restaurant of Love.” Here’s a mini preview below:

Primi (First Course): Field green salad with assorted vegetables; wine, cheese and bread plate with olive oil dip

Secondi (Second Course): Chicken marsala served with roasted garlic broccoli & whole wheat cous cous

Dolce (Dessert): Chocolate Mousse Cannoli from Mike’s Pastry (of course!)

For starters, we snacked on New Zealand sharp grass fed cheddar cheese I had picked up from Trader Joe’s with a glass of Malbec. We also enjoyed a nice big salad with field greens, cucumber, tomato, freshly grated parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

As The Boy finished his appetizers, I got to cooking. I had never made Chicken Marsala before, but found this recipe on Women’s Health online which I decided to modify a bit. I pretty much followed the recipe with a few minor tweaks, like substituting onion for shallot (since that’s what I had in the kitchen) and replacing half the flour with almond meal as I find it a great replacement for flours when breading or frying. You can view the original recipe here. It was surprisingly super easy to make, and tasted just like the authentic meals I’ve had at Italian restaurants, while using fresh, wholesome, healthy ingredients.

While the chicken was cooking, I roasted the broccoli in the oven – just chopped it up and drizzled with olive oil, lemon, garlic and a little bit of parmesan cheese and roasted for about 25 to 30 minutes. The cous cous was the easiest to make, as it literally cooks in five minutes. I just added a little lemon, thyme and fresh parsley to season and served it as a side.

The grand results?

{I swear it tasted MUCH better than it looks…I’ve never been the best food photographer}

And then there was dessert, and more wine. Seriously, is there any better way to end a romantic “I Love You” meal with a Chocolate Mousse Cannoli from Mike’s? I think not.

XoXo,

SPECIAL FEATURE: My Stylist Marcus – All Natural, Organic Hair Care Guru in Boston

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

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“All around the hair is healthier, I’m healthier and my clients are healthier.”

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting with Marcus Sederstrom, the face behind My Stylist Marcus, at Salon Red on Newbury Street. With his impeccable style and witty charm, Marcus may seem like an ordinary Boston stylist at first glance.

However, once the conversation begins to flow, one realizes that there is quite the story behind that charm. While Marcus has been in the hair industry for 15 years, he just recently came back from a five-year leave while battling Lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system).

During recovery, Marcus realized that he desperately missed his days as a stylist and interacting with clients, but didn’t want to work in an environment filled with toxins and chemicals all day long. Right then and there, he decided he needed to make some changes for his health, and his clients’ health.

Now Marcus proudly provides his clients with natural, certified organic cleansing, styling, color and even keratin treatments. “It’s the cleanest of the greenest products available,” he said with a smile. “All around the hair is healthier, I’m healthier and my clients are healthier.”

While describing the products to me, Marcus had me hold out my hand and poured a little bit of shine serum, prompting me to rub my hands together. Within seconds, the residue was gone and my hands felt silkier than ever.

That right there is the difference between certified organic products with real ingredients versus the kind of products we find at most salons and stores today. Think, when was the last time you saw ingredients like almond oil, olive oil, wheat protein, coconut or aloe in your hair products? Real, pure ingredients that you can feel good about putting onto your hair, scalp and hands?

Heck, even the organic lightener (alternative option for bleach) that Marcus uses smelt like fresh flowers comparatively. It was absolutely mind-boggling and fascinating!

Sound too good to be true? Here’s the skinny on the products Marcus uses:

Certified Eco-Friendly
Certified Organic by the United Kingdom Soil Association
100% Ammonia free
non-carcinogenic
no plastics or parabens
PETA recognized as vegan
No Volatile organic compounds
No Phthalates, mercury or Resorcinol
GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) free

Yes, these products really are just THAT pure. I’ll let Marcus take it over from here to share everything from why he got into the hair industry to his personal specialty…

RC: How long have you been in the hair care industry and what made you choose that route?

MS: 15 years. I kind of fell into it. I was working as an auditor at the time,and my friend who was in hair dressing school told me I should give it a try, so I did. I love it. It’s my passion now!

RC: I know organic is what you pride yourself on. Why organic? Can you explain your background?

MS: I was in the business for 10 years and took five years off because I had lymphoma. I wanted to work in the business but not with the dangerous products. So I spent three months researching online, particularly on Great Britain’s products which are the cleanest and the greenest. I wanted something healthier for me that would give a healthy option to people, and be nice to the earth. So I went green, offering certified organic cleansing, styling, coloring and keratin treatment.

RC: How do your clients respond to this?

[note: while asking this question, I also learned Marcus has nothing lower than 5 stars on Yelp and on his website; that says something!]

MS: People love the products. My clients are organic farmers, personal trainers and their wives, restaurant owners, mothers, people who live an organic life, or pregnant women. People who are looking for an option. You know, people go out and eat organic and then get their hair dyed!

RC: What’s your favorite product or styling technique?

MS: Hair color is my forte. The {organic} line has such beautiful reds, beautiful browns, and the health of the hair is better. People think because it’s organic they won’t get results but you get amazing results and the shine is better.

[Marcus takes out his color flip book to show me the variety of shades, including everything from golden browns to plum. He then points to a beautiful golden honey shade. "I love these for Jennifer Lopez highlights!"]

—

Visiting with Marcus really opened my eyes to the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, not just by how many times you exercise or what you eat, but also what you are putting in and on your body. We often don’t realize that many of our favorite products – from our perfume to our makeup – are filled with harmful toxins and parabens, and I myself have been a victim!

Of course, we all can’t be perfect 100% of the time, but being aware and cautious of the kinds of products we use is a first step! And it’s great to see that people and businesses are catching on to this trend.

Interested in learning more? You can visit My Stylist Marcus here and book an appointment right online!

XoXo,

Friday Favorites: Kombucha, Sweat & Love Letters

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

Happy Friday loves! Hope your weekend is off to a good start so far. Today I took myself on an amazing date to Whole Foods, where I stayed for a good portion of the afternoon. I had a lot of work to get done today, and most of it I could do without the internet, so I decided to unplug from my Mac for a solid 4+ hours. However, I did bring an old-fashioned notebook and my IIN iPod in order to catch up on my latest lectures for nutrition school.

I loved everything I learned about today, from the pros, cons, and logistics of soy products to lessons of healthy eating from cultures years ago, like eating REAL, RAW butter and cheese and consuming all natural meat and fish products (fat and all) for nutrient optimization.

It definitely helped that I was listening to my lectures while eating a delicious, wholesome meal from the Whole Foods’ salad bar. My plate included lentils, spicy chickpeas, raw pumpkin seeds, salmon salad, roasted mushrooms, quinoa and feta among some other samplers. I absolutely love the different variations you can make at Whole Foods, and if I could I would go there every day if the budget allowed. How cool would it be to have a buffet like that in your own apartment? Hey, a girl can dream…

Anyway, since today’s Friday, here’s what made the cut for this week’s Friday Favorites:

1. Kombucha Tea

I used to drink this stuff in college because it was “low calorie” and I was scared of calories/fat/carbs/everything at the time. I hated the taste back then, but would down it anyway. Now that I know of the extreme health benefits of Kombucha, such as better digestion and immune support, I’ve been trying to add it back into my diet lately. I enjoyed some today with lunch and found myself to have great energy and concentration, without an ounce of coffee all day! Even better, I actually really enjoy the flavor now and find it to be super refreshing. I decided to go with one of GT’s newer flavors: Botanic No. 3 with hints of lavender and elderberry.

2. Sweating it Out

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I have to admit; I’ve been totally slacking when it comes to cardio lately. My busy schedule mixed with core fusion classes mixed with walking all around the city has prompted me to put cardio on the back burner. However, yesterday night after an extremely stressful day I decided to go for a good, old-fashioned run on the treadmill. Who knew how exhilarating just 30 minutes of sweating could be? I loved the the energy burst I got, the clarity I found, and how amazing it made me feel over all. I’m definitely going to be incorporating some more cardio into my daily lifestyle again. Not too much, but enough. It’s just running & I work very well together. I’m also thinking about registering for another half marathon coming up if my iffy knees allow for it. I will certainly keep you posted!

3. Love Letters

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The whole Valentine’s Day thing got me thinking about love letters, and how you simply don’t see enough of ‘em this day and age. As I expressed on my blog before, words mean more to me than any gift could ever mean and the card The Boy made me for Valentine’s Day was my favorite part. If I got a love letter sent to me every day, I would be the happiest girl on earth. OK, maybe not every day but you know what I mean. And it doesn’t even have to be from your significant other. It could be a love letter to your best friend, a love letter to yourself, or a handwritten “I love You” note on a napkin for your roommate who’s having a bad week at work. I wrote one for The Boy yesterday ’cause he’s been having a tough week, and it made me feel good knowing it’d make him feel good. Go ahead, write it out. It feels pretty good, now doesn’t it?

Xoxo,

Thursday Inspiration: Brushing off “The Little Things”

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

We’re all guilty of over-reacting, analyzing, and dwelling on “the little things” at times. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Your heat bill is $100 steeper than normal, you can’t find your left high heel that you JUST. NEED. TO. WEAR. FOR. THIS. DATE, your face broke out in a massive eruption of pimples, and work is sucking lately. Bad.

Hence, we think “everything sucks.”

Does this sound familiar? We all do it, and I myself am a huge victim to dwelling on those little, tiny annoying things that seem really, really big at the time. Take today for example. I woke up and felt “off” from the beginning of the day. I then immediately went for my Mac to get a little internet in me, only to find out that my internet was down. Turns out the modem broke (somehow) and the Comcast dude couldn’t come until after 6 p.m.

Suddenly I was irritated. Angry. Mad. Over the freakin’ internet. I mean, c’mon Rach, get a grip. (That’s what my rational self would have told my “crazy” self at the time). This anger only led to more “little things” like a stupid fight (well, more like a tiff) with The Boy over nothing, my explosion over my messy kitchen, and the fact that I felt “behind” with my workload.

But when The Boy got a phone call regarding a family emergency, my rational self came rushing back in a snap. All those “things” no longer mattered. Who cares if I go a day without internet? Work will always be there tomorrow. So what if the kitchen looks a bit chaotic? That’s what weekend cleaning is for (and it’s a great stress relief at that). Why nit-pick at little, insignificant things with the people we love so dearly? What’s the point?

I know it’s easier said than done. That we should all “let go of the little things” and just be happily, every after. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, but we could at least vow to be a bit more mindful when we see ourselves getting this way.

I know for me, stress is a huge trigger to my over-reacting self so I’m really working on sipping more herbal tea throughout the day (and less coffee), starting up running again, and getting back into weekly yoga practices to de-stress and bring myself back to my sane, practical, loving self. The “me” I know and love.

Life’s simply too short to dwell on the teeny, tiny, insignificant road blocks…don’t ya agree?

In the words of Robert Elliot, “Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.” I whole-heartedly agree.

XoXo,

Valentine’s Day Special: Story of The Boy & Three Hot, Little Ideas

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

Good afternoon ladies, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you all! This morning I decided to make a special breakfast for The Boy inspired by this recipe I found on Pinterest, and also my coworker’s story of her girlfriend surprising her with breakfast in bed.

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Yes, heart shaped “Eggs in a Basket.” Well, due to my lack of any art skills whatsoever, my variation definitely didn’t come out as pretty to say the least. My heart cut-out was not nearly big enough, so the egg kind of just exploded over the toast. Therefore, there will be no pictures of Rachel’s remake on my blog today. The Boy didn’t care though, and it still came out super delicious. We drizzled ours in some salt, pepper and hot sauce to spice things up bit!

We enjoyed our heart eggs with kiwi & sliced apple wedges served with nutella, and the leftover heart cut-outs (from the inside of the toast) spread with peanut butter. I also made The Boy some oatmeal with flaxseed, blueberries, raw maple syrup, cinnamon and peanut butter since his appetite’s a little bigger than mine. And you bet I brewed a pot of coffee (Creme Brulee flavor today), which we topped off with some organic almond milk and a little bit of pure vanilla that The Boy had bought for me on his vacation.

Speaking of The Boy, since today is Valentine’s Day in all I decided it’s finally time to “reveal” him. After all, we have been dating for a year and three months now, so I suppose it’s time.

His name is Jason, and kinda, sorta like him a lot.

He’s a 27-year-old entrepreneur who enjoys health and cooking almost as much as I do.

Our last names both end in “ski,” we’re both Polish and on our first date we had some major chemistry.

Speaking of our first date, while I don’t tell many people this (since I get embarrassed), we actually met online. Yup, we can thank Match.com for our “success story.” I joined out on a whim November 2010 after I got fed up being single (my whole life) and meeting creepy guys at bars. I was on Match for a week, he was on it for a year. The rest is history.

I have to admit I was skeptical of “online dating” at first, but really it’s been one of the best things that ever happened to me. Hey, can’t knock it ’til ya try it. So for all you single ladies out there; here’s a special treat: a free 3 day trial with all the perks including email access. [Disclosure: I will get a small commission if you do end up signing up, but either way three days for free is totally fun if you're up for it.]

Ok, ‘nough about that. Now onto three special little treats anyone can enjoy this Valentine’s Day…

1. EAT IT – – Not Your Sugar Mamas‘ “Be Sexy” Chocolate

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These local ladies (based in Martha’s Vineyard) whip up real, raw, organic chocolate that’s actually good for you. I tried it for the first time the other day, and have to say my favorite was the “Be Sexy,” a powerful mix of cacao, coconut butter, agave, spirulina, maca, vanilla and sea salt with an added boost of “love potion” (that includes rose hips and extra maca) for an aphrodisiac effect. Watch out ladies and gents; this chocolate works wonders for your love life! Find out more about these chocolate-crafting gals here.

2. DO IT – – Get a massage! Taken? Take your sweetie to the local spa for a couple’s massage to experience a powerful bonding effect. You’ll both feel relaxed, centered and closer by the end of the massage. Single this Valentine’s Day? Buy yourself a massage for an amazing detoxification & rejuvenating experience for your body. You’ll feel high on life and ready to embrace the day!

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3. EMBRACE IT – Love yourself a little extra today. Embrace your body (curves and all), write in a journal, and know that it’s ‘OK’ to treat yourself. A little extra chocolate isn’t going to kill ya, and the gym will always be there tomorrow. Take this day for YOU.

Much Love,

Love is…

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

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I found this quotable image today on Pinterest, and thought it was absolutely fitting for today. After all, it is the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, you know that day of love. It was interesting reading how other people filled in the blank “Love is…”

Such as…

“Like heaven but it hurts like hell”

“a moment that lasts forever”

“that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own”

“hard work”

I’m sure all of us embody different definitions of what that four letter word means. Whether we are single or taken, a college senior or a senior citizen, heartbroken or passionate, love is a powerful thing and has a certain meaning to each and every one of us. So I challenge you to go ahead and fill in the blank. Love is________.

I shall start. Love is….

“a crazy, passionate, wild beautiful journey that makes each day a little more ‘worth it.’ It adds a lil extra spice to a bland day.”

OK, your turn. Love is…

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

[go ahead, embrace the snow & find something to love about your day source ]

It’s snowing outside in Boston today, and while this makes some people cringe, I’m feeling especially warm & fuzzy inside. There’s just something about fresh snow on a winter’s morn’ that makes me smile extra big. Go ahead, and embrace the snowy day. Play in it, twirl in it, dance in it. Enjoy the feeling of fresh snowflakes falling on your lashes. Make yourself a cup of soothing cocoa and open up your blinds and just watch. Grab a friend and head out for a day of shop-’til-you-drop (like me).

Alright, I’m off to finish my creme brulee coffee and then head out to Newbury Street with my sis for the day to get some last-minute Valentine’s Day / personal shopping in before work!

XoXo,

TGIF & 11 Things

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Healthy Chicks

Good morning ladies, and Happy Friday! I was going to do one of my weekly Friday Favorites posts, but Whitney over at Live Run Love Yoga tagged me in this fun activity that’s quickly making it around the blog world.

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules. (check)

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.

6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

OK, here goes…11 random things about myself…

1. I am color blind, mostly with different shades of browns, greens, and reds. I got the gene from my dad, but still love him anyway! People don’t realize it’s not as bad as they think. I CAN see color, and yes, I know the sky is blue and the grass is green. But throw a box of colored pencils on the floor and have me pick up all the green ones? Now we’ve got a problem. Last Valentine’s Day, The Boy bought me two dozen roses in shades of yellow, pink, and purple because he didn’t want me to mistake the red ones for poop brown.

2. I am a HUGE worry-wort and always have been (yes, totally one of those annoying back seat drivers), yet I went skydiving in New Zealand two years ago out on a whim. (shhh no one needs to know I’m a scaredy cat)

3. I have a group of a dozen close friends from college whom I still talk to every day. They make me laugh/give me inspiration/tell it like it is and I love that about them. We will totally all be at one another’s weddings and I can’t wait ’til the first one of us gets married.

4. My very first “real” boyfriend is in fact The Boy. He was my first I Love You & the first to be welcomed into my family. Yes, I was single for 23 years of my life. That is, if you don’t count the middle school boyfriends I had who’d just walk me to the bus & avoid me in the lunch line. Oh, to be 12 again.

5. I absolutely adore sushi, peanut butter, dark chocolate, red wine and tequila

6. I was born and raised in Connecticut (where my family still live), went to college in Virginia (at James Madison University where I got a degree in Journalism & Communication), and this will be my third year living in Boston

7. I despise olives.

8. I can’t stand Debbie Downers who complain about anything & everything all day long. If you don’t like something/someone, then do something about it. That is that.

9. I consider myself very awkward, and if you really got to know me you’d probably think so too. It’s hard to explain on my blog, but I’m totally one of those go-for-the-kiss-when-it-was-really-a-hug, say too much sorta girls. I like to call it quirky.

10. My favorite band is The Beatles. I could listen to their music all day long. I also have a strong for of all oldies, classic rock, Cat Stevens, Coldplay, Ingrid Michaelson, Chili Peppers, and Sublime. As you can see, my music taste is ALL OVER THE PLACE.

11. I’ve worked in about six different jobs since I’ve moved to Boston, and that doesn’t even count the freelance stuff. I took something positive from each position (even the jobs I hated), and now know what I want to be “when I grow up.” After trying the 9 to 5s, dabbling in waitressing, and taking on tons of gigs, I realized it’s just not me. I’m a work-for-myself kinda gal, and I have a true passion for making other people feel good, especially when it comes to their health and happiness. That’s why I decided to go back and get my degree as a Holistic Health Coach through IIN, and you can check out my new health coaching business Zesty Living here. I finally know this is where I’m supposed to be, and it feels darn good.

And now, to answer Whitney’s questions for me:

1. If you had to choose, would you pick running over yoga or vice versa?

This is a tough one, but I’d have to say most of the time its running. I love the way it calms me down, gets me in a zone, and helps me focus. Then again, lately I’ve been trying to add yoga back in for the phenomenal benefits: de-stressing, strengthening, toning, flexibility, detoxification, mental clarity, etc. I like to mix up my workouts as you can tell!

2. Kindle, iPad or Actual Book?

Actual book. 100%. There’s just something joyful about curling up with a copy of your favorite book. I also love how they smell AND flipping through the pages AND collecting new books for my book shelf.

3. Favorite fitness magazine and why?

Women’s Health because it has the most variety – – fitness, recipes, relationships, sex, you name it and I usually tend to enjoy their content.

4. Favorite vegetable and favorite way to cook it?

I’d say broccoli sauteed in garlic, olive oil and lemon juice OR sweet potatoes mashed up with a blend of seasonings (right now I’m loving cumin, salt, pepper and a dash of cinnamon)

5. What is your favorite kind of sweet? Cake, ice cream, cookies, tortes, you name it!

Dark chocolate.

6. The Olympics are this summer, what sport are you excited to watch?

Swimming! I used to be a swimmer in high school, and I enjoy watching the strong, adrenaline rush.

7. What kind of running shoes do you wear? Why?

Asics. I got a special par with extra padding meant for flat-feet which work wonders on me. I don’t even remember what they’re called but I like ‘em a lot.

9. What kind of yoga mat do you have? Do you even have a yoga mat?

I own a bright yellow one my mom gave me. Again, not sure of the brand. But I usually tend to use the mats the studio provide anyway!

10. What is your favorite topic to blog/write about?

Body image and motivational pieces for women, because I LOVE making other people feel good (no matter what size or what they’re going through in life). I feel happy when other people are happy, as cheesy as that sounds.

11. What do you do for a day job?

I work at Exhale Spa as a Guest Experience Associate, am a freelance copwriter for a parenting company in Boston, and also pick up freelance writing gigs quite often. Currently, my schedule is packed because I’m also studying to become a Certified Health Coach, and can start taking clients THIS month, so things are really starting to pick up business-wise!

And now, my 11 questions for those of you I tagged…

1. Who’s your #1 role model and why?

2. If you were planning a dinner party TONIGHT, what would you prepare for your guests?

3. What’s your sign and do you believe in zodiac/horoscope kinda stuff?

4. What is a deal-breaker for you when it comes to relationships or dating?

5. Are you reading any good books right now? If so, what? If not, what’s the last GREATEST book you’ve read?

6. What’s something strange you simply can’t live without – – be it a beauty product, a food you crave, etc.?

7. Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

8. If you could travel anywhere in the world for a week, where would you go?

9. What’s your favorite hobby, aside from blogging?

10. Are you shy when you first meet people or bubbly, social butterfly?

11. Best way to blow off stress = ___________

And I tag Megan from Balanced in Boston, Elina from Healthy & Sane, Clair from Finding Clarity and Rachel from The Life & Lessons of Rachel Wilkerson.