The Gift of Holiday Presence

December 12, 2016December 12, 2016Leave a comment

The holidays are meant to be H A P P Y, remember?! Give yourself the gift of presence! (It’s not all about the presents, it’s about the P R E S E N C E.) We often get so wrapped up in the falalalala that we forget to pause, breathe, and actually enjoy the most wonderful time of year. Below are our top tips on staying present, sane, and even H A P P Y throughout the holiday season.

Pick and choose. Your calendar is FULL of holiday parties, cookie exchanges, secret Santas, cocktail parties, and pure busyness. It’s when we over-commit that December becomes a blur and we end up ringing in the New Year in need of a nap, vacation, and detox. What if we stopped saying “yes” to everything and commit to only what we’re actually looking forward to?? Not to sound like the Grinch, but truth is that we have a choice. Say yes to the things that you enjoy and skip the rest; you’ll have more fun and be less burned out!

Embrace the crazy. Holiday shopping, in some regard, is pretty unavoidable for most of us. While it would have been ideal to start the shopping early to avoid the last-minute crunch, for most of us, that concept is long gone (better luck next year!) Instead of heading into the madness with frustration and angst before you even find a parking spot, commit to embrace the chaos, lines, music, and the crowds. Turn shopping into a family affair, girl’s night out, or excuse for a date. Remember that you always have a choice. Remind yourself what the holidays are really about and choose to be positive, you’ll find that the little things just won’t bug you as much. The hustle and bustle is out there, so we might as well embrace it!

Catch your breath. We get so ‘wrapped up’ in the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cookie-baking, caroling…This just leaves us overwhelmed and under the weather. Schedule down time with (or without) friends and family. There’s nothing wrong with staying in for a movie or game night, partying in your pajamas, or soaking up the season solo in a warm bath. Schedule time to do nothing just like you would put aside time for an important event. When you are out and about, remind yourself often to pause, take a long, deep breath and return to the current moment instead of worrying about what’s to come and go. Click here for more mindful tips and here for OHH’s tips on staying healthy throughout the holidays.

It’s the thought that counts…right?! The more thought we put into our gift-giving, the more we enjoy the giving more than the getting. So, instead of thinking of each gift as another check on your to-do list, take some time to put genuine thought before you buy, especially for those near and dear to your heart. Few of us need more “stuff,” so instead of clutter under the tree, spend some time doing for others to fulfill their hearts and yours this holiday season.

One Healthy Breakdown: keep presence over presents this year!

How Gratitude Makes You Healthy

April 19, 2016April 19, 2016Leave a comment

An attitude of gratitude. Thankful. Blessed. We all know that we should appreciate the things, people, and opportunities we have; however, did you know that an ‘attitude of gratitude’ has proven health benefits? (Possibly even more than that green juice you paid for.) Before we chat science, why not start with a little exercise to get that gratitude flowing? Ready, set, gratitude.

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The simple act of expressing thanks automatically lessens stress, which can lead to illnesses like cancer and heart disease, overtime. So, next time you’re in a rut, shift your focus to the good things you have going for you to boost your mood and your immune system.
Grateful people are more likely to take care of themselves, which is hugely related to both physical and mental well-being. Dedicating time for self-care makes us happier, less stressed, more focused, and more capable to take care of others. Think of the oxygen masks on airplanes; we can’t take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves first.
Showing thanks may spark new relationships. Whether your colleague does you a favor or a stranger holds the door for you, expressing appreciation may initiate conversation, which may lead to friendship, which may lead to more happiness and even more gratitude.
An attitude of gratitude increases self-confidence, self-awareness, and self-esteem because your focus is on the good things that you like about yourself. Heck yes.
Grateful people are less likely to blame others, react with aggression, and experience anger, as they acknowledge their blessings and feel more empathy for others. Bye bye, road rage.
Trouble sleeping? Gratitude reduces anxiety, which can keep us awake or interrupt sleep. Simply put, get grateful and get good shut-eye.
Gratitude boosts resilience. We’re far more likely to overcome an obstacle or stay strong through a tough time if we keep an attitude of gratitude.
Grateful people are proven to exercise more, which also relieves stress and initiates all of the other benefits listed above. Lace up your sneakers for this double whammy.
You do not have to be “successful” to feel gratitude. In fact, those with less money or “stuff” have actually been proven to feel more gratitude. It’s not about what we have or do not have, it’s about perspective.

So, how do we practice daily gratitude? Simply set aside time daily or throughout the day to count your blessings. Write them down or simply make a mental list if you’re on-the-go. Be more observant of when others do something nice for you or someone else and express your appreciation. Even if you’re really down in the dumps, force yourself to smile or think of one thing you’re thankful for. It takes little energy and actually produces happy hormones, which lead to all of the above. Giving thanks all year-round will make you a healthier, happier, more productive, well-rested, confident, unstoppable human being.

One Healthy Breakdown: adopt an attitude of gratitude and reap the benefits…then express your gratitude for ’em and let the cycle continue!

12 Tiny Changes to Make the Year Amazing

September 11, 2015June 7, 20164 Comments

*When Elise Museles of Kale & Chocolate shared her idea for #12tinychanges, I hopped on board without hesitation and I think that you will as well! After all, September is the perfect time to make healthy changes, we might as well make changes that stick! So, join us in making the next 12 months amazing, one tiny change at a time! Elise explains exactly how below:

September always feels like the beginning of a new year, doesn’t it? There’s an energy in the air as the kids head back to school and we adults buckle down at work. Just like the new year, many of us view September as an opportunity to make big changes: more exercise! Fewer refined carbs! More water! No TV! More salad! Home-cooked family dinners every night!

And we might just try to implement all of those changes at once, going from one to 60 in two days. Not surprisingly, this rarely works. We burn out, pull a muscle, and unhappily binge eat over the sink (we’ve all been there.) Our goals to eat healthy, exercise often, and replace TV with journal writing are strong on day 1…and gone by Friday…oops!

Has this ever happened to you? How many times have you broken promises to yourself? This time, it’s going to stick. This time, it’s going to be different. I know because I’ve been there. The only solution that I’ve found is to make teeny, tiny, sometimes even laughably small changes over the course of a long period of time. Baby steps, indeed.

Instead of “I’m quitting dairy tomorrow” I said, “I’m going to put almond milk in my coffee every morning for the next month.” Instead of “from now on, I’m drinking eight glasses of water every single day,” how about “I’m going to drink a glass of water before each meal for the next month.”

By the time a month had passed, I was on my way to developing a new healthy (and permanent) habit. By the time an entire year had passed, I had over a dozen new habits! I slept better, ate cleaner, moved more, and was kinder to myself. I made all of these changes in a sane, sustainable way…and those good habits have stuck around. It’s not about the changes we want to make, it’s about the changes we actually commit to and turn into habits.

So I invite you to take advantage of September’s bustling new energy and join me in the 12 Tiny Changes Challenge, by committing to 12 small and doable changes to try—one per month, over the course of the next year. Grab yourself a cup of matcha tea and nestle in. We’ve got a fun year ahead. Are you ready? Let’s go, why wait?!

September: This month, I’ll devote a few hours to meal prep every week.

Your mom wasn’t kidding when she said that if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. It’s so much easier to eat healthy all week when your pantry, fridge, and freezer are properly stocked and prepared! This month, spend a few hours every Sunday (or Friday or Monday – you choose) prepping some of your meals & snacks, shopping for fresh, in-season produce, chopping, slicing, and peeling. You don’t need to do it all at once, but with the new fall routine settling in after summer’s carefree days, it’s an opportune time to create a little structure with your meal planning. Learn how to set yourself up for success here. Be sure to follow @kaleandchocolate on Instagram, (and @hamptonskiley) post your meal prep pics, and join in by using #12tinychanges hashtag. Last but not least, there will be prizes!

One Healthy Breakdown: get prepping and posting, change(s) is just around the corner!

Out With the Old, In With the New

March 26, 2015March 27, 2015Leave a comment

Spring. Birds chirping, sun shining, snow melting, spring cleaning. Before you roll your eyes, this isn’t about weeding through your closet, although that may be a good idea. Spring cleaning is about so much more than old clothing, clean countertops, and fresh gardening. Life is reborn for trees, flowers, wildlife, and whoever wants to take advantage. Spring is the season of growth and renewal; the perfect time to cleanse the old and welcome the new, both inside and out.

Cleanse. Clean out the junk in all aspects of life and replace it with fresh, positive, healthy goodness. As the saying goes, if you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food!

Cleanse your eating. That does not mean you’ll have to live on juice – been there, done that. Good news: your body is designed to cleanse itself. That’s right, you can skip the starvation, straw sipping, and pill popping. Just get back to the basics and treat your body right by eating right. Go through your pantry, fridge, and freezer, and throw away anything (and everything) past its expiration date, labeled with ingredients you don’t even recognize, and those winter comfort foods you know aren’t doing you any favors. Then make a grocery list full of (almost) nothing but whole foods and fresh, in-season produce. Get shopping, aiming for organic, unprocessed, high-quality, and local as much as possible. Most importantly, practice mindful eating to break up your current patterns. Call on a friend or nutritionist for some moral support. Take a step back, listen to your body, turn to whole foods, and sit and slowly chew, taste, and savor each bite. Soon enough, you’ll find you’re eating what your body truly wants and needs, not what your sweet tooth or emotions crave. You’ll be more in-tune with yourself and ready to spring into spring!

The other factor in cleansing is hydration. Drinking enough water is crucial to our health in so many ways. Since we’re made of mostly water, our body needs to stay hydrated in order to function properly, cleanse naturally, stay active, and maintain balance. Plus, drinking lots of water can boost metabolism, avert cravings, and energize your muscles. Since you’re cleaning out your fridge, you’re ditching the soda, fruit juice, sports drink, cocktail mixers, and whatever else you’re sippin’ on. Good ol’ H20 is where it’s at. Always carry a water bottle with you and spice up your water with fun additions and natural concoctions!

Lastly, what’s progress without positivity?! As we clean out our closets, pantries, and bodies, this spring renewal won’t last without an attitude adjustment. It’s as simple as the three words above: think good thoughts. Clean out the old – the judgement, negativity, fear, guilt, etc. that we place upon ourselves and others. Replace all this wasted space with pure, uplifting thoughts. We put so much effort into taking care of others and showing our loved ones that we care, but we often overlook the same treatment for ourselves. Treat yourself with respect, kindness, and self-confidence. Catch yourself next time you have a negative thought and turn it around. Soon, these mindful changes will result in greater happiness and health like never before! Feel free to evaluate the people in your life as well. If someone does nothin’ but bring ya down and you can easily avoid them, cleanse them right out and don’t look back. Fill your mind with good thoughts, fill your life with good people, and fill your days with good things!

One Healthy Breakdown: This spring season, don’t just replace the snow boots with rain boots. Instead, think about the changes you’ll make to rid the same old and embrace the new you, from the inside out and the outside in!

What Fuels YOUR Inspiration?!

August 13, 2014February 21, 2016Leave a comment

Inspiration comes from all different sources for all different people. The things, people, and places that may inspire you may not inspire me and vice versa. Regardless of what inspires you, it’s important to be aware and seek inspiration in those sources. Inspiration really does fuel life – when we feel inspired, we’re able to reach a whole new level.

Here are some things that inspire me: meeting like-minded people, music, walking, family, dancing, yoga, a good night’s sleep, friends, sweating, meditating, laughing, coffee, nature, learning, fresh healthy eats, the beach, organization, goal-setting, running, and a whole lot more!

But enough about me, this is about YOU! Let’s ignite YOUR inspiration! Just print the page below and fill it out with those things (people, places, actions, mantras, etc.) that inspire YOU and post your list where you’ll see often. Just glancing at this should reignite YOUR Inspiration! Maybe it’s the first thing you look at in the morning, the last thing you see before bed, or your go-to before starting a seemingly-impossible task? Get ready to FUEL your inspiration!One Healthy Breakdown: Nothing can stand in YOUR way when you’re INSPIRED!

One Healthy Photographer

November 13, 2013November 12, 20131 Comment

One Healthy Photographer, Kate Petrone, is a Hamptons local with an eye for art, both in and out of the kitchen. Her love for photography and for life grow with each day she embraces. Enjoy learning more about Kate and tune in to her words of wisdom on doing what you love and treating yourself, and others, right.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did ‘life as you know it’ come to be? How did you get into photography and what do you like best about it?

I feel very lucky and blessed to have had the opportunity to grow up out here. I was originally born in Rockville Centre, but my family moved out here because of all the wonderful things they heard about the school system. I began kindergarten in Amagansett Elementary School, and then went to East Hampton for middle school and my freshman year of high school. Growing up, my mom always had a camera in her hand, whether she was taking pictures and videos of me or photographing the beautiful scenery out here. However, it wasn’t until I transferred to The Ross School my sophomore year of high school that I really discovered my love for photography.

It started with an intro darkroom class and I completely fell in love with it. I learned how to develop my own film, print my own photos, and I even mixed my own chemicals. The satisfaction I got from looking at a print I made entirely on my own was addictive. I got to travel to Australia with my photography class during my junior year of high school, where we spent three weeks taking pictures and exploring. During my senior year, I started my senior thesis project, which, as a final product, ended up being a show of over 50 prints ranging in size from 11×14 to 16×20.

Once I graduated, I went to The School of Visual Arts in NYC where I earned a BFA in photography. I remember my first day of class, everyone brought in his or her portfolio, and the guy sitting next to me asked to see mine. Once he saw they were all black and white, hand-printed photos, he casually said, “oh, I’ve never been in a darkroom before.” It blew my mind how someone in school for photography had never been in the darkroom to learn the fundamentals of the art. It was then that I decided to be different, to choose a traditional form of photography over digital photography. Instead of using the computer to make a photograph into art, I wanted to explore other methods and I ultimately chose Wet Plate Collodion Photography, which originated in the 1850’s and was actually the second form of photography ever invented. You’ll see some of my work here.

I photograph on black tin and clear glass, creating both negative (ambrotypes) and positive (tintype) images. My 8×10 camera is made out of cherry wood and I have a French Darlot brass portrait lens made in 1871. It produces beautiful, timeless photographs that have an eerie, dreamy quality to them as well.

2. Is there any overlap in your love for photography and your value for health, and wellness? Do you ever combine the two? In what ways?

That’s a great question! I think my value for health and wellness rolls into every aspect of my life, whether it’s my relationship with my family and my boyfriend, my job, my love for photography, even the way I interact with other people. There’s something to be said about the method of photography I have chosen to practice. It’s completely organic and a really stripped-down way to produce art. I love photographing my friends and family, and making still lifes out of every day objects that are a part of my life. As an example, a friend of mine passed away a few years ago, and every year since then a group of us go down to the beach with white roses and throw them in the water for her. Well one year, I was walking along the beach about a week later, and I saw one of the roses. It was weathered from the salt water but was still insanely beautiful. I took it home that day and made a portrait of it.

I also use Instagram to post photos of new, healthy recipes or fitness goals I make. I use the photo app to check-in to a fitness community I’m a part of called Tone It Up. This allows everyone in the community to connect from all over the world. When I’ve made a masterpiece in the kitchen, I love taking photos and uploading them to share over social media, I love trying new things and getting feedback from others. Social media check-ins are a really great way to stay motivated and it’s fun to incorporate photography in to this practice.

3. What is your favorite workout? Favorite weekend activity?

I’ve been getting into spinning recently, which I love because it’s fast-paced and really challenging, but fun at the same time. I found that spin class motivates me to push myself to levels I didn’t know I could reach.

I’ve always loved yoga too. I practice Ashtanga, which is all about challenging yourself and focusing on your breath. No matter how much you’re sweating or what posture you’re in, if you’re not breathing correctly, you’re not practicing correctly. There’s always room for improvement. One of the things I have always loved about yoga is that there’s no competition. It’s all about bettering yourself and focusing on no one but yourself.

On the weekends, I love to relax, go wine tasting, spend time with loved ones and get some fresh air! Another thing I do is meal prep for the week ahead, it’s such a good way to plan healthy meals. I love having people over on Sunday to watch the game, and I’ll make a big pot of chili or throw together something in the crock pot and know I’ll be able to eat all week.

4. As a young woman, photographer, girlfriend, member of the community, etc. how do you maintain balance in your life?

I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful family and a loving boyfriend who have supported me with any decision I have made. Whenever I have any doubts I think back to the question, “if money wasn’t an issue and you could do whatever you wanted, what would it be?” It’s really important to do what you love. I hate seeing people stuck at a job they’re miserable at or getting up for a day they know they’re going to hate. Why torture yourself? I once left a job where I was being treated poorly, I just up and left. It felt so great to stand up for myself, and I’m really happy with where I am today. Do what you love, and the rest will fall into place.

5. Any great healthy/balance tips for other young woman?

When in doubt, keep it lean clean & green! As often as possible, I try to eat natural, in season vegetables and fruits. I really feel a difference when I’m feeding my body the nutrients it needs to thrive. My biggest advice, though, is don’t beat yourself up. If you have an off day or even an off week, just get back on track. It’s not about failing, but how we bounce back that really counts. Far too often I see women putting themselves or others down. Girls can be really judgmental on themselves and others. I’ve gotten bullied before, and it’s really sad because it shows that these people are so unhappy with their own life that they feel the need to bring others down with them. Remember, nobody ever got ahead by putting someone else down, and if someone is trying to bring you down, they’re already beneath you.

6. What food items do you always keep in your house?

I’m a nut butter fanatic. At all times, without fail, I have at least eight different jars of peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, etc. I’ll eat it with anything- on an apple, in a wrap, on a banana, on a celery stick, and in a stir-fry. I even make little energy bites or bars by combining honey and peanut butter on the stove till it’s thin, then add oats, any kind of dried fruit, slivered almonds, shredded coconut, and roll them into little bite sized balls or cut them into bars. They’re delicious- and I love knowing I can grab one and run out the door if I need to!

7. What is your favorite indulgence?

It’s all about the simple things! I love relaxing with a nice glass of red wine, a good movie, my kittens and my boyfriend. To tell you the truth, I’m kind of a crazy cat lady!

8. How do you make health a priority in your home?

As often as possible, I look up recipes and meal prep for the week. I try to look for recipes that include a lot of the same ingredients, or Crock Pot recipes that are simple and delicious. Crock Pots are great because they don’t require a lot of prep time or even ingredients, and you literally throw whatever you want in there, go about your day and a few hours later, you have a healthy, hot, home-cooked meal ready to eat! My boyfriend is also a really good sport about trying new things. I even got him to like brussels sprouts!

9. What is your FAVORITE thing about living in the Hamptons?

The seasons! Fall is so beautiful out here. I’m a summer girl, but I love when the crowds leave and we have our town and beaches back! I love how crisp and cool the air is and how vibrant the leaves are. I’m also very lucky to have grown up a few miles from the ocean. I don’t think I could ever not live near a body of water. I grew up surfing in Montauk and riding my bike to the ocean after work just to dig my toes into the sand. I love the water so much that I became a lifeguard for about 7 years. The ocean is so therapeutic. Salt water cures everything!

One Healthy Breakdown: Embrace life, explore your passions, treat yourself and others right, and dig your toes in the sand as much as possible. It’s workin’ for Kate!

Get Happier with Gretchen Rubin

October 28, 2013October 28, 2013Leave a comment

Thanks to the CWBC, (Council for Women of Boston College) I got the opportunity to attend “Happiness Beyond the Heights” in NYC last week. We learned all about happiness first-hand from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project & Happier at Home. You guys know that I am ALL about happiness, so I am so intrigued to learn about happiness in a concrete way from someone who has made a career from studying the subject.

Gretchen began by clarifying that happiness is a difficult concept to define, measure, and substantiate; therefor, she prefers the use of the word “happier.” Regardless of our circumstances and how happy we are now, most people can relate to wanting to be happier. It also must be known that being happier involves change and personal growth. (Aka you can’t change anyone but yourself, so if you’re hopping on the happier train, get ready to focus on YOU!)

As I learned watching The Happy Movie, 50% of our happiness is determined by genetics, 10% by life circumstances, and 40% is controlled by our intentions.

One of my favorite of Gretchen’s many happy lessons is that happy people are helpful people. For many people, wanting to be happier or taking time for ourselves may be viewed as selfish. In actuality, happy people are far more likely to turn outward and help others. Think about it: people who volunteer, people who are charitable, people who are generous, those who offer to help you out, or do something to make you smile because they sense that you need it – these are usually happy people. Less happy people are more likely to isolate themselves and less likely to seek ways to help others. As Gretchen says, “ We should be selfish if only for selfless reasons.” So, go ahead and let yourself off the hook. Make time for what makes you happy and chock it up to doing a selfless deed, knowing that making others happier makes us even happier. Happiness is contagious. Happiness is a growing cycle. Do good, feel good. Give and you shall receive. Imagine if the world was run by happiness experts?

Gretchen gave us some other great happiness tips I’m excited to share about boosting personal happiness (which, we now know boosts the happiness of those around us too!) Gretchen’s first two simple checklist items for being happier include sleep (7-8 hours, it’s non-negotiable) and daily exercise (even 10-20 minutes is enough to get the endorphins rolling and best if outside in the sunlight). Personally, I struggle to get enough sleep, but I’m committed to making sleep a priority and you guys know I’m big on the exercise thing. Regardless of your fitness level, just get moving everyday. It’s been scientifically proven to boost happiness.

Gretchen advocates for focusing on the value of smell. All our senses can give us pleasure in different ways, but Gretchen explained that smell doesn’t take much time, effort, or money. While fresh baked chocolate chip cookies give us pleasure, the indulgence comes at the cost of calories, and baking them also takes up some time. A shopping spree sure gives us pleasure, but (cha-ching) comes at a financial cost. Also expensive and time-consuming, getting a massage to satisfy the pleasure of touch. Smell is fleeting, it does not take our time, money, or effort to appreciate a delightful smell. While you can buy a candle or perfume you love and indulge in that smell, it’s also about noticing the wonderful smells around us. I would also argue that music is an affordable sense that comes at little cost and little extra time. Hearing a song you love definitely boosts happiness, so give yourself the gifts of music and scent daily. It’s really about finding things that come at little cost to you, but really boost your happiness (ie: hot baths, a good book or magazine, cup of tea, favorite TV show, craft of choice, etc.)

Another of Gretchen’s philosophies: outer order contributes to inner peace. Lots of us feel that organization calms us. Whether it’s the coat closet, our desk, library, bedroom, etc., maintaining order on the outside will help us feel better, calmer, and clearer on the inside. It’s true, as much as I hate to clean, it always makes me feel renewed after a good tidying. Gretchen’s requirements for holding onto ‘stuff’ are; I either need it, use it, or love it. If none of the three, get rid of it. Wow, I really need to clean out my closet with those conditions…(and if you know me at all, no need to confirm that realization…I’m on it…)

It’s not all about purging “stuff;” it’s about value. Happiness has been shown not to be correlated to possessions or a lack thereof, but more to a value for what we do have. Gretchen recommends creating a shine for the possessions we love. For her, it was children’s literature. Instead of her collection being scattered around the house, she put it all in one spot and coordinated it so that it feels special now, that spot is dedicated to her children’s literature collection. It’s not about adding to a collection and needing more, more, more, it’s about treating possessions we value with value.

Lastly, anyone who has studied the concept of happiness will agree that the key to happiness is relationships. Happy people have happy relationships. Happy relationships make us happy. Happy people make for happier relationships. There’s that cycle again. Again, boosting happiness involves personal growth, meaning we cannot change others, what they do, or how they treat us, even if that contributes to unhappiness. What we can do, though, is change the way we react to others or set precedents with our own change-making actions. If you change yourself, dynamics within the relationship change and most likely, you’ll feel that the other person has changed for the better as well. If you want to improve your relationships, improve you. If you want to be happier, focus on building positive relationships.

One Healthy Breakdown: Whether you’re up for a complete happiness revamp or you’re curious to know more about The Happiness Project, pick up the book or check out gretchenrubin.com today! And another thanks to the CWBC for hosting this happy event…go BC Grad School of Social Work! Have to shout-out to my alma mater!)

The Art of Managing Stress

October 21, 2013October 21, 2013Leave a comment

If you’re totally relaxed and at peace every second of every day, ignore this post. If you ever feel stressed and overwhelmed, keep reading. The Wellness Institute at the Southampton Hospital offers a weekly stress management class to discuss and aid the art of relaxation. While stress is a natural reaction, part of our humanity, it can have a negative effect on us both physically and emotionally. Our sense of reasoning is not clear when we’re stressed, we’re not able to put things in perspective, and we often feel physically drained or even experience stress-induced illness. Nowadays, we rarely take the time to rest and rejuvenate. There’s always something to do, 24/7. Some of their suggested relaxation strategies include:

Remember that it is not the goal to rid your life of stress, its learning how to manage stress that is important.
The more positive your outlook, the better you will manage stress. Learn to re-frame your stress by thinking about the big picture and prioritizing.
Living in the present moment is half the battle. If you’re living in the here and now, you can’t stress out about something next week.
Although we no longer celebrate a universal day of rest every Sunday, pick a time and make up for it. Since the world never stops, the hustle and bustle never shuts down, and time does not stand still, we have to create and prioritize the time to rejuvenate. Choose a time each week that is family time or alone time. Put aside all of the latest technology and chill.
Learn how to say NO sometimes! It will help you to avoid lots of unnecessary stress.
Utilize all five senses (visualization, scents like candles or oils, touch like massage, taste your favorite foods, listen to calming sounds, music, or silence.)
LAUGHTER is the best stress buster. Laugh, a lot.
Relaxation techniques should be practiced daily in order to master the strategies for when they’re most needed. Just like a muscle, our stress-management skills need to be worked to stay in shape.

One Healthy Breakdown: Destress and decompress for your wellness!

I’m Coming Home…#weddingvenueshopping

September 10, 2013September 10, 2013Leave a comment

Whew! Touring wedding venues is EXHAUSTING! Super fun, special, and exhausting! Over the past week, my mom and I checked out seven wedding venues in The Hamptons and Boston (where I’m from.) It’s been an exciting few days for sure and I think I’m ready to return to my normal routine back in The Hamps.

I’ve quickly learned that wedding planning includes a hell of a lot of champagne and desserts. Not complaining! But, it’s a lot. Even without a wedding to plan, we all have weekends, celebrations, parties, meetings, traditions, and vacations. While it’s important to enjoy these events to the fullest and live a life of balance, not deprivation, it all adds up. The drinks, the clinks, the cals, the bubbly, the courses, the birthday cake, cake pops, pies, and so on.

Who wouldn’t want to dig right into this?! You better believe I did. I tasted almost everything because it’s not everyday a girl is offered a sampler of fresh desserts involving carrot cake pops, chocolate covered strawberries, macaroons, and pumpkin whoopie pies…now is it? But, a taste is a taste and I do want to be able to fit into a wedding dress over the next few months! Yes, I had my cake and ate it too, but I also focused my enjoyment of this whole process on seeing the venues, enjoying the beautiful city of Boston, spending quality time with my mom and the rest of my family, and meeting new friends along the way!

I took advantage of this mini-vaca and enjoyed the time and these indulges. However, I did not sleep in and I did not forego my workouts. Balance is about enjoying what life has to offer, but not unraveling, or straying from goals. My goal is pretty loosely a body and mind that feels good, strong, and healthy, and a balanced, fun life. While my afternoons and evenings have been spent touring venues, getting drinks, lunch, or dinner with family, and, of course, the occasional frozen yogurt, my mornings have been spent running, spinning, at the gym, or on the yoga mat. And I love it that way. Work hard play hard, that’s really the message here.

Whether you’re in or out of your normal routine, do what you can and enjoy it. The weather is amazing this time of year, perfect for outdoor walks, runs, hikes, or bike rides. Choose something you love and do it. That way, exercise isn’t a chore but an activity. Something you know will pay off in the end, whether it’s to negate that cake pop, strengthen your muscles, stretch your body, refresh your mind, or all of the above, it’s always worth it if you ask me. Did I want to get up early yesterday morning to go to yoga? Not necessarily, but once I hit the mat, after a few downward dogs, I couldn’t have been happier that I did. That yoga class was exactly what I needed after lots of spinning. And, I enjoyed that yoga-zen for hours afterwards, an added bonus. Strive for balance, not perfection. It’s possible to enjoy every celebration, big and small, while living a healthy life. A healthy life is a longer life! More moments to enjoy!

One Healthy Breakdown: When all else fails, take the stairs!

Dream Body & Mind Re:TREAT

August 9, 2013August 15, 20132 Comments

As you may or may not know, I spent the past three days at a Dream Body and Mind Re:TREAT in Southampton. This was a week of physical, spiritual, and emotional growth for me, indeed. After Monday’s Spirit Junkie Sati and my three-day juice cleanse, I feel like a whole new woman! And after this Re:TREAT, I can say I am!

While it’s humanly impossible to fully describe this experience, the purpose of Re:TREAT was to heighten awareness, perspective, and spirituality to create desired change and a more fulfilling life. Awareness of our physical being, spiritual being, mind-body connection, breath, life goals, conception of self, connection with others, emotions, past and present experiences, and so on. We did this through movement, learning, discussion, exploration, and breath.

Re:TREAT is lead by Cynthia Goerig-Waldrup and Michelle Weber (who you may have read about here!) Cyndi is a master coach and teacher who enriches people’s lives daily. Michelle is a fitness expert, specializing in pilates, gyrotonic, gyrokinesis, pre and post natal training, and celebrity personal training. Together, they make a mind-blowingly fabulous team.

With five women total, the group was tight-knit and personal. Five different personalities, all together for the same reason: personal growth. There was a comforting level of equality and care for others from the get-go. While we were lead through group activities, we also explored our own individual “stuff,” as there was a nice balance between group discussion, movement, and individualized attention. Cyndi and Michelle both lead the group in a very relaxed, approachable manner, setting structure while allowing for unforseen shifts, self-exploration, and supportive conversation.

We all have a story, a pattern, a way of living life that may not be our ideal, it may be a little bit different, or a lot different, from our dream life. These three days were all about identifying and ridding the old story and rewriting it with our dream-life. We’ve all heard of manifesting. If we manifest that our dreams will come true, that our ideals are reality, then it will come true, if we do the work to unblock our barriers first. If we believe in ourselves, our greatest fantasies will become reality. After all, is everyone’s goal in life not pure happiness? Good news: it’s absolutely possible for us all!

One of the newer concepts to me is relating energy and vibrancy to all aspects of life. When we remain in lower vibrational patterns, we are weighted down. Movement and meditation, among others, can stimulate vibration, which elevates mood and energy. Everything has a vibrational frequency, the words you say, foods you eat, water you drink, music you listen to, and people who surround you. It was very interesting to learn about vibrational frequency and how it impacts our lives and level of happiness. This was just one of the many lessons Cindy and Michelle made us aware of during Re:TREAT. The point being that we control our own happiness. Re:TREAT gave us the tools to zone into this control and amplify results.

So, what happens next? I’m not sure, exactly and I think that’s the fun of it, because I am open to anything that comes my way. After three days at Re:TREAT, I see the world, and myself, a bit differently. I definitely have a heightened sense of awareness, and gratitude, and I’m loving that. I know that I want to treat myself and others better and I have every intention of doing so. I am embracing this contentment, but am also ready and available for more. If you crave a bit of enlightenment, supported self-exploration, or a whole new life story, I’d suggest contacting Cyndi and/or Michelle today. They offer a complimentary consultation to learn more about this program, so you’ll know if it’s right for you. I definitely feel honored to have been a part of Re:TREAT, it was quite a treat.

One Healthy Breakdown: Don’t be afraid to take a chance and sign yourself up for some personal growth. Keep your eyes peeled for Michelle and Cindy’s next Re:TREAT.

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