Gained about (I don’t own a scale) ten pounds (from overindulging, lack of movement, and seeking comfort in food during quarantine. I was home, with my family, in the cold, rarely leaving the house, eating out of stress and boredom…and actually perfectly okay with it.)
Lost the ten pounds pretty effortlessly (by figuring out a new routine, reducing stress, and re-focusing on my own self-care.)
Gained muscle, strength, endurance, and new peace of mind from prioritizing 15-30 minute workouts and more meditation/journaling most days of the week (95% of the time from home during my kids’ nap.)
This is the ebb and flow of life. Feeling stressed, getting derailed, overeating, skipping workouts, and not feeling our best during a pandemic is not only acceptable, but totally, normal.
It’s when we feel out of control or down on ourselves that it becomes a problem. If you’re in need of some support with the following:
laying the foundation for positive change
boosting your immune system and keeping your family well
feeling more energized and empowered
learning more about food and nourishment
grasping a sense of balance in this crazy world
enjoying whole foods and more creative cooking
Let’s chat. I’m excited and eager to launch virtual nutrition sessions this fall. With a Masters in Social Work, Certification in Nutrition, and as busy mom of two toddlers, I am confident in the practical tools that we will implement together to make you feel better, more balanced, healthier, and happier.
No two people are the same. Therefore, we’ll explore your personal goals (both food and non-food-related) and generate strategies that fit into your life to maximize your wellness. It is when we are able to tune into our individuality, needs, and patterns (both healthy and not, because we all have both) that we can then begin to grow into who we want to be. This takes time, effort, and support, but it’s well worth it. We’ll learn the science behind fueling your body, set you up for success, and welcome long-term transformation. Life should be wholesome and delicious…
…and you deserve to not just survive, but to thrive. Beginning September 15th, I will have space for THREE new virtual clients. If you are interested, please email kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com for more information and to set up a consultation. THANKS & BE WELL!
What a crazy world we’re living in right now. Not sure about you, but my moods have been up and down and all around. Grateful one day, (or one minute) anxious and fearful the next. I’ve noticed that there are a few tweaks that have made all of the difference in the world to my well-being. While we can’t predict what the future holds, we can focus on what is in our control and take this new normal one day at a time. For me, it’s been monumental to maintain some feeling of inner balance by filling up on vitamin-rich foods, helping others however I can, making time for myself, and cutting myself a ton of slack in a lot of areas of life right now.
I’ll preface this post by saying that I acknowledge that in this time of crisis, adding one more thing to your to-do list, starting a wellness routine, or worrying about your diet is insignificant compared to keeping yourself and your family safe. Those of us who have are healthy and safe, have access to food, a safe place to live, space to move, and time to indulge in self-care are incredibly fortunate and we absolutely should not take that for granted. I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like to be in the medical field, risking your life daily for the well-being of others. THANK YOU!!!
To all of the mamas out there who don’t get ten minutes to themselves all day, you’re rockstars and I give you MAJOR props! It’s okay if you haven’t imposed a schedule or your child won’t focus on the computer for a 30 minute distance learning session (like in our house.) It’s okay if you haven’t put on real pants in a month and your kids live in their pajamas. It’s okay if you feed your family cereal for breakfast and pasta for dinner. It’s okay if you’re drinking a lot more coffee (and wine) these days. Remember to cut yourself MILES of extra slack and that whatever you can do, it’s enough. One super helpful tool when feeling down is simply to make a quick gratitude list. Although the negatives may come to mind first and weigh heavy, acknowledging what we’re grateful for can shift our thoughts and boost our mood. Health, family, shelter, and food are monumental blessings that a lot of others may not have right now, so if we have that, it’s HUGE.
Gratitude usually works for me, but honestly, sometimes it doesn’t. What always works, though, is finding a way to help others who need far more than we do. Whether it’s donating a meal, coffee, or flowers to hospital workers, (contact your local hospital before because there are strict protocols in place right now) volunteer to shop for others if you are able to, purchase from local small businesses, Venmo someone who is out of work, send flowers to cheer up a friend, check in on your neighbors (via phone), send a ‘thank you’ note/text/email to someone you’re extra thankful for, enjoy a meal with your loved ones, and continue to do your part by social distancing. There are so many ways to help right now; it feels really good to help others and turn negative energy into positive action.
I’ve personally found a new level of comfort in food over the past few weeks. Food can bring us tremendous joy, connection, warmth, and hope. Whether it’s trying a new recipe for yourself or your family, watching a feel-good show with a feel good snack, preparing a comforting meal to leave at your neighbors’ doorstep, or indulging in homemade baked goods, food can bring us extra joy and pleasure that we could all use right now. I’ve found great comfort in warm chicken soup, homemade lasagna, dark chocolate, big salads, banana bread, margaritas, wine, burgers, and more. We’ve also made some pretty creative meals out of shelf-stable and frozen foods, as fresh food has become more of a luxury and grocery shopping has become more of a danger. Pretend you’re on Chopped and challenge yourself!
Food can also make us feel not so great if we’re using it to fill a void or beat boredom. While it feels like we’re hibernating and I am definitely eating and snacking more than usual, I’m still trying to practice mindfulness. The first few days of quarantining, I was constantly snacking out of stress and boredom, and started feeling pretty “blah.” While food can bring us comfort, it can’t fill emotional voids. We’ve all done it – tackled a bag of chips and got to the bottom without feeling an ounce of satisfaction, because that’s not actually what we needed in the first place. I encourage you to find comfort in food, but to practice mindfulness and seek emotional fulfillment through other avenues, like human connection (virtually or with family in your home) indulging in a warm bath, writing in a journal, going for a walk, meditating, reading a book, doing an art project or puzzle, at-home workout, watching an uplifting show/movie, or anything else that brings you joy, peace, and endorphins. And if you have been emotionally eating in excess, forgive yourself and be kind to yourself.
It’s about being self-aware and changing your mindset/behavior IF it’s not serving you. If your current habits are making you feel like crap, they’re not serving you. If whatever you’re doing is keeping you sane in this insane time, then keep doing it. Remember that the universal goal here is to survive, not to thrive. If we all come out of this a few pounds heavier, so what? That’s minimal compared to getting ill, being hospitalized, losing someone, and all of the suffering going on around the world.
What’s keeping me sane and bringing me joy is preparing meals that fuel my family, doing an invigorating at-home workout every day (even 10 minutes counts!) working out with family members or virtually with friends, getting outside on sunny days for some vitamin D, getting ample sleep, helping others however and whenever I can, checking in on friends and exchanging hilarious memes about corona and quarantine life, doing simple activities with my children that bring us joy, baking yummy treats for the family, watching comedy shows and uplifting movies after the kids are in bed, living in comfy clothes, and most of all, cutting myself slack.
Wishing you WELL xo
One Healthy Breakdown: there’s still so much to smile about!
Baby girl #2 is here! Meet little miss Dakota Rae DeMarco, aka “Baby Sis.”
She was born October 15th at 5:15pm; weighing in at 6lbs 11 oz and immediately transformed our family for the better. In honor of her one week birthday, I wanted to share some bits and pieces of my experience this time around. No two pregnancies (or babies) are the same (thankfully, because last time was full of crazy, rare, and pretty traumatizing symptoms, some of which returned and others did not. Thank. Goodness. While this pregnancy was much easier in some ways, it was also much more challenging in other ways…
First and foremost, being pregnant while chasing a toddler is not easy! (hence the lack of posting!) I replaced those glorious warm baths, afternoon naps, prenatal yoga classes, date nights, and other common pregnancy indulgences with the exhausting/hilarious thing called toddlerhood. It was a LOT harder to prioritize self-care throughout the pregnancy and I’m sure it’s about to get even harder…cue the momguilt. Anyone with two kids under age 2 with any words of wisdom, send them my way…please…I need ALL the help I can get!
I must say that (although at times, it felt like I had been pregnant for three years since it wasn’t so long ago with #1) chasing a toddler does make time fly. Ready or not, here she is! Emotionally, it was a little bittersweet for me, to be completely candid. One minute, I’d feel overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement and the next, my heart would break a bit thinking about losing 1-on-1 time with my “big” girl (who really is not so big at nineteen months old.) I worried about how this change would affect her, how she would react to a sibling, and how the heck I would handle two little ones when sometimes one was hard enough. Apparently, I was told by many older, wiser mothers that these feelings are somewhat normal in this situation.
Now that she’s here, (most of) the worries have changed to love and gratitude. I fell in love all over again and already can’t imagine life without baby sis. It’s incredible how you think that your heart has grown to capacity…and then it doubles. Rowan is already the most amazing big sis and I can’t wait to see their bond as sisters and best friends grow. While I realize that it’s going to be tough to balance my time, it’s all worth it in the end. Right now, thanks to help from family (it takes a village, hi mom!) it’s been more doable than I thought and I don’t feel like I’m missing out, rather that I’m incredibly blessed to have two to love.
Thanks for tuning in and thanks for your patience as I learn to navigate life with two (wish me luck!) Thanks for understanding that my family is my #1 priority right now and keeping up with OHH has taken a backseat…hopefully temporarily.
One Healthy Breakdown: twice the babies = twice the love <3
Hey, guys! Been a while….sorry (but not actually that sorry.) I’ve been prioritizing my priorities pretty much since becoming a mom (moms, you get it) and writing just hasn’t made the cut. Though I’ve missed this platform, I’ve pretty much always have my hands full these days…
so, I wanted to hop on and share some things I learned and experienced during 2017 as well as some goals for 2018. Let’s get started, shall we? Please enjoy my scattered thoughts, just look at is as a glimpse inside my scattered head (moms, you get it.)
So, I mentioned priorities. My #1 has been this little chickadee. That work, life balance thing, though – not easy. On the one hand, I feel SO lucky to have my own businesses and a flexible schedule, but it is hard, guys. Right after having the baby, I jumped back into Hamptons Wellness Week planning and signed on three new nutrition clients…while adjusting to motherhood…with a newborn…and no sleep. In hindsight, not the best idea, but when it rains, it pours, right?!
I actually started to develop some anxiety, between work that had to be done, no time to do it, and the feeling that time was flying by and baby girl was growing up WAY too fast. If I was working, I felt like I was missing out on her…and if I was with her, I felt like I was slacking on work. I know, if you’re a mom you’re probably thinking “that’s your life forever, get used to it…”
Luckily, it passed, but not without teaching me a huge lesson. After finally giving myself a freaking break, getting some sleep, and getting the baby on somewhat of a schedule (which of course changes as soon as you get used to it!) Lastly, learning to accept that everything is different and that that is ok; the world is not going to end if my to-do list doesn’t get done today. While sometimes I want to rush to get 10 things done in the hour while baby naps, I know that prioritizing and getting one task done at a time is actually far more efficient. Some days, the things that used to be top priorities end up at the bottom of the list…and yes, sometimes that means skipping a workout and putting a meal together in 2 minutes that may not be healthiest.
Once I accepted the fact that I could only do one thing at a time, be one place at a time, and that the world would not come crashing down, a weight lifted. All of that hard work paid off, as our 5th Hamptons Wellness Week last June was a huge success and worth every minute of anxiety and exhaustion!
I learned that hard work pays off. Hard, honest, passionate work. I learned that good things take time, but it will pay off in the end. And if you’re lucky enough to surround yourself with amazing people, you’ll get there sooner, without a doubt. I could not be more thankful for my incredible business partner, Anastasia, who is doing amazing kick-ass work both for HWW and her charity, Wing It Project, in 2018!
On another note, we lost two people in our family this past year. We experienced new grief and were reminded that life is so impermanent. Every single day is a gift and the moments that really matter are those spent with the ones you love. I’ve been reminded to savor it all – both the everyday grind as well as the more special times, like holidays, family gatherings, and celebrations. You truly only get one chance on this world, so enjoy it more, live more, love more, and try, try, try to to live in the moment. Before we know it, the moments pass us by.
I believe I’ve become better at enjoying the moment, especially the simplest ones. My favorite moments in time are actually the moments between the moments – that first morning hug before starting the day or last kiss before bed, watching baby girl learn something new, burst out in laughter, or just smile at one of us. It’s all so precious I want to bottle every moment up and save it forever..if only…
On another note, (related but unrelated – I did warn you this would be scattered, no?) I had the best intentions of envisioning one word to manifest in the new year, truth is, I just couldn’t settle for one. So, I made a whole list of words. Some of my favorites are: savor, grounded, trust, limitless, simplify, play, love, create, ease…etc. Whether one word resonates with you or you want to make a list, I highly suggest writing down your 2018 word(s) and keeping them somewhere visible. Mine are right on my desk, so that every time I sit down to work, I see them. At any given time, one of the words totally resonates with me. And with that, I conclude this random post. Next one will be more succinct, promise 😉
One Healthy Breakdown: welcoming 2018 with open arms…and a little more organization here!
With the holidays upon us, who doesn’t need a little calm? Yeah, yeah, we all know that we should be meditating more…and committing less…and sleeping more…and so on. Since those things are easier said than done, lets look at foods that combat cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, anxiety, and sadness. Eat more. Stress less. Now that sounds doable.
There’s nothing like it in the world; motherhood is amazing, eye-opening, challenging, and completely transformational. Here are a few of the many life lessons I’ve learned over the past six months since becoming a mom to this little baby girl.
1. Moms are BADASS. Besides the whole carrying a baby (which may or may not go smoothly, see here) for plus or minus 40 weeks thing PLUS giving birth (which is NO joke btw) moms can fit a day’s worth of tasks into an hour and an hour’s worth into 10 minutes…because we have to. What can I say, moms are pretty much superhuman.
2. Time is better than diamonds…and chocolate…and wine. Time is the one thing that moms always want more of and never have enough of. Somehow, six months have passed in the blink of an eye since this little one entered the world. As they say, the days are long, but the years are short. Time, please slow down.
3. Something’s gotta give. Priorities change and sacrifice is a must. For me, my #1 priority is baby girl and posting here or on social media, going to the gym, cooking dinner, dog walking, housework, and self care sometimes take a back seat. Do what you can, when you can and try to let go of #momguilt. 20 minute at-home workouts and a dinner smoothie have become quite popular around here. It’s just not all possible to fit in to 24 hours, so, cut yourself some slack; you’re keeping a mini human(s) alive and that’s a pretty big deal.
4. Moms are flexible AF. I mean yogis are flexible, but moms are flexible-er. Go ahead, try to make a plan, schedule, routine around a mini human and their constant plot twists. And, just when you think you have it all down, everything changes…
5. Moms are some of the most selfless beings on the planet. They live their lives based on the greater good of their children and family. Although I’ve always wanted kids, it wasn’t until the past few years that I really felt ready to put someone else before myself. It’s not about me anymore and although that’s an adjustment, it’s more than ok when looking at this face.
6. Mom brain is REAL. If you are a mom with mom brain, have a mom with mom brain, or know a mom with mom brain, cut them some slack. Growing up, I remember my friends rolling our eyes when our moms said something a little loopy, but these days, I can barely put a sentence together or do basic math and it’s only the beginning. The struggle is real, folks.
7. There’s nothing’ more humbling than cleaning up after a full-on diaper explosion; it will challenge you, ground you, test you, lighten the mood, and force you to live in the moment like nothing else can. It’s astounding how someone so tiny can make such a catastrophic mess.
8. Worrying is the new normal. It does not stop. What if baby learns to crawl while I’m in the shower and crawls to the top of the stairs and then falls down the stairs and I don’t hear her? Is that her crying? I think I hear her crying...These thoughts cross my mind all day long and I know that they will every single day from now to first steps to teenage years and beyond.
9. Whatever you do, do NOT Google it. Ok, so that’s virtually impossible, I’ve probably googled random baby/postpartum questions at least once a day everyday since birth. Sometimes it helps, but most of the time it takes #8 (see above) and quadruples it.
10. Mom life is the best life. There’s no arguing that. It’s just the best. This teeny, tiny growing human fills up your heart every single day and there’s no way I’d trade the mom brain, worrying, sleepless nights, and messy days for anything on earth. Life will never be the same again…and for that I am forever grateful.
Hamptons Wellness Week 2017, June 10-18th, was by far the biggest and best event to date! The premiere wellness event in the Hamptons returned with multiple complimentary events, a wide variety of deals and discounts, unforgettable gift bags, and so much more!
From meditation to manicures, fitness to food, and lots more, we had a blast kicking off the summer celebrating wellness in the Hamptons on June 10th at Topping Rose House in collaboration with Hamptons Magazine, Beach Magazine, UnitedHealthcare, Tesla Motors, BUILDTHEORY, and many more wellness-conscious brands! Check out some of the highlights:
The 5th annual Hamptons Wellness Week returns June 11-18th, with a complimentary wellness kick-off at Topping Rose House on June 10th and continues all week long with specials for the mind, body, and soul! Hamptons Wellness Week proudly partnered with UnitedHealthcare, BUILDTHEORY, Rejuvalift, Hamptons Magazine, and more wellness- conscious names for the biggest and best event yet …because your wellness routine should be anything but routine!
Amp it up by taking advantage of the wide variety of deals and discounts throughout the week at tons of local health and wellness businesses, Westhampton to Montauk. It’s the perfect excuse to try something new and be in the know about the hottest in wellness this season. As always, it’s ONE week with endless possibilities!
The week launches with a FREE event 10am – 1pm at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton on the 10th. Get excited about getting healthy this summer with master fitness classes, luxurious spa experiences, product sampling, healthy eats, and some surprises. There’s something for everyone and so much more. Get a free non-toxic manicure, mini massage, refreshing facial, anti-aging hand treatment, test drive in a Tesla, and try healthy local eats from Topping Rose House, Hampton Coffee, Harvest Food Box, and Opa on the Go. Did we mention it’s all free of charge?! Don’t miss it! Save your spot by RSVP’ing here.
In addition to all the week’s fabulous deals and discounts, UnitedHealthcare is sponsoring two special events not to be missed. Hampton Coffee Company in Water Mill is hosting a free yoga class in their garden on Sunday, June 11th. Come at 9:30 for a beautiful outdoor flow and nama-stay for complimentary iced tea to follow. Old Stove Pub in Sagaponack invites you to a live DJ yoga class with to wrap-up the week, 11am on Saturday, June 17th, followed by sips and snacks in the sun! Just bring a mat to both special events and be sure to tag #hamptonswellnessweek throughout your week’s adventures!
Hamptons Wellness Week is all about creating a balanced lifestyle in which you’re able to indulge, enjoy, and integrate well-being into real life. Sprouted from an idea to create an accessible, affordable, enticing way for all members of the community to experience the unique array of wellness opportunities offered on the East End, this week-long event has transpired into a platform for connection in the wellness world and beyond. Whether a year-round resident or weekend guest, new to wellness or a seasoned pro, the common thread of striving for a well-balanced life during an all-inclusive event connects the community in a whole new way.
Hamptons Wellness Week invites you to take a week for your wellbeing before the craze of the summer season hits. Find all of the deals and discounts on hamptonswellnessweek.com and we’ll see you June 10th at Topping Rose House!
One Healthy Breakdown: there’s nothing better than feeling your best at the beach!
Truth be told, for the majority of my pregnancy, I was in complete denial that I was actually going to have to give birth. Though I was pretty content living in this state of mind, I knew that I would have to accept the fact that I was going to have to physically deliver a baby…that and the fact that I needed some serious guidance, education, and support…aka HELP!
Enter, Hampton Doula, Monica Kadash, to the rescue! I met Monica early in my second trimester when I started to attend her prenatal yoga class at Ananda in Southampton. I instantly gravitated towards Monica’s welcoming personality, calm demeanor, and lighthearted sense of humor. I loved the class and attended weekly, right up until days before I gave birth. Monica incorporates lots of stretching and relaxation to get centered as well as some challenging poses to prepare the mind and body for birth.
When I was considering hiring a doula, I knew that I wanted someone who would bring out the best in me, ideally someone spiritual, but not too spiritual that I couldn’t relate. Monica is exactly that; straightforward and realistic, yet very warm and tranquil.
The day that I gave birth was a long, uneventful one until my water broke around 2pm, when suddenly, baby came fast and furiously. When it got down to the hard labor (the part I was dreading) I was thanking my lucky stars for Monica’s presence. As a doula, Monica provides support (both prenatal and postnatal) and advocacy alongside the medical staff. (Doulas are commonly confused with midwives, who are medically qualified to deliver babies.)
“Statistically, with the help of Doulas there are less interventions, fewer C-sections, shorter labor and reduced postpartum depression. This results in a fulfilling and satisfying birthing experiences, in short, many more happy moms!
My mission is to honor, protect and guide you, so that you feel empowered to birth fearlessly and joyfully, thus starting your journey into motherhood with confidence.” ~ Monica
Monica did just that for us; I was able to stay (somewhat) strong through the worst contractions, push with sheer determination and confidence, and instantly connect with our baby girl. In the moment, all of my fears of needles, blood, and pain were overcome by sheer empowerment.
Throughout this unique process, Monica helped in every way promised. She provided literature on the birthing process and came to our house twice to get to know our family and educate us on the whole process. She prepared us with facts, stories, strategies, and support we needed to feel ready. Does that mean that everything was smooth sailing? Of course not! But when it came down to it, everything that Monica had prepared us for unraveled pretty much as predicted. It’s already becoming a slight blur (isn’t that how women keep doing it??) but I know that I would have been far less prepared, confident, and comfortable without Monica the Doula.
Here’s Monica, baby Rowan, and I at our postnatal home visit about a week after birth 🙂 If you’re interested in learning more about Monica, visit hamptondoula.com.
One Healthy Breakdown: Happy, healthy, and empowered, thanks to Hampton Doula!
Our baby girl, Rowan Isabelle DeMarco, was born Friday, March 10th at 4:27pm. At 7.0 pounds, 20.5 inches long, she could not be more amazing and we could not be happier!
All that we hoped and prayed for was a healthy baby. Ok, to be honest, I actually hoped and prayed for a healthy, happy baby. And I don’t know what I did to get so lucky.
Actually, she’s a healthy, happy, sleepy baby 🙂
Sometimes, she even wakes up to say hello, have a snack, or show of her baby blues.
If you drop in between the hours of 11pm and 4am, this little one is wide awake as she appears to have her nights and days a bit confused. Despite the lack of sleep, we’re absolutely loving life with baby girl and we can’t wait for many adventures to come!
