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.

Image-1(16)

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!

Deepening Your Meditation Practice

March 28, 2016June 7, 2016Leave a comment

Meditation can be a tricky business. You sit down, get situated, scratch your nose…now what? On the one hand you feel like you should be putting in some effort in order to get something out of it in return, and on the other hand, we expect to sit there and let the wisdom of the ages flood into our being and bring us to enlightenment. When in reality it’s not that simple.

meditation

Many of us enter into a meditation practice with expectations like “I want to increase my happiness” or “I’m going to reduce my anxiety” or “I will quiet my anger and jealousy.” While these are all great intentions, they’re more like happy bi-products from your meditation practice.

Without having a clear understanding of what you’re doing you may end up day dreaming, kicking yourself every time a thought pops into your head, or becoming disappointed when you don’t feel anything happening.

So, the most important thing is that you understand the ultimate goal of meditation.

The ultimate goal of meditation is to immerse yourself in, and fully experience your own consciousness and awareness, or your True Self.

Say what now?

I believe that your True Self, is who you are without the labels of time and space (gender, weight, occupation, race, social status). Ask yourself who you are at your core, without the stuff that can be written down on paper. Your unique you-ness. The part of you that doesn’t change or grow like age, intellect, and height. That is your awareness.

It’s the same right now as it was when you were three years old, and the same as when you’re 90.

It’s the constant backdrop on which the moments of your life are experienced. Like beads on a string. So really, the Self is not some far deep down place we need to journey to, requiring hours of meditation. It’s always there, and all we need to do is recognize it.

As Sally Kempton says in her book Meditation for the Love of It, “The work of meditation is to coax the mind into letting go of the perceptions and ideas that keep it stuck, so it can expand and reveal itself as it really is.”

Here are some tips to deepen your meditation practice without feeling confused or discouraged:

Do not freak out when you have a thought, try to push away thoughts, judge yourself as a failure for having thoughts, or get fixed on the contents of a thought.
Perceive with loving tenderness the energy that comes up for you during meditation. Notice each thought or feeling, say hi to it, and let it keep on going. When you find yourself getting too caught up in thoughts, come back to your breath and start again. The practice is really about learning how to starting again when you drift off, not staying fully centered.
Don’t challenge your “Self” to show up in a big way. “Ok, I’m meditating now, show me what ya got!” You’ll ultimately be let down. Instead, just sit and observe with no expectations.
Bring forth an attitude of love, gentleness, and trust. The Self is love, and it will draw closer to an attitude of love.
Don’t force yourself into meditation with a feeling of strict inflexibility. “UGH, I don’t have time for this but I know I HAVE to meditate.” Nope. Not happening.
Treat your practice as sacred. Create a beautiful space that invites you in. Set it up in a way that makes you yearn for the time you spend in meditation. Many people like to set up an altar, but I find that word can be a bit religious and scare people off. Use another word or phrase if it feels better, like “my happy corner.” See it as a gift from yourself, to yourself so you’ll want to say “Thanks, me!” In time, the good energy you bring to this place will come to evoke feelings of relaxation, happiness, stillness and clarity, every time you go to it.
Don’t feel Isolated or alone. Cuz you’re not.
Trust that there is a greater power beyond you that connects all things. I know, just go there with me. There is a grace, a spirit that you connect with during meditation, that will support and guide you. If you prefer to connect to something tangible, go right ahead. Some people like to evoke the energy of a religious figure or maybe an ancient master. You may even want to call forth something more personal like your inner-guide or guardian angels if you so choose.
Don’t try to stifle your emotions that are going on for you in that moment.
Ask for help. If you are feeling restless, anxious, skeptical, bored, or anything that is going to take away from your stillness, offer it up to the universe, or your chosen inner guide, and ask for help. If you are struggling with a problem, offer it up at the beginning of your practice: “I offer these feelings so they can be transformed, and I may see this situation differently.”

You may find that when learning to trust your inner experiences you may be guided by your intuition toward a clearer course of action in your outer life. When gaining a deeper understanding of the true self, the fears, negative thoughts and suffering (which are merely products of our own misunderstanding of our ego) may be released. Happy happy, joy joy!

One Healthy Breakdown: meditation is a gift accessible to all, take advantage!

*Caroline O’Neill is a year round Hamptons resident and health and wellness lifestyle blogger of Bloom & Spark with a passion for nutrition, yoga, food, spirituality and personal development.

Surround Yourself with Inspiration

March 3, 2016February 29, 2016Leave a comment

Have you ever heard the saying: you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with? Well, I’d like to take things a little bit further.

Not only are you a product of your relationships but you are a product of your environment, the foods you eat, and the thoughts you consume. This is why it is so important to surround yourself with supportive, positive, like-minded, AND open-minded individuals. When you start to surround yourself with people who inspire you, you’ll start to raise your vibrational aura and everything else starts to fall into place. THE UNIVERSE HAS YOUR BACK! As long as, you too, have your back.

For today, my advice for you is to find the healthiest and happiest person you can stand and spend as much time with them as possible. When you are choosy about who you spend your time with, you are setting yourself up for success in the future. If you ensure that you’re surrounded by inspiration, you’ll never have trouble finding it when you’re in need.

One Healthy Breakdown: Surround yourself with greatness, eat greatness, think greatness, and be greatness!

*Check Alexa out at alexagundermann.com and stay tuned for some healthy collaboration events in the Hamptons this summer!

Healthy Holidays at The Beach

November 17, 2015November 17, 2015

Jamie Lerner is a private in-home fitness trainer and studio instructor specializing in flexibility, strength, core power, alignment, and balance as well as cardio and dance. How does Jamie stay healthy through the holiday season in the Hamptons? Here’s how:

Gratitude + inspiration. I’m grateful for the love and support that is all around us, it’s always available if we let it in. I’m grateful for the comforts of the privileged life we live here. I’m inspired by the millions of people on earth who devote their lives to helping others who suffer.

Healthy Thanksgiving. Whenever I’m home for Thanksgiving, I like to offer a fitness class that morning. This year is no exception. It gives us a feeling of community, an hour or so to put the preparations and fuss and visitors aside to take care of ourselves, and offers the best possible insurance that we’ll feel so much better before, during, and after the feast! And then I teach a cardio class Friday morning to help burn it all off!

Mindfulness tricks. No tricks! Plenty of treats! It helps to keep in mind that a treat means something out of the ordinary, not something you consume or experience every day. When you get an impulse or craving for something that qualifies as a treat, try filing it under “hm, sounds good! Let me hold off on that today, maybe tomorrow.” The next time that impulse arises, punt it again and continue to enjoy the anticipation. You may forget about it entirely or the special situation presents itself to treat yourself. It could be food or drink, an activity, a big purchase, or another indulgence. As for staying healthy, my fitness/dance/movement practice has gotten me through cancer, heartbreak, the blues, anxiety, and continues to sustain me as I contend with the aging process. That, and spending as much time as I can with dogs!

It’s also good to remember that even though it’s getting colder and we’re busy-busy-busy, the beach is always there, year round, waiting to calm us down, open us up, and reconnect us to life.

One Healthy Breakdown: What a great reminder – we sure are lucky to be surrounded by beach and beauty in the Hamptons! Happy holidays, Jamie, and thank you for sharing your insight!

*Until January, 2016, we’ll be spreading health through the holiday season here in the Hamptons! If you’d like to share your own holiday tip, trick, tradition, recipe, etc. as part of OHH’s #HealthyHolidays, email kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com.

Bump Up the Good Days

April 6, 2015April 6, 20151 Comment

Last week, I got the opportunity to speak at and attend a wellness assembly at the Bridgehampton High School. The High School and Middle School students and staff gathered for an interactive, multi-faceted morning of wellness, discussing healthy boundaries, learning about (eek!) sugar, fat, and salt consumption, Zumba and movement, yummy just-fruit sorbet, and more.

Sadly, there’s a huge disconnect among today’s youth and all of the many, many ways that we can take better care of ourselves, feel better, and be happier, more confident beings. Middle and high school students (and teachers) are constantly stressed and tired – talk about overworked and underpaid. So, the fact that Hamptons schools are taking an initiative to teach children about self-care, real food, and stress-management is a HUGE achievement. We’re so very lucky to be a community full of healthy goodness.

Not only did I get to attend this awesome school day, I was asked to introduce the theme of wellness and my own holistic view on the topic. This really got me thinking. How do I communicate my whole mission to busy students already balancing a full plate…the day before April vacation, mind you. And then it became very clear how to break it down: wellness is about having more good days than bad.

It’s really that simple. Here’s how I chose to introduce the theme:

Picture this: you wake up after a good night’s sleep. You know that feeling – you stretch out and maybe a smile forms on your face as you excitedly think about your day ahead. You get out of bed and get dressed for school. Maybe you put on your favorite shirt, sneakers, outfit, whatever it may be that gives you an extra boost of confidence. You have a healthy breakfast – something you love, you know is good for you, and is going to give you energy for the day. You get to school, all of your homework’s done, your work is all organized, you get an A on a quiz, and you’re a beast at practice after school, whatever sport you play. You’re having a gooood day, right? You get home from school and help make dinner. You sit and eat with your family and have a nice talk about your day as you enjoy your home-cooked meal. After dinner, your friend comes over to watch a movie. Before bed, you finish the book you’re reading and promptly drift off into dreamland. Things are just going your way today. You FEEL good. That’s what I call a healthy, happy day. That’s what I call wellness.

Now, picture this: you overslept after staying up way too late studying. You procrastinated and barely got any sleep…again. You rush to get dressed and out the door to catch the bus, putting on the first thing you see. You make it just in time, but your socks don’t match and you have no time for breakfast, so you’ll have to wait ‘til lunch. You get to school and you’re already in a bad mood. The quiz doesn’t go so well, you stayed up late studying but you can’t remember anything! You just can’t focus because you’re so tired, not to mention hungry! That greasy pizza you have for lunch doesn’t sit so well and practice is miserable. You have no energy, your stomach hurts, and you’re having a no good, very bad day. You get home and next thing you know, you’re fighting with your parents because you’re tired and moody and nothing’s going right. You skip dinner because you don’t want to have to sit with your family and you go to bed starving, anxious, and upset.

Yuck. We’ve all been there. We all have good days and bad days – that’s life. The difference is having more good days than bad as a result of the way in which we treat ourselves and our body. Consciously taking care of your mind and body in various ways and living your life in a flow that moves in the right direction. That’s what it’s all about, that’s wellness. Do we get off-track sometimes? Of course, we all do…but, we get back on board and keep moving forward.

Enjoy your good days. Do whatever it takes to get through the bad days, remind yourself that far more good days are just around the corner. Take care of yourself, your body, and mind, and it will do the same for you by giving you more good days. Lots more! If you’re stuck in a rut, that’s what I’m here for, to support you on your wellness journey. Whether it’s a little encouragement to get back in the gym, a family friendly lesson on kitchen staples, a diet overhaul, or help refocusing on goals, we’ll make a plan and get there. Let’s bump up the good days and cutback the bad days. Click here for more info about OHH’s personal nutrition support and wellness consulting.

One Healthy Breakdown: a healthy day = a good day > a bad day –> any day.

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!

One Healthy Mud Runner

November 5, 2014November 5, 2014Leave a comment

Introducing Candace Couper, a childhood friend of mine through horseback riding. When Candace’s posts about paleo recipes and mud runs appeared on my Facebook feed, I couldn’t wait to hear more about her transformation. I could feel Candace’s inspirational energy through her words, enjoy!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did ‘life as you know it’ come to be? How did you get into your profession? How did you get into mud runs?

I’m Candace. I’m from Boston and I currently live in Denver, CO with my awesome dog, Bruin. I came out to Denver for undergrad then ended up staying for graduate school and have been unable to leave.

I grew up horseback riding and have always loved animals. I got into social work during a high school internship. I originally chose the internship because the woman I wanted to work with was a massage therapist (and that’s what I wanted to do at the time) who also worked full time as a behavior counselor at a middle school for high-risk youth. After accompanying her to the middle school daily, I became passionate about helping at-risk youth. I decided to get my masters degree in social work when I learned about University of Denver’s animal-assisted therapy program. I thought it would be a great opportunity to combine my love of animals with my passion for helping people (and it was!)

I got into mud runs in May of 2013. I had done a few fun runs and 5ks previously and decided – on a whim – to enter the Rugged Maniac. I thought it would be a fun way to keep myself motivated. I thought I was in pretty good shape as I was running quite a few miles several times a week and riding at the time. However, Rugged Maniac kicked my butt. I was so sore afterwards that I couldn’t move for a week and was covered in bruises. Then, I happened to see a deal at Fitness Together (a personal training studio) for introductory sessions and I decided to go for it. I haven’t looked back since! This was the start of a complete lifestyle change for me. I’ve learned so much about exercise, nutrition and all around being healthy. I’ve lost quite a bit (weight, body fat, bad habits, etc.) but have gained so much more (strength, empowerment, courage, self-confidence, and more!) I’ve since participated in eight fun/mud/obstacle runs including the Tough Mudder!

2. Is there any overlap in your profession and your values for health, wellness, and challenging yourself? Do you ever combine the two? In what ways?

Yes! I’m currently working for an after school program focused on movement, nutrition, and mindfulness, which overlap quite a bit with my own core values. Within the social work profession, I am personally very interested in alternative therapies. I’ve utilized equine-assisted therapy, community agriculture, and food justice work with at-risk youth. In the future, I hope to combine my passion for health with my profession by using fitness as a form of an alternative therapy. It’s one of the best methods out there!

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

I go back and forth; I was doing a ton of HIIT, (high intensity interval training) which is great for cardio and strength in one and utilizes very little equipment. While HIIT is a very effective workout, I recently switched back to strength/weight training. My original goal when I first joined the gym, and committed to changing my lifestyle, was to get stronger, which is one of the many benefits of weight training. My favorite weight training exercises are squats and deadlifts. I love the feeling I get after a hard weight training session – I feel accomplished, strong and confident.

My favorite weekend activities are hiking and walking my dog. There are so many great hiking areas close to Denver. This past summer, I spent most of my weekends training and doing Mud Runs, including the Manitou Incline and hiking my first 14er (we actually did two/three in one day!).

4. As a young woman, hard worker, and athlete, how do you maintain balance in your life?

Balance has been one of the hardest aspects for me, especially while I was still in school. However, I’m a firm believer that if something matters to you, then you can make some time for it…even if it means going to the gym at 6am on a Saturday. Combining multiple aspects of my life is another great way I’ve found balance. For example, when my family came out for my graduation, I convinced some of my family members to do a mud run with me which was super fun!

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

Keep it interesting and find what you like! This applies to everything – fitness, nutrition, work, and your personal life. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing or if you’re bored, you’ll become miserable and less likely to stick with it. Figure out what works for you, (I like working out with a trainer and prefer to work out by myself. Some people work better when they have the support of a buddy or group classes) do it for yourself no one else, keep healthy snacks on hand, (I keep a bag of washed baby carrots in the door of my fridge so even if I’m mindlessly snacking, I am more likely to grab something healthy.) and be patient – with the process and with yourself.

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

There are so many food items I always have in my apartment – being prepared makes cooking and eating healthy meals so much easier. I always have a wide variety of fresh and frozen produce (frozen is great for emergencies and frozen fruit is one of my favorite desserts.) I always have some sort of precooked protein on hand for nights when I don’t feel like cooking or I’m short on time. Other things I always have are eggs, chicken, nuts, and homemade snacks.

7. What is your favorite indulgence?

I’m a huge chocolate hoarder, especially when it comes to dark chocolate.

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

Being healthy is somewhat of a new priority for me. At first, it was really difficult to stick with it, but I’ve discovered that being healthy really is a lifestyle. Meal prepping has been a huge help when it comes to eating healthy. In terms of fitness, thankfully, I live in a great place that emphasizes living an active lifestyle and a lot of my friends enjoy being active as well. That makes it easier and more enjoyable to make health my priority.

9. What is your FAVORITE thing about mud runs?

There are so many things about mud runs that I love. I love the physical and mental challenge. One of my favorite aspects, though, has to be the camaraderie. Every mud run I’ve done has focused on helping out fellow participants; there is always someone to lend a hand if you need it whether it be a fellow participant or a volunteer. Participants at mud runs tend to be so supportive and encouraging of one another, which lends to an amazing environment.

10. One Healthy Breakdown: Candace is one tough mudder we can all learn from! Whatever we’re working through in our lives, put health and yourself first!

Wedding Highlights

October 22, 2014October 23, 2014Leave a comment

I’m so excited to share some highlights from the best day of my life with you! On October 4th, 2014, I married the love of my life, the guy who introduced me to the Hamptons, and my other half…my *husband*! Our wedding day just so happened to be exactly five years (to the day!) that we met. What an amazing five years it has been and I can’t wait for the next five!

Wedding highlights:
1. My MOB (mother of the bride) & FOB (father of the bride.) I couldn’t have imagined or executed a better wedding, beginning to end, and I owe that to my amazing parents MOB & FOB! My mom doubled as my wedding planner/organizer/queen of spreadsheets/idea executor/stress diminisher. She made my dream wedding come true when I couldn’t even really visualize what that was. I owe my wedding planner, aka my amazing mother, lots of thanks for years and years to come. Plus, she looked like a rock star on the big day too!

My dad kept me cool, calm, and collected during those key moments, as if it was just the two of us in the room. One of the most special moments in a girl’s life is walking down the aisle and dancing with her father at her wedding. I had dreamed about these moments since the first time I saw Father of The Bride and I will remember them forever and always. I can’t stop listening to the song we danced to (Walk With You by Edwin McCain) and it takes me back to that day and a lifetime of memories.

2. The guy. I have no idea how I got so lucky as to meet my *husband* but I do know that fate played a serious role. We met randomly at a bar in NYC while I was visiting my friend in grad school and he was out with friends. Positive that it would be my last trip to NYC for a long while, (not such a city girl here) I told my *future husband* that I would never see him again. His response: “never say never.” Lesson learned. Although, at the time, it seemed we were just two people at the wrong place at the wrong time, I’ve never been so wrong. Although I couldn’t have dreamed of a better life as we live today, I would have never imagined it as is. Fate is real, folks, you better believe it.

3. The welcome. From the moment my wedding planner (mom) and I began planning the big day over a year ago, we started brainstorming the perfect way to welcome our guests. I wanted it to stand out as original, personal, and from the heart. It took months to put together the perfect collection of goodies that would embrace, please, surprise, and satisfy our wedding guests upon their arrival. We personally packaged gift boxes with a welcome letter (including engagment photos from Kate Petrone Photography and Jenny Moloney Photography) and the following gifts we described as “a few of our favorite things, tastes of our favorite places, and bits and pieces of where we call home:” Tate’s chocolate chip cookies, (yum!) a PB&J Bar made by Lisa Ann’s Desserts, (an upgraded version of our favorite sandwich – a must try!) Wolffer’s white wine cider, Cape Cod Potato Chips and a lobster lollipop for some Boston flair, Hershey kisses, and a green apple (our favorite healthy snack.)

4. The company. The two common bits of advice we got heading into our wedding were that it’s over in the blink of an eye, so be sure to soak it all in and the realization of loved ones from all walks of life, near and far, young and old, all in the same room to celebrate your marriage. So, so amazing.

5. The scheme and theme. To be honest, I always pictured myself getting married during the summer months, outside, near the water. Well, things change and I couldn’t have imagined a better day (the clouds and drizzle didn’t put a damper on anything!) As soon as we decided on our wedding date, autumn in New England opened up such fun possibility. From the amazing poppy colored flowers to the pumpkin place settings, candy apples and gingerbread whoopie pies, the taste of fall, warmth of the season, and essence of love radiated throughout the night.

6. The ceremony. Since the very first wedding I remember attending almost 20 years ago, I’ve always gotten nervous right before the ceremony. I’d only imagined that the pit in my stomach would double when it was my time to walk down the aisle. But, guess what…I really wasn’t nervous for my own wedding. I was content, ready, and full of excitement. I couldn’t wait to walk arm-in-arm down the aisle with my father. I couldn’t wait to stand there with my *husband to-be* and say our I do’s. As soon as our priest (who is also a family friend) began to speak, I fully relaxed and a smile appeared on my face that lasted the entire ceremony…actually, the entire weekend. The fact that the ceremony included personal stories, humor, and lots of smiles made it that much more special.

7. The dress. I fell in love with that dress the moment I saw it and I knew it was the one. I said yes to the dress and never looked back. Now, if only I could wear it more often…!

8. The memories that will last a lifetime.

One Healthy Breakdown: this bride feels blessed to the moon and back, thanks to all who made it possible!

*HUGE thanks to iphone photographers and the fabulous Jenny Moloney Photography for pics!

SUPER SPRING CLEANSE

March 12, 2014March 15, 20164 Comments

It’s happening: spring is in the air! It’s time to ditch those layers, say goodbye to the snow boots, and…get ready to spring into spring feeling SUPER, confident, healthy, and happy!

Image-1(14)

Beach days (and bikinis) are right around the corner! Don’t worry, take a deep breath, and relax. OHH has you covered with this Super Spring Cleanse to help you SPRING into spring!

springcleanse

This program includes all of the steps you’ll need to cleanse, including a 5 day meal plan full of seasonal recipes and whole foods. Focusing on fresh, in-season produce, manageable changes, convenience, and taste, you’re sure to love this plan. Let’s get out of hibernation and back on track in the healthiest, most affordable way possible! Just add to cart below for just $30 or email kiley@onehealthyhamptons.com for your instant download and get started!

young female having fun on flowery meadow

You’ll get the Super Spring Cleanse program (delicious recipes for every meal, a full grocery list, and pages of tips on mindful eating, exercise, and detoxing) within hours to start whenever YOU’RE ready. This five-day program is flexible, fun, fresh, and easy to incorporate into any type of lifestyle. One Healthy Hamptons’ Spring Cleanse plan costs just $30, so sign on now for the boost you need and bring on the sunshine!

One Healthy Breakdown: we’re springing into a healthy, happy spring!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: