teacher

It’s the holiday season and we’re all aiming to stay healthy. It’s not just about the food we eat – what we put on your skin goes into our body as well. The same goes for what you put on your nails. Lately, there have been a number of articles circulating about the toxicity found in nail polish and I’ve done some research that’s worth sharing.

There are various chemicals like toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and camphor found inside standard nail polishes. These polishes can wreak havoc on your nervous, reproductive and endocrine systems. They have been linked to birth defects in babies, an increase in allergies, and the production of cancer causing agents.

Luckily, there are alternatives. There are polishes that are either 3-free, 4-free, or 5-free (of the above chemicals.) Personally, I opt for 5-free polish and acetone-free remover because I prefer to use as little chemicals in my everyday life as possible.

As a new mom, pre-school teacher, and graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I am definitely more conscious of my health and well-being; what you put in your body daily effects the big picture. During pregnancy, I only used 5-free nail polish and that became my new normal. Here are a few of my favorite 5-free brands to seek out if you’re looking to go au natural with your nails as well:

RGB (my favorite because they also make a base and top coat and remover, so I can depend on the the consistency of their products)
Ella + Mila
Tenoverten
Uslu Airlines
Spa Ritual
Priti NYC

As for the holiday season in the Hamptons, I love going on walks and taking in the fresh air that smells like pine and firewood or cozying up by fire and drinking homemade dark chocolate hot chocolate! Here’s my go-to recipe:

Hannah’s Hot Chocolate: (makes 1 serving)

Heat one cup of almond milk on stove on low heat. Add 1/4-1/2 bar of dark chocolate (depending on desired taste – I prefer Nibmor’s 80% dark) and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Stir until melted and enjoy! You can also add vanilla, peppermint, or other flavors of choice.

*Hannah Oehl Ruppel is a pre-school teacher and graduate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She loves to follow wellness and sustainable beauty, living her life as naturally as possible. She lives in NYC with her husband Tyler, her son William, and their dog Stella. She escapes the city to Shelter Island every summer and weekends, where her family has been going since she was little.

Introducing Tara Daniels, wonder woman with a brilliant way of combining her expertise in Early Childhood Education with her passion for fitness to create innovative strides (literally.) Read all about how Tara’s company Kiddie Fit is changing the world, one little classroom at a time!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did ‘life as you know it’ come to be?

I am an East Quogue resident and a mother of a wonderful seven year old boy, Cooper. I’ve always had a passion for health and wellness. There is nothing more rewarding than a kick-ass workout and a happy, healthy child to come home to. Having worked in the early childhood field for 20 years, as a teacher, then working my way towards administrator, I always had a strong belief that the playground should be used as an extension of the classroom for physical fitness. My desire to incorporate this belief into the daycare/pre-k world was a challenge. I always went for a short run during my lunch break to clear my mind. Soon enough, others teachers wanted to join me, which prompted me to start a running clinic for teachers during lunch (we invested in lots of baby wipes and baby powder! 😉 It didn’t take long for my coworkers to realize how energized and alert they felt upon their return to the classroom. I then encouraged them to channel that exact feeling towards the children in their class, to have them move with a purpose. This paved the way for Kiddie Fit, which combines both of my passions – a true dream. I believe that introducing young children to various physical activities provides a foundation for them to identify activities that they can enjoy for a lifetime. My goal is to teach young children how much fun excercise can be and lead them to teach or encourage others to be physically active as well; it’s never too early to start living a healthy lifestyle!

2. What’s something you overcame in your life and how?

Wow, this one is hard to believe, but I overcame my fear of public speaking! I have to say I took my father’s advice and whenever I needed to speak in front of a large group, I would start with a joke and picture everyone in their underwear! (Can I say that?) It really worked, and of course, finding my inner strength and confidence helped too! Although parent meetings was not the easiest thing to do, believing in myself caused that aha-moment. When you change your frame of mind and maintain the confidence, anything is possible!

3. What is your favorite food? recipe? workout? weekend activity?

I love, love fresh veggies and Ahi Tuna, but I will never pass on a corner slice of grandma pizza and a glass of red wine! I live for summer months when fresh fruit and veggies are right at our fingertips. My favorite refreshing recipe is watermelon, feta cheese, and fresh mint leaves. Being that I am a certified spin instructor, I will say spinning is my favorite workout. When I am not teaching Kiddie Fit or spin classes at Sportime, my weekends are spent with my son and my amazing boyfriend, Ryan. We bike ride, jog in the neighborhood, walk on the beach, collecting shell and beach glass, and any other fun idea a seven year-old boy may come up with! We even turned our house into an obstacle course during this crazy winter!!!

Photo: Tara and her son, Cooper, and boyfriend, Ryan, enjoying a limo ride and beach walk on Christmas Eve thanks to Santa!

4. As a woman, business owner, mom, member of the Hamptons community, etc. how do you maintain balance in your life?

I believe that a balanced life is a healthy life. I like to keep an open mind with complete confidence. It is not as easy as it sounds; we all have those moments when life tries to drag you down. In those cases, I always make “me time” for self-reflection.

5. Any great healthy/balance tips for other busy women?

Find something that you enjoy doing, something that makes you say “wow, that was awesome!” Be active, be consistent, and most importantly, have fun with it! Taking time for yourself to pursue your passions, doing things you enjoy, and relaxing will make you happier and healthier!

6. What food items do you always have on hand?

The one food item I always have on hand are my Green Magic, Mamma Chia squeeze..This little pouch provides me with a refreshing little treat and are packed with essential Omega-3s, protein, and fiber. It’s a great way to kick start my work out!

7. What is your favorite indulgence?

My favorite indulgence, well…I have three. We already know about the corner slice of grandma pizza and red wine…my third is dark chocolate. While I would never deprive myself of these favorites, I know that moderation is key to maintaining a healthy diet.

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

We’re a pretty active family. My son loves to watch me teach spin and cannot wait until he can take a class! Whether it’s Sportime, Kiddie Fit, or spin class, our bike rides, walks, or little jogs, exercise really is just a part of our everyday life. When it becomes routine, it becomes part of you and you don’t even have to think about it, just do it.

9. What is your FAVORITE thing about the Hamptons?

My favorite thing about living in the Hamptons is definitely the beaches! We really live in an area filled with such beauty – coastal living at its best! Each town has amazing restaurants and that small community vibe I love!

One Healthy Breakdown: Don’t look for happiness, create it! Life is full of choices, do what makes you happy!

*One Healthy Hamptons is proud to partner with KiddieFit for a pre-k program at Sportime this fall, we’ll keep you posted on details soon!