It calls us all.
Be Kind To Yourself.
This time of year, it seems all you hear is people blabbing on about how they need to change and become this new superhuman. I think we can get lost in the “sauce” aka the desire to become a new, shinier version of ourselves. We can forget to be kind to ourselves. We can forget to breathe.
Here’s a little list of things to make yourself feel new, but also still feel like you.
- Move the rusty bones: stretch, feel, go on a walk. Depending on where you live, it can be very hard to bring yourself to exercise in the winter. Focus on the basics, and find what feels good.
- Inspire yourself. Do something you would never do before (that thing that you said you didn’t have time for, weren’t young enough to do, would regret). Paint the sunset, make a collage of old photographs, read a wild genre, try to do stand on your hands. Surprise yourself! You just might like where it takes you.
- Cleanse the gut. After turkey and ham and pies and wine – your body might be in a funk. I know during this time of the year my body gets used to having more food and moving less. Don’t make it hard on yourself-fill your plate with greens, grains, and whatever works for your body. Like Michael Pollan said, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” It really is that simple!
- Fertilize your mind. Negative self talk is not cool. It’s an unhealthy habit that far too much of us need to ditch. We get addicted to comparing and complaining, because it’s far too easy to do…a lazy habit. Talk to yourself the way you would your best friend. It’s okay to like yourself.
Until next time,
Claire
Words, words, words
Sometimes it’s nice to take things less seriously. We are just pieces of stardust anyhow.
January Inspiration.
New Beginnings.
It’s a new year. A time for forming a new mold to who we are and how we see ourselves. I know some people think resolutions are pointless and cheesy and stupid- but I like them. And I think it’s important to encourage the people in your life who make them. It bothers me when people say “Oh, everyone will be out of the gym by February”, that negative thinking doesn’t help anyone! Why discourage people trying to improve themselves?
Whether your goals are to improve relationships, get healthier, be more productive with your time, study smarter, read more books, go on adventures, act more genuinely, have more “me” time-whatever it may be-encourage yourself, encourage others. Breaking bad habits sucks. No one says it will be easy, but it sure is worth it.
Some people in your life may want explanations for your changes, but I honestly do not think you have to give one. If you want to be a different person, you shouldn’t have to explain yourself. We’re all on a journey to become the best we can be, as individuals, and sometimes making these changes you want to tell people and have people be involved- that is great! But some people want to do it alone, and not have to talk to others about it-that is okay too.
Know that this year, 2016, can be anything you make it. Become extremely connected to yourself, and hold yourself accountable! I believe that if you work hard, and don’t cheat yourself, you will be extremely impressed with who you become:-)
Until next time,
Claire
Sweaty Summer Workout.
It’s getting hot outside y’all and that means clothes are coming off! Personally, I am in the worst mood if I don’t get moving and sweat everyday. I’ve come up with this intense workout that will make you feel amazing. This circuit is perfect to do outside!
Warm Up
go for a 5 minute jog and preform simple stretches to warm up your muscles
Circuit #1 (legs)
-25 lunges
-5 burpees
-25 jumping lunges
-5 burpees
-25 inner thigh squat pulses
-5 burpees
Circuit #2 (arms)
-20 tricep dips
-30 small arm circles
-30 big arm circles
Circuit #3 (abs & butt)
-20 squats
-25 full crunches
-25 fire-hydrants each leg
-25 v-ups
-25 donkey-kicks
-1 minute plank
***Finish with a 1.5+ mile run*** and go give yourself an applause, you killed it!
Until next time,
Claire
The Ultimate Avocado Toast.
Hi! You! Yes you! Do you like avocados? Do you enjoy the feeling of dancing tastebuds? Are you a hungry person? Then you NEED this recipe in your life. Guys, this one’s a game changer.
ULTIMATE AVO TOAST
1 slice of seedy bread
1-2 tbs goat cheese
1/2 avocado
1 small tomato
pinch of chopped basil
large pinch of micro-greens or sprouts
Toast bread. Spread goat cheese. Thinly slice tomatoes. Sprinkle basil. Loosely chop & lay out avocado. Sprinkle micro-greens/sprouts. Drizzle good olive oil. Sprinkle salt. Crack pepper. Eat. Die happy.
If I’m having this for breakfast, I’ll fry an egg on the top.
Until next time,
Claire
A Surprising Spring Smoothie.
Can you believe it’s been over a month since my last blog post? :-0 I can’t! The weeks are seeming to fly by quicker and quicker these days.
As the weather is getting warmer, I have been starting to crave fruit, yogurt, and fresh herbs. This cold, creamy drink is a perfect combination of these flavors. Let me know how to like it!
SMOOTHIE RECIPE
1 banana (frozen or unfrozen)
1/2-1 whole peach
1/4 cup frozen mango
a couple strawberries
small thumb of ginger
1/3 cup greek yogurt
spring of basil and mint
juice of 1/2 a lime
a couple ice cubes
optional: handful of spinach
Blend above ingredients with water and enjoy!
Until next time,
Claire
Our Calls.
In life, sometimes we only want to respond to our big, romantic, glamourous life calls, but fail to realize that in order to reach those, we must first respond to the unromantic, sometimes hard daily calls.
For example, maybe you are craving to be called into a life where you are excited about your job and the people around you. Maybe you have this “ideal” in your head that sounds lovely that you become easily excited by. But, every morning when your alarm goes off, you groan and dread it. Wake up! You are being called to be apart of today. You are being called to put in work for right now, for your future self.
You may find these conflicting calls in several areas of your life- whether it be from work, diet, romance, etc. So I urge you to not just focus on the pretty finished picture, but the smaller, everyday calls you are receiving. What are you pretending not to know?
Until next time,
Claire
Recipe: creamy banana ice-cream.
This recipe is great for you acai bowl lovers out there or anyone looking for a healthy alternative to ice-cream. One of the things I love about this food is you can have it for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. Also, you can add frozen berries for whatever you’re in the mood for.
BANANA ICE-CREAM (single serving)
-1-2 frozen bananas
-dash of vanilla and cinnamon
-pinch of salt
-a spoonful or two of thick greek yogurt
blend in a food processor or high-speed blender
top with whatever you’d like: fruit, granola, nuts, seeds, honey, etc.
Until next time,
Claire