Hello! Today I wanted to share with you my recent musings of March. Who else is so happy it’s officially spring? :-)
Outside Dreaming
Author Archives: ClaireFrancis
The important message I learned being sick.
I was planning on uploading a favorites for spring post…but yesterday I came down with a head-cold and have spent a lot of today home, being silent with myself. I’ve spent a lot of today listening to my body, and not crowding it with unnecessary thoughts that were being brought up questioning going away from the “routine” I know. I took this time to slow down my mind, which I thought I was already doing, but something about being ill MAKES you slowwww down. I realized these things: my body wanted a lot of fruit and water, closing my eyes felt so good, I didn’t feel compelled to talk all that much-I really preferred being silent, breathing slowly felt right, and that everything we feel throughout the day really matters.
I went to my usual Tuesday yoga class and something really struck me. I heard my instructors words at the beginning of class with an incredibly powerful force, everything she said clicked without effort. It really became clear to me that for most of the day information and facts are being spat at me, and my by the time I get to yoga my brain is over receiving all this “stuff”. But today, I was open and I was so prepared for receiving. After my yoga class, I realized that today I was listening to my heart and my body much more than my mind, which is usually buzzing and my main source for intuition. Being sick makes me remember that the body really is the wisest source of intuition, and it reminds me that every inch of our being is connected, and that this body really is our only home.
Until next time,
Claire
Home Design Inspiration.
Hello, happy Sunday! I love interior design. Like, I-want-to-marry-this-chair type of love. Ever since I was young I have religiously watched HGTV and now I am opened to the majestic worlds of Pintrest and Tumblr. So, from me to you, here are some of my favorites.
Until next time,
Claire
Green Glow Juice.
Ever since I bought my own juicer, I have been converted. Maybe you’ve strayed away from juice from past experiences, or maybe you are turned off from the price. Or maaaaybe you love juice, but have only been purchasing them pre-bottled. Trust me, once you make your own juice it is a religious experience. Now, I know a high-quality juicer is expensive, but remember that the pre-bottled $12 ones add up! Especially if you’re getting them regularly.
Before I get on to the recipe, I want t0 touch on some of the benefits of juicing. Green juice is all the rage, and for good reason! When you drink juice, highly concentrated vitamins, minerals, and enzymes rapidly enter your bloodstream to be absorbed. Juicing will facilitate weight loss, increased energy, strengthened immunity, strong bones, and glowing skin. So go, drink up!
As for when to drink juice, the is no “wrong time”, as juicing is gold for your insides. But, to maximize the benefits, drink on an empty stomach, or at least one hour before a meal. As I said, there are no “rules”, only suggestions. :-)
GREEN GLOW JUICE
1 apple (i like Fuji and Granny Smith)
2 celery stalks
a thumb of ginger
1 cucumber
5 stalks kale (if you’re new to juice, do 3 stalks and then taste)
juice of 1/2 lemon
optional: i like to add mint and/or wheatgrass
Juice the following ingredients, stir, and don’t forget to serve with ice- this makes it really yummy!
Until next time,
Claire
Travel Vision Board.
Tips To Quit Mindless Snacking.
I think a lot of us suffer from snacking mindlessly when we know we are not hungry. Before I get into my tips, I want to address something you need to know. Firstly, forgive yourself. We. Are. So. Hard. On. Ourselves. Stop making yourself feel bad, find what feels good, and listen to your body. I invite you to re-read that sentence a couple times and reflect on it. 
Now, let’s get onto my tips to stop snacking without intention.
- Drink water. Your body might be confusing signs of hunger with signs of thirst. So, before continuing with any of the tips, I urge you to chug a liter.
- Get out of the kitchen. If you’re sitting in the kitchen and you just can’t take your eyes off the pantry or you keep exiting your mind with ideas of what to eat, it’s probably time to walk away. Go outside for a walk, call a friend to chat, take a shower, clean your room, read. You will be glad you did ;-)
- Chew gum/brush your teeth. I’ve found it really helpful to give your juicy tastebuds the refreshing mint taste combined with the act of chewing to help beat that craving.
- Drink tea. Tea is so great because there is a flavor for basically anything you want. I seriously have a “Sugar Cookie tea” in my pantry! Also, naturally for humans, a warm drink is very comforting. Try brewing up a cup with a splash of nut milk to make it a bit creamier.
Until next time,
Claire
Ultimate Energy Bites.
Hello, and happy almost-Friday! I finished my semester exams today and wanted to celebrate by making these healthy, no-bake, uber-delicious energy bites. They only really require two materials: a food processor and a spoon. I like to make a nice sized batch of these to last for the next week or two. They are the perfect thing to grab for that 4 o’-clock crash.
Ingredients:
-handful of medjool dates (pitted)
-scoop of prefered protein powder. i like PerfectFit or Hemp protein
-a handful or two of almonds and walnuts
-tbs of flax and chia seed
-2 tbs coconut oil
-1-2 tbs cacao powder
-if you blend and consistency isn’t able to form, add more dates
Use your hands to press down and roll these into balls. If you want to coat them in seeds and have them be a bit crunch just roll the ball you made in a seed mix with hemp, chia, and flax. Place balls into a bowl and store in the fridge. Enjoy!
Until next time,
Claire
The First Thing To Do When You Wake Up.
Quite a statement to make on the very public internet, I know. But I truly believe this is the way that every single person should start their day. Literally, right as you open your eyes, DO THIS.
Repeat this mantra with intention to create positive energy flowing the first thing as you wake up: “Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? What would you have me say? And to whom?”
This creates interaction with miracles and with energy and spirit. It’s less of ‘do this for ME’. And more ‘what can I best do to serve’.
Until next time,
Claire
Healthful New Years Resolutions For Everyone
Hi guys and happy new year! I hope you all are well. As we all know weight loss/eating/health is a theme that enters a lot of people’s minds on January first. I personally have mixed feelings about new years resolutions, but I think it IS healthy for people to start thinking about what they’re putting in their body and what they’re doing with it. This being said, people think that intense, immediate switches are the way…and then usually fail. Nothing is immediate!!! Real results comes from longterm commitment, leading to longterm health & happiness. So, these next five goals can be for ANYONE, even people who live super healthy lives, it’s always good to reinforce and remind yourself.
1. Water, water, water! I cannot stress the importance of drinking water. Your cells (those things that keep you alive) BREATHE with water. Aim for 2-4 liters a day. Plan on drinking a big glass when you wake up, during your meals, between your meals, and another glass before bed. (Yes, I know that’s all day) I recommend buying a reusable water bottle and constantly filling it up throughout the day. It’s really yummy to add lemon or citrus fruits to your aqua. Your friends will be asking how you got your skin to look so good!
2. Smaller portions. This is so important you guys, people do not realize how much they are eating. Remember that your stomach is the size of your fist before your eat. Treat eating as a sacred thing (which it is by the way), chew slowly and get in touch with your senses with each bite. It helps to not hang around the kitchen after eating to limit grazing. I like to have a big cup of tea after meals. Know that you usually don’t need as much as you think you do. Don’t let your mind take control of you, this is your life, live it!
3. The Half Method. There are two ways I use the 1/2 method. The first is when I’m eating something delicious, but a little naughty, usually not something I eat all the time. This could be a pastry tart, or a sandwich, or pasta. I recommend splitting it in half, and eating only the half. You will feel satisfied and you are still getting the taste you desired. Now, if you’re like me, if I eat the half the next five minutes will consist of me staring at the other half and then finally giving up and eating it. Here’s the trick, if your with other people, split it and share! If you’re alone, get the half to-go and immediately stow it away in your bag.
The second way to use the 1/2 method is with your regular lunch and dinners. Make sure to have at least half of your plate filled with vegetables. Using that guide you’ll no doubt be getting your veg intake and it will help when you go out to eat.
4. Move more! One thing I find so funny about the American culture, is people would rather slave away in the gym like rats on a wheel than go up the stairs to a friends flat on the third floor, or walk a mile to a cafe. Find ways to walk more in your daily life! You don’t have to do these intense workouts in the gym. Do calf-raises on the train, walk to work, take the stairs (especially if it’s below level 5), flex your core as you’re sitting at your desk.
5. Breathe, baby breathe. So many of us forget the beauty of the breathe. Take time to inhale and exhale for six seconds, through your nose. Be consistent and remind yourself that your breathe takes you through all times of your life. The good and the bad.
Until next time,
Claire
How To Have An Instant Refresh.
Happy new year! I hope you are starting this year filled with love and hugs…butttt we don’t live in a perfect world. And you may be hung up on things that did or didn’t happen in 2014, or overwhelmed on the unknown of what this year will bring you, or maybe you’re incredibly hungover and feel like crap.
- First, clear your head. Forget all your thoughts about past or future days, of wrong or right, of pain or pleasure. Just let yourself GO, breathe.
- I firmly believe that a shower can fix most things in life. So take a long, hot shower. Spend longer than you normally would massaging your head with the suds of shampoo and breathe in the steam from the heat. Creme up your body and soak yourself in it’s yummy scents.
- The second thing that will fix all your problems is going on a refreshing walk with your earbuds in. Let the music take over your mind.
- Juice. If you don’t own a juicer there is most likely a juice cafe nearby. It might taste a little icky but your body and gut will be praising you.
- Sleep a lot but not too much. Getting a good nights sleep is so important, but also don’t doze off for 11 hours and feel gross in the morning.
I hope this is a reference you can use whenever your feeling “eh” :-)
Until next time,
Claire
Clairety 
