the easiest detox ever.

Oh, hi. I do have a blog, don't I? Let's see if we can get this thing up and running again. (Can we say "again" if I posted a total of eleven times in about a year? Unclear.) Anyway, let's get things started with the quickest, easiest detox you'll ever read about. Ever had one of those weeks where you finally take a second to look in the mirror find yourself wondering where it all went wrong? "How did I just age 10 years?! I thought thirty was the new twenty?!" If you've got young kids (or a job of any sort these days) you're no stranger to less than stellar sleep habits. Couple that with sub-par nutrition and there's no wonder you find the girl from The Ring haunting you in the mirror. Don't blow your husband's paycheck on an enzyme peel just yet. Look no further than your run of the mill grocery store for the cheapest, most delicious way to get your skin glowing again. All you need is some fresh ginger root, whole lemons and piping hot water. That's it!

If you've ever done a google search for natural remedies for nausea, upset stomach, etc (first trimester of pregnancy, anyone?) you're probably familiar with the amazing benefits of ginger. This funky little root not only quells the uneasiest of stomachs, but is anti-inflammatory, boosts circulation, can help lower blood pressure and is even anti-viral. Now I'm not talking about the powder or the crystallized kind that tastes like candy (while delicious, the sugar will no doubt leave you feeling more sick at your stomach than before!), but that gnarly looking thing that looks like ET's hand. You'll probably find it up on the shelf of the produce department, probably above the beets and other crazy looking veggies. Grab yourself one of those suckers and just go ahead and stick him in the freezer in a Ziploc bag when you get home. Since you only use a little at a time, you can get more use out of him and it's even easier to grate when it's frozen.

Lemons are one of my fave all-purpose fruits to have around. Not only does a squeeze liven up a glass of water or brighten a veggie dish, but this little citrus gem has some powerful health benefits as well. Not only are lemons high in Vitamin C that helps bolster your immune system, but it also boosts kidney and liver function to cleanse all those nasty toxins we may take in from our food, the environment and that manifest in our bodies as a result of too much stress and not enough sleep. Bonus? Hot lemon water is a natural diuretic so you'll look and feel slimmer just by drinking a cup.

To make the detox tea, just grate some of the ginger into a coffee mug (about 1/4 tsp), add a sliced lemon and pour boiling water over both. Ta-da! You just made a delicious and powerful detox tea. I've actually made an entire pitcher and sipped on it throughout the day. It's slightly addictive.

skinny switch: Greek yogurt

I've been thinking about something I want to try around here that will hopefully get me blogging more regularly. I'm in school to become a Health Counselor and have been learning some really amazing stuff about nutrition and overall health. I have discovered how much I enjoy helping others discover little ways to feel better, have more energy and nourish themselves and their families. Since baby Jackson will be making her arrival around the time I graduate, I will be wading into this new career instead of diving in head first.

I thought a good way to share my knowledge with friends and family would be to share some of it on my blog. I'm calling these tips my Skinny Switch. I'll be focusing on health rather than calories, carbs or fat grams, but incorporating any of these practices will support maintaining or achieving a healthy weight if that's your goal. With that said, I'd like to share my all-time favorite Skinny Switch!

Have you ever tried plain Greek yogurt? I am personally not a fan of regular yogurt. I've forced down many plastic single servings over the years for whatever reason, whether it was the probiotics, the "sugar-free" label or just because that's what seemed healthiest, but I never truly enjoyed it. Then, I discovered Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is thicker than traditional yogurt AND contains twice as much protein per serving than regular yogurt. Protein helps fill you up, supports muscle growth and healthy organ function.

But let's be honest, it doesn't matter how good something is for you, if it doesn't appeal to your taste buds, what's the point? Now, you probably noticed I said "plain" Greek yogurt. I know what you're thinking. "Plain yogurt is gross." "It's tart, it's bland, you're crazy. Pass the strawberry, please." Hear me out. All those flavored yogurts may taste better to you at first. There are some brands out there that aren't full of artificial flavors and sweeteners, but the fact is that most of the flavored yogurts are packed with a lot of extras that your body just doesn't need. Sugar is added more packaged foods than you can imagine, so always read the label and strive to add your own sweeteners when possible. Agave, honey and maple syrup are all good in small amounts. I never eat my plain yogurt by itself. Ever. I don't like it. But, add some fresh fruit, pinch of cinnamon and a drizzle (just a teaspoon or so) of honey and you've got a delicious, filling, breakfast, snack or dessert packed with nutritional goodness. Y'ALL. It's SO GOOD. And the variations are endless. In the summer I can't get enough of fresh peaches so that's pretty much my go to. But in the winter when fresh fruit is hard to come by, I thaw out some frozen berries (no sugar added) and I love that too---especially with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips! Fall has made an early appearance this week sending my cravings for all things pumpkin and spicy into overdrive. I can't wait to mix in some pumpkin puree with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. Freeze your mixture in some ice cube trays for a healthier frozen dessert. The options here are endless.

I should clarify that you want to make sure you're getting the low-fat plain Greek yogurt. Fat-free, 1% and 2% plain Greek yogurt are all great options. Moms, full-fat Greek yogurt is a good option for little ones that need lots of high quality calories. You can mix in your own mashed fruit and serve it knowing exactly what your little ones are consuming.

Another reason I like to keep plain Greek yogurt on hand is to use as a substitute for some of the saturated fat in recipes, particularly sour cream.  I've used Greek yogurt in place of mayo in potato salad, in place of sour cream in casseroles and it makes a perfect base for fruit and veggie dips. You can really use Greek yogurt anywhere that calls for sour cream. If you think it needs a little more "sour" add some lemon juice. Mix about two teaspoons of lemon juice per half cup of yogurt and you've got yourself a perfect baked potato topping.

Plain Greek yogurt is magic in the kitchen. You should try it.

definitely not the worst cook in America.

How many times does dinner time roll around and you're hungry, tired and just want something good in your mouth and your stomach asap? Before you reach for the frozen pizza, or head to the over-priced deli around the block, think. Do you have eggs? Do you have some vegetables? You can have a beautiful, tasty, nutritious dinner. In your mouth. In less than 20 minutes. Seriously.

A couple of months ago, B got me into "Worst Cooks in America" on Food Network. Upon hearing the title, I wondered how I had not been nominated for this show. Watching these poor contestants being yelled at by a condescending woman with questionable hair choices whilst wrangling whole squid (sidenote: have you ever seen a whole squid? and then taken it apart and chopped it up? and then cooked it and eaten it? blech. shudder. gag. puke. No thanks.) and catching pans on fire just hit a little too close to home. In one challenge, the "recruits" were charged with making an omelette. Seems simple enough, right? Beat some eggs, chop some veggies, throw it in the pan, and voila. Not so much. The recruits' results ranged from "pretty good" to downright inedible. Cut to me in my kitchen a few nights later, feeling pretty confident after a number of seemingly more daunting culinary victories. With B's "helpful suggestions" to only use a non-stick pan! Keep the heat LOW! ringing in my ears, I made my first feeble attempt at an omelette. For some reason (definitely not my own impatience) my omelettes always turned into "scrambles". Which was a-ok with me. Are the eggs cooked? Does it taste good? Fine. I'm happy. But last night. Last night everything changed. I was on my own for dinner, which is always easier for me because B and I have such different tastes in food. I decided to make another veggie scramble. And lo, it actually turned into a successful omelette. It was so easy, y'all. I was so proud of my little creation I took a picture for B, and now it's on the internet.

this picture is motivation for me to learn how to use my 

camera and quit taking crappy pictures with my iphone.

See that red goodness sitting there all nonchalant, next to the greens? After months of summer produce withdrawals I celebrated the early arrival of spring and splurged on some fresh pico de gallo from Whole Foods. (Man that sounded nerdy. I love food so much I "splurge" on unnecessary food items.) It was so worth it. Bright, sweet, tangy, simple, deliciousness. The perfect accompaniment to this omelette. And the best part? The whole shebang took less than 20 minutes. You can do this. Tonight. Try it, you'll like it. Here's whatcha do.

Put a dab (about half a tablespoon or whatever floats your) of coconut oil in a non-stick pan (non-stick!). Yup. Coconut oil!  I'll be singing praises of this new friend later in the week. (Olive oil would be fine too.) Turn the heat on a little lower than medium. While the pan's heating, chop yourself some veggies. I used mushrooms, onions, some sweet red bell pepper, and a little green onion. Then just throw those babies on in the pan. Let them sizzle and get nice and soft and release all those yummy flavors. The coconut oil gives a nice subtle sweetness and really compliments the earthiness of the mushrooms. While your veggies are cooking, break some eggs in a bowl. I used two whole eggs and one white, but you use all whites or all whole eggs or whatever makes you happy.

Now. This may be controversial to an omelette purist, but I like to live on the edge, so I added some spices. Not too much, just a little sprinkle of cumin, coriander and garlic powder. Then a pinch of salt and a nice healthy grinding of my main man, black pepper.  Do y'all know about fresh ground black pepper? Such a robust, almost savory spice. It'll change your life.

Here's the fun part. Ya ready? If your pan is big enough, just move the veggies over to the side. If it's on the smaller side, just put them on a plate for a second. Now pour your eggs in the pan. Add those beautiful veggies. And wait. Make sure the heat is on medium low (not too too low) and let those eggs start to cook on the bottom. When you start to see the edges looking "done" flip one side over onto the other. If it breaks and goes all over the place, don't freak out. Just continue folding the eggs over on themselves until they're just about done and you'll have a nice little scramble. It won't look very pretty, but it'll taste good. Trust. But if you're a rockstar and your eggs stay together you've got an omelette, baby! I let mine cook another minute or so, flip it all over once more for good measure and voila. Slide that baby on a plate and your done!

I served mine with that delectable pico, some nice little baby greens (organic, from a bag) spritzed with lemon and a piece of Ezekial toast. That's a restaurant worthy plate I tell ya! Simple, satisfying, delicious and less than 20 minutes start to finish.  

veggie burgers are good. who knew?

I know, I know, veggie burgers are not exactly a ground-breaking discovery. They've been pretty mainstream for years. But they are new to me. I've always been of the persuasion that some things should not be messed with. I don't eat a lot of burgers, so if I'm in the mood for a burger, I'm gonna have the real, juicy, flame-grilled deal. Sometimes, there's just nothing better. But to me, a good burger isn't about tasting the beef. It's about delicious savory seasonings, bright, crisp toppings like fresh onion, lettuce and tomato and gooey, melty cheese.

this is a burger.

I digress. Where was I? Ah, the frozen veggie burger. During my first foray into vegetarianism, I boldly purchased what seemed to me to be the safest option. Boca vegan burgers (I was cutting out eggs and dairy at the time as well). They seemed "safe" because they're found in your local grocery store and I'd heard of meat-eaters even finding these babies tasty. So I put a carton in the freezer and there they sat. For um, about a year and a half. Until yesterday. I knew I needed some more protein in my life, so I bravely opened the box and removed one, individually wrapped meatless disc. Complete with faux grill marks. This cannot be good. I am generally not a fan of foods masquerading as something they're not. Then I think, this must be what some fast food burgers look like before they're covered by a cheese and a bun and I have eaten plenty of those in my lifetime.

yum.

I soldier on. I heat the skillet, the burger hit with a resounding thud. Huh. I waited the allotted eight minutes for  my frozen disc to develop a nice sear, placed it on my toasted ezekial bread and topped with spinach and my favorite dijon mustard. I still did not have high hopes. The moment of truth. I took a bite. It was good! No, really. It was. Not in my juicy fresh off the grill burger kinda way, but that's not what I was expecting.  I baked some sweet potato fries to go with it and lo, it was quite a treat on a Wednesday afternoon at home. I won't be serving these at a cook out, but for a quick, no-prep alternative to cold cuts, they're delicious.

ch-ch-ch-chia!

I little while ago, I noticed chia seeds popping up on various health blogs and recipes.  Folks talked about what an amazing superfood they were which really piqued the interest of this nutrition nerd. But, at the time I was having a hard time making it to the grocery store more often than once a month, searching for these crazy seeds just didn't stay on my mind for very long. Cut to the beginning of this year when my renewed commitment to overall health combined with my newfound love of creating meals at home and chia seeds were brought to the forefront once again. I did a little research and after reading all the amazing things these little babies are proven to do, knew that they must become a staple in my household. I hopped on over to my fav marketplace and ordered my very own bag of miracle seeds.

oh no, she didn't.

Oh yes, I did. Yes, these are the same chia seeds that grow into lovable pets, and no, they will not sprout and grow in your stomach. You know what they will do? Umm, the question may be, what can they not do? 

First up, they're high in protein and fiber, which keeps you full longer and aids digestion. American diets are generally low in fiber because grains that are naturally high in fiber are stripped of this essential nutrient during the process of making them look and taste "better" (ie, white rice, pasta made from white flour, most cereals). So if you're not consciously trying to add fiber to your diet, you're probably not getting enough.

These sneaky little devils are also great for helping you stay on track if you're making an effort to eat healthier. They expand and form a gel when combined with water or stomach juices, which helps stabilize blood sugar. Usually, around mid-morning, I find myself suddenly feeling weak and reaching for something sweet, like a piece of chocolate. Same thing happens a few hours after lunch. That drop in blood sugar makes me think I need a sugar fix instead of filling up on something nutritious. But since I've been adding chia seeds to my breakfast smoothie, no more blood sugar drops! It's pretty amazing actually. The other day I realized I hadn't had any my daily allotment of Dove dark chocolates. I had not even noticed that I didn't crave something sweet all day. I thought it was a fluke, but two weeks later I realized those little seeds may be doing something after all. For me, quick results from something so simple makes me want to hand out chia seeds to everyone I know. That gel also aids in hydration to which is helpful if you work out a lot, or if you just exist in the South during the summer. It also helps you absorb the nutrients from all those healthy foods Dr. Oz is telling you to eat.

Last but not least, these little babies are chock full of omega-3's. You know about omega-3's, right? They do all sorts of awesome things like improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, fight cancer, help prevent heart disease, reduce inflammation (inflammation causes all sorts of problems like arthritis, cystitis, anything else that ends in -itis), support brain function (even the brain of your baby if you're pregnant or nursing) and have been shown to help kids and adults with ADD and ADHD. Up till now, I thought I needed to eat salmon for breakfast, lunch and dinner or choke down fish oil supplements to get my dose of omegas (not happening). Chia seeds have no taste, no prep work--just sprinkle them on whatever you're eating-- and you only need a tablespoon per day, so for me, getting my daily dose is beyond easy. Oh and if you're like me, you're probably thinking that something this amazing must be super expensive, right? Nope. Two pounds for under $13. That's a lotta chia. But, they have an amazing shelf-life, so you can keep them till you use them up or dole them out to your friends and make believers out of them as well. So go. Get some chia seeds. You'll thank me.

image found here

L is for love.

I've got a confession to make. I have art investment paralysis.  It's a major issue and it needs to be dealt with. For some reason it is easier for me to pick out a sofa than an eight inch print for my wall. Anyone else have this problem? I guess I'm waiting to stumble across pieces that just speak to me. I want the art in my home to be personal, reflective of me and my family, and also something I like to look at every day. Alas, the bare walls in my home are not minimalist chic. They are cold. And boring. Thus, I must spend a little more time perusing what's out there. Unless I expect the perfect quirky little print to hang in my powder room will jump out at me while I'm pondering produce on my twice weekly grocery runs. Not gonna happen.
So I decided to take a gander at some etsy shops. Now, I say I love etsy, but my previous experiences have proved somewhat fruitless. I'm easily overwhelmed and usually don't even know where to begin...kinda like when I try to shop in department stores. But today, I took their nifty little "Taste Taste" and was pleasantly surprised by the results.  How cute would he be in a nursery?

And I need this in my kitchen. Bacon and eggs anyone?

I love myself a beach image.

images via etsy

Maybe there's hope for those sad little frames just waiting to be hung in my dining room after all.

well, hello.

My name is Claire, and this is my blog. I've gone back and forth over what I want this blog to be, and it may go an entirely different direction once I get started.  But I love the idea of focusing on what nourishes me. Body and soul. Okay that sounds cheesy. This blog will not be cheesy. Okay maybe sometimes, because I have to be me and who doesn't love a little cheese?


First up, God. I'm on a journey with Him and I'm gonna need to write about it.


Design. My husband and I built and moved into our first home this past summer and while trying to figure out how we wanted it to look, I discovered design blogs and online design magazines. This discovery rocked my world. Who knew you could make your home feel young, modern and chic without furnishing it solely from West Elm and Restoration Hardware. There are other options out there! No need to fear consignment stores and flea markets! (Okay, I still fear them a little bit.) But design is awesome. Good design. I like to talk about it.


Food. I love food. Love it. Always have, always will. Food is what nourishes me, gives me energy, and brings me joy. But, food has no power over me. I've dealt with body image issues, like most women. Fed myself the lie that skinny equals healthy and that calories in vs. calories out are all that really matters to feel your best. Not true! So not true. I've dabbled in veganism and vegetarianism, and during my short-lived attempt at veganism (I'm leaning back into it) I realized how much what I put in my body affects the way I feel, my energy levels, even my mood. I'm super passionate about health, respecting my body by giving it what it needs (REAL food!) and love helping others accomplish this as well. I just recently discovered that I enjoy cooking and am loving creating delicious, nourishing meals. Hopefully I'll have some recipes to share as I try them out and put my own spin on them.


Photography. Ah, photography. What can I say? I fell in love with the new digital, photo-journalistic style of photography of when researching (ie, googling) photographers for our wedding about three years ago. I am enamored by the way one image can evoke such powerful emotion and beauty. My wonderfully sweet husband bought me the camera of my dreams last year and I have yet to shoot out of auto mode. Auto mode is great and all, but what's fun about that? I'm committed to learning how to really use my camera (and Photoshop! which just arrived today!) so that I can finally start documenting our lives together.


So. Here we go. Welcome to my blog.