I'm definitely intrigued. Do you ever allow yourself "non-clean" treats? For example, if you really want to meet friends for cupcakes at Sprinkles or Georgetown Cupcake, would you do it? I'm just curious because I feel like I generally eat clean (at home I eat very clean and feel great!), but occasionally when I'm out or with friends, it's hard to stick to it, and it feels good to indulge. What do you think?
I am definitely not perfect! I truly believe Clean Eating is one of the best (and easiest!) things we can do for ourselves in life but I also believe in living your life: going out to restaurants with friends, eating your grandma's homemade spaghetti n' meatballs, sipping [skinny] margaritas on girls' nights, etc.
I aim to eat clean when I can (that is about 90% of the time) and leave about 10% for fun. I am human, you know ;)
I think so many people forget that a healthy lifestyle (among other things in life) is not an "all or nothing approach". If you eat clean 50% of the time it's better than 0%, if you can shoot for 80% that's even better, etc. Make small changes and over time you'll realize you're getting closer and closer to 90-100%.
I took a picture of last night's dinner to show you how easy going clean is. Enter our (our = me, manfriend, sister) all-time favorite dinner..
Turkey meatloaf, sweet potato fries, salad, and red sangria!
Ingredients (using an all natural version of each)
Meatloaf (recipe here)
1 pack lean ground turkey breast
rolled oats
Worcestershire sauce
ketchup (Hunt's all-natural version in the background, haha)
tomato/veggie juice (V8)
sea salt
pepper
yellow onion
garlic
1 egg
sweet potatoes
olive oil
sea salt
black pepper
Salad
Spinach
tomatoes
avocado
carrots
cucumbers
1:1 mix of Goddess dressing and balsamic vinegar
Red wine (I try to choose those without added sulfates when I can)
all-natural triple sec
lime juice
OJ (or fresh squeezed oranges)
stevia
frozen fruit
You cannnnn dooooo ittttt! Once you've cleaned out your fridge/cabinets and replaced commonly used items such as balsamic vinegar, salad dressings, citrus juice, ketchup, you don't even have to think about how to make the meal clean!
Make the switch already. Mmmm K?
* * *
Whelp, the last several days I've been incredibly busy. I flew home to New Hampshire for Easter, returned to work several long shifts in a row, and I'm applying to Physician Assistant programs. Therefore, my meals have been quick, fresh, and nutrient dense to keep me going!
2 refreshing breakfasts consumed lately...
Smoothie Bowl
(a smoothie so thick it's better eaten with a spoon)
1/2 frozen banana
1/2 c frozen blueberries
3-4 frozen strawberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (SunWarrior brand, yo!)
1 T raw almond butter
1/2 c almond milk
1/2 c h20
1 t xanthan gum (optional; to thicken)
stevia, 1 serving
pinch sea salt (brings out sweetness)
Blended and topped with a Magical Biscotti..
(I don't know how they do it, but these babies are all-natural and 20 calories per biscotti. Whatttt?!
Raw Smoothie Dough Boy (adapted from KERF's recipe)
Combined and soaked overnight
1/3 c raw oat groats (can substitute for regular rolled oats)
1/2 c almond milk
1 /2 c water
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (raw SunWarrior for meee)
pinch cinnamon, nutmeg
1 t xanthan gum (optional; to thicken)
stevia, 1 serving
pinch sea salt
Next morning, add mixture and following to food processor:
1/2 frozen banana
3-4 frozen strawberries
1/3 c frozen bananas
Speaking of mornings, guess who's successfully downgraded from two venti (large) coffees to ONE SMALL per day??
(Kids, it can be done)
Spring = heat = Return of KOMBUCHA!!!!
Which pairs nicely with a fresh salad + side of sun and outdoor deck..
Spinach
1 serving Tempeh
broccoli
baby carrots
tomatoes
garbanzo beans
raw cashews
sunflower seeds
(dressed in a 1:1 mixture of Goddess dressing and balsamic vinegar) <--My favorite dressing ever!
* * *
Alright, it's crunch time. Today's agenda:
- Run (in the rain!)
- Essay writing
- Work 3-12am
(Sooooo excited to get moving)
Have a great day!
Questions:
What small changes have you made to your diet to go Clean?
Any advice you can offer someone completely new to Clean Eating?
How badly do I need a tan? ;)
Girl, if you need a tan...you should take a look at moi! And I live in California, HA! But, honestly, I lather on the sunscreen to protect my milky skin, so I have no one to blame but myself!
ReplyDeleteAnywho, thanks so much for answering my question so thoroughly - makes me feel special, lol! Your rough 90/10 guide makes sense, and that's roughly how I try to live, too. I eat clean at home and have noticed a HUGE different in how I feel, how my skin looks, etc since gradually changing my eating habits. My switch to eating clean has been a gradual shift since high school, rather than a sudden change. And when I look back at my health in high school vs my health now, I am SO GLAD I don't eat processed junk food anymore. With the exception of treats sometimes, of course!
Thanks, again! xo
Oh, and clarification -- when I eat sugary foods, I make sure it's WORTH it and that it's pretty gourmet delicious. I don't generally eat processed junk food because my body just doesn't want it anymore!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that any effort we put into eating cleanly, helping the planet, taking care of our bodies, etc is more than nothing. As a perfectionist, I sometimes I have to remind myself of it!
ReplyDeleteHey! Catching up on the blog. LOVE what you've been up to. I'm doing a half-marathon this weekend. Hope all goes well. Only a few more weeks until the big marathon.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am totally going to make your raw smoothie dough boy this week. (I need protein powder.) Looks great.
And....I definitely need more veggies consistently in my diet.Your salad looks so fresh and healthy.
The first thing I did was cut out (most) processed, sugary foods. I used to be LOVE those 100 Cal packs of cookies.. but now I opt for fruit or a smoothie when my sweet tooth is a kickin
ReplyDeleteNo tan! Preserve your skin!
ReplyDeleteI love Tosca Reno and all of her Eat Clean books! Just curious about your perspective on soy products? Morningstar Farm products aren't "clean" and the more and more I read I become wary of non-fermented soy products (namely phytic acid being an anti-nutrient, and when it binds to important minerals such as calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium they become insoluble and nonabsorbent in the intenstines)... Also, any particular protein-packed recipe suggestions for a vegetarian (with whole foods, not protein powder?) Much appreciated! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI literally think I could eat sweet potato fries all day long!
ReplyDeleteMy best advice to people starting out with clean eating is to start SMALL!! It's nearly impossible to do a huge overhaul without feeling deprived. Make a few small switches every week, starting with the most processed items.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get to comment yesterday, but I loved your post.
ReplyDelete'Clean Eating' has totally changed my relationship with food.
I used to eat low-cal/low fat whatever processed crap I could buy (ie 100 cal snacks, micorwaved popcorn for dinner) and always thought about food in a way that was about 'what I couldn't/shouldn't have'.
I read 'The Eat Clean Diet' and now I eat for nutrition, for fuel. I don't think about what I shouldn't eat, but rather concentrate on getting all the great things that I SHOULD eat in a day. The thing that I've found is - after I've eater all the servings of veggies, fiber, protein ect, I really don't want any junk. I don't worry about adding peanutbutter to my oatmeal - I do it every morning now and it's delicious! I've learned to appreciate different flavours and food as food, rather than chemicals disguised as food. I'm so proud of myself in my kitchen at night cooking up healthy dishes, and let me tell you - eating clean sure made me learn how to cook!
I will say for those new to eating this way - coming off the sugar is a b*tch. After my first day of clean eating, I had done perfectly all day long, then got home at night, ate my last meal, and then in a frenzy bascially ripped my kitchen apart trying to find something "good to eat" I settled on a chocolate cake mix- which I ate dry from the box with a spoon. This was an intense sugar craving. haha. Within a couple of days it goes away. Really:)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this:)
Also, you totally don't need a tan. You have a great complexion!
ReplyDeleteI think your plan is fabulous! Very balanced not strict which is so important :)
ReplyDeleteI try to eat in a similar fashion and my husband is making a concerted effort to get going. I'm going to send him a link to this post because it would help inspire him. :)
@Victoria (The District Chocoholic) Don't worry, I only do the spray-on kind :)
ReplyDelete@Vicky I try to avoid processed soy products as much as possible and choose organic ones when I do have them. I've switched from soy to almond milk in my smoothies and generally make my own veggie burgers. Other good non-animal protein sources (for me) are beans, legumes, nutritional yeast, greek yogurt, eggs, and nuts. Hope that helps!
ReplyDelete@Jena Thanks for your comment! You're totally right - after a few days cravings for the old crap go away :)
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in this clean eating thing. I think that I sort of try to do that already, but I'm wondering what are some key additives that you avoid?
ReplyDeleteI just wa nted to say I came across your blog a few months ago and my hubby and I absolutely love your turkey lasagna! As a matter of fact we had it last night!
ReplyDelete@Megan I avoid foods that contain dyes, preservatives, etc. I *try* my best to choose whole foods over stuff with added sugar but I'm human, so like I said, I do my best :)
ReplyDelete@Susie Thanks Susie!!!
ReplyDelete