Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine August / September 2012

I got the current issue of Clean Eating magazine a little late this month, so this is less a newsstand alert and more of a wrap up of this month's issue.

I read with interest the short letter to the editor on page 10 - how CE magazine clean up tradition recipes. They look for natural healthy ingredients that can provide a similar flavor, texture, or richness to the ingredients of the original recipe. They list a few examples in the response. There's a companion list of common food substitutions Chef Jo prepared for readers on page 22.

Best article of the month is hands down the Vinaigrette lesson starting on page 30. Many Clean Eaters struggle to find a salad dressing that is an acceptable alternative to convenient bottled ( and salty / fatty / sugar ) dressings. The vinaigrette lesson shows how easy it is to develop your own signature vinaigrette. The grilled vegetable recipe on page 32 looks delicious, too!

I like the concept of a meal in a jar...but I think in practice it is a bit un-doable for the average person. See the article starting on page 40. In order to make a jarred salad stay fresh, you've got to have a vacuum sealer- something most of us don't have. So take the recipes and perhaps use them to make a large batch or two of food to divvy up. But leave the jar concept for the pages of a magazine.

The one recipe to definitely try in this month's issue is the Peruvian ceviche recipe on page 86-87. If you've never had ceviche ( seafood "cooked" in an acidic lemon/lime juice mixture ) is refreshing, bright, and delicious.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine July 2012

 The July issue of Clean Eating magazine is hitting newstands now, and it's got several great recipes and articles in it.

First and foremost - my sincere condolences to Tosca Reno and her family on the passing of her husband, Clean Eating Publisher Robert Kennedy who passed away a few months ago ( but it was just announced now ). Your husband was a powerful motivator for me - through both Clean Eating magazine and Oxygen magazine - I get both magazines each month and they never fail to lift my motivation and resolve. Thank you.

This month's issue has some really awesome tips in it.

1. Page 23 - 3 things to do with leftover taco meat ( yeah, there is always some leftover! ) I don't use the prepackaged taco seasonings anymore- instead opting to mix my own. Healthier, and less sodium too. But I'd never thought to put a tablespoon or three of leftover taco meat in an omelet. Huh!

2. I personally don't feel that the hot dogs profiled in the "Supermarket Guide" are any more nutritious or Clean because they are "uncured" ( Check out this post I wrote in September 2011 about nitrates ) with celery juice powder, which has the exact same effect as a "cured" hot dog - except from a natural source, not a chemical one. In my opinion, these uncured hotdogs aren't Clean, and should be avoided.

3. I love bell peppers, and like the step by step tutorial on how to roast them on page 31.

4. Page 44 - the recipe and directions to make the kebabs shown on this month's front cover. YUM!

5. Best article this month hands down is the 9 recipes for simple summer side dishes that are Clean, light - and visually vibrant. Make one of these for your next cook out or the next tie you are asked to "bring a side" to a party.

6. And from the "You learn something new every day" file - a terrific explanation of why canola oil ISN'T Clean on page 93. ( I had no idea it was actually so heavily processed with chemicals! ) Check that short explanation out - I had no idea. Now I know.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine June 2012

The June issue of Clean Eating Magazine is hitting newstands now. There seem to be a lot of snackie / borderline foods in this month's issue ( A CE version of a S'more? "Guilt Free Lime Cheesecake Squares" ? Seriously?? )

 Here are the top other articles that caught my eye.

1. I like kitchen tools that are multi-functional. CE has listed multiple uses for a salad spinner that are actually do-able - straining yogurt for cheese, washing fruits and veggies. ( However, washing my delicate unmentionables in a salad spinner is a bit of a stretch, even for me. )

2. I like Robin Miller, a former Food Network chef who hosted a long running series called Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller where she would cook once, but make 3 meals out of it ( for example , cooking a large chicken, and using the meat 3 ways ). Her 15 chicken recipes starting on page 45 are not overly step or ingredient heavy - but I personally prefer to see the list of ingredients at the top of the recipe, followed by step by step instructions. However, the Chicken Tetrazzini caught my eye, as did Chicken Sloppy Joes.

3. The recipe on the front cover looks tasty - Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs. I like to cook thighs; they are less expensive and
( in my opinion ) moister and more flavorful than white meat. I like the look of the cover recipe!

4. CE introduces their first ever "Foodie Awards" where they list the best Clean options for various categories in the grocery store. Among them: Chips/Crackers/Snacks, "Best Butters" ( meaning peanut or nut butters ), Noodles & Grains,  Breakfast Picks, Pantry Staples, Dairy, Frozen Foods, Sauces & Condiments, and Sweeteners. While a lot of their top picks are what I consider to be Clean - some are not. Use the list of foods wisely, read labels in the store, and judge whether a specific item is right for your specific pantry.

5. Last but not least - I was thrilled to see a friend of a friend highlighted as the CE chef of the month - Spike Gjerde, who with his brother ran one of my favorite Baltimore restaurants back in the day ( the long closed Spike & Charlie's ). He has another restaurant, Woodberry Kitchen in Northern Baltimore. He's focusing on locally sourced foods, and a much Cleaner food menu. Um - can you say "road trip?" Check out his Meatless Monday recipe: a navy bean casserole.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine April / May 2012

The new issue of Clean Eating showed up in my mailbox yesterday, and with it another month of inspiring recipes and great tips!

1. I buy and cook fresh spinach on a regular basis, so I liked seeing spinach highlighted on page 18-20. Because you need a lot of spinach to feed a few people, don't underestimate! You need at least 2 full bags of spinach to feed 3 people with a healthy portion of cooked / wilted spinach. It sounds like a lot, but those leaves wilt down to nothing.

2. Check out the 4 additional uses of Nut Butters on page 24! Salad dressing? I would have never thought of that - but I like the idea of an almond butter dressing.

3. I tried cherimoya last May, and really liked the flavor and consistency.  There's a nifty recipe for a cherimoya mango smoothie on page 32 that really piqued my interest.

4. I'm not a big fan of Guy Fieri,   and to see him highlighted on page 40 this month seems a little hypocritical of CE Magazine. I'd much rather they highlighted some of the other famous chefs out there who are promoting healthy eating - something Guy Fieri isn't really known for. This to me is like having Paula Deen promote Clean Eating. NOT!

5. My family and I love Mexican food, so the taco recipes on pages 46 to 51 are really welcome! Just remember to chose a low sodium and low fat tortilla  ( keep in mind, tortilla wraps are a border food! ) and you'll keep your Mexican feast on Path.

6. I liked the article on page 62 about making your own apple chips, but in reality, apple chips are really tricky to make on your own. It takes a lot longer than 2 hours in the oven stated in the recipe, and they get a burnt taste really easily. This is one area I say "Stick to the commercially dried apples you buy in the store." Just make sure they have no additives, and also they are produced in the US. A lot of apples are grown in China, and they have been shown to be much higher in arsenic than US apples. Stick with the Made in America logo, and you'll be fine - and you won't have a hellacious baking sheet to try and scrub.

7. The OCD cutting board shown on page 92 made me grin a little bit:

8. I love lemons - LOVE the flavor. Check out the great looking Meyer Lemon bars on page 98. They look slightly crispy, with a thin sheen of lemon on top. Want...

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine March 2012

     The new issue of Clean Eating magazine is hitting newsstands and mailboxes now. Here are the top articles and recipes in the March issue! This month's main article is about cooking gluten free. Personally, I feel the whole "gluten free" thing is really only meant for people with gluten intolerance - and if you are one of them, you know. But if gluten and you get along great...we're being told to eliminate or reduce gluten anyway. I don't personally get it. I don't feel the reduction is necessary if you don't have an issue with gluten. However, there are a few recipes worth checking out.

 1. There's a great wrap on page 15 of wild and brown rices that you can find in most grocery stores. I like it when they take real products you see in the store ( but may not have ever thought to buy ) and highlight them.

2. I like the panko encrusted cutlets starting on page 17. I make a Japanese pork cutlet ( Tonkatsu ) that is very similar to the recipe on page 19.

3. The Hearty Beef and Veggie Bowl recipe is very similar to several permutations of My Sunday Ground Beef Special.

4. I liked the flavored oils and salts round up on page 54. 4 different kinds of flavored olive oil, and 4 different flavored salt blends. ( I like making my own mixes and flavorings! ) How To Make Your Own Infused Olive Oils

5. The only recipe that really caught my eye was tucked away back on page 78. There's a relatively simple Salmon Oat Cake recipe there, and I've been trying to find a salmon cake recipe that holds together and tastes good - not an easy task; I've tried several and all have failed in one way or another. Here's hoping 5th time's the charm...

6. Vindaloo. Though the recipe didn't enthrall me ( page 90 ) , I did learn that Vindaloo originated from the Portuguese dish vinha d'ahlo "a toothsome stew that includes meat, "vinha" ( wine ) and "ahlo" ( garlic ). But by the time the dish made it to India where wine wasn't easily obtained, vinegar was substituted and over time, local spices added to the mix. Because "aloo" mean potatoes in Hindi, many Indian cooks also came to include potatoes in their vindaloo.

 Huh.

Newstand Alert: Consumer Reports Food & Fitness March 2012

     I love finding reading material that enhances my understanding of Clean Eating. I get both Oxygen Magazine for Women in the mail, as well as Clean Eating magazine. I also occasionally will pick up  Whole Living, Eating Well, and the sporadic issue of Cooking Light.  I was really happy last weekend to find a new Consumer Reports magazine ( I don't think this is a monthly - but hey, you never know! ) called Consumer Reports: Food & Fitness.

     This issue has multiple really relevant articles for Clean Eaters including:

 - A classic Consumer Reports rating chart for Colombian Coffee ( surprise, Newman's Own Organics is a top pic! )
 - Check out the Health Alert on pages 18-21! Very informative 2 pages on fish  - fish that is mislabeled, mismarketed, and which species will be lower in mercury than others. Awesome quick blurb on food labeling, another on caramel coloring used in food, and I love how they point out Perdue chicken and how their commercial claims are all but meaningless.
 - The weekly menu planner has some very good recipes, mostly Clean but some that can be easily Cleaned with a few recipe tweaks. ( I'm still looking for a decent salmon Croquette recipe, so I'll try the one on page 25 ! )
 - I love how they makeover a family's eating style in "From Hectic to Wholesome"
 - A wonderful eye opening article on hidden salts, sugars, and fats in foods starting on page 40

Definitely check out this magazine. There's a lot more than I've outlined above. Simply wonderful issue!

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine January / February 2012

The new issue of Clean Eating magazine is hitting mailboxes and newsstands now - a double issue with several interesting articles worth highlighting.

- Check out the wonderful beef jerky instructions starting on page 17! My husband makes his own jerky using a food dehydrator and read this article with actual ( not feigned!!! ) enthusiasm. He pronounced their technique sound, and the step by step instructions really spot on. He did note, however - that you'll have better success with a deeper flavor profile if you allow the meat to marinate in the seasonings at least overnight in the fridge. The article says "3 to 6 hours." That really isn't enough.

- I really liked the comparison of True Lemon Lemonade versus an old dieting standby : Crystal Light .I hope this is a feature they continue in future issues of the magazine - I really like seeing the unclean food compared to a Clean alternative. This is on page 25.

- The collection of Winter's Best in 25 Minutes or Less recipes and the slow cooker collection are just what I'm looking for - new recipes to try with ease and simple ingredient lists. Nothing crazy or avant garde here - simply "do-able" recipes my family won't balk over!

- I really like edamame, but the sweet & sour edamame salad on page 90 has me dying to make it this week. The simple oil, mixed vinegar, and tamari dressing sounds simple but I think will really waken up the beans with a clean Asian taste.


However, there is one thing I noticed that appears to be suspiciously absent lately from the pages of Clean Eating - and that seems to be advice and directions on how to eat Clean. They've got recipes galore - but very little information on how to start eating Clean, and why as a lifestyle choice it would be beneficial to anyone considering changing their nutrition.

I'm not quote sure why this is - but with this issue it really struck me that while the magazine has a load of recipes, it has very little fundamental information on the whys and hows of Clean Eating.

Newstand Alert: Off The Couch Magazine

If you are having trouble keeping or staying motivated, this once a year magazine is WELL worth your effort to find at news stands at CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Off The Couch magazine is a special edition for Oxygen Magazine, and they are huge supporters of Clean Eating ( in conjunction with weight lifting / exercise ).

If you can look past all the ads for protein powder drinks and dieting supplements ( admire the models, but take the product claims with a suspicious eye... ) you'll find a magazine of pure Awesome. Real motivation and tips for women who are overweight and need that momentum to "get off the couch." Real motivation for current Clean Eaters to incorporate weight lifting and exercise into their program to sculpt and create a lean, fit body.

I bought this magazine at this time last year - and it was EXACTLY what I needed to get me to take my Clean Eating to the next level. If you need a little kick in the pants, I encourage you to go out and find this magazine. The tips are sound, it has some good recipes in it ( I'll be highlighting those chicken spud cakes asap! ), and the life changing vignettes of real women who have turned their lives and nutrition around through Clean Eating and exercise is motivating.

Go buy this.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine November/December 2011

     The newest issue of Clean Eating Magazine is hitting mail boxes and newstands now.

In this month's issue:

- A nice selection of CE pasta sauces on page 15 ( however most of these seem to be "boutique" brands with limited distribution. They might be hard to find in your local store )

- If you aren't a fan of brussel sprouts, you will be after the lovely recipe for roasted sprouts on page 33

- A terrific roundup of CE sides to serve for a really healthy Thanksgiving that won't make you feel you're missing out on anything ( page 43 - and the Souffled Sweet Potatoes on page 51 WILL be made!  )

- An interesting take on CE "approved" Christmas cookies. Make some healthy versions of classic cookies. I was thinking Christmas cookies are a thing of the past for me. Maybe not!

- Many great recipes ( like an easy peasy chicken puttanesca, page 95 )

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine October 2011

The new issue of Clean Eating magazine for October is hitting news stands now - and there are many, many good features in this month's issue...and one negative so strong...I've already written a letter to the editor in protest.

First, the good:

* A great round up of CE tortilla wraps on page 15- always a good thing to know which brands to look for in the stores. Remember, wraps can be problematic!

* Featured article on skillet dinners has me happy to find a new use for my turkey meatballs. ( see pic on the magazine cover above )


* A nice round up of braised meat dishes. I'm thinking one specific CE reader who lives North of me should try the 5 spice bison and report back...

* A new feature, and one I welcome: a quick roundup of easy to do resistance band exercises on page 92. Getting exercise is important, and I hope this inspires me to get my behind off the sofa!



And now the bad:

* 6 pages devoted to red wines that pair well with the recipes they published.

Alcohol is Unclean. Wine is Unclean. For a CE magazine to promote wine consumption is really disturbing, and I'm not sure which brain trust decided this belongs in a CE magazine. ( See the magazine cover above )

Interestingly, the magazine has some conflicting info in the same issue on alcohol. On page 22, they recommend Mezzetta brand Marinara tomato sauce, but noting that it has Cabernet Sauvignon in it - they advise the reader to heat the sauce thoroughly "to cook out any remaining alcohol". At the back of the magazine on pages 90-91, they highlight wine stoppers and a wine rack. Mixed messages, anyone?


If you are serious about Clean Eating, you should not be drinking wine on anywhere near a regular basis. I will be the first to acknowledge that a few glasses of alcohol a year at a special social occasion is ok. I enjoy whisky, and have a few glasses a year. But that is it. The CE article implies that having a glass of red wine with dinner is a-ok...and it isn't.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine August / September 2011

The new ( double! ) issue of Clean Eating magazine is available on newstands now, and there are several great articles in this issue.

* Nice wrap up of several Clean Greek yogurts ( I always like product reviews! )

* A great overview of salads that your whole family will like as the main portion for dinner

Clean Eating Recipes from Chef Jo with your favorites from the food truck!

A wonderful article about cooking what is in season:

Newstand Alert : Everyday Food Special Summer Issue

I've always been a fan of Martha Stewart's small "side" magazine, Everyday Food. The recipes are generally Clean, the photography luscious, and the recipes approachable and "hey...I'd make that!" type of recipes. Everyday Food has come out with a special summer edition that is well worth the $4.99 cover price. It is chock full of beautiful food - summer favorites, new ideas, and old stand-bys.

 Specifically in this issue, I was most excited by the following:

1. A simply lovely spread of 6 easy side dishes that are Clean and positively yummy - page 40. ( Look for the Green Rice recipe highlighted here soon! )
2. Great collection of 20 meals in under 20 minutes - most with 6 ingredients or less, almost all are Clean - page .
3. Pretty pretty article on various homemade popsicles ( see that cover picture!! )
4. A round-up of what is in season right now with a few tips and ideas - corn, tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. Page 5
5. A discussion of ceviche on page 47 under the heading "Have you tried"  - Seriously, I wrote my post from last week BEFORE I bought the magazine.

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine July 2011

     If you don't receive Clean Eating in the mail, it is now available on newstands.  In this issue, I'm most excited by the following articles!

 1.  A great article on Clean Eating grilling - seafood, meats - and even fruit. The lamburger recipe with tzatziki sounds delicious!

 2. 3 step recipes: several great, simplified recipes that can get on the table in minutes. Some seem a little ingredient heavy to be ready quickly - but the simplified intent is there.

 3. Summer's best - seasonal fruits and vegetables - how to select, and several nice recipes. ( I've seen several recipes recently for watermelon mixed with feta. Sounds interesting! )

 4. An interesting "Product finder" on the bottom of page 82 - if a recipe calls for a specific ingredient, say "all natural sweet relish" - CE magazine has a Clean commercial product you can look for on the shelves. In the case of the relish, they point towards Woodstock Farms organic sweet relish. I like this little addition to the magazine, and hope it becomes a regular feature.

Clean Eating Magazine Only $5.99 a Year - Again!

Head over to http://www.tanga.com/ to buy a year's subscription to Clean Eating Magazine for only $5.99! That is a huge savings over the normal $35.95 a year newstand price.

You'll see Clean Eating Magazine advertised for $24.95 at Tanga. Use discount code word "eating" to reduce the price from $24.95 to $5.99!

If you change the quantity from 1 to 2, you'll buy 2 years at $5.99 per year.

Newstand Alert: Eating Well magazine

I've come across another magazine that the Clean Eater may want to peruse : Eating Well Magazine.

 

While it is not aimed specifically at the Clean Eater - most of the recipes are Clean, or could be easily Cleaned up with the substitution of a few key ingredients and / or organic ingredients. 

Interesting articles in the May/June issue pictured above:

1. Healthy in a Hurry Weeknights: 5 Clean-ish recipes that take a short amount of time to prepare but are relatively healthy. This month's spotlight - 5 Mexican inspired dishes. 

2. America's New Food Rules - 6 easy rules for better health. These sound remarkably familiar, and they give a good case for each one: Stop eating too much. Go for more fruits and veg. Stop eating junk. Make way for lean meat and poultry. Go for whole grains. Go fish. Sounds like the core philosophy of CE, doesn't it???

3. From the Test Kitchen - Stuffed grape leaves. I've always been interested in making these myself. With this step by step tutorial, I just might try my hand at it! 

How To Make Stuffed Grape Leaves Video 

Here is their website -http://www.eatingwell.com/ - there is a lot of good there! I suggest you rummage around for CE ideas or easily adaptable recipes. I know I will!

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine June 2011

Yay! The new issue of Clean Eating magazine is on newstands now.

In this month's issue:

 - An excellent summary of season fruits and vegetables to look for now ( apricots, plums, new potatoes... )
 - Spotlight on shellfish : how to buy, what to look for, how to prepare
 - A nice mild/hot pepper profile with a very interesting grilled & stuffed Cubanelle pepper recipe!
 - How to buy, cut, and serve papaya


I do take exception with something in this month's issue. In the "Clean Franks and Fries" article, they recommend buying and using such products as Morningstar sausages, and Applegate pork bratwurst. Those products do not qualify in my book as even remotely Clean. Of course, decide for yourself - but I was bothered by this article.

Newstand Alert : Clean Eating Magazine April/May 2011

Just picked up the new issue while I was out this morning. Several interesting articles I'm looking forward to reading, including:

* Cleaned Up Southern Cooking
* Clean Crab cake recipe
* Excellent resource article on scallops ( I have a tough time getting them right! )
* Common cooking mistakes corrected ( Excellent for new and beginner cooks )
* A money saving week's worth of Clean dinner items ( I like not spending an arm and a leg! )

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine March 2011

Always one who is distracted by shiny objects, while in the grocery store today I passed by the newstand and saw the new issue of Clean Eating Magazine, March 2011. Needless to say, it took a lot of focus to stick the errand at hand and not stop to peruse.

In this month's issue:

* A really nice collection of 15 minute meals - simple, easy and clean.
* A fantastic discussion on herbs, and recipes that focus on individual herbs ( You know, I don't know if I've ever used chevril... )
* A useful discussion on different rice cookers available, and 3 rice varieties you might not have tried

Newstand Alert: Clean Eating Magazine February 2011

The new issue is hitting magazine stands now! *happy dance*

21 Meals for $2 Each : For breakfast, lunch and dinner, these flavorsome, budget-friendly meals ring in at only $2 per serving.

Snacks Made Simple: Ditch the calories and the chaos with a handful of 5-ingredient snacks that boast a mere 200 calories.

Speedy Stir-Frys: Whether tossed with scallops, pork or clams, these succulent stir-frys are all ready in 30 minutes or less.

Classics, Only Cleaner: Lighten your creamy corn and seafood chowder without lightening the hearty bowl’s taste!

Plus:

• Read about both sides of the heated soy debate and decide where you stand.
• Prepare a classic steak Bearnaise that won’t clog your loved ones’ arteries – that’s right, no butter! 
• Ten varied recipes that stretch your grocery budget and feed your family healthy fare through the week.

Newstand Alert: Oxygen Fat Loss magazine

     The next time you are at the drug store or magazine stand, look for this new issue of Fat Loss magazine by the publishers of Oxygen magazine - a sister publication to Clean Eating magazine. You'll find a lot of articles devoted to CE, as well as some incredibly motivational stories of women ( it is geared towards women, sorry guys! ) who have changed their lives through exercize and CE.

I picked up this issue yesterday on my way home from work ( thanks CVS! ) and found the resistance band workout to be exactly what I need right now! I was very pleased to get some new motivational materials, too.

Note: ( My personal opinion ) I disapprove of the many, many dietary supplement and powdered protein ads that are in these magazines. I look right past them, as many are unhealthy and IMO, some are downright dangerous. If you pick up this magazine, or ones like it, please don't be swayed to purchase these products. I don't care if they are openly discussed in the magazines like this. To me, these are nowhere near Clean. Please view these with a critical eye, but keep in mind...there is no magic pill for weight loss. It is in your mind, your heart, and in changing your approach to food.