Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family. I wish you peace and happiness; nothing but the best.

A Thought For A Sunday Afternoon

I was doing some reading earlier today, and came across something I had scrawled in the margins of this book many, many years ago:

Then a few minutes ago, I saw the same words elsewhere online. Someone is trying to tell me something.

I think I will listen.

Top 10 Ways To Prepare Kale

I have been talking with a long time friend ( *hug* ) about his frequent preparation of kale. Though I live a lot farther South than he does, kale doesn't grace my table...and I'm not entirely sure why. So I've been keeping my eyes peeled for kale recipes to try out. As a winter green, kale is becoming more commonplace in grocery stores.

I found the website ( see link at the bottom of this post ) with the graphic above and a list of 10 interesting things to do with kale - not recipes as much as a recap. I don't think I would have thought of using kale in my quiches - but it's a great idea.

I like this comment on the page: "Overall, kale is a delicious and hearty green. Treat it like spinach and you can substitute it in just about any recipe. Experiment and enjoy!"

Treat it like spinach! A simple concept, but one I didn't even think about.


Top 10 Ways to Prepare Kale

Clean Eating Chopped Garlic to Recommend : Sun of Italy

For quite some time now, I've know that a significant portion of the world's garlic supply is grown and processed in China. I've worked around this by buying only fresh cloves labeled as grown in the USA. I can only find them at one store in my area; all the others don't tell the country of origin or the origin is China.

But chopped garlic in a jar is so...convenient. I really miss it. But since turning my back on jarred chopped garlic, I've still kept my eyes peeled for a brand that is clearly labeled as "Made in the USA." I pick up a jar from the shelf, put on my reading glasses - and over and over, frown at the lack of country labeling or the words "Made in China."

Until last weekend, when I looked at a jar of Sun of Italy brand chopped garlic.

"Made in the USA"

Huzzah! A Clean Eating chopped garlic product. I can eat this without concern for how the garlic was grown or handled - chemicals, nutrients, and the suspension medium the garlic is in ( oil or water ). Thank goodness!

Sun of Italy is a Maryland company, so I'm assuming the product is predominantly available on the East Coast. I'm not sure how wide their distribution will be. Typically this brand is found in the ethnic or International food aisle in your grocery store.


If Sun of Italy chopped garlic isn't available in your area; you can buy it directly from the company from this link!

( I'm not compensated in any way by any product I promote on this site - I buy them myself, try them myself - and if I like them, I'll mention them. )

Some Motivation For a Tuesday

Here's that kick in the pants you wanted...

and the only candy that is CE Approved: eye candy-

Adventures in Clean Eating Out & About, Part III - The Office Christmas Party

Once again, it was time for my company's swank Christmas party Saturday, where my co-workers and I shed the shackles of the Engineering Mines and step out to eat and drink well ( and not talk about work! )

 ( using the same pic as last year because heck, it's cute )

Because we enjoyed last year's meal so much, we decided to have our party at the same steakhouse as last year : a very upscale steak house in Annapolis...the kind where steak is priced by how long it is aged, and essentially everything is made in the restaurant...no processed foods, everything handmade.

Previous years:

2011 Christmas Party

2010 Christmas Party


     This year, I again used the techniques I've learned to control myself, my intake - and I still had a wonderful meal and a great time. There are definite ways to stay Clean while eating in mixed company ( Clean and Unclean eaters, that is! )

1. I made sure I found out the menu before hand, and knew exactly what I was going to select - no last minute wobbly "Um..." or "Well..." - I knew what I was going to eat, as if there were no choices that night.

House salad with their homemade basil vinaigrette ( tomatoes were AWESOME )
Filet mignon on a small pool of garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli
A magnificently delicious baked 1/2 sweet potato ( a side dish )
Skip the dessert course and ask for coffee instead

2. I ate a small meal a few hours before we left for the restaurant. This way, I wasn't ravenous by the time our meal was ordered and more easily swayed to make an incorrect choice.

3. I ate slowly, savoring my steak with a mindfulness  so I enjoyed and appreciated each bite. I finished my steak with a very satisfied feeling.



 When the dessert course came, and our devastatingly handsome waiter brought my coffee as requested, he made a suggestion - sometimes he'll bring a single slice of cheesecake or whatever to the table, and divide it into 4 or 6 pieces...so everyone has just a taste. I looked over at a female co-worker who also carefully watches her food consumption and she nodded. A plate of cut up cheesecake was brought forth for us, yielding about 2 bites apiece. Enough for a taste and a savor. It was delicious, I felt satisfied and not deprived, and I left the table knowing I had a well thought out meal and a little treat without going "hog wild" and eating an entire slice of cheesecake by myself.


Recap: Preplan, Pre-eat, Mindful Eating - keys to successfully staying on Path when dining out.


PS - Saturday was also my few times a year indulgence with liquor. ( I don't drink beer or wine at all. I like whiskey and will have a glass a few times a year, at most. )

The glass of Jameson was welcome, and that was all I was going to have 1 glass. I had already told myself I would only have 1 glass this year, and even warned my whiskey drinking co-hort of my plan.
He asked for a glass of Knob Creek bourbon straight up. It arrived on ice. He frowned. The waiter apologized. I couldn't see a good drink go to waste, so I took it from the waiter, smiled, and said I would drink it. My co-worker said "Um, that's a little stronger than you are probably used to..." and I assured him it was no problem. ( This morning, I looked - Jameson is 40%; Knob Creek is generally between 50-60% alcohol by volume )

Between you and me - the Knob Creek knocked me on my ass. Lesson learned. Next time I will stick to the single and double malt end of the Whiskey Pool.

Tosca's "Eating Clean Will Help You Lose Weight" Article

     Tosca Reno wrote the following article over at bridalguide.com and I'm reposting it here in its entirety - it's straightforward, 10 point highlighted wrap up of Clean Eating is on point for understanding each aspect of Clean Eating. ( And a big TY to my friend and fellow Clean Eater Mary who Pinned this article and brought it to my attention! )

Clean Eating For Weight Loss

1. Eat more—really! Following this plan, you’ll have six small meals each day, at two-and-a half to three-hour intervals. Your metabolism will steadily hum along all day and you will avoid the blood-sugar spikes that can trigger weight gain.

2. Eat only “clean” foods that have not been overly processed. Say no to processed items like pre-made snacks, cookies, cakes, chips, diet sodas and meals. Food should be real food, not a science project.

3. Eat your veggies—and some fruit. Learn to spend a majority of your grocery-shopping time in the produce aisle. Vegetables should make up nearly three-quarters of each meal. Eat fruit in moderation and steer clear of fruit juice—too sugary and lacking in fiber.

4. Eat lean protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal. By combining them at every meal you create a nutritional package (example: chicken breast and spinach) that your body can process effectively.

5. Include healthy fats daily. We need a moderate amount of fat each day from “good” fats like avocado, fish oils, flaxseed, nuts, nut butters and more. Consuming small amounts at will help you shed those last 10 pesky pounds.

6. Drink two to three quarts of water each day. You need one quart (32 ounces) of water daily for every 50 pounds you carry. Add even more if you exercise.

7. Have breakfast every day, within an hour of rising. Eating breakfast gets you on track for healthy eating and will kick-start your metabolism so it is burning efficiently all day long.

8. Eat your last meal three hours before bed. Eating your last meal of the day well before sleeping gives your body a better chance to burn calories.

9. Portion control is key. Your hands are the perfect tools to measure out how much to eat at every meal. Aim for a serving of lean protein the same size as the palm of your hand, one handful of complex carbohydrates from whole grains and fruit and two handfuls of veggies and leafy greens. Easy!

10. Take it with you. Some of the biggest diet downfalls occur when you’re away from home, so pack your meals into a little kit or cooler and take them with you wherever you go. This way, you’ll never have an excuse to grab a fat-laden, fast-food lunch! You’ll save money, too.


Eating Clean Meal Plan

Want to try eating clean? Try this sample meal plan.

Breakfast: Oatmeal topped with berries, flaxseed and wheat germ; black coffee;4 hard-boiled egg whites

Mid-Morning Meal: Boneless, skinless chicken breast; sliced cucumbers and tomatoes

Lunch: Green salad topped with tomatoes, onion and chopped turkey breast, dressed with a squeeze of lemon; water

Mid-Afternoon Meal: One apple; handful of almonds; water

Dinner: Grilled salmon; brown rice; steamed asparagus; water

Last Meal (only if hungry): Scrambled egg whites with sliced tomato and spinach; herbal tea

A Thought: What Have You Done Today?

 I came across this picture above and it made me stop and think - what do I do for myself on a daily basis to renew myself? Was today a positive day that nourished my body, mind, and spirit or was today a "not so much" type of day? If the answer is the latter - what can I do tomorrow to make things better?

What food choices can I make to promote good health, fitness, and the smooth running of my body's machinery?

What intellectual choices can I make to cultivate a stronger, wiser, happier me?

What emotional choices can I make to nurture and project the kind of person I hope to be?


Choices - we all have them.

What we do...matters. What we think...matters. How we act...matters. It affects you, and those around you.

Think about it - and go forward today with the intention of eating to sustain your body, not eating to bolster yourself emotionally. Go forward with the intention of acting kindly and responsibly to yourself and others. Go forward with the intention of fostering a better self.

Thought for the day? Go forward.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast

I found this recipe over the weekend and tried it Saturday - it's DELICIOUS. My boys love Balsamic vinegar, and the flavor is not overpowering. It's just downright tasty.

Thank you so much to Addapinch.com who came up with this recipe and posted it - along with the photo below.

Note: Worcestershire and soy sauce aren't particularly Clean because of their high sodium content, but the amount called for in the recipe versus the amount of meat and balsamic leads me to believe they are only present to calm the balsamic flavor and enhance it without it being overpowering - so I'm inclined to keep it in the recipe.


Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast

Ingredients

• 1 3-4 pound boneless roast beef (chuck or round roast)
• 1 cup organic low sodium beef broth
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

Instructions

1. Place roast beef into the insert of your slow cooker. In a 2-cup measuring cup, mix together all remaining ingredients. Pour over roast beef and set the timer for your slow cooker. (4 hours on High or 6-8 hours on Low)
2. Once roast beef has cooked, remove from slow cooker with tongs into a serving dish. Break apart lightly with two forks and then ladle about ¼ – ½ cup of gravy over roast beef.
3. Store remaining gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for another use.

Notes

If you prefer a more pronounced flavor, once the roast beef has been removed, use a fat separator on the gravy and then pour the gravy into a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until the gravy has reduced by half.

Product Review: Zone Perfect Perfectly Simple Nutrition Bar

You know I keep my eyes peeled for new products that will fit into my CE lifestyle. 2 weeks ago, I stumbled across these bars at my local grocery store. Produced by Zone Perfect ( whose normal regular bars have about a jillion unnecessary ingredients! ), this new offering grabbed my attention - and definitely my affection...Perfectly Simple Nutrition Bars

The ingredients are, as billed, pretty simple.

Peanut Crunch: Peanut Butter (Peanuts), Invert Evaporated Cane Juice, Soy Protein Isolate, Date Paste, Rolled Oats, and Coconut.

Cranberry Almond: Soy Protein Isolate, Apple Juice Concentrate, Sweetened Dried Cranberries (Sugar, Dried Cranberries, Sunflower Oil), Date Paste, Roasted Almonds (Almonds, High Oleic Sunflower Oil), Dried Pomegranate Seeds, and Cinnamon Powder.

Toasted Coconut:  Invert Dried Cane Syrup, Date Paste, Soy Protein Isolate, Toasted Coconut, Roasted Almonds (Almonds, High Oleic Sunflower Oil), Whey Protein Isolate, and Natural Vanilla Flavor.

I only had the peanut crunch and the cranberry almond...but I'd definitely buy them again. They have a delightful crunch to them that reminded me of that rice crunch in a Nestles Crunch candy bar - it was different and really mentally satisfying! The bars are firmer than Lara Bars - not a "fruit paste" consistency, but have more of a drier, cake/cookie like consistency. It's hard to describe - but if you dislike Lara bars because of the consistency ( so don't like them because of texture ) , I'd tell you to try these instead.

Now, be aware - these are NOT diet food. They range from 170 to 200 calories per bar, and they aren't huge. But a quick afternoon pick-me-up? A mini-meal on the go? Something to tuck into your carry on for a flight or keep in your desk? These are perfect - Perfectly Simple.

Two CE thumbs up!

Thoughts For December 1

Thank You!

The old blog odometer rolled over to a pretty impressive number this morning, and November 2012 is on pace to become the month with the highest number of pageviews my blog has ever achieved in the two plus years I’ve been writing Eve Was Partially Right. 

I wanted to stop for a moment and thank you, sincerely – for your visits, your comments, your emails. Your enthusiasm for Clean Eating, your comments, and even those of you who stop by every few days, read, and never say a word….I know you are there, I know you keep coming back to learn more about CE with me – and I’m incredibly happy to share my journey with you all. 

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. 

- Maura

 

My Latest CE Obsession: Chocolate Whey Oatmeal with Banana

My husband always likes to kid me by saying I'm easily distracted by shiny objects. The man knows of what he speaks - I am.
And my recent distraction?

Chocolate oatmeal with banana and honey. 

 ( photo credit : imtoobusy.com )

Looks kinda gross, huh? It isn't, I swear!

Simply prepare oatmeal as you normally would ( I use almond milk ) and add a scoopful of chocolate whey powder to the oatmeal. Add about 1/3 - 1/2 c more water than you normally would to adjust for the powder. A squirt of honey, a cut up banana...and you've got yourself a very filling nutritional powerhouse that will keep your machine going and going.

Why is this recipe so important? Think about it.

You are combining a complex carbohydrate ( the oatmeal ) with a strong protein ( chocolate whey ) with a vitamin and nutrient filled fruit
( the banana ), and adding a little simple sugar to give you an instant boost ( the honey. )

This is an excellent way to start the day, and I've even eaten it for lunch when I've left my lunch at home ( don't you hate that? ) and I've turned to my desk drawer to cobble together a Clean meal.

Micro Egg Microwave Egg Sammie Cooker

How cute is this?

Keep this in your desk drawer to cook yourself a quick egg any time! The silicone doesn't get piping hot like a bowl, and it forms a bread shaped little cooked egg - how clever! It sounds like ( from the product reviews ) that this product is best used with medium to large eggs - using an XL egg will get you a messy microwave to clean and the ire of your co-workers.

Eating a solid protein like an egg is a really key aspect of Clean Eating - balancing eating veggies and carbs with solid proteins ( eggs, dairy, nuts, meats ) keeps cravings at bay and gives your body's machinery something to work on metabolically. Do yourself a favor, and make preparing eggs simple.

$9.99 over a Solutions.com

Printable Food Journal

I found this great printable over at a Tumblr page: http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/image/25934653770
Head over there and print out a few weeks of this page if you don't have a regular food journal you are using.

Journalling is crucial to keeping yourself on track and analyzing your weak spots - where and when you are most likely to cheat / eat not as Clean as you should be.

Eve Was Partially Right 2010 - The Importance of a Food Diary

60 Thanksgiving Side Dishes - Clean and Can Be Cleaned!

While searching for tasty ( and Clean ) Thanksgiving side dishes, I came upon this interesting list over at Buzzfeed.com , who generally aren't known for recipes as much as snarky and funny Internet memes.

Pleasantly surprised to find a lot of dishes that are Clean, and a fair number I could easily Clean up with a few modifications.

Balsamic roasted root vegetables - a classic!

 

Spiced Glazed Carrots

 

Brussel Sprouts with  Maple Glazed Pecans

 

Maple Whipped Sweet Potatoes

 

And the list goes on. Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a nutritional disaster. Injecting natural sweetness and spices into your meal is the way to go.

Head over to Buzzfeed.com - 60 Thanksgiving Dishes To Make Absolutely Everybody Happy to see the complete list. Remember - this is NOT a list of CE dishes; there are several CE side dishes among the list...so make sure to investigate the recipe fully before deciding to make anything!

 

Stolen Content or "The Empress Has No Clothes"

“The thief, as will become apparent, was a special type of thief. This thief was an artist of theft. Other thieves merely stole everything that was not nailed down, but this thief stole the nails as well.”
― Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

When I first saw the post, I blinked a few times and said “Huh. Looks kinda familiar. Wait a minute – that looks really familiar.”

I realized I was looking at a copy of a post I did back in 2011 – tweaked just enough for the blogger to “make it her own” but not so much that the original idea didn’t come screaming back in my face. 

 Worst of all? This blogger actually POSTED A COMMENT to my post. She acknowledged it. 

Now, if this person didn’t want to acknowledge me, she could have at the very least provided a link to the source I gave attribution to – as I always do. 

When I post content I find elsewhere online, I always post a link – always post an attribution and always a thank you to the source. It’s not only good Netiquette, it’s the responsible thing to do. 

 I’m not trying to pass off someone else’s work as my own.

I’m not pretending to be something or someone I am not.

You’ve probably noticed; I haven’t named the offending blogger, and I won’t. She knows who she is; and I’m not writing this for public humiliation. I’m writing this as a wake up call to her. 

Your smoke and mirrors act is quickly coming to a coda. Your drastically reduced number of comments and blog traffic is probably telling you something you don’t want to acknowledge. We all see it : The Empress Has No Clothing.

-          Maura

PS – Stop stealing shit.

Cooking and Eating With The Seasons : Fall Fruits and Vegetables

 Eating the fruits and vegetables you find in abundance at any particular time of the year is called "eating in season." Eating in season lends itself to Clean Eating - the following fruits and vegetables are going to be quite abundant ( and lower in price ) than you've probably found them in the summer.

Fall Fruits

• Apples
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Clementines
• Cranberries
• Dates
• Figs
• Grapefruit
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Kumquats
• Mandarin oranges
• Melons
• Oranges
• Pears
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Raspberries

Fall Vegetables

• Beans
• Beets
• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Broccoli rabe
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery root
• Collard greens
• Garlic
• Jerusalem artichokes
• Kale
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Parsnips
• Pumpkin
• Rhubarb
• Rutabaga
• Snow peas
• Spinach
• Sweet potatoes
• Swiss chard
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Winter squash

The Food Porn Problem

I'm a regular Pinterest user, and often browse sites like Foodgawker.com  for Clean Eating recipes to bring to this site.

I also browse fitness sites, Tumblr sites devoted to Fitness, and everything in between.  I stumbled up this article: Fitbie.com: The Food Porn Problem over at Fitbie.msn.com that I think bears reading. It's about the psychological impact of looking at tempting high calorie foods on sites like Pinterest and Foodgawker - aka Food Porn.

An excerpt:

It's your classic money shot, the camera tight to reveal every detail of steamy cinnamon buns drizzled just so. Jam-glazed pork falling off the bone. A slice of buttery-crusted apple pie letting it all hang out. Sweet or savory, slow baked or flash fried, it's food porn--and experts say it's whetting our appetites in ways we never imagined. "Like the sexual kind, food porn allows us to lust after taboo things," says psychologist Susan Albers, Psy.D., author of Eating Mindfully. "And now it's on our terms: We can search for exactly what turns us on, enlarge the images, and linger for as long as we want."

{snip}

 Photos seem harmless, but they provoke a real emotional and physical hunger response that can be tough to control, says neuroscientist Laura Martin, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center who studies how we respond to food. And straight out of the insult-meet-injury department: Those who are overweight appear to be more sensitive to the effect of viewing irresistible food. Does that mean you can never ogle your cake without eating it too? Not necessarily. There are savvy ways to curb your appetite--online and in real life.



Eating with Our Eyes
The best food porn plays on the fact that the more indulgent a photo appears, the more likely it will trigger our instinct to eat. "Food porn relies on a phenomenon called supernormal stimuli, which exaggerates qualities we're already hardwired to love," says Deirdre Barrett, Ph.D., an evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School's Behavioral Medicine Program and author of Waistland: The Revolutionary Science Behind Our Weight and Fitness Crisis. Usually, that translates to visual cues that a food is high in calories--things like pooling oils and the sheen of sugar--which were coveted assets back in hunter-gatherer days, when calories (particularly the gooey, fatty ones) were harder to come by, says Barrett. That might explain why, according to a recent study from 360i, a marketing firm that studies online trends, pictures of desserts are the most likely to be shared online. Cheesy, oozy comfort foods also get favorited more frequently on sites like Food Gawker.

I highly recommend reading this article to understand a more psychological level to food cravings and how visual cues stimulate cravings. As a Clean Eater and someone learning to navigate the sea of temptations out there, I think it is key to understanding our psychological underpinnings which trigger our brain to want foods our minds understand are no good for us - but we eat it anyway. 

Save $1 on 5 Cans S&W Beans

    Canned beans are so handy to have in the Clean kitchen pantry. Just open, rinse, and add to your favorite recipes or enjoy as a side dish. I have many cans of black beans at home; I love adding them to eggs, meatloaf, you name it.

I love to save money on them, too.

Save $1 on 5 cans S&W Beans, any variety.

Trader Joe's Spotlight: 17 Bean & Barley Soup Mix

With Fall upon us, now is the time for warming soups and stews to take center stage. I've long been a fan of bean soup mixes ( just don't use that hideous seasoning packet they sometimes throw in there! ), and they are great for a crockpot.

Trader Joe's sells a nice bean mix that makes a delicious soup. The barley is a nice addition.
If you don't have a TJ's near you, any bean mix will do.


17 Bean & Barley Soup

* 1 (1 lb) Trader Joe’s 17 Bean and Barley soup mix (or 2 cups of your favorite mix of dried beans, barley and lentils; soaked overnight)
* 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1/2 large white onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 1 red bell pepper, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 Tbs Herbs De Provence
* 1 Tbs dried basil
* 4 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth
* 1 (14.5 oz) can organic low sodium diced tomatoes, in their juices
* 1 tomato bouillon cube
* coarse salt and pepper


Toss the soaked bean/barley mix into a large pot. Add the broth and canned tomatoes. Bring to a boil.
In the meantime, heat the oil in a medium skillet. Add the onions, carrots, celery, garlic and red bell pepper. Sprinkle with Herbs De Provence, dried basil, a good pinch of salt and pepper.
Saute until veggies start to soften, 5 minutes.
Add the veggies to the soup pot. Add the bouillon cube, partially cover and simmer on medium for an hour.
If you need to add water at any point, toss a cup in.
Taste and season accordingly. If the beans need a little longer, simmer another 20 minutes.

Dr. Oz Clean Eating Grocery List

I found this nice list over at Dr. Oz's website ( Click HERE  to see a larger picture / printable list ) Sorry I can't post it larger.

There are some great tips here for beginning Clean Eaters - but here are a few items I'd like to comment upon for those of you who might be unfamiliar.

#19 - Chicken. Make sure you are buying chicken that isn't injected with a sodium solution.
See this post: Eve Was Partially Right : Beware Enhanced Chicken

#20, 21 - Seafood - Make sure your seafood is sourced from a country that has good standards for aquaculture. Avoid fish grown, raised, and packed in Asiatic countries like China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
See this post: Eve Was Partially Right : The Seafood Dity Dozen

#25 - Canned beans - make sure you rinse all canned vegetables and beans to remove as much sodium as possible.

#29 - Canned Mushrooms - DON'T. These are a huge no-no, and I'm shocked Dr Oz would put these on his list. I double dog dare you to go into a grocery store, pick up any can- ANY CAN - of canned mushrooms and try to find one NOT GROWN AND PACKED IN CHINA. You won't find one. The quality is low, and the amount of fecal matter ( the growth medium for mushrooms! ) is often high.

DON'T BUY CANNED MUSHROOMS. THIS MEANS YOU.

#32 - Jams - These are ok, but try to find ones with no added sugar. Hard to do, but it can be done. I avoid sugary fruit spreads.

#34 - Canned beets - the artificial purple color in those beets and added sugar make these a CE no-no. Avoid them.

#62 & 63 - Soy hot dogs and burgers - Not for you, Clean Eater. Keep your soy intake limited to edamame and the occasional tofu. Soy hot dogs and burgers are processed, and unnecessarily will boost soy consumption which has been linked to breast cancer.

#90 - Protein bars - Be really - REALLY careful here. Most are very Unclean. The only Clean examples I've come across are things like Larabars. Clean bars are few and far between.

#93 - Slow churned ice cream - Um, really Dr. Oz? *rolls eyes* Not Clean. Do Not Eat.



Use common sense with this list. Buy organic where you can ( especially important for fruits with skins you eat, like apples, pears, tomatoes. Not as important for things you peel - like bananas or oranges. Free range beef and chicken is wonderful, but in some areas - crazy expensive.

This list wasn't published as a Clean Eating grocery list - but it can be used as a good starting point.

At some point, I'm going to publish a list of 20+ brand name food items I buy and consume on a regular basis. Items that are Clean and you didn't even realize it.

Clean Eating Chocolate - It CAN Be Done

Every once in a while...the human body requires chocolate for good mental health. I'm not talking a king size Hershey bar...but just something that satisfies that place in the brain where chocoholism dwells. Most chocolate products you can buy in the store are loaded with sugars, fats, and really unnecessary ingredients - making satisfying the itch for chocolate hard to scratch.

Until now.

This fabulous, wonderful person on Tumblr has posted a lot of great recipes ( many using protein or casein powders ) and I'm utterly grateful.

The picture at the top? A Clean Eating chocolate & pear pudding. 3 ingredients.

And what is this?? A Clean Eating simulant for Nutella with 5 ingredients. Crazy!

And in case you didn't get the "Hey, go here and bookmark this page for future reference"...

6 ingredient truffles:

Please note - I'm not advocating these items as a daily treat - far from it. But what better than to have a few Clean recipes like these to add to your recipe arsenal? Make the truffles to bring to a holiday gathering - and know you can have a few without fear or guilt. When those moments come where chocolate is more important to your brain than breathing and keeping your heart beating...you'll be prepared.


Tumblr: Fitness Treats - CE Chocolate Recipes

Positive Thoughts For A Friday

Clean Eating Baked Egg Breakfast Casserole with Mushrooms, Spinach & Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 tsp olive oil, divided
• 12 oz. crimini (baby bella) mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups (packed) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 5 eggs
• 5 egg whites
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Coat a 7- by 11-inch ceramic or glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender.
3. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and the spinach. Cook until the spinach is cooked down and bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with the salt and pepper. Pour off any extra liquid from the mushrooms.
4. Spread the mushroom and spinach mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon the salsa over top.
5. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg whites and water. Pour the eggs over the mushroom mixture. Sprinkle the green onions over top.
6. Bake until the eggs are set and starting to turn light golden brown, about 25 minutes. Test the eggs by poking a small sharp knife into the middle of the eggs. It should come out clean (just a little wet).
7. Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes, then cut into pieces and serve.

Found over at Cookin' Canuck.com - Thank you!

Make Your Own Almond Milk

I found this graphic on Tumblr and it seems really straight forward!

 

Thanks to 10000 Steps on Tumblr. - Not sure if the graphic is original to this site, but that is where I found it!

$1 off 2 Larabar Uber Bars

Head over to Facebook to print a $1 off 2 Larabar Uber bars.

$1 off 2 Larabar Uber Bars

You don't have to have a Facebook accout or "like" them to get the coupon. Always a nice thing, and makes me like Larabar even more!