...said every healthy living blogger ever. Bitches. I like quinoa!
I am by no means a perfect example of clean eating. I don't eat clean 100%. But, I eat clean most of the time, and that works for me. Right now, I'm more at 80% clean eating...when you have a picky toddler that thinks she needs to survive off of chicken nuggets and goldfish, the temptation to just join in can be too great. Plus, Utah in the Winter = Limited produce options. AND some days, you just need a few chicken nuggets. You do.
I first started eating clean when I read Bob Harper's book, The Skinny Rules. It worked for me. I was able to amp up the intensity with my workouts, and I dropped 10lbs in about a month and a half. I approached it as a baptism by fire. I went cold turkey. No more treats. No more added sugar. No more carbs after lunch. I just did it. Now, I know that doesn't work for everyone. Bob's book actually suggest implementing one of his rules a day at a time. A slow progression.
I am a 'go big or go home' kind of gal.
Because I can't tell myself, "Oh, I'll just gradually stop eating these Cheez-Its." No. I will not stop eating those bitch-ass Cheez-Its until the box is gone.
The nice thing is, there are a lot of resources that promote clean eating. I've also noticed that a lot of local grocery stores have started to notice this trend as well. I can now find vegetables at a major grocery store that I normally would have had to go to a specialty health food store to get. There are even free programs, such as Thrive Forward, that will coach you through the process of implementing clean eating.
Even as someone who knows a bit about clean eating, I joined Thrive Forward. There is a TON of information. And recipes! I think the hardest part about eating clean is feeling like you have 'nothing' to eat. But really, you can make so many awesome things with basic ingredients!
You can find a recipe for a Blank Canvas Smoothie here! It a basic smoothie recipe that you can experiment with to find your perfect smoothie combo. Smoothies are a great way to get a lot of nutrients in a single meal.
Have you tried clean eating?
-Stef-
I am totally digging Vega and the Thrive Forward program. It's not always easy or convenient (no behavior change is), not every day is a good day and I certainly miss a few things (and, have them when I do) but it's making a difference in how I feel, in general, and, since my kids eat what I eat (the husband, too), they are accidentally feeling better, too. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I would absolutely die if I didn't eat carbs after lunch but I am so proud of you and think you are doing awesome. I eat pretty healthy but definitely not perfect. It's just all about finding balance in my opinion. And I'd rather be overweight than live without cheez-its. :)
ReplyDeleteNice work, and way to be honest. Eating clean is the best diet, cause it's not a diet! I love it cause it's something you can do forever and don't have to be perfect with. I can't imagine eating a typical chicken nugget ever again (seen too many documentaries :), but we all need treats on occasion for sure. Clean eating's great for that...and you don't have to count calories or fat grams - that's the best part!
ReplyDeleteI follow Tosca Reno's Eat-Clean Diet series - it's the best resource there is, plus she's super inspiring!
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