Clean Eating

We have been playing around with the idea of clean eating for a while. After finally fully committing to yoga and finding myself feeling so good, I decided I may actually go a step further. I think I may try and change my whole eating style. Crazy I know!

You're asking what Clean Eating is right? Basically it means you stay away from all processed foods. If it comes in a box you don't eat it. If it has more than one ingredient on the label other than water, you don't eat it. So you stick to the basics. A good rule of thumb is if man made it don't eat it. Here's a link to some recipes.

Vegetables- fresh or frozen with no extra ingredients
Fruit- fresh or frozen with no extra ingredients
Nuts (raw or dry roasted)-pecans. almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts
Seeds (raw or dry roasted)- Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc
Lean meats- chicken, turkey, beef, venison, etc
Fish- Fresh or frozen with no additives or preservatives
Beans- Dry or canned (make sure the canned have no additional ingredients)
Eggs

I've read several different blogs and websites about it. People do this in a totally vegan way all the way to the meat eaters. They say the best way to do it is not to have cheat days but just to allow yourself to splurge if you feel like it every now and then. This is supposed to be a lifestyle change not a diet.

So I know I can try this in small increments and build up to it. I am HORRIBLE at sticking to things. But I am also very stubborn. So hopefully if I set me mind to it I will be able to do it.

Luckily my hubby agrees with it and will help us make the change with super yummy creations. I think I can switch the twins over pretty easily. They still eat almost anything I put in front of them.

Now my big kids are going to be a whole different story.

Hannah is the pickiest eater in the world. I am going to have to make this change very very gradually with her. Basically stop buying the few things she will eat one at a time without her noticing. And giving her healthier options that she still enjoys. She hates change so this could be real interesting.

I'm thinking of having her watch Food Inc. with me so she can see what goes into all of the processed foods. That movie scared me into really thinking about what I was eating.

Ben will be much easier. He will try new things much more easily. And he loves leafy greens as long as I sauté them in olive oil and some salt and pepper. :)

The biggest problem will be what they eat at their dad's house. I can't control the food over there but they are trying to incorporate more veggies there as well.

So this week, I am going to try to replace one to two meals a day with the clean eating philosophy. I know I can't quit all my other foods cold turkey but if I do it slowly, I think I can succeed.

Anyone want to join me? I'm going to try to keep a log on this blog as to how it is going. I will also post some of the meals we make up, or I will leave a link to hubby's site that has the meal. I will need lots of encouragement. And I need people to hold me accountable. So who's in?????