Welcome to our Clean Eating Blog.
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Katie: Mom and I have taken the nutrition ideas and recipes we've collected over the last year, and bundled them together into what we're loosely calling "The Plan" (Like the name? We're pretty clever like that).
WHAT THE PLAN IS NOT:
THEN WHAT IS IT?
THE SKINNY ON NUTRITION If you're interested in weight loss (an excellent side effect of healthy eating), it seems to work for that too. My mom lost 30 pounds in about five months, with VERY little exercise. Oops. Sorry Mom. For more on weight loss, check out our book reviews. WE DON'T USE THE D-WORD We have never thought about what we are doing as a "diet." We don't go around feeling deprived, nor do we sulk about our Whole Grain Banana Muffins when our girlfriends order Italian Cream Cake. Personally, here's what comes to mind when I think about the word DIET: Deprived. Cranky. Hungry. Rice Cakes. When I think about about the words NUTRITION PLAN, something different comes to mind: Empowered. Discerning. Nourished. Healthy. Full. (Yes, full... we eat LOTS of snacks!) When the basket of white rolls goes around the table at Christmas, there's a difference between saying to myself: "I can't eat this white roll like everyone else because I'm on this (insert favorite explicative) diet, and I'm not allowed to eat white flour. I guess I'll go out and eat worms." VERSUS: "I choose not to eat this white roll, because it doesn't nourish my body. Maybe next year I'll offer to bring whole grain rolls." THE RECIPES While I am a color-inside-the-lines, follow-the-recipe-or-disaster-will-ensue type person, my mom is a culinary genius. She has taken recipes for everyday foods (pizza, burgers, pastas, soups, wraps, DESSERTS!!!) and thrown her pixie dust on them so they come out healthy AND delicious. (Now why couldn't I inherit that skill?) SO WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? We do not feel nutritionally superior, nor do we consider ourselves experts. Our goals are three-fold:
SO LET'S EAT! We're glad you are here, and hope you enjoy the site! -So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the Glory of God. -1 Cor. 10:31 To receive monthly recipes, stories, book reviews, and facts about healthy eating, we invite you to subscribe to our clean eating blog below.
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QUICK START PLAN
Here are some tips for getting started with The Plan. Above all, remember to go at your own pace. Add one new idea per week, or one per month...it's up to you!
1. SNACK TIME!
We found it was much easier to start by ADDING new foods, rather than taking anything away. So let's start with some healthy and DELICIOUS snacks! (Try one snack mid-morning, and another mid-afternoon).
2. PANTRY INVENTORY
Consider taking an inventory of your pantry staples. Check out our recent blog post, Wal-Mart Pantry Stapes: Our Top 10 Picks.
3. WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
Take a break from deli meat, and try some of these healthy and delicious lunch alternatives.
4. SKIP THE ICKY STUFF
Eat foods in their most natural form (meats, produce, dairy, whole grains, etc.). Avoid processed foods/frozen dinners with un-pronouncable ingredients. More about reading labels coming soon on our blog. (You can subscribe to our clean eating blog on the home page).
5. VEGGIE MANIA!
Eating veggies every hour helps mom and I stave off cravings for JUNK. Start with baby carrots or red bells, and dip in hummus.
6. SWEET CHECK
Start thinking about ways to reduce your sugar intake. For the occasional treat, try some of our low-in-sugar, high-in-delicious dessert recipes.
7. WHAT'S YOUR BEEF?
If beef is your main protein, try adding more healthy recipes with chicken to your weekly menu.
For more resources see our book reviews.
1. SNACK TIME!
We found it was much easier to start by ADDING new foods, rather than taking anything away. So let's start with some healthy and DELICIOUS snacks! (Try one snack mid-morning, and another mid-afternoon).
2. PANTRY INVENTORY
Consider taking an inventory of your pantry staples. Check out our recent blog post, Wal-Mart Pantry Stapes: Our Top 10 Picks.
3. WHAT'S FOR LUNCH?
Take a break from deli meat, and try some of these healthy and delicious lunch alternatives.
4. SKIP THE ICKY STUFF
Eat foods in their most natural form (meats, produce, dairy, whole grains, etc.). Avoid processed foods/frozen dinners with un-pronouncable ingredients. More about reading labels coming soon on our blog. (You can subscribe to our clean eating blog on the home page).
5. VEGGIE MANIA!
Eating veggies every hour helps mom and I stave off cravings for JUNK. Start with baby carrots or red bells, and dip in hummus.
6. SWEET CHECK
Start thinking about ways to reduce your sugar intake. For the occasional treat, try some of our low-in-sugar, high-in-delicious dessert recipes.
7. WHAT'S YOUR BEEF?
If beef is your main protein, try adding more healthy recipes with chicken to your weekly menu.
For more resources see our book reviews.