But then something happened: my period was awesome.
For the record, I've never said that before. I hate my period (doesn't everyone?) I usually have to take at least triple the recommended dosage of Aleve to make life remotely bearable during my cycle, and even then I'm doubled up in pain in bed or on the floor. But during this last one, I took two pills when I felt cramps coming on and didn't have to take anymore for the rest of the week.
I was amazed and completely taken off guard and now I'm addicted to this 'clean' diet. (Eating clean means different things to different people, but in a nutshell it means no processed foods and a lot of vegetables. Yes, I know that's a very small nutshell. For a better explanation and great recipes, read this article.)
Here are some things I've been cooking since the diet change.
Chili with chicken instead of beef and a double portion of green peppers and a dollop of Greek yogurt.
For breakfast I'll eat green apple slices with all natural peanut butter (you know, the kind you get fresh at the grocery store) or plain Greek yogurt with honey.
I am now a kale eater. I eat it almost everyday as a small meal or side to a large meal. I love my kale sauteed with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. If you follow me on Instagram, you might have witnessed my first attempt at kale making. Here are the results below.
Sure, when we go out I'll splurge a little, but I'm dedicated to eating cleaner because the benefits are completely obvious. And what's more, it's for a better reason than to look good: I want to be healthy (while secretly crossing my fingers I'll lose a few pounds in the process, hee hee).
Do you eat clean?
What benefits have you seen from changing to this lifestyle?
What are your favorite 'clean' websites or recipes?
36 comments:
oh you are doing so well!!!! and of course i am reading this after i indulged in some salted caramel ice cream tonight! ugh!!!!!
sometimes i am good with food, but many times not. food is my biggest weakness! eating healthy makes one feel better and look better. so many hormones and creepy additives and chemicals are added to so much of our food. of course there are consequences to eating it. but dang it if unhealthy food often times tastes so good! BOOOOO!!!!
note: i notice when i eat more fruits and veggies, they taste crisp, clean and delicious and nutritious and my body is happier with more energy. and i know how good it is to eat healthy, so why is this such a struggle?!! argh!
Yay! I'm glad you like it. Plus its really easy to eat clean. Except when your broke. It gets tricky. I'll have to try out some of what you mentioned. I also need to give kale chips another try. ::high five!:::
I've always eaten like this, well for 15 plus years, I haven't noticed any benefits other than my teeth used to hurt with all the diet soda I guzzled.
Your rockin body is enough motivation I need to keep going when I'm tempted with a big bag of kettle corn.
I feel the exact same way! I know it's good for me, yet there are some foods I just can't get out of my head. Trying to experiment with moderation.
I just switched to a vegetarian diet about 2 months ago, because I discovered that I'm allergic to meat. I have chronic urticaria since January 2012 and was on antihistamines.
After changing my diet I don't need antihistamines anymore and my rashes have subsided substantially.
I'm eating lots of vegetable and fruit, and try as much as possible to cook at home.
Such a wonderful post but I must say.. YOU ARE NOT FAT and will probably never be ;)
I do eat clean, simple and healthy food but mostly because I have an irrational fear of illnesses that come from not taking care of your eating. I also occasionally have a mini pie or a calzone but just once a week ;)
xoxo
good for you! i really should lay off the processed foods. for the most part i am pretty good but then ill get a crazy craving for a poptart or something silly like that. xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams
isn't the obvious change in your health amazing? I feel SO much better when I'm eating right. I've never noticed a change in my periods though, but I don't really have bad ones anymore. Do you take vitamins? I think I mentioned this to you once before, but taking a B6 and a B12 helps my periods (read: moodswings) so much.
My husband lost 20 pounds (and going!) after I cut out a lot of carbs, sugar, and meat. If you like tofu, it is such a great protein.
Unhealthy food can be so good sometimes (we may get a side of popcorn chicken with a Subway sandwich) but healthy eating is within reach. It is just all the prep and cleanup involved!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
That's great to hear! I generally eat pretty clean. I started last year when I did some cleanses and just started incorporating it into my regular diet. It really makes a difference too. This summer I've fallen off the wagon a bit but I am looking forward to getting back on it now that things are starting to calm down in life. Oh and I'm a kale addict. I eat it ALL the time. You can also bake it and make kale chips which are addictive. I drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt and it's incredible!
Hope you're having a great week :) xoxo
I would be terrible at this. In fact, I think I'd fail, lol.
I started eating clean when I had some health issues and found it wasn't that hard to do so I stuck to it. I think it has really benefited my well being. I love kale as well and I do kale chips and also saute it with quinoa, chicken and some ponzu to make a meal.
Rowena @ rolala loves
I LOVE eating clean. So much enough that when I were in NYC and got my yoga certification, I went ahead and applied and graduated from Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I think it's essential for health. I firmly believe in it too. Have you looked into my health section? There are a ton of recipes and info for what/when/how on health and particularly food. I link to my fav sites there too.
When eating clean, the first thing that you will notice - and essential too - is that your body will come into a natural balance. Which translates into everything : from painless ( they will be) periods { as a matter of fact, you'll have to be completely prepared. I just got caught completely off guard with no "warning" whatsoever last week. When I was 2 hours away from home in the middle of something. And since I'm breastfeeding my baby , things are really not on schedule at the moment - so can't rely on dates OR months :) ) to your body taking it NATURAL shape , loosing excess where it needs to without having typical "weight loss side effects" like loosing weight in boobs only but not targeting the wanted area.
your skin will glow. And your eyes will shine - just watch. That is a one thing that everyone notices : skin and EYES. :)
I'm so happy and excited for you, you have NO. IDEA!
XOXOXO
www.livingnotesfromnyc.com
I try to eat clean as well and you just gave me a great snack idea with the green apple and honey mix. Yum! Have a beautiful day, sweetie.
I have a friend who did a week-long juice cleanse and had the same result. A lifetime of painful cramps ended after the cleanse. Crazy stuff!
I haven't fully committed to this because my guy and I love carbs too much. But I do incorporate lots of veggies and un-processed foods into my meals whatever chance I get. Maybe one day!
I agree with C - I'm glad it's working for you and in unexpected ways.
This is awesome! I too experienced something similar when I cut out processed and fried foods. SO GREAT!
I'd say as clean as possible... I had such a great routine in Miami that I've had to change... My family here eats tons of bread and that's so bad for your diet
Growing up, my parents never kept processed foods around (I discovered sugar cereal and fruit snacks circa age 8), so keeping them out of my diet has always seemed perfectly natural–and I'm so glad! I think it would probably be really tough to cut those foods out of my diet, so I'm relieved I don't have to. Except for really good bread–I would probably shed blood for good bread.
Heh. Poptarts. Now I totally want one.
I LOVE kale so much! Kale chips with za'tar spice? The best, yes.
Any advice on getting processed-food-loving loved ones on board with clean eating? :) I've tried cutting out most processed food (except bread...can't help it!) three times in the last month to no avail. Some nights I simply prepare two separate dinners!
Am I allowed to say this? ... I don't hate my period, I actually like the monthly 'cleansing'. But I'm so glad about all the difference the 'clean eating' makes to you. I don't really want to eat healthy, but these days I just feel best on a muesli, rice, nuts, lots of vegetables, no wheat, no lactose, no alcohol diet... Oh dear, this sounds awful. But coffee is sacred :)
P.S. And I need to try Kale!!!
I can't do kale b/c I grew it as a science project, but I eat clean and it's wonderful!
ha, oh my goodness. Congrats on the awesome menstruation! :)
I love the idea of eating cleaner/fresher, it's hard to stay motivated when buffalo wild wings is calling me name 4 blocks away.
yay! I'm on my period now and I know that if I didn't eat such a veggie and protein and "clean food" based diet I would be six times as bloated. Glad you're feeling good!
Ummmmm, if eating "clean" is as delicious as it looks... I just might consider it!
I too, since switching to Paleo eating, feel incredible! Kudos to you for cutting out processed foods!
I have Celiac disease, so eating clean is my only option; most processed foods have preservatives that are gluten based. My husband eats gluten free at home and he's noticed a significant difference in the taste of food. For example, I cut up my own french fries and bake them with my own seasoning.
After eating these for awhile, he bought a package of frozen fries (gluten free) because sometimes we don't have time to do a lot of food prep. He couldn't even eat them! I believe the exact words were: "These taste like cardboard"
Moral of the story: what you might find is that the pre-prepared food doesn't even taste good anymore and that's exciting too because then there's no temptation. :)
I started Isagenix about 3 months ago and never looked back! It is a diet rich in nutrition and protien (superfoods, vitamins, and whey protein freeze dried in their natural state and put into powder form that you drink).
I have a super busy lifestyle-so I don't have time to cook clean, even though I want to EAT clean. Plus, buting all organic foods at the supermarket is CRAZY $$$! Isagenix allows me to get everything I need to support my vital organs and rid my body of toxins at the same time. All I need to do is cook one clean meal a day!
Here is the link to check it out...Isagenix
i'll def be checking out that article, i'm all about eating better...and since moving to switzerland i've cut out a LOT of processed foods because they just don't have that option as much as in america...and it's been great!
Another of my favourite bloggers is Cassey Ho over at www.blogilates.com. She is a MAJOR clean-eating guru, as well as a pilates expert who has inspired soooo many people to eat clean, exercise, and live healthy. She's also a youtube celebrity, who offers free weekly workouts, meal plans, and healthy living tips. Anyone who sees this should go an check her out, because she's pretty cool :)
Yay!! That's so interesting that it's helped your period! That should give you some extra motivation! I will never be able to go back after switching to this kind of eating. But of course I make exceptions here and there when we go out to eat or to a party, etc. I have been eating kale Chips like crazy cause I have so much of it growing in our garden. They're so good!
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