In 2011, I lost 20 pounds on the Weight Watchers program. I can't say enough good things about Weight Watchers! The program taught me HOW to eat well and how to cook well rather than confining me to a strict diet to follow. It worked so well that after I lost the 15 pounds that was my original goal, after I quit Weight Watchers officially I lost another 5 pounds just from the healthy habits I picked up! I would absolutely recommend Weight Watchers to anyone looking to get a kick-start in their weight loss goals.
Recently to keep the discipline in my life alive, I tried keeping up with my calories on My Fitness Pal (another great and FREE weight loss tool), but honestly counting calories makes me go into semi-eating disorder mode. Suddenly it's about beating the strict number on the screen rather than feeding your body what it needs. I found pleasure in keeping my calories low and hit a mountain of guilt any time I screwed up. Not a good situation. I realized that for me, my focus simply needs to be on being HEALTHY - eating food that is good for me and exercising often.
So... since my Weight Watcher days, I noticed that foods such as produce (most of which have no Points Plus values) and things straight from nature are the basis for a healthy diet. All the processed stuff has so many added chemicals and un-pronouncable ingredients, empty calories, and little nutritional value. At the store we try to stick to the perimeter of the store, only grabbing produce, meats, dairy, etc.
After a little bit of research this morning, I realized that this philosophy I try to eat by is called "Clean Eating," and I found an awesome website full of Clean Eating Recipes called "The Gracious Pantry." I got so excited by the recipes that I tried three of them today!
For Breakfast: Clean Eating Banana Muffins
I realized that the processed cereal that I eat every morning is loaded with sugar and doesn't keep me full until lunch (or even my mid-morning snack at work!). I am going to try these muffins this week in the morning with a handful of blueberries! These muffins turned out so pretty and they are tasty! I used whole wheat flour instead of whole wheat pastry flour, and I topped them with walnuts.
For Lunch: Clean Eating Chicken Salad
I made this recipe for lunch today including the clean Ranch dressing from scratch! It was delectable, especially if you like dill! I ate it on Kroger whole wheat crackers... totally not "clean" (the ingredient list is a mile long) but hey you gotta start somewhere.
For Snack: Clean Eating Granola
I accidentally cooked it for a wee bit too long, but it's still really good! I'm going to mix it with walnuts and almonds and keep it in baggies at my desk at work for a quick, healthy, and protein-packed snack.
It's been a long afternoon in the kitchen and the dishes were piled to the ceiling... but hey it's worth it to have some wholesome food to eat! And now I have this stuff ready to go for the week ahead for on-the-go meals!
Anyone else practice Clean Eating? Have any good recipes? Send them my way!!!
Natalie
