Clean Eating Magazine

I was going though one of my Clean Eating magazines looking for some new tips or recipes to share with you all and I came across the following statement:

The soul of clean eating is consuming food in its most natural state, or as close to it as possible. It is not a diet; it's a lifestyle approach to food and its preparation, leading to an improved life - one meal at a time.

Well, that about sums it up for me. SERIOUSLY.

People always ask me, what exactly is Clean Eating? That statement is what it's really all about. They go on to clarify it further, have a look:

Eat five to six times a day - three meals and two to three small snacks. Include a lean protein, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and a complex carbohydrate with each meal. This keeps your body energized and burning calories efficiently all day long.

SIDE NOTE: Because I was asked, I went and found this link explaining exactly what complex carbs are. It's a great site, take a gander.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002469.htm

Drink at least two liters of water a day

Get label savvy - Clean foods contain just one or two indredients. Any product with a long ingredient list is human-made not considered clean.

Avoid processed and refined foods - such as white flour, sugar, bread and pasta. Enjoy complex carbs such as whole grains instead.

Know thy enemies - Steer clear of anything high in saturated and trans fats, anything fried or anything high in sugar.

Shop with a conscience - Consume humanely raised and local meats.

Consume healthy fats - (essential fatty acids, or EFAs) every day.

Learn about portion sizes - and work toward eating within them.

Reduce your carbon footprint - Eat produce that is seasonal and local. It is less taxing on your wallet and our environment.

Drink water with a lemon wedge - A glass of red wine for a special occasion is OK but it should be a rare indulgence. The health benefits of red wine are reversed after more than one glass a day.

Slow down and savor - Never rush through a meal. Food tastes best when savored. Enjoy every bite.

Take it to go - Pack a cooler for work or outings so you always have clean eats on the go.

Make it a family affair - Food is a social glue that should be shared with loved ones. Improve the quality of your family's life along with your own.


I copied the article straight out of the "Clean Eating Magazine" so I'm hoping that I'm not infringing on any copyrights or anything.

I love the magazine, it is well worth the money it costs. They have some great subscription prices or they did when I purchased mine. Here is a link to their website where you can get a small preview of their current issue and subscription information.

http://cleaneatingmag.com/splashbook/ce_magholder1.html

I'll leave you with this awesome Pizza dough recipe for the bread machine. My whole family loves it (even the picky eaters of which I have three!).

1 1/4 C Warm Water
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp Sea Salt
2 Tbsp Sucanat Sugar
1 C Unbleached White Flour
1 1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 C Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp Basil
1 Tbsp Oregano
4 Tsp Bread Machine Yeast

1. Add all ingredients into your bread machine pan in the order listed above. Select the dough setting.
2. When the machine is done, dust your counter with both flour and corn meal.
3. Roll the dough gently to thoroughly cover with the flour and corn meal.
4. Roll out to the desired size and thickness. Pierce the dough with a fork all over to avoid air bubbles from developing in the dough while baking.
5. Blind bake the shell at 400F for 10 - 15 minutes until crust is a light brown.
6. Remove from oven, add your sauce and clean toppings then return to the oven for another 10 - 15 minutes.
7. ENJOY!

Keep it clean ... eating that is!