follow the yellow brick road....

We're here! Well and truly into our March Clean Eating Challenge.  

For those of you who are taking part, congratulations and well done.  For those of you who haven't, the fact that you're reading this is testament that maybe you are ready to take the big step. Don't let the fact that we've already started put you off, at the end of the day, there's no better time like the present to make some changes.  Doesn't matter how big or small that change is, everything adds up and hopefully, you'll be feeling better for it.

I have to tell you, trying to keep to the very strict 80/10/10 philosophy has it's challenges.  Most of them revolve around seasonings.  I'm a Peruvian born girl, and anyone who knows Latin Americans, knows that they like their seasonings.  It just ain't a dish without the salt!  Some days are better than others, but every now and then I find myself reaching for the salt without even thinking about it.  Definitely a work in progress.

Luckily for me, 80/10/10 primarily focuses on fruit and that my friends, I can eat for days, happy happy days :)

So here are some fruit based recipes which you may find useful as breakfast ideas.

Peach, Apple & Vanilla Porridge with Strawberry Sauce
Serves 1

Ingredients

2 apples

1 golden queen peach

1/2 tsp organic vanilla extract

1 cup of strawberries

1 medjool date

Chopped up fruit of choice

Method

Blend apples, peach and vanilla extract until mostly smooth but with some small chunky pieces or until it has reached porridge like consistency.  Pour into bowl.

Separately, blend strawberries and medjool date until very smooth.  Pour over apple and peach porridge.

I served it with some chopped up prickly pear on top.

If I don't have a green smoothie, I always make up a green juice to go with whatever I'm having.  I just feel incomplete if I don't have something green at the beginning of my day.  So energising.

Orange Fruits Smoothie

Ingredients

2 frozen bananas

1 medium orange

1 medium carrot

1 mango

1 pear

1 TBS of lucuma powder

250 mls water

Method

Blend and serve topped with some fruit if desired

With summer on it's last legs, I whipped up this smoothie in an attempt to capture those last sunny days.  It was a summer beach party in my mouth! It also has a healthy dose of vitamin C to help keep pesky colds at bay with the coming chilly months.

Beet Berry Heaven

Ingredients

1/2 medium carrot

1/2 medium beetroot

1 orange

4 frozen bananas

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup strawberries

1/2 lime juiced

250 mls water

Method

Blend and serve

I love beetroot but some people find it a bit earthy.  I can guarantee that everyone will love this smoothie.  The lime and orange cut through the earthiness of the beetroot so you're left with this delicious berry taste and THAT colour! Antioxidants anyone?

Whilst I don't normally mix fruit with protein, sometimes I just can't help it.  Chia seeds are one of nature's highest plant based sources of complete proteins, they also add a healthy dose of omega 3 fatty acids which is important for those of us who follow a plant based diet.

Here's a few recipes which contain chia seeds.  They can be used for breakfast or as an afternoon pick me up when you're in a serious need of a healthy energy boost.

Mango and Coconut Chia Pudding

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 TBS chia seeds

1/2 cup of water

1 mango 

1 date

1/4 cup coconut flesh

1/2 cup coconut water

Method

Make chia gel by mixing chia seeds with water and put aside for at least 15 minutes or until chia soaks up water and turns into gel.  Make sure you stir the chia seeds or they will clump together.

Using your hand held blender, process the flesh from the mango with the medjool date.  Set aside.

Next, do the same using your coconut flesh and water.  Set aside.

Once chia gel is ready, stir through the coconut milk until incorporated.

Layer your coconut chia mixture with your mango mixture to your preferred liking.

Top layer should be mango, which you can top off with mango pieces you cut away from the seed.

I topped mine with an almond, date and coconut crumble that I make by processing them together until they resemble a crumble consistency.

Serve and enjoy in a sunny spot :)

This next recipe was featured by #veganfoodshare on IG and was a hit so please give it a try and let me know what you think.

Neapolitan Dream

Serves 1

Ingredients

Chocolate layer

2 TBS chia seeds

1 cup of water

1 TBS raw cacao powder

2 medjool dates

Vanilla layer

1 pear

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

Strawberry layer

1 cup of strawberries

1 medjool date

raw cacao nibs (optional)

Method

Prepare your chia gel the same as above recipe using 1/2 cup of the water.

To make the chocolate sauce, blend dates, remaining water and raw cacao powder until smooth.

Once the chia gel is done, stir through the chocolate sauce until well incorporated.  Leave about a quarter for decorating later.

Make your vanilla layer by blending the pear and vanilla together. Set aside.

Do the same for the strawberries.  I find it easier using a hand held blender when blending strawberries or for smaller quantities of soft fruit.

Now you just layer the layers and top with chocolate sauce and some cacao nibs. Yum!

Coconut Banana Chia Porridge with Papaya and Mango Sauce

Serves 2 (depends on how much water your coconut gives ya)

Ingredients

1 young coconut

2 frozen bananas

2 TBS chia seeds

1/2 cup of water

1 date

1/2 mango

1 cup of papaya cubes

goji berries (optional)

Method

Make chia gel by combining chia seeds with water and mix well.  Leave for about 10-15 minutes until it turns to gel.

Open your coconut, remove some of the flesh and all of the water.  Set aside.

In a high speed blender, place your frozen bananas, chia gel, date and all of the coconut water and blend until smooth.

Use a hand held blender to puree your papaya and mango separately.

Pour you chia porridge into the coconut shell, add a few tablespoons of both the papaya and mango sauce and swirl.  Top with chopped fresh coconut flesh and some goji berries.

Serve with a green juice.  I had the other serving for afternoon tea :)

This next recipe is so easy, it's almost unfair!  But beware, you do have to work fast as it starts to melt quickly.

Vanilla Ice Cream with Blueberry Swirl

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 frozen bananas

1 tsp organic vanilla extract

1 cup blueberries

1 date

Method

Puree the blueberries with a hand held blender until smooth.  

Process the bananas and vanilla in a food processor until it resembles soft serve. Pour blueberry puree into the banana vanilla ice cream and process for a few seconds.  You want to be able to see the different colours.

I made this for my girls and served it to them in cones to make it feel like more of a treat.

Here are some savoury dishes I've been having, not completely 801010 but definitely clean.  Some you could make completely 801010 by removing the seasonings but have a play and see what you come up with.  It's all about experimenting :)

Caesar Salad with Field Mushrooms

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 baby cos lettuce

1 tomato

1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced

1 cup baby spinach

1 field mushroom chopped in to bite sized pieces

1/4 alfredo sauce (recipe here)

1/4 tsp dijon mustard

Method

Wash and chop your salad ingredients.  Mix the alfredo sauce with dijon mustard.

Use your hands to smother your salad ingredients (except a few mushrooms) with the alfredo sauce.

Top with the left over mushrooms and serve.

This is a great salad to take to work.  Just take your veggies and sauce on the side and make just before you eat.  Quick and easy and tastes SO good!

Kale & Avocado Salad with Pomegranate seeds

Serves 4 as a side or 2 for a meal

Ingredients

1 bunch of curly kale

1 large avocado

1 lime juiced

1/2 pomegranate, seeds removed

Himalayan salt 

Freshly ground pepper

EVOO* (optional)

Method

Wash your kale carefully.  I find curly kale can sometimes have tiny slugs hiding in the little curly bits so be meticulous!

Once washed, shake of excess liquid or better yet, throw it in a salad spinner.

Thinly slice the kale and place it in a large bowl.  

Slice your avocados whichever way you like and add to kale.

Add your seasonings and oil if you are using.

Use your hands to mix the salad.  The avocado will break down a little bit.  This is cool, you want this.  It gives the salad a beautiful creamy taste.  Make sure you don't squish all of the avocado though, you still want some chunks in there.

Once mixed through, add your seeds and give another gentle toss, using a wide spoon this time.

This is definitely one of my favourite all time salads.  I eat it all the time.  I just love the textures and the flavours, specially when the little pomegranate seeds pop in your mouth. yum!

*I personally don't use oil because I find the fat from the avocado is enough to make it silky and creamy but whatever rocks your boat.

Summer Salad

Serves 4 as a side or 2 as a meal

Ingredients

2 cups of baby spinach

1/2 bunch of tuscan cabbage (type of kale)

1 large nectarine

4 figs

1 cup strawberries

1/2 a medium red onion

1/2 red capsicum

1 TBS balsamic vinegar

Himalayan pink salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 TBS hemp seeds (optional)

Method

Wash your leaves and kale.  Place the leaves in a large bowl.  

Remove the thick middle vein from your kale and slice the leftover leaves thinly.  You can keep the stalks for juicing.

Add to spinach.  Thinly slice your nectarine, quarter your figs, and halve your strawberries and add to bowl.

Thinly slice the red onion and capsicum and add to bowl.  Season well, add balsamic vinegar and mix through, being careful not to squish the figs.

Top with hemp seeds and serve.

If you've never tried fruit in your salad then this is the one to try it with.  It's so delicious and everyone knows balsamic vinegar and strawberries go together like a dream.

If you don't have hemp seeds, get some, they're really good for you, but in the meantime, feel free to add sunflower seeds or pepitas.

Zucchini Pasta with Parsley Pesto

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini

1 cup of baby spinach

1/2 cup broccoli florets

1/2 bunch of parsley, leaves only

1/2 clove of garlic

1/4 cup chopped brown onion 

1/3 cup cashews pre soaked and drained

3/4 cup of water

1 TBS nutritional yeast

1/4 tsp of chilli flakes or to taste

Himalayan pink salt and pepper to taste

1/2 TBS hemp seeds

Method

Spiralize your zucchini into pasta and place in a bowl with the baby spinach and broccoli florets.

In a high speed blender, process your soaked cashews, water, garlic, onion, seasoning, nutritional yeast and parsley leaves until very smooth.

Use your hands and mix the parsley pesto through the zucchini pasta.

Top with chilli flakes and hemp seeds.

Hey presto!

Zucchini & Carrot Noodles with Spicy Curry Sauce

Serves 1

Ingredients

2 medium zucchini

1 medium carrot

1 cup of baby spinach

1/2 tomato chopped

1/4 cup chopped coriander

Flesh of 1 young coconut

3/4 cup of coconut water

1 tsp of curry powder

1 tsp of Himalayan pink salt

1 tsp of chilli flakes

1/2 clove of garlic

Method

Spiralize your zucchini and carrot.  Place in a bowl along with baby spinach, chopped tomato and coriander, mix gently.

In a high speed blender, add the coconut flesh and water, with the curry powder, chilli flakes, garlic and salt.

Process until you get a very smooth sauce.

Serve your noodle mixture and top with the curry sauce and some coriander sprigs.

Zucchini Spaghetti with Creamy Beetroot Sauce, Broccoli & Walnuts

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 medium zucchini

1 cup broccoli florets

handful of walnuts, chopped

1/3 cup raw cashews soaked and rinsed

1/2 medium beetroot

1 small carrot

1/4 red onion

1 garlic clove

2 TBS nutritional yeast

1.5 tsp raw unpasteurized brown rice miso

1 tsp dried dill

1/2 lime juiced

Himalalyan pink salt and pepper to taste

Method

Spiralize zucchini on spaghetti blade.

Place in bowl with 1/2 the broccoli florets and half the walnuts.

In a high speed blender, add the rest of the ingredients and process to form a smooth paste.  Adjust seasoning if required.

Pour sauce over pasta and mix thoroughly, top with the remainder of walnuts, broccoli and serve.

Field Mushroom with Cauliflower Rice and Avocado Cucumber Salsa

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 large field mushroom, stalk removed

Rice

2 cups of cauliflower florets

1/4 cup raw corn kernels

1 TBS chopped parsley

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt

Salsa

1/2 cucumber chopped

1/2 avocado chopped

1/4 red capsicum chopped

1/4 yellow capsicum chopped

1/4 red onion chopped

1/4 cup coriander chopped

1/2 lime juiced

Himalayan pink salt and pepper to taste

Method

Rice

Place all ingredients except corn and parsley in a food processor and process until it resembles rice grains.

Stir in corn and parsley.  Set aside.

Salsa

Mix all your ingredients together and set aside.

On a plate, place your field mushroom, fill with the cauliflower rice and serve it with a side of the salsa.

Now to add some sweetness!  Whilst I love fruit on it's own, sometimes I want to add something a little indulgent.  

Enter cashew cream. 

Cashew cream is one of those wonderful things that you can adapt to suit whatever taste you're craving.  

I just love it, but beware, it's highly addictive so best to enjoy occasionally.

Fruit Platter with Caramel Cashew Cream

Serves 4 as a share plate

Ingredients

1/3 cup of cashews soaked and rinsed

3/4 cup of water

4 medjool dates

1 TBS raw mesquite powder

Fruit of choice

Method

Chop up your fruit and arrange on a plate.

Place all other ingredients in a high speed blender and process until smooth.  Add water slowly as you may want to add less to make it thicker or more if you want a more liquid consistency.

You can also adjust sweetness with more dates or a splash of 100% pure and organic maple syrup or coconut nectar.

Place in a serving dish and serve.

First week complete and we've done it like troopers! I hope everyone has been having fun in the process, I know I have.

If you're struggling with what to take to work, my suggestion is you just keep it simple.  On my days to work I just throw a heap of veggies in a mason jar and take some dressing or a lime on the side and have that.  It's a great way to do it as you won't have to prepare anything.   Just dump in a bowl and eat!

If you're looking for snack ideas, you can't go past fruit.  Keep it interesting, don't be afraid to try new fruits you've never had before.  Some you'll like, some not so much, but at least you'll know.  Who knows, you may discover a new favourite.

Pitaya and prickly pear

So there we are, hopefully the above recipes will get you thinking about what dishes you would like to experiment with or if you have any good ones, please feel free to share.

One more thing before I sign off. I went to see an iridologist last week and without me saying anything, he told me about my hair loss.  He said it's because my hormones are out of whack which is caused by one of my ovaries doing strange things and not a zinc deficiency as was suggested by my doctor.

He also told me that I should never drink milk as it's no good for my digestive system!!!  

He's given me some tonics to take to help with the hormones and also my digestive system so I'll keep everyone posted on what happens when those are finished.

I was kind of waiting for him to tell me that I was deficient in something but he never did, so I'm happy about that.  Makes me feel like I'm on the right track.  I'm due for a repeat blood test so I'll know for sure in a couple of weeks.  Been putting it off because I despise needles.  Ironic really since I'm a nurse and have to give them to people all the time.  Oh well, will just have to suck it up, yikes!!

I have a really exciting guest posting next week so be sure to check back.  She will be sharing a clean dessert recipe that will knock your socks off, I know I'm dying to give it a go!

Wishing everyone another amazing week of clean eating.

Peas, love and mungbeans

xxb

countdown is on

I have to say I'm overwhelmed by the response I'm getting in support of Clean Eating March.  This says a lot.  
More than anything, it tells me that there are a lot of like minded individuals out there and more importantly, that we need to support each other.  
When push comes to shove, we all want the same thing; to be in better health, have more energy and look and feel the way we want to.
I'm so grateful to my friends, family and the blogging and instagram community for all their support and inspiration.  Just awesome!

One question that keeps popping up is what I will be doing for the challenge.  Don't you already eat clean?
Yes, this is true, my diet is relatively clean, I gave up animal products coming up to eight months ago and I have been 95% raw vegan for the past two months.  However, I do have some vices, mainly coffee!  And because I have a flat white, my only alternative is soy milk.  Whilst I'm picky about what soy they use (must be bonsoy), it's still soy and that's not allowed.  Whilst I love coffee, caffeine does put pressure on your adrenal glands so having a little break won't be a bad thing.
   
Also, I've been doing some more reading into the 80/10/10 philosophy of eating (halfway through the book),and I feel like it makes a lot of sense.  
Ever since I greatly minimised grains, I do feel better.  
What do I mean by that?  Ok, I don't get bloated anymore, I eat as much as I want at meal times and throughout the day IF I feel hungry, I don't count calories, yet I have managed to keep a steady weight.  
I still exercise 6 days a week for up to an hour each time and still have the same if not more energy.  I barely feel tired, except when I over load myself with things to do.  I'm notorious for trying to squeeze as many things into one day as is humanly possible.  It's not one of my best traits but I'm working on it.
So, the challenge for me will be to try and do less and to keep as close as possible to the 80/10/10 way of eating.
That means cutting out vinegar, majority of oils, corn thins (yikes), coffee, alcohol*, minimising nuts and seeds, no superfoods, no salt, no nutritional yeast, bahhhhh :(  
Basically, if it's not something you can consume in it's natural state, than I can't have it.
Whilst this may sound extreme, and given, it is quite extreme, I feel that one month is enough to test it out without doing harm. After all, some elite athletes are devoted to this lifestyle, along with a lot of other super healthy individuals.  Like with any thing, if done correctly and with as much information as possible, it can be successful. 
Not sure if it'll be a long term thing for me, I'm aware that what works for one, doesn't work for another.  I'll just take each day as it comes.  The most important thing for me is what good information and lessons I will take away from it when it's all done and dusted.
I will continue taking supplements, mainly vitamin B12 and vitamin D.  But I think everyone should take those.

I have also been asked what time of the days I eat and exercise.
I normally have breakfast anytime between 8:30-10:00.
Lunch is usually 12:00-1:30
Dinner is always between  5:00-6:00

When I can, I prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, before breakfast and after my 1L of water.
Otherwise, I exercise whenever time allows, most of the time it's after we have had our family dinner and showered the girls, usually 7pm.

* a word on alcohol.  I didn't add it to the list of things not to have because I just don't think about it anymore.  I don't normally drink during the weekends, and definitely not during the week. If you do drink, you may want to think about giving it up for March, or maybe cutting down to just a couple of glasses on the weekend or if you drink during the week, just one glass every other night.  I'm for cutting it out all together if you want to get the most benefit but I'll leave that up to you.
What I know about alcohol is this, whenever I consume too much of it, I feel like crap the next day.  It demotivates me, it makes me want to eat ALL DAY, and it makes my body feel gross, which leads to a wasted day and no exercise.  I don't like that.  

Another thing, when starting out on a plant based diet (for those cutting out animal products), there is a tendency to eat lots of the sweet treats, lots of nuts and chia, coconut oil, e.t.c.  Whilst I love nuts and chia seeds, I would make them occasional foods rather than every day.
If you are going to be doing a lot of cooking, coconut oil is definitely the healthiest oil to use due to it's high burning point.  
My advice is to put your focus into eating as many fresh vegetables and fruits as possible.
And whilst I'm not trying to say that you should go raw (which you can if you want to), if you can keep at least two of your meals raw, you will see so much benefit.
By having the green smoothie first up, you already have one raw meal done.  Add your salad at lunch and there you have two meals.  Easy Peasy!

Now let's talk about sugar.  I have revised the last post and added refined sugar to it.  I'm sure most of you already knew this was a given as did I but I thought I'd better added anyways.
I find that because I eat a lot of fruit, I don't actually get to crave other sugars, my body is satisfied with the sugars it gets naturally.
If you're having problems giving up refined sugars, have a date! I mean a medjool date of course, and they are the most deliciously caramelly treat you'll ever have!
If I need to sweeten something up, I always use medjool dates.  
Whilst they are high in calories, I don't have a problem eating them.  Like I said, I gave up counting calories as soon as I went raw.

But don't fear, I'll be posting some cooked food ideas, as well as lots of raw ones.  
I also recommend looking at previous posts, where I have lots of cooked recipe ideas.
I'm really interested in what dishes everyone comes up with so please tag @onehungrymami #onehungrymami if you're on instagram and feel free to share your recipes, progress, questions, in the comments section below.

One last thing, whilst you are doing Clean Eating March, I urge you to think about other toxins that you may be absorbing without realising.  Whilst it's difficult to be toxin free in this world (being stuck in peak traffic springs to mind), we can try and minimise what we add to it.  Choosing better foods is one way, but have you thought about the personal products you use?  Have a look at your moisturiser, your deodorant, your perfume and make up.  A plethora of chemicals that we slather on our largest organ on a daily basis, sometimes 2 or 3 times a day.  Here's a post I did that talks about this, you will be surprised at the amount of chemicals that are in our everyday beauty products, I know i was.
I don't want to overwhelm you, just get you thinking about things.

So exciting!!

Peas, love and mungbeans

xxb

Clean Eating March - Ready, set, HEALTH!

Weddings are wonderful, but they are also a little taxing on the mind and body.  All that celebrating, late nights, eating out, they really do take their toll.  Specially for me, as I can only handle being out of my routine for a short time before I feel frazzled and lost.
Coming to the end of February, I feel a little like that, so I thought it would be a great time to do a challenge.
Yes, that's right, I'm feeling the itch and there's no better time than the first day of March to start a Clean Eating Challenge.
I've been chatting to friends, and getting lots of feedback from followers on IG who have expressed an interest in eating better and improving their health.
This post will contain some info on what I believe clean eating to be, some foods that you can't live without as well as some overall tips.  
At the end of the day, clean eating should really be a part of your overall lifestyle and not just a fad.

The Basics

To me, clean eating refers to eating foods that are as close to nature as possible.
Sure, some foods you have to cook, but that is because it makes them easier to digest.  This is fine.
What you want to avoid or greatly minimise, is the amount of pre-packaged or pre-prepared food you eat.
Everything that is packaged has had to go through some type of handling and processing. You are not there at the time, so you really don't know what is being done, added, handled, when this takes place.  And whilst Australia adheres to some strict food handling guidelines, at the end of the day, human error can still impact on how things turn out the other end. 
Nothing beats choosing your fresh ingredients, and making a meal from scratch, where you know absolutely everything that you have put into it.  You know that you've cleaned your produce to your level of satisfaction, you know that you haven't added any harmful additives, and more importantly, you can pronounce every ingredient.

So what should your clean eating pantry look like?  This depends of course on what you eat but of outmost importance, is having an abundance of fruit and vegetables, of as many varieties as possible.

I have what I call non-negotiables, foods that I will have in my fridge no matter what.

• silverbeet
• baby spinach
• kale
• cos lettuce
• zucchini
• carrot
• red cabbage
• tomatoes
• cucumber
• sprouts
• onions
• garlic
• fresh herbs
• lemons/limes
• medjool dates
• pears
• bananas - must be ripe (LOTS of frozen and also fresh)
• mangos
• watermelon
• berries (frozen and fresh)
• avocados
• oranges
• cold pressed organic flax seed oil

I also get whatever other fruit and veggies are in season, as I love to try new varieties and also love tropical fruits - figs, prickly pears, pitaya, stone fruit, pomegranate, e.t.c.

NOTE: frozen bananas will save your life.  No joke.  You can add them to your smoothies and it gives them the creamiest consistency.  You can add it to your food processor and it will make ice cream for you.  I mean, I just love them, I can go through 6 a day, no sweat.

Things I like to keep in my fridge but can live without:

• young coconuts
• nuts
• seeds
• almond milk
• 100% pure organic maple syrup
• coconut nectar

Non-negotiables for the pantry:

• raw cacao powder
• cacao nibs
• Himalayan pink salt
• herbs and spices
• apple cider vinegar
• nutritional yeast
• organic corn thins
• coconut oil
• extra virgin olive oil

As you can see, my life in regards to food, is pretty simple.

My meals as a result are also simple, sometimes they only contain a few ingredients but it works for me.

What you must NOT consume whilst doing Clean Eating March:

• highly processed foods
• gluten
• dairy
• deli meats
• canned foods
• refined sugars
• soy products

For those of you who eat meat and fish, I would encourage you to always buy grass fed meat, and to buy sustainable fish.

Always buy the leanest possible cuts and do not, whatsoever, buy packaged or deli meats.  There's a reason why they've been linked with an increased risk of developing cancer.

For those of you who eat grains, make sure you keep it to whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, millet and amaranth, and make sure you rinse them carefully and thoroughly, and soak for at least 10 minutes if possible.

Oats in themselves do not actually contain gluten but they are usually processed with grains that do thus they become contaminated and individuals who are sensitive to gluten should avoid them.  You can buy uncontaminated oats, you may just have to get them online or I think the Freedom brand has some.

I say dairy and soy because they are in the top 5 food allergens list, along with eggs and tree nuts.

Dairy is not really something that humans breakdown very well, as of course, we are not cows thus lack the enzyme to break it down, and that's simply because we are not meant to be drinking another animal's milk!! 

Soy products are highly processed, and some are genetically modified.  If you can't live without soy, try tempeh, it's better for you as it has been fermented.  You can also use unpasteurised and raw miso which is also fermented.  Works great as a seasoning instead of salt if you are trying to cut down.

Whilst we can preach about eating clean and lean, organic, local produce, we do have to exist in this world.  And this world is fast, it's also very expensive and an abundance of money and time is something most people don't have, myself included.

So, in order to successfully change to a clean lifestyle, you do have to be prepared.  As the saying goes, 'fail to prepare, prepare to fail'.

I strongly believe that, especially if you are starting out.  After a while, it will become second nature, you'll know what foods work for you, what to avoid and what your go to meals are. This will make day to day cooking and food preparing easier.  Trust me!

Okay so here are some basic tips to get you started.  Please read about clean eating, food combining, e.t.c, to get some added and varied information and see what sits well with you.

The following are things that I've learnt on my journey, they really work for me and I have to say, I've never felt better.

• Start your day with a green smoothie, fruit smoothie or fruit salad.
• Eat a big salad before anything else at lunchtime.  Sometimes this will be enough and you'll find that you won't have room for anything else.  If you are going to eat animal products, you could have some boiled eggs, or some lean meat/fish with your salad.
• Eat your heaviest meal at the end of the day, when you won't be eating anything afterwards, and your body has a chance to break it down without further interruption.  If you are eating grains, this would be the best time to eat them.  You can have some gluten free pasta with a vegetable sauce.  I wouldn't recommend eating grains and animal proteins together.  Both really hard to digest, together, they are double trouble for your digestive system.  Animal protein and vegetables is ok.
• Eat as many fruit and vegetables as possible.  Vegetables specially should be the bulk of all your meals.
• Drink water.
• Make as many of your meals as possible.
• Use lemon juice as dressing, or, if you're after something creamy, mash an avocado, mix it with lemon juice and put it through your salad.
• Get as much sleep as possible.  Hard if you have kids, I know that, but you can always try.
• Exercise at least 30 minutes 5 days a week.  Keeping active is important, it helps with your cardiovascular health and also keeps you energised.  Even if it's 30 minute brisk walk, or you could try an exercise dvd, youtube video, e.t.c.  Again, everyone is different so find something you like and stick to it.  An idea for those who just don't like the idea of exercise, is to get off one train stop before yours and walk the rest of the way. Anything that gets you moving!
• Take a deep breath.  At the end of the day, it's just life, and if you don't do so well today, you get another chance at acing it tomorrow :)

Remember, we are all human, and we are influenced by others, specially  our loved ones.  So whilst some of us may find this transition easy, our loved ones may find it difficult.  I know when I stopped eating meat, my hubby was initially supportive, but only because he thought it was temporary.  After the 12 weeks was over, he kept on challenging me about my decision, asking whether we'd ever eat 'normal food' together again.

Whilst it annoyed the crap out of me no end, I didn't let him know that it did. 

I just quietly and patiently reminded him that the food I put in my body was a personal choice, one I wasn't inflicting on him and for that reason, what I ate had no bearing on what he ate.  Of course this was partly the truth, as what I ate most certainly had an impact on him, I was calmer in mind, healthier in body, and therefore, an overall better and happier person to be around!  My food choices also meant that I stopped buying harmful foods thus unknowingly, he had also stopped eating those things.

Having a diet largely made up of fruit and vegetables also means that there's always healthy choices for him and the girls to have as snacks.

Seven months later, he's my biggest supporter and has adjusted to our new life.  

So I just want to make a point.  This is not meant to be hard, it's not meant to be a about losing weight, it's actually about eliminating harmful foods.

Whatever particular diet you follow, whether it's plant based or not, there is always an opportunity to make it healthier.

Bottom line here is, keep it clean, keep it lean, and enjoy making wonderful new foods to keep you interested.

Simple is best and the end of the month will be the test.

Hopefully we'll all be feeling better for it and we would have learned a few new things.

If you need some breakfast ideas, please see my previous post for some smoothie recipes but really, who can't make a smoothie?!  Go nuts experimenting, that's the best part!

If you can't live without your cereal in the morning, I would recommend switching your packaged cereal for some home made yumminess.

You could make some overnight oats by placing 1/3 cup of wholegrain oats and mixing it with your favourite smoothie and leaving it overnight.  By the time you crack it open in the morning, it will be soft and filling and feel like you're eating a delicious dessert.  WIN! it's also the best as a take away breakfast.

If you can't live without coffee, just cut down to maybe one a day, or have a cup of green tea instead.

I'm going to completely cut it out in March, it's going to be hard but I'm sure I'll manage, yikes!!

I'm so excited for everyone who is going to do this with me, and I hope we can keep each other motivated and discover new and amazing recipes.

Remember, if it causes you too much anxiety, maybe you're not ready, just focus on one thing and go from there.

It's meant to be a good thing!

See you at the finnish line peeps!

Peas, love and mungbeans

xxb