Eating Clean

We have decided to take a stand against society and marketing from commercials. We are going to eat clean. We aren't going to put crap into our bodies anymore. No chemicals or preservatives. No fake anything. If the product has more than 3 ingredients (such as did you know how many ingredients are in chips or pop or even Kraft Mac and Cheese?) its most likely not going in our bodies. With the help and guidance of Tosca Reno we are changing the way we see food.

We are eating 5-6 times a day. We are eating only fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean protein, and low fat "clean" dairy.

We did a project on Wednesday with the girls to teach them about food. We had them plan out a week's worth of meals, no help from us. We then had them write out a grocery list for that meal plan. We went to the farmer's market, walmart, and aldi to have them read the labels of the stuff on their list AND write down prices. We wanted them to learn not only what they were putting in their bodies but also how much food costs. We spent hours doing this, and we had hoped it made an impact.

Well now both girls are on the clean eating band wagon full force. Already asking for alternatives to birthday cake AND they convinced their dad they were ready for a change. He in turn convinced his girlfriend. This is not a diet for us. This is a life change. A change for our future. We want to give our girls health as a gift so many parents neglect. What's going to help them when they are 30 is not going to be the twinkie they asked for after dinner throughout elementary school. It's teaching them the power and purpose of food! Will we ever let our kids eat "junk" again. I'm sure every once in a while they will have junk. But after just a week of eating clean in this house the kids think carrots almost taste too sweet to eat too many of them and fresh strawberries make a great alternative for jelly/jam. They find the salt that is found naturally in foods to be MORE than enough salt for a dish. We have now walked almost 2 miles Wednesday (to the farmers market as a family), played Wii Fit as a family yesterday, and walked 3 miles today (to the library as a family). We are committed to making our lives better and that starts with realizing what was slowing us down!

Here are some of the things we've tried so far that have been a big hit and super economical

Meals:
Roastiserie Chicken from whole foods (bone and skin removed at home), tomato slices, sliced avacado, brown rice
Left over roastiserie chicken, sauteed zuchini/squash/mushrooms, brown rice
Tilapia with a homemade tomato sauce, zuchini, carrot, served on brown rice
Salmon with egg "fried" brown rice
Homemade chicken noodle soup
Cabbage with red beans and squash
Nut butter sandwich on whole grain bread with fresh veggie slices instead of jelly
Oat meal (rolled oats) with banana and pecans
Oatmeal (rolled oats) with mixed berries
Oatmeal (rolled oats) with unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon

Snacks:
Low fat cottage cheese and fruit
Sharp white organic cheddar, fruit, apple cinnamon rice cakes
Cateloupe, cottage cheese, pecans
Hard boiled egg whites with cheese
Hard boiled egg whites with veggies

And we've ALL been drinking between 2-3 LITERS of water each and every day.

**Picture posts to come of the trip to the park and zoo with Gramme and Charlotte's new haircut