I have been tossing around, researching, searching for information on "clean eating." I have been really intrigued by this concept lately. Since the move, living in a hotel for 3 weeks and eating fast food almost every single meal of those 3 weeks left me feeling, well, let's just say I put one rocking split in the leg of my jeans yesterday and now I am on a commitment tour to change my lifestyle. Of course, this would be the moment I decide to change in the middle of a birthday celebration weekend for Alaina.
"Clean eating" is essentially only putting in your body things that are natural. I have seen a multitude of variations on this but I think for my family what clean eating will entail is as as few as possible foods that are processed in any way. Loading up on fresh fruits and veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. But this is also meaning stepping away from the "convenience" items. I have already been making my own taco seasoning and taco sauce but now I am on a missing to get rid of all the "packets" that we use. I found a recipe for homemade mac and cheese (more similiar to the kraft box [without the additives] than your traditional hearty side dish of mac and cheese. I am on a search for fruit snacks. I tried one Pinterest recipe that fell flat so I am looking for something a little different. We make our own granola for cereal and toppings for yogurt. We are already buying farm fresh eggs. If Ben was a hunter, our freezer would be stocked with fresh meat, but we are blessed in this region to have many opportunities to buy fresh, certified and organic beef, chicken, lamb and deer at a reasonable cost.
I am really not posting this out there to brag about all the ways we are changing out lives. For me, it has become more than just fitting back into my size 4 pants (which, is a goal but not my focus). Did you realize 17% of this country's children ages 2-19 are considered obese? This is not a little baby fat, people....this is obesity. Being unhealthy has become a national epidemic. It is costing our health system millions of dollars in medical issues caused by a failure to take care of ourselves. Our kids are being taught by example and we are continuing the cycle. I want to do more for my kids. I want them to learn to make good choices. Ben and I have health issues that run in our families and while we can't safegaurd against anything bad every happening to us, we certainly can do our part to be the healthiest we can be.
I am not against birthday cake, as will be evidence by Alaina's Very Hungry Caterpillar party tomorrow afternoon. I am not against reese cups, as will be evidence come Easter when the Reese eggs hit the shelves. I am not against girl scout cookies, no worries GSA I have already done my part and ordered my thin mints. But having something sweet or a nice treat should be exactly that, a treat, not a nightly post-dinner necessity.
So here are a few of my favorite at home changes to share:
Taco Sauce:
8 oz. tomato sauce 1/4 c. water
1/4 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. onion, chopped 1 Tbsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. paprika 1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. ground red pepper
Mix all in a blender until smooth. Pour sauce into a pan and cook over medium low for 15-20 minutes. Freeze in small batches.
Cooking Spray
1 part olive oil
5 parts water
1 misting spray bottle
Mix in your spray bottle. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place.
Hamburger and Fry Seasoning
1/4 c. paprika 1/4 c. salt
1/8 c. garlic powder 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 Tbsp. cumin 1 Tbsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. celery salt 1/2 Tbsp. basil
Mix together and store in an air tight container.
Dry Onion Soup Mix
2/3 c. dried minced onion 3 tsp. parsley flakes
2 tsp. onion powder 2 tsp. tumeric
1 tsp. celery salt 1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. ground pepper
Mix and store in an airtight container. (4 Tbsp. equal one packet of onion soup mix.)
No comments:
Post a Comment