When I first started studying to become certified in Nutrition and Wellness I began a food journal. I would simply write down the date, time and what I ate. At first this seemed a little weird and I felt as though I had become one of these people that was neurotic about what they consumed. Let me clarify that I am not a calorie counter or a "dieter". I just choose to eat clean because it makes me feel good. If I want to indulge in a piece of pie or butterscotch pot de creme every once in awhile I WILL. Anyway, after feeling awkward and not sure as to why I was even keeping this journal it all became very clear. I looked back on 2 weeks of what I ate and circled the things I would not usually eat. Things like nachos, mozzarella sticks or half a pint of phish food. For the next 2 weeks I followed the same journal except for I wrote what I was feeling when I ate. Here comes my big AHA moment! I did the same thing and started circling the "crap" food and realized that my negative feelings or stress was my trigger. When I consumed almost a full pint of ice cream I had been on the phone with someone (they shall remain unnamed) who was causing a lot of emotional stress in my life. After being on the phone with UPS trying to track a lost package I ate almost a full bag of salt and vinegar chips. I was trigger happy. Oh how wonderful to eat your feelings! We have all done it. Bad break up. . .chips ahoy cookies. Crap day at work. . .cheese fries. My answer to this habit was to leave the house. Hit the gym. Walk the dog. Stay out of the kitchen unless I had some killer leftover clean eats in the fridge. If you are looking to clean up your diet I would so recommend this especially because I found that boredom is a trigger for crap eating (by crap eating I mean refined foods and saturated fats) as well. Indulge in things that you love in moderation :)
*Positivity is infectious
Monday, December 28, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
My first blog!
Eating clean is basically consuming natural, whole foods like fresh veggies and fruit, lean proteins, whole grains and complex carbs. This means getting rid of all the white sugar, flour and rice in your cupboards. All refining leads to huge nutrient loss.
Living in Brooklyn has been wonderful because I am surrounded by all of these amazing farmers markets. I enjoy cooking and eating organic, locally grown and seasonal foods. Organic produce is wonderful because it is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, radiation or genetically modified organisms. Animals that produce meat, dairy or eggs do not take growth hormones or antibiotics. Buying locally grown produce is great because it has usually been picked within 24 hours. When you buy locally you are not only getting fresh produce but you are supporting small farms in neighboring areas.
My experience with eating a clean diet has done wonders for my body. I no longer feel tired and sluggish and I rarely have those middle of the day lulls. I have realized that with fresh ingredients and a little bit of time anyone can whip up healthy and really tasty recipes for better well-being.
BAKED RATATOUILLE:
1 large zucchini
1 large vidalia onion
2 green and 2 red peppers
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 eggplant
1 package cherry tomatoes, used whole
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Cut all the veggies into chunks. Place in a bowl with garlic and oil. Toss the veggies so everything is coated. Transfer to an oven proof casserole dish. Cook uncovered at 450 degrees for 45-50 mins. Vegetables should be tender and a bit browned. Salt and Pepper to taste.
Living in Brooklyn has been wonderful because I am surrounded by all of these amazing farmers markets. I enjoy cooking and eating organic, locally grown and seasonal foods. Organic produce is wonderful because it is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, radiation or genetically modified organisms. Animals that produce meat, dairy or eggs do not take growth hormones or antibiotics. Buying locally grown produce is great because it has usually been picked within 24 hours. When you buy locally you are not only getting fresh produce but you are supporting small farms in neighboring areas.
My experience with eating a clean diet has done wonders for my body. I no longer feel tired and sluggish and I rarely have those middle of the day lulls. I have realized that with fresh ingredients and a little bit of time anyone can whip up healthy and really tasty recipes for better well-being.
BAKED RATATOUILLE:
1 large zucchini
1 large vidalia onion
2 green and 2 red peppers
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 eggplant
1 package cherry tomatoes, used whole
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and Pepper
Cut all the veggies into chunks. Place in a bowl with garlic and oil. Toss the veggies so everything is coated. Transfer to an oven proof casserole dish. Cook uncovered at 450 degrees for 45-50 mins. Vegetables should be tender and a bit browned. Salt and Pepper to taste.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)