Clean = Lean: Three Things I’ve Learned After a Week of Clean Eating

Last Wednesday I decided to ride out the last month before my birthday on a clean (natural, unprocessed foods) eating plan. After one week on a fairly limited but very healthy diet (I’m using Tosca Reno’s Eat-Clean Diet Stripped as a guideline) I have to say my eyes have been opened – wide. Here are three things I’ve learned since I started eating clean:

I Can SURVIVE without Beer or Wine. No, I’m not an alcoholic, but on the weekends and sometimes after a long weekday, ahem, I enjoy unwinding with a little drink. Husband and I went out to dinner on Saturday night with some friends and I initially was nervous about what I would eat and drink. I’m here to tell you this gal’s got will power. I had an awesome, custom-designed salmon salad and a sparkling glass of club soda with fresh lemon and lime. Score.

I Can CONTROL My Portion Sizes. Something that has continually been a problem for me has been EASY all week. I have a plan and I’m sticking to it. Plan is the key word here. Mapping out my food is making a HUGE difference. I’m eating enough so that I’m not hungry until its time for the next meal – and my plate is full. I LOVE that.

Clean = Lean. This shit thing really works. Seriously, I’m shrinking and most importantly I feel great. It really is simple, the food that you put into your body determines how you look and feel.

I thought I was already eating pretty healthy, but I really wasn’t taking into account all of the crap hidden in even proclaimed “healthy” food. While I’m sure I won’t stay this strict after my birthday, I’m also sure I won’t go back to eating the way I did before. Thank goodness for organic beer and dark chocolate.

Winks & Smiles,

Review: Three Reasons Why I HIDE Chobani Greek Yogurt in My Fridge

It’s no secret that I’ve taken on a healthy lifestyle and I’m on a mission to get my body in great shape. I’m exercising and I’m making healthy food choices – most of the time. Ahem. I almost felt guilty saying yes when the good folks at Chobani offered to send me some of their yummy Greek Yogurt to review because I had several flavors already stashed in my fridge. GASP!

I’m a little late to the game, but I recently discovered Chobani Greek Yogurt and can’t seem to get enough of it. Apparently, I’m not the only one hence there are three reasons why I HIDE Chobani in my fridge:

Husband THINKS I buy it for him. Well, I do. Sort of. I buy it for both of us; it’s just that he devours it quicker than I do. Just because there are five in the fridge doesn’t mean you have to eat ALL five of them in the same day.

My SON discovered how good it tastes. That’s right; my 9-year-old is in on the secret and wants to eat all of the blueberry and black cherry Chobani in sight. While I LOVE that he likes something that’s so healthy, I need him, and his father, to save some for me.

It’s a SWEET surprise for me. Yes, I actually like pulling a drawer open and finding a scrumptious Mango 2% yogurt that I had no idea was there. And, yes, I’m still trying to find flavors that no one else in my house likes so I don’t have to hide anymore. The pineapple, strawberry/banana, blueberry, black cherry and raspberry are all HUGE hits for my family.

One of my faves – Pineapple!

The Upside:

It’s all natural, DELICIOUS and fits perfectly into my healthy eating plan.

The Not So Upside:

My family wants to eat it all and I can’t seem to keep enough of it in my house.

Truth be told, this review was an easy one for me because it’s a product that I already buy. That really says it all.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: I was sent several flavors of Chobani to review; as always, my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Checking Up on Your Goods

"106/70. You're blood pressure is excellent."

That's what the nurse told me this morning when I went for my annual physical.

That number is WAY more important to me than the one that shows up on the scale because high blood pressure runs DEEP in my family. DEEP.

I was thoroughly poked and prodded this morning and received a "You're really healthy! Keep on doing it!" from my doctor who applauded and encouraged my running.

I not only applaud and encourage it; I ATTRIBUTE much of my great check up to lacing up my running shoes and making healthy food choices.

I'm 35 days away from 40 and I'm healthier than I was entering my 20's and 30's. A big part of that is making sure I visit my doctor. When is the last time you had a physical? If its been more than a year something just moved to the top of your "To-Do List." You schedule them for the kids, so please don't forget about you. Nothing is more important then checking up on your goods!

Winks & Smiles,