It’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through April. On April 1st, I made a pledge to do my best to eat clean for this month as a part of my 30 Day Commitment Challenge. Since again, we’re already past the half way mark, I thought I’d give y’all a little update on how I’m doing and share some of my clean meals with y’all!
One of the reasons I decided to do this is because I read this article and did some research on what we as Americans are allowed to put into our bodies.
8 Foods We Eat in the U.S. that are Banned in other Countries
Overall, I’ve been doing a good job of sticking to my clean eating rules: less processed food, more fruits and veggies, whole grain, less sweets and smaller meals. I’ll admit that not everything I eat would be considered completely clean to a clean eater. I have my moments, but overall I’m proud.
One set back that I’ve been having has to do with my poor tummy. Those of you that are newer around here haven’t heard about the woes of my stomach. I have episodes that come and go and lately it’s been pretty bad. Veggies are hard on my tummy and bread and chicken noodle soup is good. Makes it hard to eat clean some days. I have a doctors appointment next week, and I’m hoping we can do some testing to get to the bottom of this.
Anywho, let’s just skip to what I’ve been eating lately!
Breakfast
1. Oatmeal – I loved adding fun mix ins like blueberries, almond butter, cranberries, etc.
- I use 1/3 cup of quick oats, 1 tsp of chia seeds, a packet of Truvia and some cinnamon.
- Add more water than the package says and cook for twice as long at half the power. It will make your oatmeal bigger, so you have more bites! More bites and you are fuller! {I cook for 4 minutes at power level 5.}
- Then add in your mix ins and you’re good to go! Mix ins make each bowl of oatmeal different so you don’t think you’re having the same thing every morning!
2. Trader Joe’s Sprouted Multi-Grain Bread with Justin’s Almond Butter and sliced banana
3. Assorted fruits
4. Larabars
5. Oatmeal Banana Muffins
Lunch
If I get the chance to run home for lunch…
1. Steamed or sauteed veggies with leftover fish or chicken
2. Green Monster Smoothies – here are a few of my fave smoothies from my fave ladies…
From Lauren @ Fun, Fit and Fabulous!
From Katie @ Keep Calm and Carry On
If I’m at work…
1. Leftovers from dinner that week
2. Chicken or fish tacos in corn tortillas with guac and tomatoes
3. Cafe Express Shrimp and Avocado Salad with no dressing
4. Salads
Dinner
Here is where the fun is at. I try to have one lean meat, a carb and a veggie!
1. Grilled Chicken with baked sweet potato and grilled zucchini and eggplant
2. Spaghetti squash with ground turkey and Red Gold Died Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano.
It’s just like spaghetti y’all! Without all the calories!
- Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. {See top right pic}
- Bake in oven rind side up at 375* for 30-40 minutes
- Separate strands with a fork
- While spaghetti squash is baking, brown your ground turkey
- Add in Red Gold Diced Tomatoes. I love the one pictured above with basil, garlic and oregano because it automatically give it that Italian spice and spaghetti sauce flavor without all of the sodium!
- Cook on low until heated all the way through
- Push desired amount of meat and sauce on your squash and enjoy!!!
3. Grilled or baked tilapia, sauteed asparagus and Trader Joe’s polenta!
Eating out for dinner is completely doable as well!
Here are some tricks: ask for no sauce or sauce on the side, order grilled entrees, ask for substitutions if necessary!
1. Shrimp Happy Hour Appetizer from Brio
2. Fresh Gulf Snapper with jumbo lump crab meat {I asked for no sauce} from Brenner’s on the Bayou at our fancy anniversary dinner last week!
So these are just a few of the many clean eating options out there! It’s easier to stick to it than you think 🙂
On the menu tonight is Buffalo Chicken Quinoa that I saw on Meg’s blog just yesterday!
