Life Long Learner-Eat Clean 101

I was eager for the Eat Clean Diet, I thought I could lose weight and maybe learn how to be fit and healthy for the rest of my life. I needed to change my eating habits. As I dug into the pages of my band new book, Eat Clean Diet - Recharge,  I quickly learned what eating clean was really about. Eating Clean is so much more than just loosing weight, I was learning how to nourish and strengthen my body with high-quality foods. Clean foods give us energy, strong nails and hair, teeth and eyes, supports our metabolism, skin and brain. Why wouldn't I want all of this and even more I have two daughters whose bad or good eating habits are based on what I teach them. All of  a sudden the concept of eating clean grew into something much greater for my family and I. I started with small changes in our kitchen and before I knew it the cabinets were cleaned out and restocked with foods that I had confidence in. Shopping became easy..I avoided any foods packaged or boxed,  ingredients that I could not pronounce, and any thing processed and loaded with sugar.  I am still learning options and different substitutes -- this doesn't happen over night -- it's a lifestyle!

I recently learned that one of our favorite packaged 'clean' foods is really not clean at all.  I know, I just said packaged food...I am suppose to stir clear of ALL packaged foods, right?! Well, I felt this one company was a great cleaner cereal option for my girls. I could pronounce all of the ingredients and they take pride in serving organic and clean options. Well, I guess not... 

Sigh... Carcinogens!?! This is one ingredient I can clearly read and one ingredient  I WILL NOT feed my family.  But, it didn't say 'carcinogens' on the label... what other 'cleaner version' packages am I purchasing!?! So, that brings me back to Eating Clean 101...stay away from all packaged or boxed items. 

In the meantime, we still love to eat protein bars, granola bars, etc... So, I thought I'd share this awesome recipe found in the Recharge book. Enjoy-These are excellent bars! Here is a picture of the batch I made tonight! :-) 

xo