While it's nearly March, I've realized I haven't written anything about how my clean eating is going since I've started in January. I've obviously been at it for awhile, so I guess it's about time this post went up!
1.) It's easier than I thought it would be. Not reaching for those milk chocolate candies in the dish at home was really tough at first, but now my body doesn't really crave it. There's a lot of natural sugar in fruits and veggies and after switching out Reese's cups for clementines, it's going great.
2.) You can still treat yourself. While not having processed and refined sugar maybe daunting and difficult, since a lot of our foods have it, there are plenty of websites that have treats that are just as good. I made some bars for my mom with coconut oil, oats, craisins and nut butter and you freeze them and it tastes just like candy. SO good!
3.) My taste buds have changed. While I used to enjoy peanut butter, and chocolate chip cookies, things that were filled with unnatural sugars are now too sweet to me. I love snacking on fruits, and adding them to organic oatmeal. I love adding avocados to my quinoa and experimenting with new dishes.
4.) Eating out is tricky. Within the first few days of clean eating, I was invited to go out and went out for some meals. I could still order things like salads with dressing on the sides, salmon burgers, gyros, and other fish which actually made it easy.
5.)I love baking. If you know me, you already know how much I love to bake. While the overload of Christmas cookies still sat in the garage and counter, I obviously couldn't make sweet treats like I used to, so I moved over to entrees. They've all been good so far.
6.) You can still enjoy your favorite dishes. There are a great bunch of blogs dedicated to clean eating, you just have to sift through their recipes and find some that you want to try out. That cauliflower pizza is probably still my favorite recipe I've done to date.
7.) Clean eating at college is a little daunting. I did so well clean eating at home, but when I came back to school, I was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to and go back to my old ways of scooping spoonfuls of peanut butter into my mouth and eating grilled cheese. So unhealthy. But luckily, it's been a lot easier. I grabbed a few wraps from home before coming back and gather up some spinach, peppers, and other toppings that I want to fill them for dinner. It's great.
8.) I sleep a lot better. Last semester I would have a hard time going to sleep, and my roommate would come in at 2 or 3 in the morning and wake me up with her noise and I would end up feeling exhausted the rest of the day. This semester I fall asleep fast, and wake up feeling refreshed.
9.) I have more energy. I have to walk at least 100 stairs after classes just to get to my dorm, and I don't feel so tired or exhausted after doing it.
10.) With more sleep and more energy to get me to and from classes and through the day, clean eating has also helped me feel better. I don't feel like a slug, I think that's the most important thing. It's what I set out to do when I first started this. A lot of people asked "how long are you clean eating for?" Truth is, it's not really something I plan on stopping. Why would I go back when this lifestyle makes me feel way better?
Have you tried a new diet plan? How has it been going? What are your favorite healthy recipes? If you have any links I would love to see them!
