About 6 years ago I embarked on this journey of clean eating. I was DONE dieting and wanted to learn to eat for good health and nutrition. Of course I was happy to lose a few pounds yet continued to keep my focus on what I was eating rather than the number on the scale. This is still a battle to this day. I avoid the scale as much as possible and try to use the way I feel as a gauge of whether I need to make changes. This will probably be a process till the day I die. Just today I put my jeans on and feel a little more "bulgy" than I'd like. I know where problem is, and I just need to say "No" more often to the extras. Even though they may be good healthy foods, I can still eat them in excess.
How has eating this way helped me?
I have struggled with headaches for as long as I can remember. Dairy and gluten were both culprits for me.
Dairy is especially dangerous for me with sinus issues. I use to get a couple headaches a week. Now, maybe one a month.
Gluten free grains (sorghum, rice, tapioca starch, etc) are hard on my digestion as well as beans. When I am not eating these things I feel less bloated.
Sugar also causes headaches for me and it is also very addictive. So if I have just a little I find myself craving the wrong things in the afternoons, especially when I'm tired.
This has all been such a process and I am continuing to learn what works our family as far as food goes.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes and meals:
Breakfast Cookies from Against All Grain
These are my current favorite!!
Breakfast Bread from Elanas Pantry
Paleo Breakfast Bars from Elanas Pantry
I love to have some type of baked good first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee. Both of these recipes are perfect for that and they are Paleo. I won't say I'm 100% living the Paleo lifestyle (yet) but am always working toward it.
Green Smoothie
Big handful of baby spinach
coconut water (8 oz or so...I'm not one to measure)
1 TBS Psyllium husks (great source of fiber)
1 scoop Pea Protein powder (I get mine at New Seasons)
1/2 banana
big handful frozen blueberries
water as needed for consistency
**drink immediately as the Psyllium husks will thicken quickly
for extra omegas and good stuff you can add
1/2 TBS ground flax seeds, sunflower or pumpkin seeds or chia seeds
Pumpkin Smoothie
Big handful of baby spinach
coconut water
1 TBS Psyllium husks
1 scoop Pea Protein powder
1/2 banana (optional)
1/4 c plain canned pumpkin
1 TBS raw honey
dash pumpkin pie spice
to add sweetness use a couple drops of Vanilla Stevia
water and ice for constancy
If I want more of treat I omit the spinach, protein powder, psyllium and coconut water and use coconut or almond milk. It will be more like a pumpkin shake! Amazing!
Granola Bars
2 c gluten free oats
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 c unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 c unsalted pumpkin seeds
1/2 c raw cashews (unsalted)
1/2 c raw almonds
1/4 c flax meal
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 c coconut oil
1/2 c almond butter
1/2 honey
1/2 - 3/4 c enjoy life chocolate chips (melt and drizzle over baked and cooled bars)
combine all dry ingredients in food processor, process till fine meal.
in a bowl stir in honey and almond butter, and melted coconut oil.
press into a 9x13 pan greased with coconut oil
bake for 20 min at 350
I adapted this recipe from the gluten free homemaker
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