Cleansing: The Beginning

Several of you have asked about my "new" eating habits. After much thought I decided to do a few posts about it.

 Disclaimer: This is a decision I have made for myself so I don't want to offend anyone or their eating habits, etc. There is no judgment coming from me...this is just what I am choosing to do at this time for our family:)

For the last several months, I have just felt "off." Can't really describe it...just blah, lacking any energy, motivation, etc. I couldn't seem to get out of the funk. I stumbled upon some blogs of people experimenting with "clean" eating or the elimination of processed foods (http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/ is my main resource). I knew that I needed some type of change and food seemed so simple. This really hit a cord with me. An easy solution for more energy and a healthier physical body to take on each day.

Easy.. it is not:) I took the last 2 weeks in May to do my planning. I researched blogs, wrote down recipes, made grocery lists and meal plans. I cleaned out the pantry, freezer and fridge. I had a plan and was determined to stick to it.

The Guidelines:

1. To buy as much organic or locally grown fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, etc as possible (at the lowest price).
2. To cut out white sugar and white flour.
3. To limit processed/store bought foods to 5 whole ingredients or less. This means a lot more cooking on my part.
4. To not be crazy about this.......we would eat as best as we could, as long as it depended on us. If going to someone's house, out to eat, etc. we would try to make healthier choices and watch portion control. And don't worry, if you come to our house to eat, I will only use recipes we have tried and enjoyed:) Nothing crazy:)

Currently, I do my grocery shopping at Earth Fare, Whole Foods, Publix and Farmer's markets. I don't do each store every week...just depends on where I am doing my errands and what I need. It is more expensive but I am finding that I am working hard to use everything I buy and we are actually wasting a lot less food. So maybe that is making up for some of the cost:)

My kids are slowly coming around to the new foods. Some foods are hits, some are not but that is how it has always been so I can't really say it has affected them too much. They are still picky:)

After 4 weeks of "clean" eating (2 weeks were non-weeks due to vacations), I am beginning to see some changes. My skin is a little clearer, I am less tired and "blah" feeling, and I have more energy to do more things around the house. Cooking a lot more than I am used to took several weeks to get the hang of, and I still have lots to learn. Timing in the kitchen has never been my strong point and I underestimate how long it takes to make just about everything. Not to mention two 2-year-olds who like a LOT of my attention. Plus all the dishes, cleaning up, etc. All that to say, I am not a born "cook" so for me to keep doing all of this and to actual begin to enjoy some of it, shows how much this means to me and that I feel like it is worth it. And I hope that it continues to get easier and that I become more efficient each day.

Well, that is the premise. I plan to blog more about some of the foods we are currently eating and cooking from scratch.