We choose clean living for us not because it’s trendy or easy, but because it honestly makes us feel better. We want to encourage others to live their best life possible. So here we are posting a simple starter guide to help you move in a healthier, happier direction.
The rise of organic, natural, and slow foods has accomplished more than just changing the way we all think about food. It has also sparked a culinary movement known as “clean eating.” Putting a spotlight on whole, natural foods and regular physical activity, this eating plan boasts a nutritionally sound diet that promotes balance, variety, and moderation while building a stronger, leaner, healthier you! NEWS FLASH, it has built-in flexibility, so it can easily be tailored to meet almost anyone’s needs. At a time when many consumers are leery about eating processed, preprepared foods and concerns about food safety are rising, this approach to healthy eating is right on target and extremely well worth understanding.
Clean Eating Basics
We focus on choosing whole fruits and vegetables in their natural state; lean meat, fish, and poultry; beans and legumes; low-fat dairy products; and whole grains from a variety of food sources. Meals are high in fiber and low in fat, calories, sugar, and sodium.
As a general rule, clean eaters strive to eliminate all prepared frozen meals, desserts, and side dishes along with convenience, boxed, and canned foods. Off-limit ingredients include highly processed high fructose corn syrup; man-made ingredients such as artificial sweeteners; margarines; trans fats; artificial colors and flavors; unnecessary food additives such as excess salt, sugar, and corn syrup; and chemical preservatives such as butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene (or BHA and BHT, respectively). Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules, as many people who follow this regime opt to include a few low-sodium canned or boxed items such as tomato sauces, chicken or vegetable stock, beans, and salsa, as well as frozen fruits and vegetables without added salt or sugar. But, for the most part, followers get the majority of their food from whole, fresh sources.
Clean Home Basics
We’ve taken a stance against potentially harmful ingredients: no Ethoxylates, no PEGS, SLS, Phthalates, and no Parabens. Add about 750 more for a total of about 3000 other nasty ingredients we avoid. We try to pay close attention to what we allow into our home. We check ingredients on everything…laundry detergents, shampoo, bodywash, toothpaste, vitamins, lotions, disinfectants, etc.
We use air purifiers with HEPA filters, and have safe indoor house plants for added air purification. We also avoid the use of certain types of plastic that can release dangerous chemicals into the air or into your food or drinks. We would avoid plastic food and drink-ware all together but let’s face it we have 3 kids under 8…it’s just not completely practical to do that yet.
How To Get Started
Some people take a huge drastic approach and go dump out everything in their house (which we DO NOT recommend) or you can slowly ease your way into the lifestyle. Start with working towards making your meals 85% organic veggies and fruits. Then after you’ve gotten away from 70% processed foods start a healthy detox.
1. Support the liver
The liver is the main organ responsible for detoxifying your entire body. Supplements like alpha-lipoic acid and milk thistle can help support the liver as it rids your body of toxins. Antioxidants like omega-3 fatty acids, glutathione, resveratrol, and n-acetyl-cysteine can all help support the liver as it clears toxins and unwanted chemicals from your body.
2. Eliminate toxins
Once the liver is able to filter toxins out of the blood, it sends them off to be eliminated from the body in a few different ways. The body is able to get rid of toxins through urine, feces, and sweat.
3. Stay hydrated
In order to properly eliminate toxins, it’s best to stay very well-hydrated and drink water throughout the day. Even though it may seem inconvenient to use the restroom so frequently, you’ll be helping your body eliminate toxins and supporting your immune system.
4. Have at least one bowel movement a day.
This ensures that unwanted toxins are removed from your body. If you aren’t having one bowel movement per day, this is a sign from your gut that something is not functioning properly. If constipation has become a chronic problem for you, I’d highly recommend taking magnesium citrate, vitamin C, and fiber, or purchasing our Bowel Care package with all of these supplements in one place.
5. Sweat
Sweating is another natural way your body rids itself of impurities and toxins. You can get a good sweat from an exercise routine, or use a sauna (for only 10-15min a day).
Resources
Check our site frequently we are always adding new recipes, and product reviews on things we love that help out in our clean living goal.