My Clean Eating Challenge

 Happy Hump Day, Grinders! I pray that this week has been prosperous, productive and peaceful for you.  In case it hasn't been we can delve into my "28 Day Clean Eating Challenge" and laugh about how it began.  Don't get me wrong it has great getting to reset the inward woman, but rest assured there were bumps along the way.  


First, lets start with my call to action! I posted a video on YouTube, March the 31st, entitled "The S.A.D Truth".  If you get a chance you should check it out by clicking the title link here.  In the video I touched on some issues concerning the foods that we are eating on a daily basis and how they may be affecting us.  Near the end I mentioned that I would be starting an elite, clean eating life style change and I would share some of the journey with you all.  

Next, I hopped online to order my "Feeling Fit Kit", set a game plan for the challenge and began to put it in action.  The weekend of April 3rd, I was slammed with so many things to do.  Not only was my best friend arriving to help me prepare for The Designers Choice Fashion Preview's 8th Annual Fashion Show with celebrity hostess, Vivica Fox it was Easter Weekend and you know how traditional Easter's are in the South!? There's big family meals, egg hunts and enough sugar to make your teeth cringe. 

 So I was trying to clean out my kitchen/pantry and rid it of all things toxic, shop for clean foods, all while being bombarded with, "What are you doing for Easter? Did you get your son a Easter basket?" Well the answer to that was a simple yet hesitant, "No." I mean I am the first to admit I am a bit outside of the box when it comes to how things are traditionally done.  I think I am that way because it usually amounts to excessive spending, sugary treats (all of which is to be eliminated during the challenge) and exhaustion...totally my opinion. 

 So here's a little proof about the excessive candy...

Yes, this did happen! Outside, of gummy, fruit snacks, my son does not eat candy, but for some reason...I will go with tradition, he was given an Easter basket and tons of candy.  There is no problem with the gift and the thoughtfulness, but money was wasted on things that are awful for our health (didn't I just have a family and friends conference call about making better food choices), items he's never going to eat (my family knows this) and then the feeling that maybe I am not respected for the independent choices that I make for my household.   So what I had to do was resist and clear out.  So the following Monday we began our Gluten Free, Dairy Free, No Soy and No Sugar adventure.  There was only one concern my Pantry still looked like...ummm...I'm not sure...a dumpster!!! Ha!

 I will be honest I was not prepared to deal with the purging that  needed to take place in my pantry, but I knew it had to be done.  My son  was so concerned about the money that had been spent on that not so good food.  We were both attached.  Which in turn led to more of what we had been discussing weeks before about the positive steps we have taken over the past eight years to serve our bodies with good things.  Clearly, we had gotten off track due to sky rocketing grocery prices, but that didn't mean we could not refocus.  I mean have you priced cancer lately?!  You either pay the farmer or the doctor.  I'm choosing the farmer!

Finally, after  a week into my clean eating challenge my pantry has order!!! Doesn't my fit kit look sooo nice?! I feel like my action plan is coming together.  The Clean Eating Group gives us all the tools we need to be successful including a ton of recipes the puts my kitchen to good use and keeps me out of the drive-through.  I have lost a couple of inches in the waist, my head doesn't feel all foggy from the sugar highs and lows and my energy level is on another level! So glad I opened my heart to this challenge! 

I would love to hear what you ladies and gents are up to when it comes to food, clean eating or dealing with thinking about becoming a clean eater! Lets support and discuss with one another!

Peace*Abundance*Blessings