Eat Clean and Eat Green

Daylight Saving Time has just begun and the feel of spring is in the air.  Now is a great time for new beginnings. As the days grow longer, this month’s focus on eating clean and green aims to put you on the path to a healthier, happier and more productive lifestyle.

What is eating clean and green?

Clean foods are typically:

• Unprocessed
• Grown locally
• Non-GMO (genetically modified organism)
• In-season when possible (or flash frozen)
• Organic
• Naturally taste delicious

What are the benefits of eating clean and green?

Reduce your carbon footprint. Not only are clean foods good for your body, mind and spirit, but they are also good for the environment. By eating foods that are in their natural state and locally produced, you cut down on fuel for transportation, emissions, toxins and excess packaging materials. Stop by your neighborhood green market or farmer’s market to find the best selection of locally produced and minimally processed items. You can also look into a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSAs offer access to fresh-picked, seasonal produce from a local farm that can be delivered to your door or picked up near-by.  Many deliveries include fantastic recipes and ideas for using familiar--and unfamiliar---fruits and vegetables.
Reduce your belt size. Another way we can eat clean and green, is by reducing the amount we eat and getting back to “normal” portion sizes. Consider these tips:

• Share large dishes or take half of your meal home from restaurants to use for another meal
• Cook and eat more at home (yes cooking!)
• As always, limit white sugar, white flour and salt

GMOs and your food

There has been a lot in the news lately about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). Is it safe? Are there long-term effects? Unfortunately, currently there are no conclusive answers as the research is conflicting and it is highly politicized. My advice…take GMOs out of the equation entirely. Look for foods where you recognize, can pronounce and easily spell all of the ingredients, and look at labels that say non-GMO. 

Get your greens on!

Green leafy vegetable are a powerhouse of nutrients from the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, the fiber and the filling effect, to the wide variability of cooking uses.  Some of my favorites are kale (raw in a salad or smoothies, sautéed with some olive oil and garlic, or baked as chips), broccoli, chard, arugula, asparagus, Napa cabbage (in a salad, soup or sautéed), and beet greens. 

How else can you live clean and green?

• Leave your car at home. Walk more, ride a bike, and take public transportation or carpool, when possible. 
• Plan your errands to be more efficient. Keep a list of items you need so when you do go out you are sure to get everything you need and you know what stores you need to go. 
• Skip the trip to the gym. Instead of going to the gym every day, get some fresh air by spending 1-2 days a week either walking in your neighborhood or doing some stretching/yoga/or meditation at home. 
• Dine in. When you prepare meals at home (including lunches), you know what’s going in your food so it is generally healthier, you can control portion size, and you can reuse or recycle the bags and containers. Another benefit is that you can make extra for later in the week, or freeze some for a quick meal in a pinch. 
• Be generous. The more you give the more you get – and even if not directly then somehow through the universe or how you feel from giving.  If you are baking muffins; bring some to a friend.  Going to the store? Ask your neighbor if she needs anything.  Spring cleaning?  See if you know someone who needs the size of clothes your child has outgrown, your old bookcase, your barely used kitchen gadget, your children’s old sports equipment (hockey sticks, tennis racquets, etc).  Make or send a card for someone you care for—whether for a birthday or no real reason at all. 

...And be grateful.

Lastly, here is a Wellness Application you can read to yourself daily – or whenever you need a lift.

I choose to eat clean and local foods to be kind to the land and my body as much as I can.

I choose to move and connect in the outdoors to be kind to the land and my body as much as I can.

I choose to tread lightly and reduce waste to be kind to the land and my body as much as I can.

I choose to breathe deeply, pause and reflect often, and live with awareness to be kind to the land and my body as much as I can.

Breathe in fresh air, breathe out toxins.

Breathe in forgiveness, breath out resentment.

Breathe in gratitude, breathe out fear.

Breathe in love, breath out stress.


Thank you and have a beautiful day!