Eating Clean....75% Of The Time

As January comes to an end and Valentines Day approaches, Sweetheart candies start showing up in our office kitchens and almost 80% of us have already already failed in pursuing our New Years Resolution.

The reason why most of us give up on these idealized goals is not because we are not ambitious, but because we are setting ourselves up for failure. While it's possible to "give up chocolate", "work out everyday" or "not eat carbs", it's certainly not realistic, or fun. The stricter the resolutions are, the faster we are doomed to fail.

So continuing with my personal resolution (and lifelong goal) of eating cleaner (avoiding trans fat, added sweeteners, artificial colorings, flavoring or preservatives, pesticides, and processed foods), I do so with adding "75%" of the time" to the end.

While food rules like "avoid food products that contain more than 5 ingredients" and "avoid food products containing ingredients that a 3rd grader cannot pronounce" (by Michael Pollan) are excellent guidelines to follow, I would absolutely miserable if I followed this rule 100% of the time. How would I survive without my 100 calorie La Tortilla whole wheat tortillas! The ingredient list is certainly long, but I just don't want to give it up. And I shouldn't have to.

With most anything concerning a healthy living, it's all about balance. Whether it's balancing your daily caloric intake with your calorie expenditure, or balancing eating clean with eating your favorite Sweetheart candies...long term success is with positive lifestyle changes, and not extreme rules and quick fix answers.

* Some people have asked about me only posting 1 recipe a post. I certainly wish I could post them all, but with my current work/school situation, the time just isn't there. BUT, if you want to know the recipe of a particular dish that I have posted, please email me and I will forward it on to you!*

Last Week's Eats:

"San Diego" Style Breakfast Burrito with bacon, ham and hash browns - 258 calories

Brie, Artichoke, Apple and Bacon Salad - 260 calories

Pomme Lambic - 140 calories

Torta Rustica (not from the On The Rocks Kitchen, but too pretty to not post)

Cheesy Bierocks - 217 calories each

Turkey Burritos - 289 calories each

Pizza Chicken Bake - 462 calories

Recipe of the Week: Horseradish & Fried Egg "Patty Melt" - 440 calories

Ingredients:
2 eggs
8oz ground turkey
2oz sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
4 slices of whole wheat bread
2 tbsp prepared horseradish
1 tbsp deli mustard
pinch of salt, pepper, and chili powder

Directions:
1. Combine ground turkey and seasonings. Form into 2 round, semi flat patties. Cook on non-stick skillet for 6-8 minutes, or until cook through.
2. In separate non-stick skillet, cook eggs over medium (with a dash of salt and pepper).
3. Layer bread with with mustard, horseradish, turkey patty, cheese and egg. Reheat in skillet for 3-5 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Makes 2 sandwiches, serves 2.