getting health inspiration from pinterest: the good, the bad, and the ugly

So we're almost DONE with the 4-week pre-summer clean-eating challenge! How exciting is that?! If you've joined, I hope you're feeling the benefits like I am. This has been such a great way to start the summer, if you ask me... healthy, confident, and cleansed.

Ryan and I are headed to St. Augustine, Florida on Saturday for an entire WEEK! We so desperately need a vacation and I couldn't be more excited. We have no plans whatsoever. Well, besides sleeping in, laying by the pool, going to the beach, and eating good food. Yeah.... perfect.

So... I won't be blogging for the next week, but I do have a guest post or 2 scheduled :) Look out for these and get excited!!

Today, I wanted to talk about some of the health-related pins I've run across lately on Pinterest. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Don't get me wrong: I like Pinterest. It's such a great way to find inspiration and organize ideas. And it can be a great place to find exercise tips, healthy eating ideas, and health information. However... I occasionally run into pins on there that make me CRINGE. Some are misleading, some are completely inaccurate, and some are downright dangerous. While I think Pinterest can be great, we should be mindful that people can and do put whatever they want on the internet -- even things that are totally wrong. Just because you see it, doesn't mean it's right!

First, here are just some of the pins that I've seen lately and liked.

1. Simple, accurate inspiration. Buy healthy foods. Have fresh foods available. Don't buy processed foods. Voila! Source.

2. Good way to estimate portion size from prevention.com.

3. Visit this page for tips on choosing your protein sources. Nice, simple comparison of calories, fat, and protein: 

sundried tomato, basil, & feta topped chicken

We're officially in the final stretch of the 4-week pre-summer clean-eating challenge! I have to say, I'm really feeling the benefits of these past 3 weeks -- mind and body. Don't get me wrong, I can't WAIT to start eating brown rice and avocados and REAL cheese again...but I'm feeling great right now. The 17 day diet portion is tough, but I've tried to keep it somewhat interesting and I've been eating plenty of food, so it hasn't been too too bad. And one of the best parts has been watching some of you follow along with me and hearing how eating clean has benefited you. It's great to hear about losing 5 pounds, but it's even better to hear that someone is feeling better from eating this way. That's what it's all about :)

I have another 17 day diet-approved recipe for you today, and it's one of my favorite meals so far: sundried tomato, basil, and feta-topped chicken. So delish!

It's barely even a recipe it's so easy. You'll need thin chicken breasts, olive oil, spices, sundried tomatoes, herbed fat-free feta, and fresh basil. I found these bagged sundried tomatoes at Trader Joe's and they're awesome! Just make sure the only ingredient is tomatoes. I used this President herbed fat-free feta cheese...but I can't wait to make this with real feta cheese in a few weeks :)

This recipe is basically my spiced chicken (made without butter) topped with a mixture of sundried tomatoes, feta, and chopped fresh basil. It involves a microwave. I told you... it's simple. 

Here's how to make it:

mahi mahi with tomato, basil, spinach & lime sauce

Guys.... I'm craving carbs. Bad. Images of bread and rice are dancing in my head.

I'm not used to cravings like this. I wasn't ready! My usual diet is well balanced -- protein, whole grains, fruits, veggies, healthy fats, and the occasional treats in moderation -- and I think that's why I'm able to stick with it and don't really deal with serious cravings. I enjoy eating the way I do! I eat foods that are whole, natural and delicious, and I don't deprive myself. I listen to my body -- when I want whole wheat pasta for dinner, I have whole wheat pasta for dinner. When I want to have a burger and a beer on the weekend, I have a burger and a beer.

I think that's why diets are so problematic for people. Depriving yourself of an entire food group (whole grains and nearly all carbs, in this case) naturally leads to cravings for those foods... and, for many people, this leads to binging. It's almost setting yourself up for failure.

Coming from the girl who suggested this 17 day diet, right?! :) Don't worry, I'm not backing down on you guys. Two weeks isn't long, and I AM feeling the benefits from this diet (and I've heard that a few others of you out there are, too!). It's nice to challenge yourself sometimes. We can do it! Only another week.

However... This terrible carb craving is not going away. So how am I going to handle it?

I'm not going to ignore it. More power to you if you can, but my body is telling me something.

I'm also not going to give in and binge on pasta and french fries. That wouldn't help anything, and isn't really what my body wants or needs.

I'm going to have a whole grain english muffin with some almond butter.

Is that on the 17 day diet? No. Am I going to feel bad about it? No way! I'm going to enjoy it then get right back to it.

I'm not sharing this with you to encourage "cheating." I'm sharing it with you to let you know that changing the way you eat IS difficult. And cravings are natural. Sometimes you push on.... and sometimes you listen to your body. It doesn't have to mean derailing your progress!

Side note....... these two weeks are going to make me appreciate my "normal" way of eating SO much more! :)

I do have another 17-day diet approved recipe to share with you guys! And it was pretty delicious, even in all its low-carbness.

Use good quality mahi mahi filets, or substitute another white fish. For the sauce, I just gathered a few items I had in my kitchen that sounded good, threm them into my food processor, pressed start, and hoped it turned out good -- and it did! Tomato, spinach, basil, garlic, olive oil... yum.

Here's how you make it:

17 day diet chicken & egg salad lettuce wraps

Hi! I'm popping in for 2 reasons:

1) To remind you that you have 1 week left to enter to win a clean-eating giveaway package for FREE!  The giveaway includes 2 of the "Eat-Clean" books, a water bottle, sustainable grocery bag, clean supplements, and more! All you have to do is leave a comment on that linked post, and there are several ways to get multiple entries. Winner will be selected a week from today (Tuesday 5/22). Check it out!

2) To share another simple recipe (if you can even call it a recipe) to help you make it through the 17 day diet portion of this eat-clean challenge. Chicken and egg salad lettuce wraps!

It's a hybrid between chicken salad and egg salad. Totally clean, healthy, and 17 day diet-approved. Is it as good as mayo-y chicken salad or egg salad? Nope. But it's a good lunch option for this diet when you get sick of salads! Serve it in romaine lettuce wraps for the closest thing you can get to a sandwich during these 2 weeks ;) After taking the picture, I drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar for extra flavor.

Give them a try!

17 Day Diet Chicken & Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps
For 1 or 2 servings (depending on how hungry you are!)

Ingredients (adjust to your preferences)

-1 cup cooked shredded chicken
-2 hard boiled eggs, yolks discarded, chopped
-1.5 tbsp plain greek yogurt
-1 tsp spicy brown mustard
-1 tsp whole grain dijon mustard
-1 tbsp chopped onion (optional)
-1 tbsp chopped celery (optional)
-Dill
-Salt and pepper
-Romaine lettuce
-Balsamic vinegar (optional)

Directions
-In a bowl, combine chicken, egg, yogurt, mustards, onion, celery, and spices to taste. Mix well, mashing with a spoon slightly and being sure everything is well combined.
-Scoop mixture into romaine lettuce wraps. If desired, drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

17 day diet eggplant parmesan

Today was the first day of the "17 day diet" portion of the eat-clean challenge -- who joined me?! I have to say, I was never hungry and ate some pretty tasty food. Like this healthy version of eggplant parmesan. Mmm!

Here's what I ate today (and no, I won't be sharing daily meal plans -- just the first day!). Check out the rules and some meal ideas here. 

Breakfast 

-1 slice chicken & veggie frittata

-1/2 cup cottage cheese mixed with cinnamon & 1/4 cup blackberries*

-Coffee

Mid-morning snack

-Apple

Lunch

-A big portion of leftover turkey chili

-1 cup plain greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon & 1/4 cup blueberries* (I split one of my fruit servings between breakfast and lunch)

-Green tea

Afternoon snack

-Shredded chicken breast

-1 cup raw broccoli

Dinner

-Eggplant parmesan (see recipe below)

-Shredded chicken breast topped with marinara

-Salad (with romaine, tomatoes, onions, & fat free feta), dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Now... for this eggplant parmesan. 

This is one of my favorite 17 day diet recipes, and it actually comes from the back of the 17 day diet book! 

I don't eat eggplant often -- I wouldn't say it's one of my favorite veggies. Made like this though... it's pretty good! Easy to make too. The hardest part is finding fat free parmesan cheese, but it can be done (yes, the kind you shake out of the green can). If you can't find fat free, just use reduced fat. I'd make this even when I'm not doing the 17 day diet but use regular, full-fat, high quality parmesan... I'm sure it'd be even tastier!

Here's how to make it: