She Says: The Cleaner Life Month
It’s been awhile since the last food related Hangry Pants challenge, but I’m ready again! Mark and I have done several 30-day challenges since completing our first challenge, Meatless Month. I’ve learned that I can do almost anything for 30 days. Then when the challenge is over the behavior I was “testing” becomes much less daunting. Therefore, I’ve decided to gradually tweak some things in my life. Nothing too drastic, just some small changes that I’ve been wanting to make, but have been lacking the motivation and discipline to accomplish.
You might remember that I recently expressed an interest in using this month to do a little research about some of the products I eat and use on a daily basis in an effort to live a less toxic life. This was all based on Dr. Ginger’s opinion of some of the worst, better and best products to eat and use.
I came up with The Cleaner Life Month, which is going to run kind of like the “Crap Free Weeks” that were made popular a couple months ago by Chandra, Caitlin and Angela, to name a few. This, however, will be a month and it will include non-food products as well. The changes represent my ideal; how I would eat and what products I would use if I lived my version of perfection. Of course, I am not perfect, so these are more goals than rules.
Food Goal: Reduced Consumption of Processed Foods & Toxins
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Milk
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Less soy in general and no tofu. After the soy milk in my fridge is gone I am switching to organic cow milk or some other milk.
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Be more aware of the hidden soy in products!
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Sweeteners
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No artificial sweetener including diet coke, sugar free gum & mints!
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No white sugar.
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If I buy something in a package it should have organic sugar in the raw, honey or maple syrup. Ideally, it will only have agave.
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If I bake something for myself I will use agave or natural sugars like bananas.
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Bread
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No white flour.
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Try to get mostly organic wheat bread and other whole grains. Sprouted grain breads when possible ($$$).
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Processed Foods
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The no white flour rule applies to all foods. I want to drastically reduce my packaged & processed foods intake, which includes chips, cookies, crackers, goldfish or pretzels, to an eventual nothing. If I have something like that, I will try to make it organic and, in accordance with rule numbers 1 – 3, white flour, soy and white sugar free.
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Caffeine
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Max one cup of coffee/day. Drink more tea instead.
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Produce
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Purchase mostly certified organic or local produce.
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Product Goal: Paraben, Petrochemical & Sulfate Free Products
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As I purchase new products, replace with those that do not contain parebens, petrochemicals & sulfates. I can’t spend more money than usual. That means I can’t buy all new lotions and house products right now. As I use them up, I will try more natural alternatives. This might not happen this month, but because I am interested in permanent changes, I promise to get them eventually and report back. I know I will need toothpaste and deodorant soon!
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Research products before I buy them.
You might want to know why I chose to change these specific things. First, it’s based on my own personal desire to eat good whole foods and take care of myself. I’ve often noticed, especially in the last year or so, that I feel bloated and weighed down sometimes. Maybe eating less processed foods will reduce this feeling. Please note, he month is not about no sweets or treats! I think forbidden fruit only tastes sweeter. Deprivation generally leads to mindless overconsumption and that is not the point!!!! Second, now that I no more about what is in my skin, dental and hair products, I cannot ignore it. Third, I direct you to these posts.
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Gena’s Soy Post
Final thoughts
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I do not have an unlimited funds and must stick to my usual $50-60/week food budget.
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I do not live a life of absolutes. It is part of my food philosophy not to label things as good or bad and I will stick with that here. I am doing this challenge to improve myself and therefore, want to make changes in a way that will work for me. I know that means cutting myself some slack and doing it gradually.
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The Cleaner Life Month runs from June 8th – July 8th, a time the includes my birthday, Mark’s birthday, the 4th of July & countless other summer cookouts. Obviously, this is not an easy time to try to do this, but it never is.
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And for the most exciting part …
Mark and I always discuss and plan a new Hangry Pants Challenge. I asked Mark if he was up for this and he said, “I don’t need to live a less toxic life,” so I recruited Rose from On a Lobster Placemat to join me!!!!!
What do you think? Feel free to join me and Rose!!!!
Tags: The Cleaner Month
June 4th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
How funny because I was just thinking of doing something like this myself! I am already pretty paraben, sulfate free and natural with my beauty/skin products since my skin is so sensitive. But I was seriously thinking of doing a challenge with my eating and seeing if I could eat more cleanly and cut out all processed foods! This would be a great way to do it!
My CSA starts in a couple weeks so that’ll be easy! I’d love to join you and Rose (I actually commented to her yesterday I think about trying this)
June 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I like the idea of your clean eating month! I can’t say that I’ll follow all the rules – but I can definitely see myself incorporating them into my regular routine!!
I’m also going to be posting a three things about me on my blog, so feel free to check it out a bit later!
Have a great night!!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Yay! I’ll be joining you – trying at least. I tried to let sugar back into my life and now I’m in overload!
June 4th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I want to join too. I just wrote something a few days ago about eating less processed foods. It’s been three days and I haven’t had a diet coke. Whoo!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Sounds like a good plan, good luck!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Sounds great!!! I am trying to ditch tofu going forward too…I hope I can do it…!! I have also ditched almost all processed foods (save 1 bar max per day) but i hope to drop bars too. I have also started buying only organic apples, working on the lettuce and the other dirty dozen…Would love to see a post on your shopping list b/c your weekly budget is like mine…
xoxo
s
June 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
The no white flour rule is a great one! I’ve done it before and it’s amazing how much better I eat just by following you.
Good luck!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Good luck with this! I’m trying to cut down on artificial sweetners..so hard but I believe in youuuu!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Sounds fantastic. A great sweetener that you should check out is brown rice syrup – I’d say it’s probably *the* best one for you. I learned about it when I did the macrobiotic thing.
If you ever want to read a (scary) book, check out “Sugar Blues”. It’d be a good complement to this challenge!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
sounds good to me! im game, now ill have to adapt them a bit, but im looking forward to simplifying my eating and getting rid of the toxic ingreds!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Hi Hangry Heather
I’ve really missed you!
I’ve been catching up on some of your posts from the past week or so, and loved the one about how you met Mark!
To answer your question from this morning:
1) I am an 9 handicap in golf (used to be 7 when I was in high school, and hope to go even lower someday!)
2) Anybody who works with me at school or on projects would probably think I am a super clean, organized neat freak, but in reality, I am a cluttered, disorganized mess
I really don’t know how I am able to find things when I need them. It’s magic.
3) I was born more than 2 weeks late (via C-section), and have been running late ever since.
I love the idea for the Cleaner Life Month and can’t wait to hear more about it as you and Rose get started! It’s so much fun to read about all of this stuff in the blogging world. It gives me great ideas that (someday) I will hopefully be able to put into practice!
Have a lovely night! So happy to be reading your blog right now!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Awesome goals! You and Rose and everyone else who takes on these challenges are really inspiring
June 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I think it sounds great! This challenge sounds awesome – I’m going to think of somethings I’ve been meaning to do, as well.
June 4th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I think I may join you in this challenge Heather…but only the food goal! I can’t give up my philosophy!!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
This is such a great challenge to an overall better lifestyle. I want to make my own rules and join too!
June 4th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Good luck on your challenge – it will be interesting to see how is all goes, and what challenges & successes you have over the course of the month
June 4th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Sounds like a great challenge. I would love to join to. Now to only convince the boy….
June 4th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I’ll be joining you on this one! I just got done reading Natalia Rose’s Raw Food Detox Diet so I am ready for this! Good luck to you.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
In terms of organic products, I just bought Burt’s Bees Deep Cleansing Cream for like 7 bucks at Duane Reade and it’s 97% natural. I LOVE it! If you end up buying any new house/beauty products, please do share, as I’d like to incorporate more of these into my life
Great challenge Heather!
June 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
LOVE IT! I’m in, but may become murderous after 1 day without diet coke. Just a warning
Can I still drink wine?!!?!?!
June 4th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Great challenge! I really need to start upgrading my eating habits as well, especially if I’m going to accomplish my next goal (which is going to be announced next week btw!
)
June 4th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
WOW what an interesting challenge!! i cannot wait to follow you on your journey (from a distance LOL). do you not get to have any alcohol?
June 4th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Good luck on the challenge. Giving up processed food is pretty easy to do, but no Philosophy!!! I’m with Mom, I don’t think I would be able to give up Purity made simple. I recently bought Burt’s Bee Soap Bark & Chamomile Cleanser to switch it up. But it just doesn’t cut it. 2 vs 5??? Grrr…decisions decisions…what is a girl to do???
June 4th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
That sounds great! I’ll consider joining… I’m not sure yet, though– some of that sounds tough, haha! Good luck with it, and I can’t wait to see the results
June 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I think I’ll try to join you as much as I can on this challenge. Two questions: Is stevia allowed (I always put it in my tea) and do puffins have white flour/soy? This is exciting sounding! I can’t wait to start.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
this sounds like a great challenge! i’d love to follow you, and join you in some areas, though i can’t promise all! i like your attitude about doing things gradually, and about replacing products when you have to purchase new ones. i’m also on a similar weekly budget
recently, i decided to give up using artificial sweetner and surprisingly it was easier than i though- this will be good motivation to make other changes!
p.s. congrats on finishing your first half marathon
June 4th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Good for you! I literally fingered the organic cow’s milk (which I haven’t bought in about 3 months) before deciding on almond milk today. “Fingered” just is not a nice word, but you know what I meant.
I am fully supportive, and trying to do a lot of this myself, but I don’t know if I can sign on officially. I’ll sleep on it.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I’m excited to hear how this month goes! I am trying to live cleanER but not totally clean. Unsweetened almond breeze is the best milk, and they have a vanilla flavor too!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
I’m so excited to follow your progress!!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I’m in – with my own tailored program, I think! I am going to use this challenge as my jump-start to kick artificial sweeteners out (diet coke and sweet & low). I am also going to try to switch from coffee to tea, except for my am cup. Same goes for processed foods. Love this!!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Hey! I love the new challenge! Let me know what lotions, deodorant, and toothpaste you buy. I’m interested in eliminating parabens.
PS- I’m at Caroline’s!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Also, I tried NAKED fruit smoothie juice today and LOVED IT!!! I got the blueberry kind and absolutely loved the flavor. At first I wasn’t expecting the thickness and almost puked, but then fell in love almost immediately after that. Great find!!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
TJs has a GREAT sprouted bread for $4!!!
June 4th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
yes! i’ve already been working towards this for the past month or so, and it’s definitely a permanent change for me. can’t imagine going back, knowing everything that i know now. one suggestion, re: bread, perhaps just do not buy any bread for the month. i did that since sprouted and other high quality breads are so expensive (and since they have no preservatives, go bad much more quickly). instead, i made a couple loaves of my own and also substituted other foods instead, such as whole grains or tortillas.
June 4th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Great idea, Heather. I’m in the process of actively trying to decrease my dependence not non-local foods. Surprise, surprise, processed foods are one of the biggest culprits on my list. I think that I’m going to run into a lot of the same challenges by default!
June 5th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Great challenge! Good luck!
June 5th, 2009 at 4:21 am
I’ll definitely join you in making some cleaner choices (umm, but I’ll have to start after I get back from Italy because I fully intend to indulge in white starch there!), but I’m not sure I can follow these to a “T.” I love the idea of everyone doing their best to make it a cleaner month, though. This is a great idea
June 5th, 2009 at 7:56 am
I’m glad the hangry challenges are back! You’ll be great
June 5th, 2009 at 7:56 am
“Forbidden fruit only tastes sweeter”
I love that sentence. It is 100% true in my opinion!
Best of luck with this challenge. I will be reading for sure!
June 5th, 2009 at 8:10 am
[...] excited are we about Heather & Rose’s Cleaner Life Month. I don’t eat a ton of processed food, but I do eat [...]
June 5th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I am really into the ideal, I have always been interested in dermatology, and I am finding that clean eating has really helped my skin. Plus my hair and nails are are growing like weeds, I think I am starting to resemble my cat. lol
June 5th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Great challenge!! And I will try my best to adhere to it. I don’t know if I could give up everything you listed for a month as it seems a little daunting but there is no harm in trying.
Have a great Friday!
June 5th, 2009 at 8:54 am
I LOVE this challenge! I’m going to try, try, try to be right there with you ladies.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Congrats on a new challenge, I love reading your thoughts on these things!
June 5th, 2009 at 9:24 am
[...] Heather Trains « She Says: The Cleaner Life Month [...]
June 5th, 2009 at 10:04 am
This looks like a great challenge, and I’ve been meaning to “clean up” a lot of things with my eating habits and stuff. I’m going to join in, and I’m really looking forward to reading about how it goes for you
June 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am
love the challenge!!! I am trying to leave a cleaner life every day
June 5th, 2009 at 11:22 am
I think this is just great!! I suppose I try to eat like this all the time, but more in a general sense and don’t really think it through all the time…esp at restaurants, parties…anywhere I can’t control the food. I think this is a fantatic reminder to have this in mind a lot more often! I will do my best to keep with it!! Although today is already shot because someone brought in donuts and a cut off a little bite haha. damn donuts.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:27 am
loving this challenge!!!! i also would consider focusing organically-grown produce as well. it’s still organic, but not certified b/c with all the red tape and nonsense involved. lots of csa’s and local produce will include organically grown.
June 5th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
I’m already in on this challenge since it’s how I eat everyday, haha – please count me officially though!
June 5th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I’d love to join in this challange. I eat far too many soy products and convience foods and want to try to eliminate them from my diet. My only probalem is my huge sweet tooth. Sometimes fruit doesn’t cut it for me as a dessert, could I have coconut milk ice cream or something similar? Is greek yogurt okay? What about kashi products? Granola? I’m so uneducated on what is in my food…I am so clueless!!
June 5th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
great job heather! I would love to join you but I don’t think I can commit right now
please please post pics/links to paraben free toiletry products you try!
June 5th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
hahahahahah i love mark’s reaction.
i’m also going to try this challenge. i want to cut back on my soy intake and eat cleaner in general. i’ll probably be incorporating way more green monsters into my diet. this is an awesome challenge.
also i just noticed the little smiley face all the way at the bottom of your page and it’s super cute.
June 5th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
This is awesome, and incidentally exactly what I’ve been writing about this week! You and I must be on a similar train of thought. Instead of “Clean Life Challenge,” I’ve called it Rad-ventures, because I’m cheesy. I’m trying to post each day about something I did or tried that was new to me, or raw or cleaner than my previous habit. That includes body/dental upgrades too! In fact I cited your Worst Better Best post on that one. Just trying to make small changes that add up over time and become permanent without a huge radical overhaul – like you, I am replacing things with their better alternatives as I run out of them, not doing a purge and buying all new food/body/cleaning products. I’m in total agreement with this challenge, obviously!
June 6th, 2009 at 4:04 am
ive pretty much been working on the same thing!
my family doesnt have alot of money so i am with you on using up what we have then tring to replace the product.
i was at trader joes the other day and there i bought some regular ezekial[sprouted] bread. now i wasnt pying THAT much attention, but it seemed to be around the same price as the regular whole wheat breads. but then again, like i said i wasnt paying attention so i cant say for sure. i didnt look at the ounces either :0
June 6th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
[...] am really trying to make an effort to eat as naturally as possible especially after seeing Heather over at Hangry Pants’ challenge to weed out all of the unnecessary crap. I highly suggest you go check out the challenge. [...]
June 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
[...] Not That Into You, which I thought was cute and consumed lots of things I will not be eating once Monday rolls [...]
June 6th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Heath,
Love this challenge. I totally want to clean up my products, but like you, I’m on a budget. So, as I run out of my current stock, I’ll look into more of the natural stuff. My favorite natural toothpaste is $5, and so I’ll need to find something cheaper. Already use natural deodorant and make-up, but definitely need to get some new facial cleansers and lotions.
Best of luck – can’t wait to read about what products you find, and yay for less soy!
June 6th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I am actually getting ready to do something similar, like many folks have said I’m ready to start feeling cleaner and lighter. So I think my biggest challenge will be with sugar…butif I know there are others out there doing it that helps!
June 7th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
I just love the synchronicity of life. I actually took this same challenge after taking the Essential Eating Lifestyle and Cooking Class two years ago! (essentialeating.com) I feel the best I’ve ever felt and lost 47 pounds easily. The one thing that helped me achieve the “no white flour” goal was to switch to Shiloh Farms Sprouted Flours. They are 100% whole grain and digest the same as vegetables. I make the most amazing pancakes, muffins and breads with sprouted flour. Good luck with your journey, it’s worth it!
June 7th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
[...] been getting lots of great questions about The Cleaner Life Month and whether certain foods are “allowed.” To generalize the questions, people are wondering [...]
June 8th, 2009 at 8:43 am
[...] prepare for The Cleaner Life Month, I first accepted my usual produce donation from Mark’s mom. She goes to a small local fruit and [...]
June 8th, 2009 at 9:30 am
[...] and Rose have thrown out the Clean Life Challenge – and I jumped at the chance to participate, because while I feel I lead a very [...]
June 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
[...] @ 8:19 pm Tags: 30 Day Clean Eating Heather recently announced the newest Hangry Pants challenge: The Cleaner Life Month. The challenge is broken into 2 parts: food and products. The goal of the food part is to reduce [...]
June 9th, 2009 at 11:55 am
[...] I did not fall off The Cleaner Life Month wagon! Cupcake Fest is a cupcake and music event sponsored by Sweet Avenue Bake Shop. It’s in [...]
June 9th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Starting right now!
June 9th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
[...] carby. Had it been any other day I definitely would have stolen some snacks, but because of you and The Cleaner Life Month I resisted! I knew dinner was right around the corner, I didn’t need those things and I would [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I really love this challenge. I think eventually I will try something like this. I still need (or at least I feel like I need) sugary treats and unfortunately they are often with white flour and sugar. I try to keep them within my calorie range when possible and that’s the best I can do right now. Once I’m at my goal weight, though, I definitely plan on cleaning up my diet even further. So I was going to tell you about my Holey Donuts giveaway but it seems like it would break many of your rules. Maybe Mark would be interested? Check it out
June 10th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
[...] know that according to the rules of The Cleaner Life Month soy was a no no, but I’ve thought about it more. My goal this month is to limit my processed food [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
[...] Reading about Heather’s Cleaner Life Challenge also inspired me today. At first I was like: “Oh I could never go for 30 days without sugar [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
[...] It got me thinking though; and this may become a regular feature in my blog. Vegan Wednesday, rather like Raw Wednesday. I may even make it into a challenge, for those of us too wimpy to do the Clean Life Challenge. [...]
June 11th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
[...] In the picture is one patty for the sandwich and one that didn’t quite make it on the side. I was going to put BBQ Sauce on it, but my Trader Joe’s version has sugar – a definite no no for The Cleaner Life Month. [...]
June 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
[...] direct violation of the rules of The Cleaner Life Month I had a second cup of coffee today. It was iced and it as delicious and I don’t feel bad at all. [...]
June 13th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
[...] since I started my quest to eliminate sugar from my life for The Cleaner Life Month I’ve been checking all my labels to see where it lingers and let me tell you, it’s everywhere! [...]
June 14th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
[...] cutie banana for dessert. All in all, the perfect meal to eat after watching Food, Inc. and during The Cleaner Life Month for that [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am
[...] do in time. I obviously care about the chemicals going into my body, or I wouldn’t be doing The Cleaner Life Month. I don’t eat a ton of canned food right now, except for tomatoes! I eat those once or [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
[...] Free (great for those doing the Cleaner Life Month [...]
June 15th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
[...] I also made and consumed some delicious Mixed Berry Muffin Squares, approved by me for The Cleaner Life Month. [...]
June 18th, 2009 at 11:42 am
[...] The Cleaner Life Month is obviously not an easy challenge. The hardest parts so far have been avoiding soy and buying only organic produce. The wheat flour and sugar are actually pretty easy because, other than the sushi rice, you can pretty much tell when something is going to have sugar in it. In case you were wondering, most store bought bread that is not sprouted grain bread, has sugar in it, if of course, it does not have High Fructose Corn Syrup. [...]
June 20th, 2009 at 12:04 am
[...] I don’t know how Rose stayed so clean at Bonaroo! I could barely survive a day of driving. Driving to Rhode Island usually takes about 4 [...]
June 21st, 2009 at 6:08 pm
[...] think my attitude toward my weekend at my parents’ house during the Cleaner Life Month says a lot about my overall food philosophy. Yes, I could have brought my own food to insure that I [...]
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 pm
[...] best part was that because she reads the blog and knows all about the Cleaner Life Month she used agave in place of sugar! I love them both (I just had each flavor with plain yogurt) and [...]
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:06 pm
[...] so I stole a piece of Sourdough from the bread basket. It was white flour and in violation of the Cleaner Life Month. Hey, at least I’m [...]
June 24th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
[...] Before I took Bethany home we stopped at Starbucks. When I ordered why Iced Chai Tea I specifically asked if it was going to be sweetened or contain syrup. The barista said no. I could have sworn that she said it would contain a chai tea bag, but based on the taste, she definitely said chai powder, cause this stuff was sweeeeet. Minus one for the Cleaner Life Month. [...]
June 25th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
[...] should I eat? Am I even hungry? Is that cupcake worth it? Worth what? It is currently Day 18 of the Cleaner Life Month and although I might have veered off course, I was definitely at least on a smaller parallel road. [...]
June 25th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
[...] of the things I was most nervous about after deciding to do my own version of Heather’s Cleaner Life Challenge, was going almost 30 days without chocolate and other sugary sweets. I am a self-proclaimed [...]
June 28th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
[...] ice cream. What was bothering me was that I wanted it too, but according to the “rules” of the Cleaner Life Month, I am not supposed to have sugar. Even without the Cleaner Life Month, in [...]
July 6th, 2009 at 9:23 pm
[...] The Cleaner Life Month ends. [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
[...] brings me to Part I of my discussion on the Cleaner Life Month concerning the food portion of the challenge. Part II will deal with new products I’ve [...]
February 11th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
[...] believe the other flavors have sugar, so I must wait until the end of the Cleaner Life Month to try [...]