She Says: Spinach & Oikos Pasta Sauce & CLM Reflections
Mark and I just got back from a leisurely two hour walk! What a perfect night for it. 
Earlier Mark was in a grumpy mood. I think he’s sad that no one is entering his contest. Anyway, he was so sad, he was camera shy.
So I shared my Chocolate Organic Green SuperFood Energy Bar from Amazing Grass with him.
And he became happier.
Then he ROYGBIVed his ties.
And became truly content.
I took advantage of the final few days of my gym membership doing 15 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes stair climber and 15 minutes bike all while getting twitter updates. Twitter is kind of fun and possibly addicting.
I cooked a Giada inspired dinner while doing to C + K Challenge. I saw Giada make this Penne with Spinach Sauce the other day and knew I just needed to do it. I made a few changes based on personal preferences and available ingredients to create my own version: Spinach & Oikos Pasta Sauce.
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I used 1 T of Cream Cheese and about 1/2 Cup of Plain Nonfat Oikos Greek Yogurt
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I used 2 T of Romano cheese instead of Goat Cheese.
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I used 1 large garlic clove, no salt or pepper.
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I added a few fresh basil leaves and a big handful of baby spinach.
I loved this! First, Greek yogurt is a creamy wonder!
Second, I loved the uncooked spinach leaves that I put beneath the pasta.
It was warmed by the pasta, but not slimy like cooked spinach gets.
I also had two delicious pieces of chocolate from Rhodey Girl. Mmmm. These are so creamy, rich and outright decadent. A life without delicious treats is a life not worth living.
This 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 tried. Original “rules” that Rose and I set out to follow can be found here. Here are my notes on how I did.
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Milk
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No soy milk. My understanding of the soy debate deepened this month. Do you know how much soy is in everyday products? It’s everywhere because it’s cheap and easy to “make.” I personally am going to continue to stick to ferment soy and if I do have tofu or something like that it will be organic with no GMOs. It’s a personal choice.
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Tried new milk like almond and rice Definitely now aware that soy is an ingredient in many many processed foods!
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It’s extremely important to me to continue purchasing organic dairy for myself. The meat and dairy industry is a dirty, dirty place. I know I can’t always have organic when out and about, but I can make my own dollars count and purchase organic meat and dairy.
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Sweeteners
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No artificial sweetener including diet coke, sugar free gum & mints.
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Refined sugar was minimal and certainly less than usual, but I did have my fair share of birthday and 4th of July treats.
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Word to the wise – something like a Kashi granola bar might not have white sugar in it, but it could have three different sugar variants!
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Bread
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Almost no white flour except for a piece of crusty bread here and there.
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Fell in love with Dave’s Killer Bread.
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Processed Foods
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I definitely vastly reduced my processed food intake this month proving to me that I do not need those things in my diet. I know I am better off without them, so I will try to keep this up and at least be more conscious and deliberate when I eat them.
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Caffeine
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Sometimes I had no coffee, but most days I had one cup.
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Produce
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I purchased a lot of organic and will continue to do so whenever possible and beneficial to me. I like to use this list.
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I’ve always bought more local produce, which might not be certified organic, but I’ve learned might be close to organic and is beneficial for other reasons and could be organic anyway.
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Pivotal Challenge Moments
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Food, Inc. – I reviewed this already if you’re interested in my thoughts. This movie changed my thoughts about this challenge, my own personal food consumption and the food industry. I am now reading Omnivore’s Dilemma to learn more.
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Ice Cream – One night I felt intense guilt for wanting a bowl of ice cream with sugar, reaffirming what I know to be true about myself – food “perfection” is not in the cards for me. I enjoy these simple treats regardless of the implication.
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Eating Local – I ate chicken for the third time in a year. It was from a local farm and I enjoyed it.
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The end – It was hard and I am glad it’s over. I am ready to take the principals that I want to embrace from this month and incorporate them more into my life. It’s harder to be knowledgeable than it is to be ignorant about these things, but in the end it’s worth it. Food is such a personal decision and I do not believe there is a right or wrong way to do anything. I simply encourage everyone to think about what they are eating, why they are eating it and where the food came from.
Tags: amazing grass, Cleaner Life Month, oikos, spinach sauce
July 9th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
great review heather. i’m glad to see all the different perspectives in the blog world and how it worked out well and differently for everyone.
July 9th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I saw Giada make the same thing and thought it looked good as well!
P.S. I like how Mark ROYGBIVed his ties and he’s wearing a shirt that says “I have control issues” – lol!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I’m gonna have to try that spinach pasta recipe. It looks delish!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Congrats on finishing, and even though it wasn’t “perfect” it was perfect for your lifestyle and you learned a lot along the way! And that pasta recipe looks soooo good. Kinda like pesto?
July 9th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Tay: Yes, kinda like pesto!
July 9th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Mmm yum pasta.
The CLM was really interesting to observe… it made me look at labels myself even though I wasn’t officially participating. Soy IS everywhere. Soy and Corn. Blech.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
That pasta is SO gorgeous!
July 9th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
good reflection, and ultimate decision of staying true to yourself! Headed to AZ tomorrow. Saying goodbye to mom and dad is horrible every time.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
The spinach pasta looks so good! I’ll have to try it. I’ve never thought of using yogurt in pasta sauce. I’ll try it and my boyfriend won’t ever know! Sneaky sneaky.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
“Food is such a personal decision and I do not believe there is a right or wrong way to do anything. I simply encourage everyone to think about what they are eating, why they are eating it and where the food came from.”
Word.
Tell Mark I’ll write him a poem if it makes him feel better. I have a thing about giveaways though.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:35 am
Awww, I would have totally entered Mark’s contest but I am a non-US resident
It’s good to know that one can kick the artificial sweeteners. I’m off diet sodas but I’m really struggling with the Splenda at home! I keep saying “As soon as this container is finished…”
July 10th, 2009 at 7:42 am
I love the changes you made and your revelations!
That sauce looks to die for. I love pesto and anything resembling it!
July 10th, 2009 at 7:47 am
that sauce looks incredible!
thanks for your reflections. i agree that it’s harder to be knowledgeable than ignorant, but that awareness is worth it. and i am also a strong believer that food is very personal, and the concept of universal perfection doesn’t exist. different things work for different people, and as long as you are informed about both your food and your body and honor what feels right for you, that’s all that matters.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:54 am
mmmmmmmmmmmmm that dinner looks good. What a fabulous green sauce (much better than red in my opinion). Mark looks like he has as many ties as Josh does! Does he color coordinate well or do you do it for him? Josh is color blind (all the dark colors look the same), so I usually pick out his outfits
I don’t know that I could give up sugar free gum…addict right here!
July 10th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Hey, I entered his contest!
I love that he ROYGBIVed his ties!
don’t you love the spinach under the pasta? I’ve started making pasta bowls like that, too, and it’s so good!
July 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Oh my gosh – that pasta looks AMAZING! And I love the ROYGBIV’d ties. Haha!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Great job sticking with the CLM! I’m glad you gained so much knowledge about food and about yourself. Thanks for taking us on your journey to better food choices!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Awww poor Mark! I’m glad he has you and his ties to cheer him up!
(ps – LOVE his shirt!)
FANTASTIC job on the Clean Life challenge – you totally kicked butt, and I loved hearing the recap!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:19 am
that spinach pasta looks soooo good- great idea to use oikos!
i loved reading your reflections on CLM
have a happy friday!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:44 am
happy you liked the chocolate!
love mark’s shirt, post roygbiv’ing his ties hahahaha! control freak, just like my july-born hunny
July 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Love the spinach pasta! I JUST did the same thing to my Mister’s ties! Gotte keep them organized
July 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
love that spinach pasta, and your sub of oikos! love the clean reflections
July 10th, 2009 at 9:27 am
wow that pasta looks so good
love your little “review” of clean life month. I don’t think I realized how much soy/added sugar were in daily products either!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Loved reading your reflections on this! Is it weird that I, too, am glad it’s over for your sake?
It was interesting to read about certain foods I thought were “clean” actually were not. It’s all those hidden ingredients sometimes.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I saw that episode of Giada too and was thinking about making the spinach pasta. It looks great with the Oikos substitute!
July 10th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I just wanted to tell you that I learned a lot by watching you take this challenge. Though I didn’t take the challenge myself I watched as you became more aware of what you were eating and products you were using and I made some small changes in my own life. I am slowly making changes that I think I can sustain and your challenge really opened me up to a lot of them – mainly reducing processed foods and integrating more organic and natural products into my life.
You truly are an inspiration. Thank you : )
July 10th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I have tried to cut out artificial sweetener too this week and MAN it’s hard! I really don’t even eat it, except for sugar free gum and the odd diet soda. But cutting gum out has been really difficult. I admire your ability to keep it up for a whole month!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
i have yet to try oikos with savory but i’m very tempted to now with that sauce.. yum!
July 10th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
It was an awesome challenge and month. I was really inspired. Thanks, Heather, for always being so thoughtful and conscientious in your choices.
July 10th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
[...] also finished the rest of my personal watermelon and had the last of the Spinach & Oikos Pasta Sauce I made last [...]
July 11th, 2009 at 2:01 am
I love what you’ve learned. I’m in agreement with lots of your choices after doing lots of reading and following you and Rose along. I just love it. I love how you do what’s best for you and are kinda no bullshit about it.
I also love all the free stuff ya’ll are scoring!
And Mark’s shirt – I must find it
July 14th, 2009 at 2:02 am
I was sitting this evening deciding what book I should start on next, and I think I’ll have to make it Omnivore’s Dilemma after reading this, especially since seeing Food Inc doesn’t look like it will be in my future any time soon. It’s great to hear your reflections on you Cleaner Life Month, and what you want to take away from it.
I’m also drooling a little over that pasta sauce. I’m not a tomato sauce person, so that would be perfect for me.
July 15th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Thanks for your thoughts on the CLM. I was interested to hear what you’d concluded. I also picked up Omnivore’s Dilemma following Food Inc. and though I’ve only read the corn section, I’m already pretty determined not to eat meat unless I can get organic/grass-fed. The rest of the time, I won’t miss it anyway. Eating clean is so much harder than it seems on paper, so I admire your willingness to challenge yourself!
February 12th, 2010 at 8:20 am
This recipe looks doable. Does not seem like lot of work, and the end product that is Biryani looks tempting. For me Biryani is one of the best Indian food.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:45 am
A distinguished Blog about how to prepare POLLO-VEGETARIAN dishes.