First Call to Order: Clean Your Kitchen!

Okay, now that you've decided to get on the right path to a healthier lifestyle, you must, MUST, take the horse by the reigns and CLEAN UP!  This can be an emotional experience for a lot of people.  I know it was for my parents on Day 1 when I went through their cupboards.  My advice- take a deep breath and just do it!  Reading labels is so important when buying groceries and most of us don't even think of doing it, especially if you think you are buying what's deemed "healthy" by society.  The Standard American Diet is just that, SAD.  Do not live according to our government's standards in diet.  It is a trap (possibly even a conspiracy) that will keep you from that FitLicious body you've been dying for!

Step 1:  Open your cupboards.  Throw out (or donate) all of the processed foods in your cabinets and refrigerator/freezer.  Not sure what to look for on labels?  Anything (including soda and juice) that has the following ingredients or labels you should toss:  enriched flour, high fructose corn syrup, sugar-free, natural flavor, from-concentrate, additives, preservatives, and food dye/coloring are just a few to get you started.  If you can think of more, please chime in!  What I tell myself is "If God didn't plant it, it's not food".  And I'm pretty sure God didn't plant "sugar-free".

Step 2:  Gather and destroy poor literature.  If you can donate or recycle them, please do, but seriously, don't hang on to food magazines, cookbooks, and old recipes that are unhealthy for you.  Sorry, Paula Deen.  It's best to start fresh and not not let these old loves haunt and tempt you.

Step 3:  Take out a pen.   Start a new grocery list, since you now have almost nothing left to eat in the house!  Choose organic whenever possible and avoid meat and dairy for optimum digestion.  Here's a guide to get you started.  You will soon notice that you will only be shopping in the produce section from now on and you will be turning lots of heads, too!  Really, really. 

 Grocery Shopping Guide 

Produce:

Veggies

❑ Cucumber
❑ Romaine lettuce
❑ Mushrooms
❑ Green beans
❑ Asparagus
❑ Broccoli
❑ Squash
❑ Turnip
❑ Spinach
❑ Onions
❑ Garlic
❑ Celery
❑ Sweet Potatoes
❑ Sprouts
❑ Zucchini (baby squash)
❑ Tomatoes

Fruits

❑ Fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries,
raspberries, strawberries)
❑ Apples
❑ Bananas
❑ Pears
❑ Avocados
❑ Un-sweetened dried fruit (apricots,
cranberries, raisins,figs)

Dry Goods

❑ Brown rice
❑ Oats
❑ Quinoa
❑ Bulgur
❑ Millet
❑ Sea salt
❑ Sugar substitute (Agave nectar, stevia)
❑ Other whole-grain flours (amaranth, spelt)
❑ Spices (cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon)

Nuts, Seeds, Snacks
❑ Unsalted, unroasted (Raw) almonds, cashews, walnuts
❑ Unsalted, unroasted (Raw) sunflower seeds
❑ All-natural nut & seed butters (almond,
cashew, peanut, tahini)
❑ Flaxseed
❑ Extra-virgin olive, cold-pressed
❑ Raw Granola (I make a great variety, email if you want a fresh batch made for you!)

Misc.

❑ Apple cider vinegar
❑ Vanilla, best quality