CLEAN 15 & DIRTY DOZEN, WHAT ARE THEY?

This list is a game-changer!


In the last year or so, I have started to become more invested in knowing what ingredients I'm putting into my body. I used to have a slew of un-healthy habits, and although it never really affected me physically, my body felt terrible on the inside. Ever since becoming more informed of the use of pesticides, GMOs, and other harmful chemicals in our food, I feel better now that ever before. I urge you to take a couple of minutes and look at the EWG Produce Guide, it could be a game-changer for you too!



I'm surprised by how many people don't know about this list, published once every year by the Environmental Working Group. Basically, it's a list of what produce items are safe to buy non-organic, and which of those are not. 


The 'Clean' fruits and veggies can be purchased non-organic as they aren't typically farmed with pesticides and/or have minimal pesticide residue. I find this list especially important because it is a great tool in helping to reduce our body's pesticide intake, and stay away from those foods whose toxins are hazardous to our nervous system. Here are some 'clean' foods!

The 'Dirty Dozen' lists the 12 fruits and vegetables that have been tested and found to contain harmful levels of risky pesticides. Unfortunately, this list contains many of the foods we eat everyday. Who knew that zucchini and summer squash were found to contain one of the highest levels of organochlorine pesticides? Here are a couple of other examples from the 'Dirty Dozen' list.

I understand for many that this list can be somewhat confusing and hard to remember, so I put a copy of the list onto my iPhone and take it with me every time I go shopping. 


I want to put a little note here, as I know for many people funds are tight and buying organic is not always an option. Fruits and veggies are important regardless of their organic or non-organic status. Please don't feel that because you can't buy the organic apples that you won't eat them at all. Our body needs the vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. This list is simply a helpful guideline for those who crave the information. Remember, information is power!


I have attached a link below to the Environmental Working Group's website, where they show the Shopper's Guide list in full. 

Executive Summary- EWG's 2013 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

FOREVER 21 FASHION FINDS

I have been loving Forever 21 pieces lately and with spring time in full force, I had to share some of these amazing fashion finds with you all! These are the items currently in my shopping cart…

More Forever 21...

I think Spring is all about going neutral and adding in pops of color with a statement necklace or a colorful pair of heels. However you decide to add in some spring time to your wardrobe, rock it! 

HEALTHY AND CLEAN CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI RECIPE

Another day, another healthy recipe I just have to share! This recipe is quick and easy, and tastes seriously delish! 

INGREDIENTS

2 organic chicken breasts (I use Publix Greenwise)

3 tablespoons of minced garlic

Parmesan cheese

EVOO

1 head of organic broccoli

Sea salt 

Pepper

Garlic salt

Lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Take a large stir-fry pan and pour about 1/4 cup EVOO into it. Place the pan onto a burner and set the heat to around a 3 or 4. 

While your oven and pan are heating up, put your head of broccoli onto a cutting board and start cutting into smaller pieces. I've added a picture of what the broccoli should look like when it's done. If you need to, you can reference that photo to see how small I cut my pieces. I usually aim for a bite-size amount. 

Toss the broccoli onto a baking sheet along with some EVOO. Sprinkle some sea salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Add a couple squeezes of lemon juice, and then finally, take some of the parmesan cheese and sprinkle that over the top. When the oven is pre-heated, stick the broccoli on the top rack for about 13-15 minutes. The cheese should be slightly browned at the edges when the broccoli is done. Here's a photo of what it looks like when it's cooking, and another when it's done!

While the broccoli is in the oven, go ahead and cut up your chicken into small, bite size pieces. When the stir-fry pan is preheated go ahead and add your chicken.  Take 3 tablespoons of garlic and add it to the chicken. Let the chicken cook, stirring once every couple of minutes. Personally, I find that my chicken is usually done cooking in about 8-10 minutes time. 

The chicken and broccoli should be done cooking around the same time. Once they're done, all you have to do is mix them together! I usually take a big tupperware container (I already know I will have leftovers!) and throw it all in. Here's a picture of my leftovers that I had for lunch the next day. So yummy! 

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. This is one of my go-to meals when I am scrambling for time but want something healthy and full of protein and fiber. 

A quick note, the amount of ingredients above was only enough for myself for two full meals. If you are cooking for more than one person, or for a family, I would suggest doubling or tripling this recipe so there's enough to go around! Hope you enjoy! 

GLAM GLOW SUPER MUD CLEANING TREATMENT REVIEW

My Sunday night was spent snuggled in bed, watching "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in my favorite, leopard pajamas. It had been a while since I used a mask, weeks actually, so I figured why not? My skin was starting to break out so I thought it needed a refreshing pick-me-up. 

I purchased the GlamGlow SuperMud Mask about a year ago, and let me tell you, it's one of the best purchases I've ever made. This mask is everything! I kid you not, the first time I used it I saw immediate results. How often does that happen? Needless to say, I was ecstatic and want to share this product with all of you!

As you can see from the photo above, this mask is dark, green mud. I have to be honest, the smell isn't all that great. However, I've had other clay masks (Murad) that smelled similar so I'm assuming it's the clay itself giving off the not-so-great scent.

The mask is super simple to use. Just make sure you wash your face thoroughly beforehand so the product can sink into your skin. I usually leave the mask on for about 5 minutes or more, depending on how good or bad my skin is looking that day. You'll know the mask is ready to be washed off when the mud turns into a light grey, like in the picture below.

See all of those dark spots on my face? This may sound gross, and you have been warned, but that's actually dirt and oil that the clay has pulled from my pores. That area to the left of my chin, yeah, that's where I had a massive break out the morning before. One of the reasons I love this mask is because you can see all of the crap (excuse my language) that the clay is pulling out of your pores. 

When the mask turns to this light grey color and has hardened on your face, it's time to wash it off. I rinse the mask off with a little bit of warm water, using my hands as a sort of 'scrubber'. Then, I take a pea-size amount of my facial cleanser and wash my face again to get off any remaining pieces of mud, and believe me, there will be several. After that, simply continue with your normal skincare routine and you're good to go!

I have combination-oily skin and have had acne breakouts for the last several years. As I've grown, my skin has gotten much, much better, but I still suffer from the occasional pimple or two on my face. I find this mask is great in calming down my skin and leaving my face with a bright glow. I notice immediately after using this mask that my pimples have gone down, the redness has disappeared, and my skin feels smooth, healthy and clean. When I wake up the next morning, the results are even better. I have not experienced any dryness or irritation from this mask and I find that the normally oily parts of my face seem much less oily after using this product. There were no blotting papers needed the next day, yeah!

I can't say enough about this mask! Yes, it's pricey ($69 for 1.2 ounces) but I really think the results are worth it, especially if you have problem skin like I do. 

EASY AND CLEAN GROUND CHICKEN RECIPE

I am all about eating clean whenever I can. I had found some ground chicken recipes on Pinterest, but many of them seemed complex and took too much time. So instead, I created my own!

Believe me, I do not claim to be a great cook- many of my dishes are made by combining a bunch of recipes ingredients simply on a whim. 

This recipe is quick and easy, about 30 minutes total time and you have a great, healthy, and clean dinner! 

INGREDIENTS:
1-2 pounds of organic, ground chicken (I use Publix Greenwise)
2 sweet bell peppers- Whatever colors you prefer (I used one orange and one red)
1 organic zucchini squash
EVOO
2-3 handfuls of organic Kale (This is optional but I just love the healthy benefits!)
Lemon juice
Sea Salt and Pepper
Garlic Salt
3 cloves of garlic-minced

DIRECTIONS:
You will need  a large stir-fry pan. Pre-heat the burner to low-medium heat, for me this is around a 3 or 4. Pour 1/4 cup of EVOO into your pan. 

While the burner is heating up, you will need to cut up your zucchini squash and your peppers. Make sure they are bite size pieces. These are great for adding some crunch and awesome flavor!

When you are done chopping your veggies just add them to the pan! I let mine cook for about 3-4 minutes on their own before I add the ground chicken. This way they are cooked down slightly but still keep their delicious flavor. Add a pinch or two of some sea salt, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir and let sit. Take a minute to chop your garlic cloves into small pieces and be prepared to add them into the pan along with the chicken. 

When your veggies have been cooking for about 4 minutes you can add the ground chicken and the garlic. Turn the heat on the burner up to a 5 and then simply toss the ground chicken and garlic cloves into the pan! Make sure you break it up into small pieces, this way it cooks faster and more evenly.And again, add a little sea salt, garlic salt, and pepper.

Cook the chicken for about 8-10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. 

When the chicken is nearly done, I add a couple handfuls of Kale along with a little bit of lemon juice. I find that the heat cooks the bitter taste out of the kale and the lemon juice helps to give it a fresher flavor. 

Cook the kale for about 4-5 minutes and you're done! I hope you enjoy this delicious, and clean recipe as much as I did! 

And for those of you wondering, yes, this tastes JUST as good the next day ;)