My Clean Eating January Challenge

If you follow me on Instagram stories you’ve probably noticed I started a clean eating challenge for the entire month of January. I haven’t done any type of diet or restriction in 6 months (remember I went dairy & soy free for a year while breastfeeding) and my routine was in dire need of a healthy reset. I’m avoiding dairy, gluten, sugar and alcohol (however I’m allowing myself a glass on Fridays if I want it, haven’t yet).  Today I’m sharing a few tips for starting a clean eating routine and later this week I’ll be sharing my favorite meals, what I stock our kitchen with and my weekly detox bath routine.

So, here are a few tips if you want to embark on a clean eating challenge!

• Prepare for the challenge a week before you start. Start organizing your recipes, planning your meals and trying to eat healthier – this way your new diet won’t be such a shock to the system.
• Give yourself a time frame — I work so much better with parameters. Knowing when this cleanse will officially end makes each passing day easier to get through.
• The first week is the hardest, then it gets much easier!
• Plan weekly treats for yourself — a long yoga class, coffee with friends — or my personal favorite, fresh juice.
• Splurge on fancy tea – I sip it around the clock when I’m doing a cleanse and stock up at Whole Foods and our local tea shop for loose tea. I love sipping an extra hot cup of chamomile & lavender before bed at night and look forward to it every evening.
• Become a master at meal planning. I use this notepad and plan out all of my meals and snacks for the entire week.
• Food prep in advance when you can. I like to roast up veggies & cook meat for the week if I can on Sunday or Monday evening.
• Try to plan a well rounded, balance of meals — I like to mix up having soups, lean protein and veggies with more comforting meals like curries, brown rice pasta dishes and stir fry.
• Here are some of my favorite websites for inspiration: Goop, Love & Lemons, Naturally Ella