On the heels of a clean eating tip post, comes this delicious recipe for a clean shrimp pasta. And its gluten-free if you choose to substitute your pasta noodles!

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1 lb fresh pre-cooked shrimp
1/2 box of linguine (I like Ancient Harvest)
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp fresh parsley (dried flakes work also)
2 cloves garlic, divided
red pepper flakes to taste (I add after serving)

Preparation:
1. Cook noodles to desired tenderness, about 10 minutes.
2. Chop 1 garlic clove.
3. In a medium saute pan, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil, add garlic and saute for about 1 minute.
4. Add shrimp and cook on medium heat for several minutes, stirring with wooden spoon.
5. Drain pasta and add to shrimp.
6. Mince remaining garlic clove and add to 1/2 cup of olive oil. Pour mixture over shrimp and noodles.
7. Add parsley, turn heat down and cook for a few minutes, stirring to infuse flavors.
8. Serve up and add red pepper flakes to taste.

This dish is clean and picky eater taste bud sensitive approved!

To make this meal complete, I served up raw broccoli with my veggie dip, and a bowl of fresh berries. 

Mouthwatering!

I posted a few of my clean eating tips and my top 10 clean snacks the other day in response to questions I've often been asked about the whole clean eating deal. 

Today, I'm adding another segment to that post with the most-often asked question I receive about keeping clean and still having a social life. I guess y'all know about all those girl's nights out!

"How do you eat clean when dining out?"

Great question!

I think I need to first clarify what clean means.

Food that's considered "clean" is real food not loaded with artificial flavorings or colorings, and sugar substitutes, and the shorter the ingredient list, the better.

When eating clean, no specific food is off limits (even sugars and bread) as long as it's not a compromise to your health. 

Not only do I eat clean, I also follow a paleo-type and gluten-limited food plan. I should also advise that I'm not a calorie counter. Although, I don't think you should have to be if you are eating naturally good foods.

Since I don't have a weight issue (and can only speak for myself), I feel that by incorporating clean, paleo, gluten-limited foods, the calories I'm taking in fuel my body. But I also need to say that by eating clean, you aren't getting an exorbitant amount of calories anyhow. 

Maintaining portion control is super easy when you feel full on less amounts of food. And because I'm eating clean, I never feel extremely hungry. When you're eating to live, and getting a lot of exercise, you're taking in what your body uses. 

I find that snacking healthily throughout the day and following portion control helps my metabolism burn calories, and I believe as long as it's lean protein, vegetables that are raw or steamed, and fresh fruits I don't worry too much about the calories.

If you're on a program (like Weight Watchers), I can only advise you of what is clean. As far as points or calories, if you're choosing clean foods, the calories should be good fuel. Your body does need calories, but also remember to keep to portion sizes. 

Okay, so you've decided to eat clean, and how and when you'll do that, now it's easy to prepare and even find meals that meet the clean eating standard. 

We don't dine out too often, but it's easy to find choices that will fill you up without leaving you feeling dirty. 

My rule? Stick to the lean proteins, veggies and fruits and you can't go too wrong. You'll see why I say "too" in a minute.

I'll say the same thing I said in the previous post, I don't totally deny myself (whatever that means to you), but I do stick to a standard.

I choose salads with chicken or fish (put dressing on the side if you're worried about that or bring your own), fresh fish (I try to avoid any sauces and marinades, or make that a splurge), raw fish (sashimi), lean meats, veggies (fresh, steamed, and if you're worried about calories stay away from sauces and butter), and fruits.

Things to avoid? Hamburgers (though you can opt out of the condiments and do a whole wheat bun, if you're not gluten-free), tacos, french fries, really anything fried, potatoes or starches in general, things soaked in butter or sauces and marinades, pizzas, or pastas even if it's fine dining. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. 

You can find gluten-free pizza and pasta and if it's not smothered in a ton of sauce. Basically you can clean up a lot of dishes. 

How do you clean up meals? Asking for your fish or lean meat without the fancy sauce, bringing your homemade salad dressing, and staying away from anything you're not sure is processed or not.

Many restaurants even have a gluten-free section, and a low-calorie corner if you're on a special diet or are worried about calories, but even so stick to the lean protein, veggies, and fruit standard.

I say, enjoy yourself, but keep to meals that are similar to what you'd prepare at home. 

Happy clean eating while dining out!

PS... I'm not a nutritionist, nurse, or any other specialist. I do what works for me and my body by following a paleo/gluten-free/clean-eating type of diet and adding exercise. Always do what works for you and/or consult your doctor.

Y'all asked for it, so here goes... 

"How do you avoid unhealthy snacks and eat clean?" 

The short answer is it's definitely a choice. 

You're smirking! I have friends smirk at that answer, too, and want to know the secret.

Honestly, there isn't really a secret. For me, I eat to live.

So, how do you eat to live? Make the choice to eat nuts and berries, lean meats and fish, and fresh fruits and veggies. 

If my plate's filled with small portions of lean protein, colored veggies, and fruits, I know I'll be filled and that fuel will be clean. After all, that's what you need... fuel. That's eating to live!

I've never had an unhealthy relationship with food. I don't live to eat. Of course, I like certain foods and enjoy a good meal, but I've never craved something so badly that I've had to have it. And you can satisfy those taste buds with healthy, clean choices. 

I can usually reason why I shouldn't indulge in a soda (and drink an extra glass of water instead) or why having a piece of leftover pie I made recently for the hubs birthday isn't a good idea, and avoid it altogether (or opt for a cup of greek yogurt with fresh berries).

I understand that isn't easy for everyone. I can only answer how I'm able to do it, and give the tips I've been so eagerly asked about.

So...

A little history first: I've always been a pretty healthy eater, and after having A and breast feeding for what seemed like ALL day, every day for a year, I needed to replenish the nutrients I was giving up.

Getting off the couch to prepare meals was... well, almost non-existent if it meant long prep and cook times for what seemed like the first four months! 

It was sometimes easier to grab processed snacks (bagged and frozen foods) than to spend the time to make healthy ones (at least that's how I reasoned it, and I was wrong). I knew this wasn't a good choice as a healthy eater, but maybe I was just lazy too tired.

We've all been there.

I was never much of a fast food lover, either. But when you're over-tired and have a husband who spends A LOT of hours working (especially from March to July), sometimes it becomes a necessity. (It was so hard to prepare a meal with what seemed to be an always hungry baby. I know now that she would've lived, but first-time mom syndrome and guilt said otherwise. It didn't help she wouldn't take a bottle either.) I digress. 

I'm not proud, but I did find myself eating out on occasion because it was just easier to have the hubs bring home food after a long day (for both of us). 

I woke out of my stupor and up to what I was doing to my body and was passing on to my child (through breast milk) and made the decision – as the balancing act got easier – to get myself back in line. Preparing healthy meals once again became the priority. 

I'd fooled myself into believing it had to be hard. It's not! It's actually really easy to eat clean. 

"What about the desire to eat cakes, cookies, and chips and drink soda or sugary drinks, Melissa?" 

That's a tough one for me to answer. There was a time where I would drink a soda (very rare, but I did) and I can't honestly say I've ever felt an addiction to anything that I couldn't just quit cold turkey. I know, though, for some that it isn't easy, and that's why I say it has to be a choice.

Of course, I live by the rule never to deny yourself. This one's not always straight-forward. You might think, "Okay, I want it so I'll have it," but it can't be an "all-the-time" kind of thing. 

So, what if you decide to have these things on special occasions?

What if one special occasion becomes four birthdays, an anniversary, a girl's night out and such in one month? Well, you have to decide. You have to choose what you can live without and what you're willing to accept. 

For one person, that might be different. I'd say it all depends on how you gain weight (slow or fast metabolism), what your exercise plan is, and so forth.

For me, I run... a lot, and add in pilates and weight training so I do have wine and indulge in the occasional (gluten-free) (or the rare Heineken I so love) beer, and I even might have a dessert now and again! I'm just aware of what and how much I can indulge.
............................

Once you've decided to eat clean, and how and when you'll do that, it's easy to find and prepare meals that meet the clean eating standard. 

I'm going to list my top 10 favorite snacks here for you. 

As for dinners, check out the recipe section of the blog. I'm always putting up things that have been guinea-pigged by some of the pickiest eaters. Most are gluten-free, too, but you can always substitute the gluten-free flours for regular and it will still meet a clean standard.

Also, be on the lookout for my upcoming lunchbox recipes. Easy, clean eating meals that the entire family will love. A lot of 'em are leftovers from dinners and package up quick.

Hungry yet? Grab yourself one of the following snacks. I try to graze throughout the day for two reasons: 1.) It keeps your metabolism working and your blood sugar adjusted so you're not storing fat, and 2.) I can eat smaller meals and not load up on calories in one setting.

10 clean eating snacks that are easy to prepare:

1. Red pepper strips and hummus
2. Nuts (almonds are my go-to and I always have them in the house in several places... the kitchen table, the kitchen counter, and the den coffee table) and seeds (pumpkin seeds are great for you, tasty, and filling)
3. Apple slices and peanut butter
4. Lara bars
5. Fresh veggies and veggie dip
6. Sliced berries
7. Homemade trail mix
8. Hard boiled egg
9. Air-popped popcorn
10. Edamame

Happy clean eating!

Keep the questions coming. Another segment with a burning clean eating question coming up next week.

PS... I'm not a nutritionist, nurse, or any other specialist. I do what works for me and my body by following a paleo/gluten-free/clean-eating type of diet and adding exercise. Always do what works for you and/or consult your doctor.

I can't say it (wear it) enough! Mint-y, mint, mint, and more mint!

It's amazing how many ways you can wear it... shirts, pants, shorts, shoes and accessories. 

I'm pairing mint and navy and a gorgeous burnt orange handbag for a summery style on the blog today.

I'm mint obsessed, y'all, from head to toe!

I lalalove the hint of mint on these heels!

blouse: Anthropologie (no longer available, but similar, similar) / shorts: Limited (here) / bag: gift / sunnies: gift (here) / necklace: Target / bangles: F21 (here) / peep toes: Christian Siriano for Payless (last summer)

Taste-tested and approved by taste-bud sensitive eaters! 

Need a clean dip to pair with your clean snacks? Looking for low-cal? 

Here's a ranch dip that's sure to please all the eaters in your house. 

Even if you're non-dairy, you can make and enjoy this dip!

Ingredients:

1 cup Greek yogurt

1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream (or for non-dairy eaters substitute same amount of Greek yogurt)

1 Tbsp veggie dip (Concord Foods at Sprouts)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in air-tight container in refrigerator. 

As you can see, I couldn't keep anyone from dipping in long enough to get a pic!

Yields approximately 12 servings / Serving size: 2 Tablespoons / Calories: (approximate) 25 

I hope y'all had a fabulous Mother's Day.

This was my third and the best yet! 

The first was awesome, don't get me wrong. A was just a month old and the best baby evah, but the hubs birthday falls just before and that year he had requested a trip to Mammoth. "What's the problem?" you ask.

I love Mammoth as much as the next person, but we decided to try and make it home that Sunday for a Mother's Day dinner with our moms. 

If you recall, A was a little less than enthusiastic about taking the bottle, so the usual 4 hour trip took us something like 7! She was on her own strict nursing schedule (just about every two hours and took 50 minutes to nurse). Yeah, we missed dinner, and my entire first Mother's Day was spent in a car.

The most important thing that year was having my little girl, and though we spent 7 hours in a car, we were a family; together.

This year, I honestly had no expectations.

The hubs is a pretty amazing person, if I haven't mentioned this before. He's pretty romantic, and he knows how to take care of his wife, so I kind of figured he'd think up something, but getting to sleep in was all I really wanted.

He must've gotten up when A did and spent time with her while I slept in a bit. I could hear them excitedly rushing around the house. I think when he couldn't hold her off from coming in to see me any longer is when I heard the pitter patter of her feet and the cutest little voice offering up a "Happy Mudders Day, mommy!" Melt my heart.

I was greeted with the most exuberant smile and a beautiful handmade card. Really, that was all I needed! But then I was handed a big bad with lots of tissue and inside was the Garmin watch I'd vaguely mentioned to the hubs months ago. He's so good at remembering and surprising like that.

As if I couldn't be spoiled any more – okay, I'm not going to lie... I love being spoiled – the hubs made the most decadent chocolate chip banana pancakes with real maple syrup and turkey bacon. Swoon.

After breakfast, I showered and had time to give myself a mani – usually I get 10 minutes while A watches a show on the iPad. We headed over to the local park with the splash pad and hung out for a while before heading off for a quick lunch before we all took a nice long nap. Heavenly.

The day could have ended there. But we still had a sushi dinner planned with our moms and since I could eat sushi and sashimi every day, my belly was ready to eat!

I splurged with a glass of champagne and dinner was delish,  and it was great time spent with our moms and family.

This little girl was definitely my cherry on top! After all, she's the reason I'm "mommy".

I'm super excited for Mother's Day this year!

It seems I always try to take on a project, host a meal, or try just to do too much when it comes to holidays.

Last week, my desire to do everything surfaced again as the hubs and I talked about Mother's day. Fortunately, for me, he's the sensible one and brought me back to reality.

I originally thought I'd host a brunch at the house, but being the most amazing guy he is, the hubs quickly squashed it. He reminded me that it's my day too and that I should get to relax. He knows the perfectionist in me doesn't stop at hosting and cooking... I'd be making  sure the house is spotless, the table settings just so, and I'd stress over the meal, the drinks, if everyone's happy, and so forth.

After bringing me back to reality, we decided on Japanese food (I could eat that like every day, y'all) for a quiet dinner with our moms. No prepping, no cooking, and absolutely no cleaning for any of us moms!

And I get to relax for the entire day! 

I honestly can't imagine a better day fit for any mom. I can't wait. 

Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing mommas!