Day 1 & 2 Recap of BuzzFeed’s Clean Eating Challenge

In her beginning, Karen made challah. In my beginning, I woke up so hungry. My clean eating challenge started Sunday with light streaming through my bedroom window and an audible growl in my stomach. Thankfully, that eventually passed. Read on to see how my first two days of the challenge went!

Day 1: Sunday Breakfast
Kale Banana Smoothie

I was so hungry Sunday morning that I was even looking forward to making the Kale Banana Smoothie that was on the menu. It definitely helped to prep for this smoothie by portioning the ingredients in a freezer bag. The unfortunate thing about it all though was that apparently I don’t know how to make smoothies. The blender had stopped churning and cutting up ingredients and it looked pretty well blended so into my smoothie cup it went, and even with a handy smoothie straw, too!

I received a shock – really, a complete shock to my system – to drink up small bits of kale that I could actually feel as pieces. Some even got caught in my teeth! Clearly, not only do I need to learn the finesse of the blender, but I also need to not smile at people when I have kale smoothies. Green galore. In the end, I was only able to consume half the drink, but even that alone sustained me for a good three hours until lunch.

Day 1: Sunday Lunch
Shaved Asparagus Salad w/Shallots and Fried Eggs

This lunch was awesome! The smoothie kept me pretty full and then I just really needed this salad in my life. Right then, right there. The salad took a little bit of work, but it was well worth it as this salad is forever in my rotation. I loved everything about it. It completely filled me up and I had a hard time finishing it because I was so stuffed. I did finish it, though, because it was that delicious. The BuzzFeed recipe called for feta cheese, but I abhor the stuff so in all instances, I chose goat cheese instead.

Day 1: Sunday Snack
Carrots with Hummus

A much needed and appreciated snack after going for a walk with my husband. We brought the dog along and just enjoyed the great Florida weather. I had 4 medium carrots, chopped up to seem like more (the trick on myself worked!) and 1/4 cup lemon hummus.

Day 1: Sunday Dinner
Roast Chicken Bowl with Quinoa and Kale

Honestly, by the time I made dinner, I wasn’t that hungry and so again, I struggled to finish the bowl because I got so full. Instead of skin on, bone in chicken like the recipe calls for, I got boneless, skinless and chose to season my chicken with 21 Spice from Trader Joe’s instead of just salt and pepper. Win. This bowl was amazing. I wish they allowed me to have it for leftovers the next day.

Day 1: Sunday Night Snack
Pear and Almond Butter

Two teaspoons of raw almond butter and one pear. Yum. A happy ending to a successful and happy day!

*****

Day 2: Monday Breakfast
Overnight Blackberry Chia Oats

I wasn’t too happy about this breakfast because I don’t like oatmeal really, and I don’t like greek yogurt. But, I thought the combination of the two may be okay? Especially since fruit and honey were involved. Well, the taste wasn’t bad, but the texture was too mushy sloppy watery oatmeal for me to handle. I gave up halfway through and focused on working.

Day 2: Monday Lunch
Kale, Chickpea, and Leek Salad

Man, you guys, I was so excited for this lunch. It looked great, and everything in it sounded like it would wonderful. Ummm, this was true for the first couple of bites, but just like with breakfast, I could only eat half. BuzzFeed’s salad called for fennel, but I am not a fennel fan so I substituted with leeks. And I used raw leeks. And they were so overpowering, I couldn’t take it. Done the right way, this salad would’ve been a good one.

Day 2: Monday Snack
Tomato with Basil, Goat Cheese, Balsamic

A welcomed snack after my failure of a lunch.

Day 2: Monday Dinner
Napa Cabbage Wraps

I had my snack around 2pm and I was so hungry just an hour later (curse you, leeks!) that I scarfed down these cabbage wraps and almost succumbed to some chips and salsa. I wondered if I would truly be able to complete this challenge. Day 2 was TOUGH. I imagine it would be better for someone who actually completes the meals, unlike I did today.

Because of my pretty low calorie intake and all, I also had some carrots and hummus to tide me over. I decided that if I don’t like something, I don’t have to eat it all, and I’ll make adjustments elsewhere.

Anyway, the cabbage wraps were so good, and it wasn’t because I was starved. Even my husband liked it (I allowed a bite, hehe).

Day 2: Monday Night Snack
Clementines

I love clementines!! All is right with the world.

**Check out BuzzFeed Food’s Clean Eating Challenge for all recipes.