The 18-Hour Fast | A POST-SUPER BOWL CHALLENGE TO RE-ENERGIZE YOUR BODY

By Dominick H. 

Fasting. Who likes it? Probably no one truly enjoys it. Popular among various religious sects and belief systems, many followers of the fasting ritual do it for health and spiritual benefits. We are focusing on the health benefits here. Because 50 buffalo wings, 5 beers, and 100 cheesy appetizers and dips later, you could be setting yourself up for a stomach ache in the morning. Totally not project: Clean Food approved. But at the end of the day, it is Super Bowl: we understand. And besides, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay at the half time show are enough to excite anyone to eat and drink things that may not necessarily agree with our bodies. But fear not, we've got you covered. We hope you ate and celebrated joyfully this evening. Because tomorrow, we're prescribing a little 18-hour fast to help invigorate and rejuvenate your body after tonight's amazing romp. It sounds a lot harder than it actually is. And if it's any motivation, Coldplay's Chris Martin is likely fasting tonight or tomorrow according to his new 6:1 diet (eat 6 days, fast 1 day). 

So here's how this is gonna go:

I Started From The Bottom | THE BIRTH OF CLEAN LIVING AND THE ROAD TO A BALANCED DIET

By Dominick H.

Joshua Dorfman / project: Clean Food

When 2007 hit, I finally decided that eating terribly, partying hard and drinking myself into oblivion was no longer serving me: go figure. The recession hit, for me that is. But somehow, I managed to keep the facade going. The life I lived would seem ideal to most people. You know, a scheme of appearances. Great relationship. Great job. Great friends and family. I traveled a lot. And then there was yoga: I had been practicing for about two years at that point. Seemingly all good, right? All sounds like someone that should be happy and content with things. But, something was missing. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But that feeling of "something missing" had always been with me ever since I can remember: probably since I was 9 or 10 years old. Ever since I was a young boy, I would write a lot. Poetry. Short Stories. Songs. I loved writing. So it always served as an outlet for me to express and understand myself. But in 2007, writing and reflecting was no longer enough. I craved something more, something deeper. I wanted to feel better than I was feeling. I was tired of feeling disconnected. I was tired of feeling purposeless and lost. And with regard to my health, I was tired of feeling sluggish and low-negative energy. The lifestyle of poor diet choices and alcoholic indulgence was basically me attempting to fill a void within myself that, in all honesty, was never filled. However, that life I was living served as a springboard for what I was about to dive into. The job. The relationship. The friends. The old lifestyle. Even the yoga. It all flung me right into a new project: a project of clean food and clean living. 0 to 100. Real quick.

Fresh Start | CHANGE YOUR DIET, CHANGE YOUR LIFE, BY EATING THE CLEAN FOOD WAY

By Dominick H. & Katie G.

Given the recent findings from the World Health Organization this week, it got us thinking. In this day and age, there is an overload of information everywhere on what it means to be "healthy." All of the terms, names, and forms can be a lot for anyone. There are so many books, websites, articles, opinions on everything regarding food and wellness. And to top it all off, there are all these different diet types to add to the confusion: high-protein, Paleo, vegan, etc. But, we at project: CLEAN FOOD are about clear, concise information to help you find the lifestyle that is suitable for you and your unique life. We get that not every diet is going to be for every person. Each of our bodies is very unique. Each of our reactions to foods and beverages is very unique. So it is important that we find the right balance–and mix–of foods and beverages that will not only enhance our performance in our daily life, but will also invigorate us to live a pure lifestyle of eating, living and enjoying every moment with passion.

Slim Pickings | MAKING A QUICK, HEALTHY, & DELICIOUS APPLESAUCE AT HOME

By Katie G.

By now, it’s safe to assume that you’ve been apple picking this season. If you’re anything like us after our recent trip to Demarest Farms, you wind up with a surplus of apples, fresh-picked and ready to be eaten. Only problem? After about two days, you feel like you’ve had enough to last a lifetime. Rather than using your pickings to make sugar-packed cookies or pie (or letting them go to waste altogether), we’ve got a quick, easy, and healthy alternative for you to try: homemade applesauce.

The Seductive Fix | WHY A LITTLE COFFEE CAN DO THE BODY GOOD

By Dominick H.

It's #NationalCoffeeDay, which has us thinking about this national obsession of ours. Coffee in its purest form is a bean said to have Ethiopian origins dating back to the days of the ancient civilization in Africa. The stories are often told of farmers witnessing their goats eating the beans and becoming excited from the affects of the coffee bean (hence the the transition to human consumption) Some of us are proud of our "cup'a joe".  Some of us feel overly bad for craving it: let alone drinking it. Some of us have way too much of it. But everyone could use a little bit of it.  

Before & After Yoga | THE ULTIMATE DIET FOR ENHANCING YOUR PRACTICE

By Dominick H. 

Nine years ago, I walked into a yoga studio here in NYC to begin my journey towards flexibility, better breathing, spiritual connection, and healthy living. I initially got into the practice with much resistance. I didn't know much about poses or how to do them correctly. I felt like I would never advance. But, I grew a liking towards the practice. I would sweat and stretch. I felt like I was getting some work done and that my body was becoming healthier and more flexible. But, after about three months of practice, something strange started to happen. I would notice that after the intense yoga showdown, I would feel good but not amazing. I would start nodding out and getting super tired an hour or two after class. I felt groggy in the mornings and never wanted to get up for work. In the middle of the day, I always felt like I could fall asleep. Needless to say, for an avid yoga practitioner, I felt pretty sluggish and very low energy, which seems counter-intuitive. And then, I discovered something that would change my practice forever.

The Health Tip | LESS IS ALWAYS MORE

by Dominick H.

So you want to be a Clean Foodie? Healthy bodies are built from the inside out. That means mindful meals, fueling your body with whole foods, and oh yeah, eating less.

The Reboot | KICK-START THE FALL WITH THESE SIMPLE HABITS

By Katie G.

The summer is such a beautiful time of the year for many of us. We laugh, we play, we tan, we relax, and we vacation. And, even though it seems counter-intuitive, many of us become more lax with our diet and workout regimens (hello, Italy). Who can say no to that ice cream or that extra glass of rosé?

So, as we close in upon the last holiday of the summer season, I can't help but think that it's time to get back on track. It's time to prepare our bodies for a reboot by making some simple tweaks to our everyday habits. 

I know I’m ready. Are you?

Your Pain Meds Suck | 4 ORGANIC WAYS TO ALLEVIATE PAIN AND CHILL THE EFF OUT

So. Many of us have known for years, but "secretly ignored the warnings." But now, the data is out and becoming more evident than ever before. The sad truth is that the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has issued a heightened warning about the deadly side effects of over-the-counter pain medication (CBS Article, FDA article). Many of us have these OTC meds in our cabinets at home. Many of us live and breathe by these pain meds. We have even been told by our parents, grand-parents and doctors that an aspirin a day can keep you healthy and vibrant. But what if, just maybe, after all these years, we have been slowly destroying the functionality of our vital organs? What if these pain meds have been slowly decreasing our immune system strength, destroying our nervous system, giving us insane amount of anxiety, and ruining our chances at living a long and vibrant life? Fuck. Sucks, right? I'm sure the healthcare industry never intended for us to have a bad experience with their approved medications. But, what they didn't tell us is that many of these FDA approved meds have an addictive quality to them. And as a result, many of us rely on them and make them a part and parcel of our daily routines: wake up, workout, have breakfast, pop a pill or two or three, then start the day. But luckily for you, this is where project: Clean Food comes in.

the Power Of Yoga | MASTER YOUR BODY. MASTER YOUR MIND. MASTER YOUR LIFE.

Whitney Richardson / New York Times

Yoga. A word that has its history buried deep into the fabric of this world. Today, yoga has come to be associated with the various exercises, stretches, and purifying techniques that can be found in most gyms and yoga studios. In the past, yoga was mostly associated with people of the various religious orders and sects, secret societies, and ascetics that roamed about the Earth: and it is still associated with these groups. However in our western society, yoga is not secret. It is practiced openly and freely. It is practiced in parks and field grounds in the summer time. It is practiced on television for talk shows and the respective audiences. It is practiced at big conferences and seminars abound in order to introduce new practitioners to the beautiful practice, and to impress upon the advanced practitioners the advancement and the evolution of the practice itself. Every bookstore, supermarket, and airport terminal has books and magazines on yoga. Ancient texts

Feeling Sexy is Feeling Healthy | THREE TIPS ON HOW SEX APPEAL DRIVES OUR LONGEVITY

So let's state the obvious: the girl in the image above is beautiful (actually pretty damn hot). She can definitely be viewed as sexy and attractive. Some women may even think that they will never be able to look like her: and they are absolutely right. It is completely impossible to look exactly like the woman in the image above. She probably has a different genetic makeup from most women. She was probably born and raised in a different part of the world than most women. And, it is also very likely that she probably eats very different from most women.  She probably thinks about different things: and also probably does different things. And, all these things factor into her look and image. 

However, does she feel sexy? Does she know that she is beautiful? Does she even view herself as a sexually appealing person in this world? Because if she doesn't, none of our perceptions of her really matter. If she doesn't truly know that she is beautiful and sexy and attractive, she can't feel sexy. Without the feeling of that sex appeal, she can't truly know all the benefits that being and feeling sexy can offer her. The feeling of sexy must come from within her entire being. She must know it within her heart that she feels good and looks good. The external version of her must tie into her internal version. Otherwise, the external form that we view as beautiful and attractive will be equally sappy to the internal version of herself.

It is important that we all feel sexy in our hearts. I know it sounds cheesy and maybe even corny, but it's true. If we don't know of our own accord that we are smokin' hot, it is almost worthless to be beautiful to the world at large yet ugly to our own true self. But once we do feel sexy and beautiful and attractive internally, our entire state of mental and physical health increases a thousandfold. By feeling good internally, we can live a stress free life that will naturally add life to our years in this world. 

All that being said, here are three tips on how feeling that sex appeal can keep us healthy:

1. More confidence dealing with people

Let's face it: people really suck sometime. And because people have their own issues, they sometimes project those issues on us. Their negative vibration can really take a toll on our being. However, by knowing how beautiful, and sexy and amazing we are, their opinions will matter less to us. It is because of our own insecurities that their opinions and thoughts affect us. But by feeling that much better about ourselves internally, we not only feel better externally but we also are able to live a stress free and healthier life.

2. Less stress in our body

Stress is the leading cause of pain, suffering, and disease in our bodies. And one of the reasons we are always so stressed out is that we are always so worried about how we are viewed and interpreted by the world at large. By feeling and knowing in our hearts that we are beautiful on multiple levels, we don't let the world view stress us and wear on us. By being a beacon of that true inner beauty, everyone in the world naturally sees us as beautiful beings. When we are accepted and validated by our own true self deep within our heart, everything that the world says wonderful about us is just more icing on the cake.

3. We redefine sexy 

Back to the image at the top: it's just my opinion alone that deems the woman as beautiful and hot. I have chosen that image. As a creative being in this world, I share the divine power of choice. In this very moment, that is my definition of sexy. But, it doesn't have to be yours. And to be quite honest, it may not be what I think is sexy tomorrow. We all share that power to define sexy and beautiful and attractive. And once we feel that sex appeal inside of our heart, we become that supreme definition of sexy. Each of us views the world very different from another. And just as we can accept definitions about things, we can also create definitions for things. We can be the definition of sexy. We can be the living example of sexy. We can be the standard of sexy. In this way, we also shape the world. In this way, we become all that we wish to be. When we get out of our own way and allow ourselves to just be any way we wish to be, the true sexy is unveiled. And that true sexy we seek externally is really that version of ourselves in which we are truly happy with.

So, get out there and be sexy. And not for anyone else but you.

This is feeling healthy. This is feeling sexy.

This is longevity...

BE ABSOLUTELY BETTER THAN YESTER-YEAR | project: CLEAN FOOD's TOP TEN RESOLUTIONS

Start getting them in your mind now!! Start thinking about what you wanna bring into the new year, and what you wanna leave behind.  And of course, count on us here to help you out a tad bit!

Here's the top ten resolutions to think about for the upcoming new year. Let the abundance starting flowing into your life today!

1. Cleaner and balanced eating habits
Find some sort of eating regimen that works for you and stick to it!

2. Cut back on all vices ~ (no need to list: I know you know what they are)
Because they drain you and because they attract the wrong sort of people in your life

3. Healthier, more positive people around you 
You want to be around people that bring out the best in you in each and every moment

4. Daily, balanced, and healthy exercise
Not only is it good for the body, but also for maintaining strength, and lookin' damn good!

5. More personal time ~ (for creativity, wellness, relaxation, for fun, etc)
Because, hey, you deserve it. Work hard, and balance stress out with good, chill time

6. More patience with everything and everyone (Try, dammit)
Um.  Yea. Practice patience. Key word: practice

7. Love your enemies, just keep some distance
To expend energy hating someone is a complete waste of time. Love them, and move on. The. End.

8. Read/Watch more quality material
Nothing wrong with a little crappy media stimulation: just don't let it be the story of your life. Visit a new section of the book store

9. Be nicer, and more compassionate
Because you'll go a lot further: in business, in your love life, in your personal life.

10. Be better than yesterday
Every moment is an opportunity to learn more, and grow more. Expand your horizons. Be more open to experience. Be receptive.

...and...

BONUS - (for you New Year's resolutions junkies...)

Eat my favorite meal once a week!

Happy New Year, 2013!