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.

Side Dish | GIVE THANKS WITH THREE RECIPES THAT ARE DAIRY-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE, AND OH-SO-DELICIOUS

by Katie G.

I always look forward to Thanksgiving; it's one of my absolute favorite holidays of the year. Not only is it a time to gather with family and friends, but it's the ideal moment to reflect on what it is we're truly grateful for. It's also the holiday that's most intrinsically linked to food. Our forefathers celebrated a successful harvest with a feast, inviting both Pilgrims and Native Americans to break bread together. It's actually a beautiful sentiment when you think about it. Today, we mark the holiday with a feast of our own – whether it's Friendsgiving or an all-out family meal.

With a feast, comes indulgence. I'm sure our forefathers were happy with a little corn and fowl. But these days, in a time of abundance, just think of that buttered-up turkey or those biscuits with gravy, or, if you're like me, my mom's "gut-buster" stuffing. And don't get me started on the pecan and pumpkin pies. This holiday is pretty much defined by butter, oil, and sugar. 

However, this year, I'm determined to do things a little differently. I've discovered (and taste-tested) three super-delicious recipes that are savory, easy to make – oh, and did I mention, vegan? Go ahead, give them a try.  They won't disappoint.

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 Cool Down | 4 FRUITS TO KEEP YOUR BODY COOL AND FIT IN THIS SUMMER HEAT

I don't know about you all, but when it heats up like this during the summer like it is today here in New York City--currently 92F and feeling like 102F with humidity--I just want to bask in the A/C. But of course, we must eventually return to that oh so illustrious heat (Why? Oh, dear, Why?). No matter how much we shower and cool off, we immediately start sweating again. Deodorant melted away, intimate areas sweaty, and for some of us, puffy eyes, swelling skin and poofy untamed hair. Dammit. What to do? Well believe it or not, what we eat affects our body's reaction, interaction and the ability to assimilate into any environment. Some foods will be revitalizing for us while we are in the heat, and other foods will just make us want to scream at someone that's annoying us on a hot balmy day. Yea, it's true.

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.

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!