Superfood Sunday | STRENGTH, HEALING AND REJUVENATION IN ONE LITTLE RASPBERRY

By Dominick H.

Superfood Sunday is a weekly series where project: CLEAN FOOD features the absolute best foods to nourish – and naturally heal – your body.  To help you start each week right, we reveal the one must-have food to add to your diet. Enjoy, and share your inspiration with us by tagging #projectCLEANFOOD on Instagram.

This fruit may appear small, but it definitely packs a super strong dose of nutritious benefits. Raspberries are probably the most powerful of the berries by far (next to blueberries and blackberries). They can be found in many parts of the world, from Asia to Central America, and even right here in the USA. The raspberries come in many varieties and many species; so it's not uncommon to see them in other colors like purple, yellow, and even orange. The most common color of raspberry is red: and even the red ones come in various varieties as well.

Each raspberry has a balanced set of nutritional benefits that are not always the same in each variety. So depending on where the raspberry is cultivated, one variety may have more protein or more manganese than others, for example. This is great because the raspberry will provide an adequate and balanced nutritional boost that is most likely necessary for that particular environment of cultivation.

Superfood Sunday | THE AMAZINGLY POWERFUL KIWI FRUIT

By Dominick H.

Brandi Doming / the Vegan 8

Superfood Sunday is a weekly series where project: CLEAN FOOD features the absolute best foods to nourish – and naturally heal – your body.  To help you start each week right, we reveal the one must-have food to add to your diet. Enjoy, and share your inspiration with us by tagging #projectCLEANFOOD on Instagram.

Here we have one of the most amazing and super healthy foods here on planet Earth. This beautiful fruit is a part of the berry family. It was originally cultivated in China. Some other original cultivators of the fruit were India, Siberia and New Zealand. Today, Italy is one of the largest suppliers of Kiwifruit around the world. And, in addition to its worldly origins, it has a host of benefits that make it our superfood of the week. Curious? Read on.

The Re-alignment | 4 YOGA POSES TO CORRECT POOR POSTURE CREATED BY YOUR DESK JOB

By Dominick Hiddo

We all love yoga. The practice is remarkably amazing as it provides a number benefits both mentally and physically: and in some cases, spiritually. The unfortunate part is that it can be a big undertaking to make that time for class on a daily or weekly basis. If class is one hour long, there is usually a lot time to factor in for pre and post yoga class: 20 min to get there and get ready, 60-90min in class, another 20 min to shower and change. Easily a two to three hour process. Ugh. Long, I know. Having worked on a financial trading desk many years ago, I know that we may not easily be empowered to go to class and practice yoga at the end of a long and intense day.  So what to do when you can't make class? Keep practicing of course. However, not all of us have the privilege of enjoying a liberated schedule or have the privilege of creating our own schedule. The end result is that many of us end up sitting at a desk for work: crunching numbers, plugging in data, creating presentations, doing research, writing programs, you know what I mean. The average person working in the 9-5 corporate world (really 9-7 or 8) is in most cases sitting at their desks all day in an oddly cramped position that usually keeps us in our seat for long hours during the day. And when we sit in these weird positions, our body suffers over the days of doing so. Our body really suffers in more ways than you could ever imagine. We have to correct that. And yoga can help with that. 

Main Squeeze | THE BEST GREEN JUICE TO BOOST YOUR ENERGY

By Katie G.

Do we even remember a time before green juice? We all know that there are undeniable benefits to drinking green juice. In fact, we wrote about all that here. But, what if we told you that there was a way to reap the health benefits, and boost your energy levels so you don't have to reach for that second cup of coffee? Oh, there is, and we've been on a mission to find the perfect combination of greens to do the trick.

Ready. Set. Engage | A 25-MINUTE WORKOUT AND MEDITATION ROUTINE TO START THE DAY

By Dominick Hiddo

My eyes open up. I stare at the ceiling into blank space. And then, like most, my mind starts to race around and think about all the things I need to do today: make breakfast, make lunch, do laundry, make dinner reservations for me and my girlfriend's date night, run other errands, and let's not forget the good ol' work grind. All that, plus all the other things I'm planning for my life and the fact that I get sucked into the world of social media looking at Kylie Jenner's latest California Romp, seeking out beautiful food pics, or ogling some fashion designer's new collection on Instagram for another 10 minutes. And in the blink of an eye, 25 minutes have passed since I've been up. And now it's time to get moving for the day, and magically, I'm running late. But here presents another problem: I have to make time to workout, exercise, and meditate. Like I, legit, HAVE TO make time to do these things. My body needs it. My mind needs it. And it's pretty much how I function. And it's my version of wake and bake. 

So here's my solution. I developed a 25-minute workout and meditation plan that helps me feel good in the morning and gives me enough energy to start my day. It's not your killer make you drip sweat workout. Neither is it an intense super-scientific meditation practice with lots of visualization and breathing techniques. This here is simple stuff. Anyone can do it. And here's how I kick it off. 

Superfood Sunday | WHY AVOCADOS MUST BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF YOUR DIET

By Dominick H.

Superfood Sunday is a weekly series where project: CLEAN FOOD features the absolute best foods to nourish – and naturally heal – your body.  To help you start each week right, we reveal the one must-have food to add to your diet. Enjoy, and share your inspiration with us by tagging #projectCLEANFOOD on Instagram.

Oh, avocados. This amazingly healthy–and very unique–fruit is filled with all sorts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients. It's different from other types of fruit in that it's not high in carbs (major plus), but it is high in heart-healthy fats that are very purifying, therapeutic and revitalizing for the entire body. It's also one of the most versatile foods, best eaten raw, and super-effective in oil form. So we're dedicating our Sunday to this amazing little plant.  And here's why.

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.

Black Mass | WHY ACTIVATED CHARCOAL MIGHT BE THE SECRET TO BETTER HEALTH & SKIN

By Katie G.

You might see it in your juices and you might see it in your skincare products. You might even see it in your teeth whiteners. As of late, activated charcoal seems to be everywhere. Its gritty texture gives juices a tint of blackish-grey and turns skin coal-black when used as a face mask. You might wonder how something that looks so off-putting can be good for you. But, after doing some research (and much first-hand trial), it turns out that activated charcoal is less of something that's a passing fad and more of something that has real long-term health and beauty benefits. So, how does it actually work?

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.

Health Stops When The Fun Stops | 3 THINGS TO REMEMBER TO KEEP US HONEST (AND HAPPY) ABOUT OUR LIFESTYLE CHOICES

By Dominick H.

So you've done it. You've finally decided to embrace a new diet. You've been hanging out with happier, healthier people. You're making better food and beverage choices in – and out – of your kitchen. Smoothies, juices, vegan, veggies, more nuts and dried fruits: all great. Lots of exercise happening: yoga, elliptical, running, rowing, boot camp, all that jazz. But somewhere deep inside of you, you feel flat. You feel like you're just plugging along with life. You're doing all the wonderful things associated with health and wellness, so essentially you should feel good and energetic. Every book, YouTube video, wellness guru, and fitness class inundates us with all this info: and so many of us feel entitled to that feeling of "bliss." But what if that feeling of true bliss never arrives? What if you are doing everything that you are supposed to be doing in order to feel healthy and good, yet none of it's not making you feel healthy and good? Nine times out of ten, when this happens, we stop having fun. We stop enjoying life. And we quite possibly fall into a an illusory trap of touting the benefits of living that healthy lifestyle that we never honestly feel. So what to do? How do we live healthy and clean while being honest with ourselves?

The Number One Craving | EIGHT QUICK TIPS FOR A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP

When was the last time you had a good night sleep? Or rather, when was the last time you actually slept well at all? Many of us have a hard time getting to bed and an even harder time getting a good night's sleep with consistency. Think of it: we stay up way-too-late during the week and then binge sleep on weekends. We also like to think that we don't bring home our deep thoughts, issues, problems, and stresses. But, we do: plain and simple. And those thoughts, issues, problems, and stresses tend to keep us wide awake at night staring into the beauty of our lovely ceiling: tossing and turning causing turmoil for our partner, or for our poor sheets and pillows.

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.

Lovely Lavender | RELAX AND RECHARGE FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

By Dominick H.

As the last weekend of the summer comes to a close, we're often faced with pre-work jitters – that looming sense of anxiety mixed with a touch of melancholy. Our mind races, deadlines seem to pile up, and we just can't let go of those lazy summer days. Luckily for us, there's an amazingly simple (and beautiful) cure for those end-of-summer blues. Aren't you ready to feel refreshed and ready to take on the fall?

DIY Beauty | SOOTHE YOUR SUMMER SKIN WITH THESE SIMPLE INGREDIENTS

By  Katie G.

 

Ah, summer. We're down to the last two weeks where we get to fully enjoy the great outdoors. But between sun worshiping, salt water, chlorine – and let's face it, drinking– your skin suffers. Do you find yourself hot, flaky, or peeling after what seems like an amazing beach day? Yeah, me too.

Luckily for us, there are some easy fixes for your skin that you can find right in your kitchen.

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.

Wrestling With God | COMING FACE-TO-FACE WITH FEAR AND LIVING IN LOVE, FOREVER

It is our dear 32nd President of the United Sates, Franklin D. Roosevelt, that stated in his inaugural address to the nation in 1933: "The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". He is seemingly insinuating that not only is fear a creation of our own mind, but also that fear itself cannot affect us unless we let it. To even allow fear to exist in our lives allows it to flourish and exist in our body and mind: so we must delete it and be rid of it. But how? How can we delete fear from our body and mind? How can we delete it from our entire existence? The mere fact that we are even reading this article means we acknowledge the existence of fear. And the mere fact that I even chose to write this article means that I, too, am acknowledging its existence. So, eradicating it forever is truly easier said than done. But it is possible. Everything is possible. But, where do we start?