Monday Motivation (Round 1)

Good mooooorning!!! So excited for today’s blog post, as Monday Motivation will now be a weekly thing! This is my chance to share with you guys my own health and wellness journey. It’s one of my passions (especially nutrition!) and I’m constantly trying to continue my education and become a better version of myself. When I asked you guys last week, you said you wanted this blog post to be on Mondays so that we could all kick off the week on the right foot, and I think that’s a brilliant idea. If you have any specific questions, leave them in the comments and I’ll answer them in next Monday’s post!

*I also want to preface this post by saying that I am not a doctor, and that you should consult with your health care professional before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

My current food philosophy

I don’t really like labels. I’m hesitant to label myself as a “vegetarian” or “vegan” or anything related to that because I’m human, and I’m an evolving person. So for now, I try to eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as possible. I currently do not eat chicken or beef, but I will occasionally have eggs (if they’re from pasture-raised chicken) and wild-caught fish. When it comes to produce, I try to eat local and organic as much as possible (more on that later!), and get in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains every week.

I truly believe that food is medicine. It has been proven that most deaths in the United States are preventable and are related to what we eat (and drink!). Our diet is the number one cause of premature death and the number one cause of disability (source). All of the leading causes of death in the United States (including coronary heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) can all be effectively prevented with a whole food, plant-based diet. I’M SERIOUS! Doctors are taught how to treat illnesses once you have them… not prevent illness in the first place through nutrition. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can prevent disease through diet, I strongly recommend that you read this book! I know for myself, I want to live a long time and be healthy enough to run around with my kids, grandkids and great grandkids for decades to come.

In the present, I FEEL so much better eating a plant-based diet than I ever have in my life. It didn’t take very long for the effects to kick in, either – I have more energy and clearer skin that I also have in a long time. I don’t have to count calories to maintain a healthy weight – it’s amazing what your body does when it’s given the right foods! I’m able to eat as much plant-based fare as my heart wants, and my body weight stays at a homeostasis. When I’m eating whole, unprocessed foods, I don’t get any crazy cravings, either. I eat when I’m hungry, I quit when I’m full. I remember being obsessed with calories in college, counting every single Poptart or pack of goldfish until my “calorie limit” hit 1,200 every day. I can’t tell you how liberating it is to not count any calories at all, to feel like you can eat anything and as much of it as you want to, and it’s actually good for your body!

So why organic?

Whenever the word organic gets tossed around, most people’s first reaction is “organic = expensive.” I’ve heard too many people say they can’t “afford” to eat organic. I don’t think this is true! Yes, organic produce does cost more than non-organic. But the cost of eating a full week off of organic produce versus going out to eat a few times per week is virtually the same. And the cost to your health may be even greater. Conventional produce is sprayed with synthetic pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, and then when you buy it and eat it, you are also consuming these chemicals. For example, the commonly used herbicide Roundup has been classified as a “probable human carcinogen” and the insecticide chlorpyrifos has been associated with developmental delays in infants. Studies have also suggested that pesticide residues – at levels commonly found in the urine of American kids – may contribute to ADHD. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

If that isn’t enough to convince you, eating organic is also waaaay better for our environment! Organic food production eliminates soil and water contamination, helps preserve local wildlife and conserves biodiversity. All because organic food production avoids chemicals and instead uses all-natural farming methods that are safe for our bodies and thus, safe for the environment.

When Organic Isn’t always the best choice

Although I really value organic produce, I think there is another factor at play that’s equally as important, and that’s whether or not the produce is locally grown. When it comes to food, I try to make choices that are least extravagant in using up the world’s resources. If you eat an organic apple, but it comes all the way from New Zealand, then what good is that doing for the environment? (Think of all the resources it took to fly that apple across the world to end up in your grocery store!) I love shopping our local farmer’s markets – it’s now a fun tradition for my husband and I to go on Saturday mornings – we bring our reusable coffee cups and order some coffee from Krankie’s, then walk around checking out all of the fresh produce, cheese, wine and baked goods. (If you live in Winston, I really love Plum Granny Farm because all of their produce is organic – you can find them at the Cobblestone Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning!) If you are going to hit up the farmer’s market – it’s important to talk to your farmers! Their produce might not be USDA Certified Organic, but if you ask them about their methods for growing crops, it’s probably safer than conventional methods. Some farmers use dormant oils instead of the really toxic stuff that gets under the skin of the fruit. (In this case, be sure to give those fruits and/or vegetables a good bath!) It’s always best to support local businesses and ESPECIALLY local farmers. They are our future!

Okay, now that I’ve caught you up to date on my current food philosophy, I want to share some random health/wellness tips that I picked up this week šŸ™‚

Kitchen Gadget I’m loving

I have so many kitchen gadgets that I love, but one that I’m loving this week is this package of glass straws. We use these ALL the time for smoothies, I love that they are pretty wide and they’re washable – I usually stick them in the dishwasher to clean but they also come with two little scrubbers to get down in there. I also use these when I drink my lemon water in the morning, so that I don’t get the acidic lemon all over my teeth! These are made of lead-free borosilicate glass, reusable and environmentally friendly, and LESS THAN $10! šŸ™‚

Books of the week

I have two šŸ™‚ These books really helped me get started on my own health and wellness journey! First up, How Not To Die by Dr. Michael Greger. I LOVE THIS BOOK! I’ve blogged about it before – I’ve read it twice now and will probably read it a third time. This was the book that first convinced me to eat more plant-based. The book is entirely based on science. Dr. Greger has put in the research, sifting through hundreds of thousands of studies and basically summarizing the results in an easy-to-read and, at times, quite humorous book. The second book that you should read (and I would read it AFTER How Not To Die), is The Food Babe Way, by Vani Hari. I do think Hari comes across a little intense at times, however I learned soooo much about food additives. This book will make you MAD at the food industry (and for good reason), and you will probably want to give up processed food forever after reading it.

This week, eat more of….

Chocolate! And not just any chocolate, but beautiful, rich dark chocolate. I was listening to this podcast recently with Max Lugavere and he encourages adults to eat one dark chocolate bar per week for brain health. I can get on that bandwagon! If you buy quality dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) with a high cocoa content, then it is actually quite nutritious. Dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants including polyphenols, flavanols and catechins. It’s also a naturally fermented food and a top source of magnesium, and can even improve brain function by increasing blood flow! Lugavere recommends a chocolate bar with at least an 85% cocoa content…I’m still searching for one with that much cocoa, but in the meantime I LOVE this chocolate bar (organic & 70% cocoa) and just a couple of squares at night satisfies me.

Clean beauty product I’m Loving

It was relatively easy for me to throw out all of the junk food in our pantry, but it’s not *quite* so easy for me to do the same to our bathroom cabinets. In the past, I’ve felt like the natural beauty products never work quite as well, but I think it’s all about finding the right products. So I’ve been slowly introducing clean products into my beauty routine, and one of them that I absolutely love is pure grapeseed oil. My mom actually introduced me to this product as an alternative to body lotion. Apply it right out of the shower when your skin is a little damp, and it locks in moisture without leaving your skin oily or greasy. (I read a bunch of reviews on Amazon and a lot of people use it as a nighttime facial oil to brighten and even out skin tone). I actually think it leaves my skin luminous and glowy, which I really love! Your skin is your largest organ, and all the products you put on your skin absorb right into your bloodstream – including toxins or parabens that are hidden in your beauty products. That’s why it’s EXTRA important to make sure anything you’re smothering your body in is super clean!

Let me know if you guys have questions! In the future I also want to include more information about my workouts and maybe some healthy recipes šŸ™‚ Also want to remind you that I am HUMAN haha and just because I try to eat organic and unprocessed foods doesn’t mean that I stick to that 100% of the time – you will probably still see some packaged snacks on my Instastories (or the occasional Starbucks cup) and some “conventional” and not-so-clean beauty products on my blog šŸ˜› But it is all about the JOURNEY, and hopefully this will inspire you to begin yours. Love to you all! xoxox

Leave a Comment

78 Comments

  1. Great post! I really enjoyed it. Thank you! Can’t wait for next Monday’s Monday Motivation!

    8.5.19Reply
  2. How wonderful you feel and see all the positive effects of a plant based diet!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

    8.5.19Reply
  3. VW

    Thank you for bringing up Roundup! Itā€™s horrific how the company that makes it has hidden so much data about the damage to humans it can cause. Have you seen the documentary on it?!

    8.5.19Reply
  4. Lauren

    Love this post! Something small Iā€™ve been trying to do at home is slowly cleaning out any plastic products such as Tupperware and switching them for glass/ceramic. Thanks for sharing!

    8.5.19Reply
  5. Kristen

    Love this topic! Can’t wait to read more!

    8.5.19Reply
  6. Marvi

    Thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey with us. I love going to our local farmers market; itā€™s such a nice way to start the weekend.

    8.5.19Reply
    • Trisha

      I’m beginning this journey with my 24 year old daughter. Would love to know if your Mom follows along with you on your journey and how she motivates herself to keep healthy as we age.

      8.5.19Reply
  7. Tiffany V

    Great post!

    Whole Foods & Fresh Market both have dark chocolate bars above 80% & they’re socially and environmentally responsible brands.

    8.5.19Reply
    • Thanks so much! I’m definitely going to look the next time I’m at Whole Foods!

      8.11.19Reply
  8. Stephanie

    I love this new series!! I read How Not to Die after you recommended it a while ago and it was so so good! After I finished it, I bought the How Not to Die Cookbook and have been loving it:) Can’t wait to see more of your health/wellness posts!

    8.5.19Reply
  9. Cara

    There is a book called ā€œThe Rain Barrel Effectā€ that is great for explaining how food contributes to our health, wellness, etc and how bad diets affect everything that goes wrong with our body and how to eliminate hard metals. Itā€™s a great read.

    8.5.19Reply
  10. Jesse

    Lindt 85% is a good dark chocolate bar, especially bc it doesnā€™t process with cocoa with alkali. Their higher and lower percentages and other brands commonly alkalize the cocoa powder (you can check the ingredients to see if this is the case) and that removes a lot of the beneficial and antioxidant properties. The more you know šŸ˜‰

    8.5.19Reply
  11. Erin B

    Ok, you finally convinced me to buy How Not to Die that has been sitting in my Amazon cart forever! How did you get your husband on board (or is he) to eat mostly plant based? My husband is a hugeee meat lover so that would definitely be the hardest part since I mostly cook! Also, if you meal prep, a post with your tips would be great! I find meal prepping with fresher foods to be a bit more difficult since they go bad quickly!

    8.5.19Reply
    • Kaitlin

      Hey- I try to eat plant based and my boyfriend doesnā€™t and wonā€™t. šŸ˜‚ To him- life isnā€™t enjoyable or worth it without eating animals and thatā€™s his personal choice. He feels like his good genetic history is enough to prevent lifestyle diseases in old age (LOL). Anyways… itā€™s fairly easy for him to add an animal protein on top or mix into a plant based meal prep recipe. We have made some from the ā€œCook Once, Eat All Weekā€ recipe book.

      Good luck!

      8.6.19Reply
  12. Lauren

    For clean beauty products, have you ever tried Lush? I am a huge fan of theirs and have found their more natural products work a lot better for me than my expensive Sephora products, so I was wondering what your opinion on them was?

    8.5.19Reply
    • Shannon

      Ugh, please be careful with Lush, many of their products actually have parabens in them. I was shocked and disappointed to see them in the lotion I was using, I just assumed they were safe and natural šŸ™

      8.7.19Reply
      • Lauren

        Thanks for the heads up!! Iā€™ll double check the ingredients on their products I use!

        8.7.19Reply
  13. Terrie

    Excellent advice! You are well informed and have obviously done your homework!

    8.5.19Reply
  14. Julie

    I’m so happy you’re starting this series! I read How Not to Die and it has completely changed my eating. My mother also read it and is convinced she needs to make the change, too! I cook from the How Not to Die cookbook and the Detoxinista’s books, for the most part. I find I can usually modify recipes to eliminate oil or meat. The key to sticking to it for me was quickly finding recipes I love, so I wouldn’t feel like I was giving up delicious food.

    8.5.19Reply
  15. I am loving this new series you are doing Caitlin!! You can clearly tell just by your skin and hair that you eat healthy and it is so motivating. I still live at home with my parents while at college so I am always using the excuse that I have to eat what they buy for the house, but you have motivated me to go to a farmers market each week instead of out to eat so often. I can’t wait to read the How Not To Die book your recommended.

    As for future blog posts, I would love if you shared workouts you love and specific recipes/ meal plans. I know this is more on the fashion side, but inexpensive and cute activewear would also be a great post.

    Keep up the good work girl! I look forward to next Monday’s post!

    xoxo,
    Juliana Grace | http://www.julianagraceblogspace.com

    8.5.19Reply
  16. Melissa

    Hi Caitlin,

    This is so great! Would you be able to post some specifics on what you eat in a day? Maybe some smoothie recipes? I love those for breakfast!

    Also, what does your grocery list look like?

    Thank you so much and for helping us stay healthy!!

    Melissa

    8.5.19Reply
    • Ashlee

      Also would love to see your grocery list, and how you organize pantry. I am getting ready to go on my own health & wellness journey, and would love to know how you started, and what keeps you on track.

      8.5.19Reply
  17. LOVED IT!!!!! Love this monday series!!!!!! I am a good enthusiast as well, and agree with everything you said. Well done! xoxox

    8.5.19Reply
  18. suzanne

    Great books written by Ani Phyo, all about Raw Foods and the essential nutrients they provide to heal the body. She’s been my go to for the past year or so. You can read more about her on her website https://www.aniphyo.com but all of her books are fantastic, same with her recipes for anyone who feels they need to follow recipes like me.

    8.5.19Reply
  19. I am currently reading How Not To Die based on your recommendation and you are right! It is so informative šŸ™‚ I have learned so much!

    8.5.19Reply
  20. Ah yes, I am so excited about this new series! And what a great idea to publish it on Mondays, I love that šŸ™‚
    I definitely have to educate myself more on a good diet and nutrition, so this was really interesting for me. Thanks for recommending those books, I love reading about a topic that I want to learn about!
    xx Janine
    https://walkinmysneaks.blogspot.com

    8.5.19Reply
  21. Iā€™ve been trying to eat a more plant-based diet for the past few weeks and have seen tremendous benefits. Thanks for sharing so many great recommendations!

    8.5.19Reply
  22. Laura Leigh

    Oh I want to try that grapeseed oil! That sounds amazing. Excited about this series! Already loving it!

    xo Laura Leigh
    http://www.louellareese.com

    8.5.19Reply
  23. I’m excited about Monday Motivation posts becoming a weekly thing!! šŸ™‚ Love this post, and now I really want to get some of those glass straws! I totally agree about organic food only seeming to be more expensive. I’ve spent way too much money on fast food each week, and now that my husband and I are starting to eat healthier, it is actually a little cheaper than what I would have paid if I were still buying fast food!

    8.5.19Reply
  24. This is a wonderful post because you shared some truly important topics that I believe more people should talk about without telling people what to do. You laid out the facts and some support and allow your readers to take what they can from it. Much appreciated <3

    8.5.19Reply
  25. I actually read How Not to Die because you recommended it on your insta stories! It’s honestly so good and easy to read! I now eat healthier and WAY LESS meat! I made my brother read it and now he eats healthier too! Also, did you know there’s an app called Daily Dozen, so you can track your daily dozen (if you know, you know šŸ˜‰)

    Erika Marie | https://imerikamarie.com

    8.5.19Reply
  26. I am convinced now that I need to try grapeseed oil! Sounds like it would be awesome to use during winter! My skin is especially dry during Winter!

    http://www.rdsobsessions.com

    8.5.19Reply
  27. Hannah

    You need to seriously reconsider recommending The Food Babeā€™s book without a disclaimer. Many of her scientific ā€œfactsā€ can be easily explained and she conveniently leaves out crucial scientific information. Linking an article with rebuttal information would be responsible and keep from causing panic with your millions of readers.

    http://gawker.com/the-food-babe-blogger-is-full-of-shit-1694902226

    https://deadstate.org/this-interview-did-not-go-too-well-for-the-food-babe/

    8.5.19Reply
  28. Meaghan B

    I live in Charlotte and just discovered the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market! You should check it out next time youā€™re in town. I plan on making it a routine to get our produce there. Also, Iā€™m trying harder to be plant based!

    8.5.19Reply
  29. Shaunda

    Thank you for this post-great information for your readers and you have a platform to create positive change, one step at a time!

    8.5.19Reply
    • Kate

      Hi Caitlin – Thanks for sharing your perspective. I agree with almost everything you wrote and wanted to add something. At the age of 14, I became a vegetarian. I have eaten very healthfully my entire life – primarily a plant-based diet filled with vegetables, fruits, healthful and unprocessed foods. I have also maintained a healthy body weight and exercised regularly for much of my life, including running a marathon in my 20s. Still…I ended up with breast cancer, diagnosed at the age of 42 this past January. Believe me when I say I thought Iā€™d be the last person on earth to be diagnosed, except for my strong family history – Iā€™m the third generation on my motherā€™s side to be diagnosed. Now the good: because I stayed on too of my mammograms and added breast ultrasounds every year due to family history, my cancer was found when it was very small and very early. It was a low-grade (least aggressive) tumor that had not spread to any blood vessels or lymph nodes, and after surgery, I am considered cancer-free. While I donā€™t believe that I could have done a single thing better to have prevented cancer, I am absolutely confident that it was partially because of my lifelong healthful lifestyle that when it did make an appearance, it was highly treatable with a great prognosis. When I was first diagnosed, I felt cheated – like I had done everything right and still, cancer got me. But after the anger subsided, gratitude for how well Iā€™ve looked after my body took its place. Also – not for nothing – I look years younger than most of my friends my same age, and Iā€™m convinced thatā€™s due in part to lifelong good habits like diet, exercise, skincare and the like. One final thought. Iā€™ve almost never dieted or severely calorie-restricted. As you age, those behaviors really take a toll and age you quickly. I recommend that all women stay somewhere in the very wide range of ā€œhealthyā€ BMI if at all possible – your older skin will thank you!

      8.5.19Reply
  30. Meg

    Credo and Follian are great places to find clean beauty products that work! Beautycounter and Arbonne also have great options as well.

    8.5.19Reply
  31. Love this post! You’re human and trying your best. I don’t think anyone has to be 100% perfect when trying to stick to clean diets but the point is to learn and try. I’ve tried over the last couple years to cut back on my meat intake and while I’m not 100% meatless, I rarely eat meat during the week and if I do it’s usually chicken or turkey. Can’t wait for next weeks post!

    8.5.19Reply
  32. I really appreciate you sharing your journey with us. No one should expect you to be 100% perfect all the time! I have been a vegetarian since I was 12 but I am slowly trying to cut out processed foods, sugars and cut back on dairy (my doctor recommended this due to joint pain). I am really interested in reading How to Not Die, adding it to my cart right now. Looking forward to this new series!

    8.5.19Reply
  33. Brittany

    Love love love this post!! I started eating plant-based and all organic after I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago at 30 yrs old. I sometimes wonder if I wouldā€™ve changed my eating habits years before if I wouldā€™ve developed cancer. Iā€™m treating it alternatively and am so thankful I donā€™t have to endure chemo and radiation because there is another option!!

    I would love for you to share more of what youā€™re eating and clean beauty products! I switched everything I use on my body and face to clean products when I changed my eating habits. It was hard at first but the green beauty community has grown SO much just in the last 2 years that Iā€™ve been around it! There are some GREAT products out there that I find better than any of my old conventional products!!

    8.5.19Reply
  34. Alli

    What a gem to read!

    8.5.19Reply
  35. Kaytee Jordan

    Loved this post! In the past, I haven’t been “big” on reading blogs, but I truly enjoyed this and have your book recommendation in my Amazon cart now! Can’t wait for next week’s post! (:

    8.5.19Reply
  36. Tori

    Can you link the white top above?!

    8.5.19Reply
  37. Susan Honeycutt

    Thank you for sharing!! Especially since youā€™re young itā€™s sooo very important to stay away from any foods with hormones. Cancer feeds on those hormones. As a breast cancer survivor there is a lot of research out there that strives on the importance of eating organic! Bravo to you!! Iā€™m older than your Mom Iā€™m sure #59 & I have drilled the importance of an organic lifestyle to my 23yr old daughter! Xoxo

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  38. Nicole

    Great post! Love all of the information you provided and I agree with every word you typed. Education is key in order for us to maintain our health.

    8.5.19Reply
  39. Katherine

    This is awesome – thanks for sharing!

    Any recs on clean mascara? I have been having a reaction to my current mascara and looking for an alternative!

    8.5.19Reply
  40. Margarete Dorr

    I love this series- looking forward to future content and following your health and wellness journey!

    8.5.19Reply
  41. Crystal

    Great post! Would love to see more on how you maintain this approach to eating when you’re rushed or traveling. We just drove 10+ hours in the car today back from vacation and of course there’s nothing but fast food that seems to be available. I tried to focus on nutrition but it’s so hard especially when you don’t have the time to pack your own food (or if you don’t have support from the fam).
    Thanks for recommending the book!

    8.5.19Reply
  42. Kendra

    I drink a lot of soda , and Iā€™m not a healthy eater at all. I am a teacher that gets sick all the time. Iā€™ve been convincing myself to eat better however idk the first place to begin. How did you start off?

    8.5.19Reply
  43. I. E.

    Organic isnā€™t free of chemicals, and ā€œnaturalā€ doesnā€™t equate to better. Iā€™m not saying organic isnā€™t good, it has its merits, but itā€™s not necessarily better. Hereā€™s one example: due to fertilizer restrictions and needs, you are much more likely to get E. coli from organically produced foods than non-organic (due to having to put manure on crops i.e. feces which contain hazardous bacteria which gets into the crops, or remains on the surface and gets people sick, or kills them). Just here to give a fuller picture of the topic discussed here, happy you are feeling healthy by making choices that are right for you!

    8.5.19Reply
    • Samantha Smith

      Getting a pet is good for your mental health too. And I guess physical health if you get a dog and have to walk him. šŸ˜»

      8.7.19Reply
  44. Madi

    I loved this article! You are an amazing author and I enjoyed the readability of your article, not to mention the content was amazing! I am glad you werenā€™t shameful to others in the way you described eating organic and helped us see you are human too! Glad I read this article and am excited to read more in the future.

    8.6.19Reply
  45. We are farmers in Washington State and we grow organic and non-organic fruit. We process our fruit the same way if we sold it in our state, at a farmers market or across state lines. Applaud you for supporting your small local farmers, but you should educate yourself a little more before talking about what we spray on the fruit. Feel free to come take a tour of our facility sometime.

    8.6.19Reply
  46. Carrie

    Based on your food/life philosophy, I think you’d really enjoy reading ‘Eat to Live’ by Dr. Fuhrman. It’s very similar – GBOMBS (greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, seeds -if I remember correctly). My husband and I have followed his lifestyle for years, and it’s truly the only ‘diet’ that makes us feel good every.single.day.

    8.6.19Reply
  47. Jennifer

    I am LOVING this content! I follow quite a few bloggers on Instagram, but Iā€™m not much of a blog reader if Iā€™m being honest – however I couldnā€™t wait for this post! Thank you for doing this segment! Canā€™t wait for next week!

    8.6.19Reply
  48. Rachel Gavin

    I would looove an in depth post about all natural beauty products (skin care and make up) that you use or have tried. I’d love to make the switch but feel overwhelmed of where to start.

    8.6.19Reply
  49. Bethany

    Absolutely love the concept for this new series!!

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  50. Valerie

    I love this post! I try to live and eat similar to your daily routine since about 2 years and I’m feeling much better too. Also I have lost a couple of pounds and feel healthier than ever. I can recommend this nutrion to anyone. I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts. Love reading them! Xoxo from Germany āœŒ

    8.6.19Reply
  51. Kaitlin

    A major side benefit of plant based diet is that it is low-fat (mainly due to no animal products). Low fat means keeping your own hormone levels balanced easily- oftentimes totally eliminating menstrual cramps, reducing inflammation/autoimmune symptoms etc. It is crazy amazing!

    Not to mention less carcinogens consumed.

    8.6.19Reply
  52. Jess O

    I love all this stuff and have recently been trying to educate myself more about the corruptions of the food industry- it’s insane and scary! Have you read Vani Hari’s other book, “Feeding You Lies?” I haven’t read “The Food Babe Way,” but this one was really good and enlightening! It’s unfortunate that at first glance eating organic, whole foods is more expensive, but if you think about it long term you’ll be saving on medical bills down the road when you don’t have all the health issues caused by processed foods. Hopefully more and more people will catch on and start to drive the costs down!

    Also, a huge chocolate fan here! Green and Black Organic chocolate is super yummy and this one is 85% Cacao! šŸ™‚
    https://www.amazon.com/Green-Blacks-Organic-Chocolate-Cacao/dp/B00GDIMCPY/ref=pd_bxgy_325_2/137-8873075-4768406?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00GDIMCPY&pd_rd_r=d97fdf35-168e-4511-9c09-38b9b1d32f3f&pd_rd_w=lOX7j&pd_rd_wg=4Vpag&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=NEMJSEVQDXVFEGZHTKMW&psc=1&refRID=NEMJSEVQDXVFEGZHTKMW

    8.6.19Reply
  53. FANTASTIC post, Caitlin! I’d love to add to the conversation and say two things: 1) What you’re doing is what’s called somewhat of an alkaline foods diet. This lifestyle is to better nourish your body and fuel it in many ways and I can vouch from personal experience that what you’re saying in terms of feeling better and having energy is true. Sidenote, I’m going to tag you on some posts on my Instagram stories tonight so you can see what I’m talking about! 2) I learned from a cardiothoracic surgeon (Dr. Thomas Carter) years ago that vegetable oil actually raises inflammation in your body so I’ve switched to olive oil and my favorite, Kerrygold butter. I hope this helps with your lifestyle too!

    I love Max Lugavere! He has some great visuals on his Instagram if anyone is a visual learner. His story on being a wellness educator is amazing! Thanks for touching on this important topic, Caitlin. I appreciate you adding value! x

    I need to just check out the How Not to Die Book already because it’s been sitting in my Amazon cart for awhile, haha! For your next post, I’d love to see what you stock your pantry with (ie. maca powder, PB2, spirulina, stuff like that) and your thoughts/experiences with gluten!

    She Sweats Diamonds

    8.6.19Reply
  54. Lora

    I love the idea of these posts! I will definitely have to check out “How Not To Die,” too. I was curious if you could recommend your favorite cruelty-free beauty products/companies?

    8.6.19Reply
  55. Cassie

    So excited for these Monday posts! You are such an inspiration. Three years ago, I read a post where you said you try to make sure you work out three times a week and I started making that my goal as well. My prior workouts were sporadic but really helped with my anxiety. Now Iā€™m getting ready to start teaching barre, plus Iā€™ve been going to ballet class for two years and am getting back on pointe! I also have your green smoothie every morning and my husband and kids love it. So anyway, long post, but thanks. You are a joy to follow.

    8.6.19Reply
  56. Dana Longwell

    I love the Green & Black Organics 85% dark chocolate bar (they come in a few different percentages of chocolate). I see them at whole foods and our walmart even sells them. Really good dipped in peanut butter too . Hope you are able to try them – think you’d love.

    8.6.19Reply
  57. Hannah

    Great post! If you’re looking for a good 85% dark chocolate, Trader Joe’s is really fruity and rich without being chalky like a lot of other brands!

    8.7.19Reply
  58. Melanie

    Trader Joeā€™s has an 85% dark chocolate bar thatā€™s pretty great! Inspired to go buy myself one now šŸ™‚

    8.7.19Reply
  59. Amanda

    Loved this post and canā€™t wait for more Monday motivation! I am just starting to change my diet and itā€™s quite overwhelming- will you be sharing a ā€œWhat I Eat in a Dayā€ anytime soon?

    8.8.19Reply
  60. Kasia

    You just motivated me to start eating healthier and more thoughtfully. I am sure that my mum will be super happy to start with me.
    thx!! great post :*

    8.8.19Reply
  61. Victoria

    1200 calories per day??? Maybe for the well-being of your readers, take out the number from your post just so someone doesn’t take the wrong advice – “Well Caitlin ate only 1200 calories per day and she’s beautiful, so I’m going to eat only 1200 calories per day.”

    8.8.19Reply
    • I was saying that I ate 1,200 calories a day in college and that was UNHEALTHY behavior. Did you read the paragraph?

      8.8.19Reply
  62. Narissa Sacranie

    Hi Caitlin,

    I love your blog and have been following it for a couple of years now. Youā€™ve inspired me in countless ways, and I always look forward to checking in and seeing what youā€™ve been up to.

    I want to offer some perspective on the Food Babe, since youā€™re promoting her brand/book. As a former food scientist and product developer with a BS in Food Science and Nutrition, I recommend you consult legitimate sources for food and nutrition information. Hari has a degree from ā€œGoogle University.ā€ She has no food science background, therefore she has no understanding of food additives or processing. ā€œProcessed foodsā€ includes fresh strawberries that have been picked from the fields and packaged. Processing is not a bad thing. Hari also has no nutrition background and is not legally or otherwise qualified to give dietary advice. Please do some more research before standing by somebody who is making a living off of hyperbole and utter myth.

    8.9.19Reply
  63. Jessica

    What a wonderful and informative post! Thereā€™s so much useful information here and thank you for bringing up the harmful chemicals that we are potentially exposing ourselves to every day without even realizing it. Food can be used as such a wonderful tool to try and prevent so many illnesses, and it is so true that ā€œan ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cureā€. Canā€™t wait for your next post!

    8.11.19Reply
  64. Sara

    Hi! Love the Monday motivation!!!love your blog! Can you share the white wine and also the tomato sauce you used in the picture with you smooching your hubby? Or even a link for both would be appreciated! Thanks! šŸ™‚

    8.12.19Reply
  65. Kelly

    Iā€™m curious how you feel about sunless tanners which I use twice a week. I keep thinking they will come out with a connection to cancer one day.

    8.18.19Reply
    • I have thought about that before, too! I think it’s fine as long as you’re not inhaling any of the product (I stopped getting spray tans because of the dangers of inhaling the spray tan!).

      8.19.19Reply
  66. Carmen

    Love the blog but I truly caution about misleading info with food and byproducts causing ADHD. Those same pesticides are on organic as well.

    ADHD is genetic and all studies showing links to any pesticides, food dyes and such have been tossed for being incomplete and having extreme bias. Itā€™s important to note this bc itā€™s not curable nor is is caused after birth.

    Thereā€™s a great insta account from a food scientist that shows the info but Iā€™ve read the studies, and they didnā€™t do any background on any of the subjects to know if ADHD was present in the family, from NIH and the European study. Others were only done on animals.

    If you want the link Iā€™d be happy to send it, since I donā€™t have it committed to memory, I have ADHD, so I will need to retrieve it from my saved folder. šŸ˜Ž

    4.11.22Reply