Eating clean has always been something that has been important to me. If you think about it, your insides really are what you eat. And since I firmly believe that, I attempt to follow an 80/20 rule (that 80 is for the healthy stuff… don’t try to flip it around now!). Clean eating Sunday-Friday afternoon, with cheat days Friday evening and Saturday. I’ve found that this works best for me. This method leaves me feeling fulfilled without that deprived feeling. I don’t go to bed hungry and I don’t have regular ravenous cravings (I don’t count those cravings on cheat days :)). Most importantly? I don’t feel the need to detox with juice cleanses (I’m terrified they will just leave me hangry.. and that just wouldn’t be pretty…), rather I get to incorporate them into my weekly menu.

 With that being said, it can be so easy to fall into a routine of “I know this is healthy so I’ll just eat it everyday,” (like when I decided I would have carrots everyday for months on end…no joke here). What I have found is that (and I really don’t have medical research here) I end up depriving myself of a variety and nutrients that I may not be getting by eating the same foods daily. What’s a girl to do when this is her dilemma?? Explore in the kitchen of course. My new obsession? Beets. Their health benefits are numerous… a cleansing agent, helper of your mental health, a source of energy, and loaded with vitamins. I love their consistency and the colors they add to a meal. Paired with the citrus flavor of the tangerines and the sweetness of the dried cranberries and you’ve got yourself a perfectly clean, healthy, and delicious salad. On a side note, if you wanted to make this a meal, add a little quinoa, the protein should make it feel heartier 🙂

Beet and Tangerine Salad

Ingredients:

1 Medium Tangerine (peeled and separated)
2 Medium Organic Golden Beets (roasted and sliced)
1 Medium Organic Red Beet (roasted and sliced… if you’re scared of staining your hands red Trader Joe’s has some that are roasted and pre-packaged)
3 cups of organic Spinach
2 Tablespoons organic dried cranberries
Dressing: Trader Joe’s Orange Muscat Champagne Vinegar (to your preference)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients and devour 🙂