Enter your name and email to gain exclusive access to our elite Clean Eating Community & our 5 Day Clean Eating Challenge eCookbook.
Susan first shared her story with us in December, and she’s back to tell us about her continued (and inspiring!) results as she’s been following the CleanFoodCrush Challenge Plan.
“I have been following Rachel on Facebook for 8 months — I watched the main Facebook page for a couple of months before I signed up for the 30-Day Challenge at the beginning of November 2021.
I have been following the Challenge Plan since I started my first 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge in November. The basic challenge has become a way of life I hope to continue indefinitely!
I’ve lost 45 pounds since I started five-and-a-half months ago. In my first month, I had lost 17 pounds. (That was my first testimonial.) I’m so much happier and more energetic!
At my last visit, my doctor told me I was no longer pre-diabetic!
I stay motivated because I want to stay healthy as I age! When I entered my 60s, I was gaining weight, sluggish, developing diabetes, had tried all kinds of “diets” and gimmicks and never lost (or kept off) weight. I had lost hope of ever being a healthy size again. I’m motivated now by how good I feel!
Two of my best friends just signed up for the 30-Day Clean Eating Challenge and started this week! We’re planning a CFC Easter dinner together.
I have learned that food matters! You’ll only be as healthy as the stuff you put in your body. If you give your body the high-quality foods it needs — and avoid the typical American diet of fried food, sugar and poor-quality proteins and oils — you can avoid all kinds of problems in the future. And you’ll be so much happier!
– Susan
Lemons are a zesty, acidic fruit that have become a staple flavor in many desserts and foods. They provide an assortment of nutrients and have significant health benefits and an enjoyable taste that can give your food or drink a fun kick!
A quick, easy, and effective way to reap the benefits of lemons is by adding the juice to your daily water intake. It may seem simple, but drinking lemon water daily has many benefits that may be precisely what your body needs this season!
Acids help break down food (hence all the acids in your stomach!). Because lemons are so acidic, ingesting them regularly can help keep your food digesting correctly, helping prevent reflux or an upset stomach. Plus, that can leave more room for a fun, lemon-flavored dessert, like our raspberry lemon cheesecake or these sweet meyer lemon coconut macaroon cookies!
We all know that staying hydrated is essential for staying healthy! Getting that daily water intake can be a breeze for some, but for others, remembering to drink enough water can be hard… or even boring.
So why not add a little something to your drink? Squeezing half a lemon into your water can give it a refreshing kick and help you want to drink more water – a win-win!
Lemons may seem like an unassuming fruit, but they pack a significant punch in more ways than one.
Some studies have theorized that the plant compounds in lemons can aid in weight loss, as well as their soluble pectin fibers, which can help expand the stomach, leaving you feeling fuller longer.
Like all produce, lemons contain phytonutrients, which protect your body against disease due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. These can help prevent cell damage from oxidation, the same process that causes rust.
Simply put, lemons can keep your body healthy and strong from the inside out.
Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. Vitamin C can help our bodies form collagen, absorb iron, keep the immune system functioning correctly, and help heal wounds.
By eating one lemon a day (or alternately drinking its juice), you can get 31 mg of vitamin C, which is 51% of the reference daily intake (RDI).
Potassium is a necessary mineral for all tissues in the body. It can help with nerve-muscle communication, transporting nutrients and waste, and regulating blood pressure. While lemons don’t have a large amount of potassium, they do yield enough that making them a part of your daily routine can help keep your potassium levels well-balanced.
Ever had a kidney stone and would do anything to prevent another one? Lemons may be your answer! The citric acid can increase your urine volume and pH levels, creating a less favorable environment for kidney stone formation.
Plus, drinking lemon water helps you stay more hydrated, which can aid in preventing kidney stones from forming.
As you can see, adding some lemon juice to your water is a super easy and fun way to get LOTS of nutrients and benefits that your body may be craving right now. And while lemon water is a great way to stay hydrated, you can also squeeze lemon juice into your favorite tea to get its numerous benefits! Or, try something new, fun, and refreshing like refreshing homemade blueberry lemonade or this watermelon lemonade.
All in all, lemons are a great resource to have on hand for your food and drinks and can help you stay healthy for the long run.
Honey is a well-known syrupy liquid used in many dishes, from entrees to desserts to smoothies. It’s applauded for its sweet, deep flavors, which help make it a versatile ingredient. It is not only flavorful but also full of antioxidants and nutrients that make it a great alternative to regular sugar (without sacrificing the sweetness!).
Honey is widely available, but you may not know all the different kinds, how it’s made, and even some secret uses!
Read on to find out more about this sweet, intricate ingredient. Here is everything you need to know about honey:
There are many different types of honey, some more readily available than others. Not all are best when eaten, but they have qualities that make them a resource you’ll want to have on hand. Here are just four:
Clover Honey – This type is made from nectar collected from clovers, which are plentiful in the spring and summer months. This is your primary kind of honey, the kind you’d likely get from the grocery store, and is known for the floral notes and subtly sour aftertaste.
Clover honey has many potent antioxidants and some acids that support heart health and the lungs and nervous system. You truly can’t go wrong with this delicious sort!
Acacia Honey – This type of honey comes from the black locust tree, commonly found in North America and Europe. Sweet, barely-there floral hues denote it. It’s a light amber color and is slow to crystallize, meaning it’ll stay in its liquid form longer than others.
Like all honey, acacia has many health benefits, but it’s also valuable for treating and preventing skin conditions like acne. If you’ve got adolescents at home, I suggest keeping a jar of this around just in case!
Buckwheat Honey – Best known for its intense, bold flavor and a deeper hue, buckwheat honey can be used as a marinade for meats or any other food that could use a hearty flavor. You can also use this variety to treat certain types of infections because of the honey’s powerful antibacterial properties.
Manuka Honey – This type comes from tea tree bushes and, much like tea tree oil, is known for its antibacterial properties – it’s even been FDA approved to treat wounds and burns.
While manuka honey is amazingly powerful for these healing effects and is worth keeping on hand, it has a rather astringent taste, so it may not be your go-to for a food ingredient.
We all know honey starts with honey bees. There are three types: queen bees, worker bees, and drones. The queen bee is responsible for reproduction; she’ll produce up to 2,000 eggs a day at the height of the season. Worker bees are the most numerous in a hive; they’re responsible for secreting the wax used in the honeycomb, collecting all the nectar from various flowers, and transforming that nectar into honey. Drones are the male bees; their only job is to fertilize the queen bees.
Once the worker bees have collected their nectar, they take it back to their hives, where it’s broken down into simple sugars stored in the honeycomb. The design of the honeycomb and constant fanning of the bees’ wings causes evaporation, which in turn creates the sweet liquid honey we all know and love. Beekeepers harvest the honey when it’s ready by removing the honeycomb from the hive and scraping the honey out into jars.
The different flavors and colors of honey come from the various flowers, trees, and plants from which bees collect nectar. For example, honey made from clover nectar is lighter in color, whereas honey from buckwheat nectar is a darker amber color.
Honey crystallization is the formation and growth of sugar crystals in honey. Keep in mind that crystallization is a natural process and is not a sign that yours has gone bad. Due to its physical properties and super-saturated sugar solution, honey tends toward crystallization. When stored in colder temps, honey will start to crystallize, so it’s best to store it in rooms above 50°F.
If you have a jar of honey that’s starting to look solid, don’t throw it out! Instead, simply heat it on the stove or microwave, and voila – perfectly good!
While store-bought honey is great, getting it from local beekeepers is the best way to get the most potent nutrients and antioxidants. Buying locally will help the bee farmers around your area continue to supply you and your family with the best honey out there! And this is super important because bees are essential to the ecosystem.
Plus, if you have any problems with seasonal allergies, local honey is a great way to help ease those symptoms! Basically, you’re ingesting local pollen from the plants and flowers the bees have gathered from. Over time, you may become less sensitive to this pollen, and as a result, you may experience allergy symptoms.
Last but certainly not least, some delicious recipes! We have many meals that utilize honey, but here are 5 of my absolute favorites.
Here is an herb-infused, garlic-buttery, honey twist for your nutritionally PACKED sweet potatoes tonight!
The honey will caramelize with the high heat, and those dark-browned crispy edges are an edible crunchy chip-like treat.
This Honey Garlic Sauce is PERFECTION and will satisfy those salty, tangy cravings.
Honey is such an excellent resource for anyone’s home.
Its sweet flavors can add so much to meats and treats alike, and its antioxidant properties are great to have at the ready.
The process for making honey is intricate and vital for helping the environment, bees, and local farmers in your area. Support them today by picking up a jar of fresh honey and treating your family to a delicious meal or dessert!
Hi everyone! I’m Mary from Wisconsin. I’m an elementary library media teacher at two schools in southeastern Wisconsin and, while I love the work I do, it does take a LOT of energy to get through the workday/week. I started my current job 3 years ago and definitely put in some longer hours that first year, which left less time for cooking right and for exercising.
I have been a CFC member since September 2021. One of my colleagues has followed a clean-eating lifestyle for years now and in one of our many conversations encouraged me to follow CleanFoodCrush on Facebook for some good recipe suggestions. I experimented with several recipes over the summer and really liked them and read about the 30-Day Challenge during that time.
I’ve been through menopause and have seen my metabolism slow down. Also, I was born and raised in Wisconsin but lived away for a number of years. Upon moving back home a few years ago, I definitely indulged in some old favorites as far as local food and drinks, resulting in significant weight gain. My husband is not a Wisconsin native, so it was fun showing him around Wisconsin and taking him to some amazing sites and trying out some local restaurants with him.
I made the decision to join the 30-day Challenge in September 2021 because I was not happy with the way I looked and because I wanted to do what I could to avoid known health risks that run on both sides of my family. The first time I went through week 1 was tough, but after that, it got better.
Before week 1 was over, I no longer had pain in my hips and knees, which I had dealt with for some time and thought was an effect of growing older.
After week 1 and as the month progressed, I could tell I had a LOT more energy, that my energy level was much more stable throughout the day, and that it didn’t fluctuate much. I could also tell my sugar cravings were almost completely gone! I was also sleeping better each night.
The support from the CFC ladies has been top-notch, and there is a feeling of “we’re all in this together” in our monthly groups.
I’ve LOVED almost every recipe I’ve tried, and my husband likes most of them too; I’ve trying to get him on board also. Some of my favorites include the: 1. Double Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Energy Balls, 2. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Blender Muffins, 3. Herbed Mushroom Brown Rice, 4. Honey Garlic Brussel Sprouts, 5. Chicken Quinoa Pineapple Bowls, and 6. Bolognese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. I appreciate all of the recipe ideas and often try new ones, but know that I can just keep it simple by roasting sheet pans of meat and veggies, making a pot of brown rice, and still stay on plan.
➡️ My clothes fit better and I’m happier with what I see in the mirror.
➡️ My energy level is better and more consistent and my mood is too.
I spent a few months around the holidays purposely maintaining my current weight loss and now am ready to get back to losing more weight as I have a ways to go. With this plan and with the support received by the wonderful CFC staff, I know it’s possible.
My advice for anyone thinking about Joining the Challenge is three-fold.
➡️ First, just take the leap of faith. This lifestyle change works.
➡️ Second, whatever question you have, just ask! Your mentors and fellow CRUSHers are there for you!
➡️ Lastly, give yourself plenty of grace and be gentle with yourself.
There is a learning curve to this.
There may be times when you stumble, but don’t get down on yourself.
Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving.
You can do this!
– Mary
My name is Sarah. I am a 43-year-old mother of two (9 and 12), from Martha’s Vineyard. I work full-time managing a local jewelry store and volunteer locally for our business association and finance committee. I have been married for almost 18 years.
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 10 years ago when my son was born. I was put on steroids for many years and gained a lot of weight. Having 2 young children and working full-time made it hard to eat the way I knew I should. I felt guilty around food, and then I would eat good, then feel like I needed to reward myself. It was a cycle that was hard to break.
I tried diets like paleo and I found them too restrictive and not realistic with the number of crazy ingredients I would need. Living full-time on an island makes it difficult to find some common ingredients and food can be very expensive here.
I found Rachel and CleanFoodCrush about 5 or 6 years ago and followed her page passively making many of her recipes.
On November 1st, 2021, after indulging a bit on Halloween, I woke up and felt awful. I had eaten too much sugar. I was on Facebook and I was reading one of Rachel’s posts and decided I would do a BOGO Challenge.
I signed up that day and was immediately hooked. I have lost 25 lbs since November. I am not always perfect and have definitely enjoyed going out and being with friends. I try to be as consistent as I can be.
Some weeks I lose 2 lbs and other weeks I lose nothing, or half a pound, but I keep going down! My husband (who has no weight to lose) loves all of the recipes and is so happy that we are focusing on lean meats and veggies!
I really love the groups and just signed up as an annual member. Rachel’s Step-by-Step Program makes it so easy to be successful and gives you the opportunity to fit it into your lifestyle.
The recipes are easy and so yummy! My current favorites are the firecracker chicken and the sheet pan sausage. I never feel like I am being deprived.
I look at this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. I’m so glad I woke up that morning and decided I was worth it!
– Sarah
Have you ever walked down the spice aisle and felt overwhelmed by all the options and different herbs? You don’t know where to start, what half the herbs are, or what to use them for! Well, I’ve put together this guide in the hope of clearing some confusion!
Plain and simple, herbs are plants used in and on food for flavoring and garnishing. You’ve probably heard of a few of these, but maybe there are some you’ve never tried. Let’s dig into 12 amazing herbs that add unique flavors and freshness to your meals (and may also help with other things, such as a pain reliever or as an antiviral)!
Remember that the first 8 herbs are hardy and therefore best when added to cooking your proteins, produce, and meals. The last 4 are delicate and best when added at the end, once your meal is cooked.
Try serving this herb with chicken, beef, poultry, and fish for a sweet and floral twist to your favorite dishes! For example, this Spicy Chicken Bowl relies on the bay leaf for its great signature taste!
Season your artichokes, cabbage, leafy greens, and leeks with a bay leaf to get a delicious floral taste. It’s also helpful when baking casseroles, soups, and pasta sauces!
💡 TIP: You can store bay leaves for 10-14 days in a ziplock baggie in the fridge.
Sage pairs well with fatty meats, pork, beef, duck, and chicken, so keep that in mind when you’re picking out protein dishes! It also tastes fantastic with broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrots, and potatoes.
Sage can add a bitter, piney taste you won’t find anywhere else! Check out these Garlic Sage Brussels Sprouts to experience the sage taste. The herb is also great to add to pasta, stuffing, salad dressings, soups, risotto, and veggies.
💡 TIP: Store your extra sage for 10-14 days covered in a damp paper towel in the fridge.
Marjoram is a cold-sensitive perennial herb or undershrub with sweet pine and citrus flavors, and it has been linked to several benefits, such as reduced inflammation, improved digestive health, and menstrual regulation.
If you’re looking to add a woody, sweet flavor to your chicken, beef, lamb, pork, veal, or seafood, this one may be the herb for you! It can also be added to corn, cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, peas, tomatoes, spinach, and zucchini to add some pizzazz to your veggies. Marjoram is an excellent addition to stuffing, salad dressings, soups, risotto, and bolognese.
💡 TIP: Like Sage, store marjoram in a damp paper towel in the fridge for 10-14 days.
A staple herb, oregano is excellent for pork, chicken, beef, lamb, and fish, as well as cauliflower, artichokes, bell peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, corn, tomatoes, and potatoes. Honestly, you can rarely ruin a dish by adding oregano! But this aromatic, peppery spice is perfect for braises, stews, tomato sauce, pizza, and salad dressings.
💡 TIP: Cover your leftover oregano in a damp paper towel in the fridge for 10-14 days.
What’s more fun than adding a minty kick to your meal? Try pairing thyme with chicken, lamb, pork, fish, duck, and beef! If you’re looking to add some flavor to your produce, try thyme with cabbage, peas, tomatoes, corn, winter squash, and potatoes.
There are plenty of dishes you can use thyme in! A stew, dip, or soup like this Easy French Onion soup is a fantastic option if you need somewhere to start. The herb can also be used in rice dishes, dips, and stuffings.
💡 TIP: Keep any extra thyme covered in a damp paper towel in the fridge for 10-14 days.
The Tarragon Tuna Salad Boat is one of my all-time favorite recipes, and, as you can see in the name, tarragon is a VITAL ingredient! This herb is wonderful in salads, omelets, and as a garnish but can also be paired with salmon, chicken, and veal and adds a tremendous peppery, licorice-like flavor to asparagus, artichokes, leeks, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes.
💡 TIP: Store your spare tarragon in a jar in the fridge for 10-14 days.
Looking for a good way to make your chicken, lamb, pork, and fish extra woodsy and pungent? Try throwing some rosemary in your recipe! It matches well with peas, tomatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes, or these Rosemary Roasted Carrots.
Also, did you know rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds? Both are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation, so by adding rosemary to your food, you aren’t just adding flavor but more health benefits as well!
💡 TIP: Store your rosemary covered in a damp paper towel in the fridge for 10-14 days.
Yes, the herb’s actual name is savory, and it isn’t for the faint of heart! Summer savory has a hot, peppery flavor, while winter savory is earthier and more subdued. Throw savory onto your favorite chicken, lamb, pork, and fish recipes for a peppery kick. It’s great to spice your produce.
Your best Herbs de Provence, stuffing, and sauces won’t know what hit them with this herb!
💡 TIP: Cover your extra savory in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
Basil makes me think of warm summer days, juicy tomatoes, and refreshing watermelon! Sometimes I’ll get a craving for summer on a stick, and I’ll throw together a Quick Watermelon, Basil, Mozzarella Skewer. Or you can spend more time cooking a delicious meal full of flavors and nutritional value like this Shrimp Stir Fry.
Basil can also add a sweet and peppery flavor to chicken, beef, fish, and tofu or add the finishing touch to a beautiful meal as a garnish. Consider topping off your recipes with bell peppers, eggplant, artichokes, tomatoes, and zucchini with some basil!
💡 TIP: Keep your extra basil in a jar on the counter for 7-10 days.
You’ve undoubtedly heard of dill pickles, but this herb is great for lots of other foods too! Rich in antioxidants and a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, and vitamin A, dill may have several benefits for health, including protection against heart disease and cancer.
Pair dill with fish, shellfish, and lamb, as well as onions, cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, beets, beans, and tomatoes. Dill is a grassy herb that’s a great choice to garnish omelets, dressings, yogurt, potato salad, sauces, and grains. You can try this Dill Salmon Fritatta and see how you like it!
💡 TIP: Cover dill in a damp paper towel and store in the fridge for 10-14 days.
Give your lamb, veal, chicken, fish, and tofu a fresh, grassy flavor with some parsley. One recipe that really shows off the parsley flavor is this Garlic Herb Chicken Bake (featuring an earlier herb: rosemary!) Pasley also pairs well with peas, potatoes, cucumbers (this recipe is a CFC fave!), mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini and can add some much-needed flavor to many dishes and sauces.
💡 TIP: Keep any spare parsley fresh in a jar on the countertop for 7-10 days.
This bright, citrusy herb is great for garnishing fish, shellfish, chicken, eggplant, avocado, tomatoes, and bell peppers. When looking for recipes, you’ll probably notice it’s paired with lemon a lot: and for a good reason! Look no further than our Cilantro-Lime Chicken and Rice Skillet. It’s a great additive for marinades, salsa, guacamole, eggs, curry, chutney, and salad.
💡 TIP:Store your cilantro in a jar on the counter for 7-10 days.
As you can see, there are a TON of herbs out there that can bring out unique flavors in your favorite meats, veggies, and meals. While you’ve got some great starting points here, remember that part of the fun of cooking is finding combinations that work best for you!
Try experimenting with herbs and see what delicious pairings you come up with. Be sure to let us know in the comments below what herbs and pairings are your favorite.
Enjoy, CRUSHers!
When it comes to nutrition, many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients play roles in keeping your body healthy. While a lot of emphasis gets put on carbohydrates, protein, and fat, minerals such as iron are less often discussed.
Iron plays crucial roles in your body, but many people don’t get enough. Read on to learn more about what iron does, why deficiency is so common, and what you can do to ensure you’re getting enough.
Iron is a type of mineral found in many foods. It is a crucial component of hemoglobin, red blood cells that transport oxygen to all bodily tissues. The body cannot make iron, so we must obtain it through diet alone. Without iron, you simply wouldn’t survive. That’s because it plays so many vital roles, including:
There are 2 types of iron: Heme and nonheme. Heme iron comes from animal foods and is easily absorbed and used in the body. Nonheme iron comes from plant foods. It isn’t as readily used by the body and is more susceptible to many factors interfering with its absorption.
Research has shown that about 25% of dietary heme iron gets absorbed, compared to just 17% of dietary nonheme iron.
As of 2013, it was estimated that 10 million Americans were iron deficient, and 5 million had iron deficiency anemia. When you look at the worldwide population, it’s even more significant, affecting about 1.62 billion people, according to the World Health Organization. That’s about 20% of the world’s population!
Iron deficiency can cause a condition called iron deficiency anemia. This can cause symptoms like brittle nails, pale skin, fatigue, weakness, irregular heartbeat, and more. Iron deficiency anemia can cause major complications such as heart problems and developmental delays if left untreated.
These aspects put certain groups of people at a greater risk of iron deficiency.
Heme iron-
Nonheme Iron-
Iron can also be obtained through supplements. Multivitamins for women are more likely than multivitamins for men to include iron due to menstruation. Irons supplements are known to cause constipation in some people, and supplement use should always be discussed with a medical professional before using.
Besides consuming foods rich in iron and taking supplements as needed, there are other ways to influence iron intake.
Things that increase iron absorption:
You can learn more about the power of vitamin C in this post.Strawberry Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing
Roasted Salmon and Brussels Sprouts
Iron is a critical nutrient. While many things can place you at a greater risk of becoming deficient, there are many simple steps you can take to make sure you’re getting (and absorbing!) enough of it. Always consult with your doctor if you suspect or have been told you have iron deficiency, and follow medical advice and guidelines.
Hi, I’m Susan. I’m 53 years old, single, and living in Queensland, Australia. I have two adult children- a son who’s 22 and a daughter who’s 18. I am a full-time legal assistant, I primarily work on conveyancing and help others out around the office too. For fun, I love to cozy up to a nice coffee and chill out watching Netflix shows and movies.
I have been following Rachel and CleanFoodCrush for about 3 years now.
My greatest obstacle before clean eating was mainly sugar. It was hard to cut sugar out cold turkey and start eating food that had no sugar. Also first starting out it was really hard to find the energy to cook such large portions of food and finding it hard to do that on my days off work.
I also didn’t have a great knowledge of nutrition and clean eating when I started, I sort of walked in blind, but once you get into the habit and start cooking the recipes you can learn what is and what isn’t clean and you can learn how much better the clean eating and nutrition affects your body.
I have lost approximately 9kg [over 19 pounds] in 8 weeks following the CleanFoodCrush 30-Day Clean-Eating Challenge.
My favourite recipes from the blog would have to be the Lunch Meal Teriyaki Chicken and the Breakfast Wild Blueberry and Almond Baked Oatmeal. These ones have been the tastiest in my opinion and have helped through my CleanFoodCrush Eating Challenge. Although all the meals I have tried off the blog have been easy to prepare and yummy to eat, I don’t think I’ve tried a bad recipe yet.
I suffer from a chronic illness so my energy levels weren’t really affected by this, but it may do for other people.
➡️ My mood did change significantly which I did notice, just feeling happier and healthier really made a huge difference to my days.
➡️ Being able to get home from work and not feel so tired was a plus and just being able to do a few more things around the house that I wouldn’t normally do.
I think if you really want to get into shape and start Eating Clean to be healthier whether it’s for yourself or your family, this is a really good and affordable way to see results fast. It’s something that has helped myself and a lot of other people around the world achieve our goals to be happy & healthier.
– Susan
Happy Valentine’s Day, CRUSHers!
This upcoming holiday can be so much fun, a chance to celebrate loved ones, and a reminder to practice self-love. It can also rival Halloween for being tough on a healthy lifestyle by surrounding us with sweets and treats.
Thankfully, you don’t have to deny yourself delicious desserts completely! However you’re celebrating (or not celebrating) this weekend, you can still enjoy an indulgence or two without abandoning your health journey.
Here are 25 of my favorite healthy dessert alternatives that are perfect for Valentine’s day:
Four simple ingredients make for a decadent, healthy fondue that’s perfect for dipping fruit with your sweetie! Despite the popular belief in its unhealthy nature, consuming a small amount of dark chocolate every day can actually be very beneficial to your overall health.
Who doesn’t love a good brownie? This particular recipe uses cleaner ingredients, including black beans, oat flour (with steps on how to make your own!), and cacao powder, which is higher in protein, fiber, magnesium, and iron than its cousin cocoa.
A super simple but fun snack, perfect for summertime OR a fun Valentine’s Day date! Making your own smoothies at home lets you customize them with protein powder and your choice of fruits and veggies and gives you peace of mind about the ingredients you’re consuming. An all-around win!
Have you ever made your own whipped coconut cream? If not, then you’re in for a treat! It’s fluffy, all-natural, and dairy-free, making it the perfect treat or dessert. Pair it with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries — really any fruit, nuts, or granola you want.
You may know the classic sandwich, but take a peek at this unique twist! For the sake of variety, these bars would be excellent using almond butter and sliced almonds instead of peanut butter.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries are perhaps one of the most romantic snacks out there. Well, you can jazz these up by topping them off with some chopped nuts of your choice! This may be exactly what your romantic weekend needs.
Chocolatey, chewy, peanut-buttery, and with just a touch of sea salt, these are a healthy alternative to the classic candy bar! Dates are high in several important nutrients, fibers, and antioxidants, making them a great base for this yummy treat.
This chocolate mousse is perfect for a last-minute dessert idea (as long as you have time to refrigerate it!) and will satisfy those chocolate cravings. I love that this FULLY tastes like dessert, yet we get the nice protein boost from the Greek yogurt. Plus, it’s another great way to enjoy healthy fruits like strawberries and raspberries.
Peaches are a great fruit to snack on, especially when you’re craving something sweet, and the additional honey, cinnamon, and maybe whipped coconut cream make this a delicious dessert. For an added health bonus, this fruit contains good-for-you antioxidants, including vitamin C, polyphenols, and carotenoids!
Unless you’ve been avoiding the supermarket lately, you know it’s that time of year — when tables line the entryways and sidewalks of the grocery store and are laden with Girl Scout cookies. We’re all suckers for them, but why not enjoy a guilt-free version you can bake yourself??
Cheesecake is a fun and generally easy recipe — it just requires a decent amount of time to set, so plan accordingly. This particular cheesecake is sweetened with dates, honey, and yogurt, making it a cleaner version of the classic dessert!
We’ve talked a lot about strawberries on this list, and here’s why: they protect your heart, increase HDL (good) cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and guard against cancer. They’re high in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants and are sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low-calorie. Basically, they’re always a good option, and we particularly love them in this cheesecake!
A super easy, quick recipe that’s perfect for any Reese’s fan out there. Not into peanut butter? Swap it out for your favorite nut butter and chocolate combo, and voila — a perfect sweet treat for any time of day!
Who doesn’t love ice cream? This is made from coconut cream and other natural flavors and can even be colored with spinach leaves! If you have some fresh mint leaves, you can also blend those into your ice cream!
I’m big on no-bake recipes because time is already so precious, and I know how busy life gets. Kids, work, spouses, and pets all take up time, so often, the last thing we want to spend time on is cooking or baking. Enter an assortment of no-bake recipes that’ll keep your family and friends satisfied and give you peace of mind. A win-win!
These tarts are made with soaked cashews, which help create a very indulgent, creamy filling, while the nutty crust is perfectly crunchy and full of flavor. The addition of fresh fruit and fresh lemon zest brightens everything up and pulls it all together!
Coconut also makes a lot of appearances on this list because it’s a great alternative to many less clean ingredients and is highly nutritious. Coconuts contain protein, several vital minerals, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants, all of which help keep your body balanced!
These pops are a great Valentine’s day treat to give your kids in lieu of unhealthy, packaged candies. I mean, doesn’t a crisp apple almost always hit the spot?! Add a little sweetness to your favorite tarty treat with some added chocolate, cranberries, and nuts in this fun, portable snack!
Watermelons are a wonderful snack that you can munch on all day long! This fruit is made up of over 90% water so it’s extremely hydrating and is also a surprisingly nutrient-dense food. Freeze some of this fruit, add lemon juice and honey, and blend together for a refreshingly cool treat!
I think chocolate gets a bad rep as an “unhealthy” food. Did you know dark chocolate is full of antioxidants and can help improve your blood flow? Not to mention it can reduce the risk of heart disease, too. So you can enjoy a yummy chocolate dessert like these brownies without any unnecessary guilt!
A cleaner take on a classic dessert! These peanut butter apple pie bars will have your house smelling amazing while they cook. Plus, you can customize this recipe by creating your own applesauce AND coconut butter!
These homemade peppermint patties are mostly a coconut base, with a bit of a coconut flavor, peppermint flavor, and chocolate on top. If you like York Peppermint Patties, these are a great alternative that will make for a tasty treat at your next gathering or date night!
We’ve talked a lot about berries in these recipes because they’re a great way to add color, sweetness, and healthy calories to your dessert! Blueberries are full of antioxidants and can help lower blood pressure; raspberries have a ton of vitamin C in them, and blackberries are very high in fiber. Combining these berries together in a yummy sorbet is a healthy alternative to regular snow cones.
Bounty Bars (or Mounds bars as they’re known in America) are basically just chocolate-covered coconut bars. This particular recipe uses coconut milk and oil for the base, raw honey to add sweetness, and dark chocolate to make this a cleaner version of a classic sweet!
Ever heard of quinoa puffs? If you make this recipe, you’re sure to fall in love with them! This recipe is so fun and perfect for making with your kids or spouse on a quiet night in, especially if you’re chocolate/PB fans.
25 delicious, simple, decadent, and healthy recipes you can choose from to replace any harmful desserts that line the walls of grocery stores this time of year.
I hope you find a few treats in this list that you love and can prepare for whatever Valentine’s plans you have! And if you’re planning a romantic date night with your significant other, consider perusing this list of date night recipes.
So, how do you celebrate this season?
If you’re making any Clean Food Crush recipes, let me know which ones in the comments. 👇👇👇👇
Whatever your plans, I hope you all MAKE this a fantastic weekend, CRUSHers!
