Keep it Clean

Clean eating can mean a multitude of things to different people but, at its core, the ideals of eating pure, real food remain. In essence, clean eating is centered around whole foods and the avoidance of anything processed or refined. I try to eat this way for the most part, but understandably it's not possible to be a purest all the time. My most common "hick up" is during the 3pm post-lunch almost done with work slump, when I retreat to the cafeteria for a pre-packaged Sabra with pretzels and an iced double espresso. However, by focusing on eating foods in their most unadulterated state, you maintain control over what you put into your body and hence your overall health. The recipes I share here, on The Crunchy Radish are my attempt to "keep it clean". Although nothing is quite overtly complex, the recipes remain true to the "real" ingredients which I use and always focus on overall wellness and of course flavor.

            

Ole, ole, ole, it's the fifth of May!

Feeling feisty this Cinco de Mayo and don’t want to feel bloated and guilty for eating massive amounts of tortilla chips and “guac”. Make some kale chips to satisfy your need for a crunchy, crumbly snack. Although kale chips are certainly not strong enough to support a delicious, creamy glob of guacamole, they can serve as a nice addition to your fiesta.


One bunch of kale was used for the kale chips. Wash, dry and cut the stems. Cut each leaf into thirds and put them into a bowl. Mix the leaves with 1 tbsp of olive oil, a tsp of salt and some garlic powder, depending on your palate preference. Spread evenly on a baking sheet (depending on the pan size, two batches might be necessary) and bake for about 20 minutes at 400 F. The kale should come out crisp and crunchy. They do have a tendency to be very crumbly, so make sure you have plenty of napkins on hand. Since I was in a “chippy” mood and had an extra sweet potato, I attempted to make sweet potato chips as well. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get the desired crisp from them that I attained from the kale, but they were still delicious and satisfying.

Who doesn’t love a freshly made bowl of rich and luscious guacamole, especially when celebrating Mexico's victory over France; fortunately this delicious dip is good for you too!  Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat, which is the “good” fat that helps lower cholesterol. Although good for you, avocados are still a type of fat and should not be consumed in massive amounts. Two tablespoons of this green fruit contain 45 calories and 5 grams of fat. On average, a person should be getting 20-35% of their calories from fat, which range depending on your caloric needs. A majority of fat consumed should be from unsaturated fat sources such as avocados, nuts, vegetable oils and fatty fish such as salmon, sardines and tuna. To make your green “goddess” go a little further, mix in tomatoes for added depth and serve with crunchy veggies.

While reveling with mariachis and margaritas, consider paring clear tequila with fresh lime juice instead of sour mix which is loaded with sugar and excess calories, add a little fresh juice and club soda to tone it down and sweeten it up. 

Little Sweeties

Lean ground turkey burger studded with Old Chatham Ewe’s blue topped with caramelized onions accompanied by roasted sweet potato fries with garlic and ramps.

  

Most people are accustomed to a starchy side with their dinner and more importantly french fries with their burger. While cutting calories and saturated fat by opting for lean turkey meat, roasted sweet potatoes fries were paired with the burger instead of fried. Ground white meat turkey has a tendency to become dry when cooked, but by mixing it with lean ground dark turkey meat and studding the meat with onions and roquefort style blue cheese, allowed the burger to come out moist and flavorful. Turkey burgers are a quick and healthful meal to make, especially when you are craving something meaty, but want to avoid red meat and saturated fat.

Sweet potatoes are a tasty and nutritious low calorie element to add to a meal, particularly when looking for a starchy, hearty side. Sweet potatoes contain beta carotene, which is the component that gives the tuber its orange hue and gives the sweet, antioxidant properties. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A and also contain vitamin C, folic acid and potassium and have a decent amount of fiber. 

The fries were cut with the skin on, and tossed with a little olive oil, chopped garlic and salt and roasted at 400 F for 40 minutes. Ramps were sautéed with a little olive oil and spooned over the sweet potatoes to add an additional oniony, garlicky component. 

Something this "sweet" can be good for you too!