The Cleaner Plate Club

Want to learn how to eat cleaner, everyday?  Try out our Cleaner Plate Club Meal Program for FREE and you get everything you need to make it easy and be successful.  We’ve made it super simple, delicious and nutritious, balancing … Continue reading →

Protein bars have become a staple for a lot of people, but some of them may as well be candy bars, they’re so full of sugar and fat!  I scoured the Natural Products West Show in Anaheim this weekend looking … Continue reading →

We’re around food all day long, but somehow, I never seem to get enough.  I’m always thinking about ways to bring more veggies, more nutrient density and more life to the plate.  It’s my creative expression, too – kind of … Continue reading →

There’s a fit swap for every food, but there’s also a chance to add more to make every bite count.  That’s where I went to town on the rehabbed version of spaghetti and meatballs. Kids love the mild taste of ground … Continue reading →

Guada Perry never had an issue with her weight. From a Filipino heritage, she inherited ‘skinny’ genes from her mom and her sisters all followed suit, too. Her diet, admittedly, was filled with fried food, white rice and other nutrient-void … Continue reading →

Let me just start off by letting you know that I am HUGE ice cream fan; I like it all, traditional ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt – you name it.  However, since I changed my eating habits to a more … Continue reading →

Looking at Derek Graham, you sense  a calm, confident fire that has fueled his success as an entrepreneur.  But about 10 years ago, he wanted to challenge himself to push his fitness level harder than ever.  At 18% body fat, … Continue reading →

My 7 year old son loves to be in the kitchen with me, and I cherish that time so much.  Not to mention, a guy who can cook will make a woman very happy one day, but for right now, … Continue reading →

There is one heavy conversation that can quiet a room. What’s holding you back from being your “ideal” weight?  A lot of things can get in the way.  Food addictions. Putting yourself on the back burner.  Letting things go to … Continue reading →

Looking for a healthy way to bond with your buddies and unfreeze your lips? Invite them over for a hot and tasty mug of hot cocoa.  Our friends at Alignyo shared this healthy hot chocolate recipe with us and it’s … Continue reading →

When I first walked into the warehouse space in Irvine, CA, I knew I was in for an adventure. First of all, it was freezing – at least by Southern California standards, and it was 8:30 am on a Saturday. … Continue reading →

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and think, this madness has to stop?! It happened to Josh Boyd. As a young successful executive, he outwardly had it all. But on the inside, he knew he had … Continue reading →

I was at the gym the other day and overhead a comment that I could completely relate with. “I was so hungry last night I ate a whole box of chocolate chip cookies while I was cooking dinner.  So I’m … Continue reading →

There isn’t a lot that makes me nervous, but walking into Valley High in Santa Ana today definitely got me a little hot under the chef coat.  It wasn’t because I was nervous about teaching the kids about healthy eating.  … Continue reading →

  Food.  Beautiful, artful, nutrient dense, fit food.  It’s my passion, my mission, my muse and I’ve dedicated my career to it.  So when I was invited to join the cast of Recipe Rehab – the first cooking show to … Continue reading →

There’s something about this time of year that puts fear in a lot of people’s hearts.  We want to eat everything in sight!  From the butter balls to the rum cake to the cookie exchange, there’s temptation at every turn … Continue reading →

Thanksgiving is a holiday us foodies gear up for all year long.  And I love a challenge.  See, most families – with good reason – get very particular about what they’re serving for the mother of all holiday feasts.  The … Continue reading →

Here’s me with the UCSD students now that they’ve joined the Cleaner Plate Club.  I sent them home with all of the products I showed and hopefully, this helps to change their eating habits for life.  It starts young – … Continue reading →

Whole grain couscous takes 5 minutes to make and is super versatile. Enjoy it savory, sweet, warm or cold. Exotic name, simple to make! I’m always looking for quick, economical, fit meal ideas that can go from meal to meal.  … Continue reading →

The “best” doctors across the Eastern seaboard told me I was crazy. Mayo Clinic told me I was crazy.  Even though I was lying on a hospital bed hooked up to morphine to relieve my intense, mysteriously undiagnosed bodily pain … Continue reading →

  A long time ago – well, when I had my first child – my outlook on Halloween did a 180.  The whole idea of collecting enough tooth rotting candy the size of an infant was just crazy!  No way … Continue reading →

  Check out all the fun pics from our class on Facebook/eatcleaner.   I hear it all the time from parents.  It’s SO hard to get your kids to eat veggies.  Not really.  You just have to remember one thing … Continue reading →

September is National Food Safety Month and if you’re wondering how to protect your plate, look no further!  Every day, we’re posting new tips to help you keep you healthy and free of food borne illness.  Over 48 million people … Continue reading →

This time of year, what could you love more than summer veggies and herbs – zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers just to name a few. I took one of my family favorites and made it ‘cleaner’, substituting white rice for protein … Continue reading →

With the weather heating up, I’ve got a great way to keep you cool and nourished with a snack your whole family will love.  These high protein popsicles are power packed with fruit and veggies and no added sugar.  Just … Continue reading →

  CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO WATCH MY SEGMENT ON SD6               Whether you’re headed to a picnic or potluck, or enjoying a backyard meal at home, this is the perfect healthy side dish … Continue reading →

Step by Step on how to make healthy and delicious Kale Chips Check out our Kale Chips segment on San Diego Channel 6 HERE Who doesn’t love the crunch of a great chip? The fat and calories – not so … Continue reading →

Girl loves Grill:  Savvy, safe tips for bbq bliss Who says the grill is a guy’s domain?  Whether it’s in the backyard or on the beach, it’s easy to master the bbq with style and savvy, safely.  With the right … Continue reading →

I know it’s not always easy living with a mom who’s a fit food fanatic – and a food safety freak at the same time.  Especially around holidays, like my daughter’s birthday – which is today.  She knows that for … Continue reading →

I am a self confessed tree hugger and proud of it.  I’ve lived the green life for most of my conscious years and that’s one of the reasons we started Grow Green Industries.  It is an ode to a quote … Continue reading →

The Fit Foody’s Gluten-Free Dark Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting Who says you can’t make dessert healthy.  Here’s one that puts veggies in your cupcakes and frosting! Nutritional value in every bite and they won’t miss a beet … Continue reading →

You rarely get the ‘behind the scenes’ of a company but for us, it’s important to put it all out there so you understand where our hearts and souls are.  I just did a mini interview and thought this would … Continue reading →

Cut Cooking Time in Half Guest Post by Carolyn Scott-Hamilton, The Healthy Voyager It’s cold outside, you have a busy schedule and you have to get a meal on the table for you and your family. How do you stretch … Continue reading →

  ORANGE COUNTY, CA, February 10th, 2012 — Grow Green Industries, Inc. (GGI, INC.), an Orange County-based company focused on innovative solutions to encourage safe, healthful eating has been awarded a consulting contract in response to a competitive bid from … Continue reading →

Enter to win a FREE Samson Juicer (Value $250). Leave us a comment on our FACEBOOK page and be automatically entered to win a FREE Samson Juicer ($250 value). We’ll pick a winner on Dec. 21st. Why do we love juicing … Continue reading →

Turkey? Check. Fixin’s? Check. Centerpiece? Check. Salmonella? Let’s keep that one off the menu. On Thanksgiving, being the perfect host or hostess is not just about a beautiful table or delicious food.  Above all, it’s about keeping your family and … Continue reading →

Trick or treat? Not only do children eat about a pound and a half of candy on Halloween and the week following, the waste from the one-use costumes, bags and décor are a burden on the environment.  You can still … Continue reading →

Yesterday, I received a copy of this article and thought it was one of the better pieces written about food safety in a while.  It represents the real people who have suffered from the devastating effects of food borne illness, … Continue reading →

RECALL UPDATES FROM OUR FRIENDS AT STOP.http://www.stopfoodborneillness.org/.  EAT CLEANER is proud to support their efforts in food safety education and policy change. Clostridium botulinum in Tapenade and Dried Tomato Paste   The FDA is warning consumers not to eat tapenade … Continue reading →

  Watch me, The Fit Foody segment on Channel 5 San Diego and get the 411 on keeping bacteria out of your lunchbox.  If the video doesn’t load automatically, click HERE to watch. A new study from the University of Texas in … Continue reading →

This week in recalls, from our friends at STOP Foodborne illness Listeria in Salmon Illinois-based Vita Food Products, Incorporated announced a recall for certain batches of its sliced smoked salmon product. The reason for recalling the product is the possibility … Continue reading →

The 411 on Lunchbox Fun:  Packing healthy, safe, cool lunches for you and your family   CALLING ALL FIT FOODIES!  WOULD YOU LIKE A FREE COPY OF MY NEW EBOOK, HOW TO EAT CLEANER, ONE BITE AT A TIME?  REGISTER HERE … Continue reading →

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new ebook, “Every bite counts: How to eat cleaner everyday” – a 60 page compendium of food 4 thought and bite size ways to help protect your family’s plate. We’re offering the … Continue reading →

Girl loves Grill:  Savvy, safe tips for bbq bliss Who says the grill is a guy’s domain?  Whether it’s in the backyard or on the beach, it’s easy to master the bbq with style and savvy, safely. The Fit Foody … Continue reading →

    Getting your kids to eat a salad may seem like sheer torture, but sometimes, you have to get a little creative..ok, sneaky. A few weeks ago, I showed you how to whip up a smoothie filled with nutritious … Continue reading →

  Follow the Fit Foody on Facebook and www.eatcleaner.com.  Also, catch this  Fit Foody on San Diego Channel 6 HERE. Hit the road:  Fit foods that go the distance You’ve been there before – starving and faced with the fluorescent foods and … Continue reading →

It is rare to find a person in our midst that exemplifies what I define as a true inspiration.  After all, it takes a whole host of qualities that are scarce because they require a certain lack of egocentrism.  Love, … Continue reading →

Do you know someone in your life who loves to come to you with problems but never wants to hear about a solution that could actually help them?  Well, that’s how I feel when I read the latest release from … Continue reading →

European E. coli Food Scare:  How to keep dangerous bacteria out of your kitchen     According to the AP, the food borne bacterial outbreak that has hit Germany and other European nations is unlike anything we’ve ever seen – … Continue reading →

   Salmonella in More Tomato Products   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 7, 2011 – Mann Packing is voluntarily recalling certain vegetable platters and Snacks on the Go product because the grape tomato ingredient may be contaminated with Salmonella. As … Continue reading →

We’ve had quite a few people ask us for a guide on how to use our Eat Cleaner products and while we have a ‘how-to’ on our website, we think this downloadable file posted on your fridge as a reference … Continue reading →

Today is Mother’s Day, 2011, and for all the moms, grandmas, mothers to be, and women who have touched the lives of children, welcome to this exclusive club of game changers.  You have been blessed by perhaps the most complex … Continue reading →

 Salmonella in Ready to Eat Fresh Salad Products   WASHINGTON, May 4, 2011 – Taylor Farms Pacific, a Tracy, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 22,000 pounds of ready-to-eat fresh salad products that contain meat and poultry because the grape tomatoes … Continue reading →

 Waste not, save more.  With the escalating prices of everyday life and a belt-tightening economy, everyone is more mindful of where their green is going. Yet, if you were to peek into your local landfill, you’d find almost 40% of … Continue reading →

The situation in Japan has given us important food for thought, as the nation’s supply of fresh food is threatened. A Bloomberg article last month states:  “The number of radiation-affected foods will likely increase as each prefecture is testing its … Continue reading →

 Updates from our friends at  S.T.O.P.  (Safe Tables our Priority)  Salmonella in Turkey Burgers     WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 -Jennie-O Turkey Store, a Willmar, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 54,960 pounds of frozen, raw turkey burger products that may be … Continue reading →

From our friends at S.T.O.P. (Safe Tables Our Priority) Salmonella in Peppers WorldVariety Produce, Inc. of Los Angeles, CA is recalling Serrano Peppers, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal … Continue reading →

One Yummy BFF (Bite Friendly Food) For St. Patty’s Day An ode to one of our favorite green holidays, you’ll want to saddle up to on St. Patty’s Day and beyond.  Pinch me, please…although I’m not Irish, if you weren’t sure. … Continue reading →

The Adds and the Add-Nots   To celebrate Chinese New Year, we set out to find a really authentic restaurant in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.  We asked around, looking for a recommendation from people in the neighborhood and settled on a popular … Continue reading →

Farm Raised vs. Wild Caught.  Is there a difference?  Hook, line and sinker. When you sang Old MacDonald growing up, I bet you $100 one of your answers was never ‘had a fish, eieio’.  Now, how did salmon and tuna trade in their … Continue reading →

So you forgot your January resolutions.  It’s Fit February.  Eat Cleaner, Get Leaner with  Us for a Lifetime. What does it mean to Eat Cleaner? It’s not a diet.  That’s a 4-letter word.   It’s a lifestyle and a balanced approach … Continue reading →

  Pazzo for Pasta You gave white flour and carbs the boot, but you pine away for heaping plates of pasta like a lovelorn teenager.  Now, you can twirl your noodles and eat them too.  There are about as many … Continue reading →

     1)      Fruit and veggies own half the plate.  It may be hard to keep track of 5-9 servings a day but if you stick to a half the plate approach, getting your produce in at every meal is … Continue reading →

              S.T.O.P. E-alert Listeria in Bagged Salads LANDOVER, Md., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Following notification from its supplier, State Garden, Giant Food of Landover, Md. has announced a voluntary recall of several Nature’s Promise organic bagged salad items … Continue reading →

Chefs for Seals – Making a Difference Where it Hurts Chilling fact:  The gruesome act of seal hunting is still alive and well.  According to the Humane Society of the US website, ninety-seven percent of the seals killed are younger … Continue reading →

This week, President Obama signed the revolutionary Food Safety Modernization Act into law, a $1.4 billion proposition and the most sweeping policy related to food safety in almost 100 years – this nearly two years after a salmonella outbreak linked … Continue reading →

Just to prove, it doesn’t mean it’s pathogen free if it’s organic.  Think before you bite. S.T.O.P. E-alert E. coli in Organic Ground Beef WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2010 – First Class Foods, Inc., a Hawthorne, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately … Continue reading →

Recall information courtesy of our friends at Safe Tables Our Priority. S.T.O.P. E-Alert  Staphylococcus aureus in Sweet and Savory Pastries  **Please Note: over 100 people have already fallen ill from ginger bread houses and the other items listed below. If … Continue reading →

While everyone is worried about buying just the right gift for everyone on their football field-length list and afraid of putting more junk into their trunk, I get cookin’.  Avoiding the retail circus and focusing on nourishing the people I … Continue reading →

As I walked across the playground to pick my son up from his afterschool program today, the Spidey mom sensed that something was awry.  In the distance, I could see him bouncing around like a pinball, flailing around without his … Continue reading →

I first met Kim Barnouin a little less than a year ago at the Los Angeles Go Green Expo.  She was with a former PR colleague of mine and together, they had launched www.healthybitchdaily.com, a savvy, straight talkin’ blog for … Continue reading →

What makes a happy baby?  Organic foods from Happy Baby, the perfect way to get your precious one started on the right foot.  Organic foods grow clean bodies, combined with organic cotton clothing bundled in a gorgeous package.  A baby … Continue reading →

Turkey?  Check.  Fixin’s?  Check. Centerpiece?  Check.  Salmonella?  Let’s keep that one off the menu. Being the perfect host or hostess is not just about a beautiful table or delicious food.  It’s also about keeping your family and friends food safe … Continue reading →

Balance – that elusive apple pie in the sky.  Work, family, friends, exercise, phone calls, emails, soccer practice, walks with fido, drop-offs, pick-ups, party planning…it’s a precarious juggling act.  Now that school’s back in session, making it through the year in … Continue reading →

There’s nothing worse than biting into a big beautiful bowl of luscious strawberries and having your face break out into welts.  Life imitating food?  In the case of many, allergies to food can be an uncomfortable and even life-threatening situation.  … Continue reading →

The second recall in less than two months for Fresh Express bagged salad products. The recall for the romaine lettuce salad products was issued on July 14 for the potential of being contaminated with E.coli. (product list below) A positive … Continue reading →

Here at Eat Cleaner, we live to roam the farmers markets.  There’s something so inviting about buying fresh food straight from the producer and what’s not to love about a leisurely walk through an open air market on a bright, Spring day?  … Continue reading →

Study: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure By Sarah Klein, Health.com STORY HIGHLIGHTS Kids with above-average levels of a common pesticide byproduct had twice ADHD risk Direct cause-and-effect link “really hard to establish,” expert says Study is first to examine the … Continue reading →

When will the madness end?  When people start taking food safety into their own hands.  It’s why we created Eat Cleaner in the first place.  Using the power of plant science, we give you a simple way to protect your … Continue reading →

For us, diet is a 4-letter word. It conjures up visions of starvation, sacrifice and self-induced torture and ultimately, sabotage. When you have to find excuses to cheat no other than your own conscience, you know there’s something broken. If … Continue reading →

We are thrilled to announce the 15 winners of our Womansday.com Sweepstakes for a $100 Eat Cleaner gift basket.  And the winners are: Jamie Cash Hemet  CA Franca Stanco Glen Cove NY Mandi Kuehn Morgan MN Kathleen Giordano Milford CT … Continue reading →

You might think of your mom nagging you to eat all your peas but we all know that getting enough fruit and vegetables along with lean protein into our diet is the healthy basis of a sound diet.  The USDA … Continue reading →

Lucky #13: Let me tell you friends…we’ve never seen so many ground beef recalls packed together in a few weeks as we have recently.  About 1 million pounds worth.  Fraught with hormones and food borne illness fears, it’s enough to … Continue reading →

#10:  Get More from Red.  When it comes to nutrient packed veggies, we’re seeing red.  Red Bell Peppers can deliver a bunch of nutrients in a very small package.   Sure you have to wash and cut them but with the … Continue reading →

#9:  Don’t count on calories:  If you’re looking to lose weight by counting calories, you’ve got one more thing to think about. Yes, it’s great that more and more restaurants are displaying the calorie counts for all the foods they … Continue reading →

Hello Fellow Fit Foodies! It’s that time of year again – Memorial Day 2013 – time to break out the BBQ and get cooking for some potluck dinners with friends and family. It can be tough to eat healthy when … Continue reading →

  Chef Mareya has created an amazing new video blog for LiveStrong.com where she discusses all kinds of cooking tips from how to juice, how much sodium to use, the benefits of drinking vinegar, and even how to cook with … Continue reading →

Chef Mareya is teaming up with Albertson’s to teach customers how to eat and cook healthy alternatives to many of your favorite summer recipes. ********* Join Chef Mareya Ibrahim at Albertson’s Grocery Store on June 1st and 2nd for their … Continue reading →

This past Friday, May 17th, Chef Mareya was invited to be the keynote speaker at the 6th Annual MAMAFEST, the ultimate mom’s night out at the famous La Costa Resort and Spa in San Diego.  Mareya, known as ‘The Fit … Continue reading →

  On San Diego 6 News I shared 4 of my core Fit Foody Filosophies  – 31 in all – and showcased some of my favorite products that get you there.  Pick up The Clean Eating Handbook at www.eatcleaner.com and change the … Continue reading →

Is it a pasta or is it a salad?  It’s both!  I love to cut the rich flavor of a pasta with tons of greens, so this gluten-free brown rice spaghetti with lean ground beef sauce gets topped with a … Continue reading →

  Download the book for only $4.99 at http://www.thecleanerplateclub.com through May 31st.   You might find this hard to believe, but I didn’t always had such a good relationship with food.  In fact, you could say at one point in … Continue reading →

Did you know that with a little planning and a couple of hours one night a week, you could eat fresh meals every day, three times per day! If you are having trouble “getting organized” the first thing you need … Continue reading →

Take one a day, practice, eat and repeat.  Fit Foody Filosophy #1: Commit to purge. To eat cleaner and get leaner, start with cleaning out your fridge and pantry to make way for the good stuff. If its processed, bleached, … Continue reading →

I was recently interviewed by Jonathan Bailor, author of “The Smarter Science of Slim” and founder of slimissimple.org.  While he was learning about my perspective on eating cleaner, I was even more intrigued by his work.  Based on extensive scientific … Continue reading →