The Chattery ~ Is Clean Eating the New Eating Disorder?

There's been something weighing on my mind for a little while now that has inspired an impromptu Chattery - this Quartz feature titled 'Eating Well May Be the New Eating Disorder' puts into words just what I've been thinking and opens a debate I think is well worth having. 

If you're an Instagram lover, or even a social media user for that matter, you will have seen a huge influx of 'clean eating', 'paleo' 'raw food' & 'vegan' posts popping up, books printed and careers being launched, within the past 2 years especially. I doubt there's one among us that doesn't have a pal that's on a bandwagon of sorts, some even having changed their lives and their health 180 degrees for the better. 

Truth be told I've taken to the 'Whole Food' way of eating with gusto too. I initially joined Slimming World, to shed some poundage but found their predilection for snacking on processed food too much for me. I've since adapted my diet to include a majority of whole foods and worked up my daily lunchtime walking to 6k. I'm a new person for it, having shed 3 stone, annihilated my chronic IBS and improved my dodgy back exponentially. 

Here's the thing, I still occasionally slip, I have the odd tipple, the odd takeaway and I'm in no way dogged about what I'm doing but I can't say the same for a lot of people I know. We were only chatting about a pal yesterday who's Sister in Law has taken the zero sugar way of life so much to heart that she's fallen out with her parents and in laws for the want of 'educating' them too. There's something very wrong about a situation that damages relationships, regardless of how well intentioned she might be. 

There's no denying a move toward whole foods and away from the crippling use of refined sugar is a good one but has it gone too far? Is 'Clean Eating' the new eating disorder? 

Let's Chat!

My First Slimming World Shop with Lidl Ireland

I guess one of the most daunting things about starting out on any new eating plan is the first big shop. It's usually the most expensive and the deal breaker when it comes to continuing on. We've teamed up with Lidl Ireland this week to show you my first full weeks Slimming World shop, that actually ended up being almost two weeks worth when we got to cooking. 

For less than €100 casa Cherry was stuffed to the brim with fresh, whole foods. All of which, fully traceable back to source. Enough to feed 3 hungry mouths for the guts of a fortnight. 

The foremost reason that I can get on board with the Slimming World plan is that it's basically common sense. There's no gimmickry or cardboard meal replacements just back to basics home cooking with haypes of fresh fruit, veg and meats. I can't tell you the difference the switch has made to all three of us. 

I've been cooking from scratch since I was a teen, had no choice really with two little mouths to feed. With life getting busier these days, I had been relying more and more on eating out and takeaways - it's a false economy though, that our health was paying the price for so now it's back to the beginning and I love it. 

I have no doubt that a huge contributor to the serious boost in energy we've felt is due to increased natural sugars in the copious amounts of fruit we've been enjoying. There was a time when I was inhaling sweet & savoury snacks on the couch indiscriminately and never feeling satiated. While I know that's a mental thing too, I've been loving the satisfied feeling I'm getting from snacking on sweet, fresh, colourful fruits. 

Lemons and limes have played a huge part in my water intake too. I slice them up and pop them into freezer bags in the freezer so I don't worry about wastage. There's serious refreshment to be had from a pint glass of water piled high with ice & frozen wedges. My skin is clearer, I've less headaches and I'm sure it's adding to my burgeoning energy levels. 

'So what did I do with ALL of this food' I hear you ask - here's just a taster - 

Cherries - The Slimming World Snack of CHAMPIONS

Slimming World Special Fried Rice

Warm Chicken Salad with Peppery Rocket & Radish 

Breakfast in Bed! Stir fried scrambled eggs, chock full of superfree veg with beans.
Fresh berries and chocolate/vanilla yoghurt for afters. 

As you can see there is nothing pitiful or pared back about our eats. I've never once felt deprived and haven't eaten this much in easily the past three years. The difference isn't so much quantity though as it is quality. Shopping in Lidl has made that hugely affordable too. 


The breakdown of our shop goes like this: 

You'll notice Azzurro Capsules on there, they're Lidl's new Nespresso compatible coffee pods for €1.99. I'm not too thrilled with the fact they're individually wrapped (why?!) but they taste delish. Two pods over a tall glass of ice with a splash of skimmed milk is what has been keeping my caffeine addiction in check. Chuck in a measure of Bailey's for an evening treat should you be so inclined and you can thank me later. 

Tell me, have you tried the Slimming World plan yet? Thoughts? 

Are you, like me, relying more and more on budget shopping 

to keep your bills down? 

Also, would you like to see more Slimming World posts? Ye only need holler!

*Vouchers were kindly provided

by Lidl Ireland for this post. 

WIN - Your Choice of Healthy Takeaway with JustEat.ie & CherrySue!

Looking forward to the weekend but not to slaving over a stove this evening? Already planning your weekly takeaway treat but trying to decide how not to lose the run of yourself entirely? 

Well we've teamed up with JustEat.ie to make ALL of those things a little easier for you this weekend. We've FOUR vouchers to be won and getting your mitts on them and your chops around some free eats couldn't be easier. 

King Prawn Ginger & Scallions with Boiled Rice

I've mentioned before that I've joined Slimming World, I'm just over a month in now and already a stone down. I'm loving getting back to basics and cooking from scratch, the huge increase in energy and the obliteration of my crippling IBS, in short - it kicks ass. 

I firmly believe the complete 180 in my health can be contributed to eating fresh, whole foods and eating more of them than I have in years. Just eating well. 

The key to the plan, for me is preparation and try as I might, some days I've been too manic to prepare - on those days, healthier takeaway choices from JustEat have been a saviour. 

In that vein, I thought maybe you lovely lot would like to see what's on offer from your local takeway should you be in a pinch too - not only that but we'd like four of you to try those healthier options free of charge this weekend. We're sound like that. 

Chicken & Vegetables in Hot Garlic Sauce with Boiled Rice

All you need to do is choose your healthy choice of dinner from your local JustEat.ie menu and tweet it with the hashtag #justeatwell. 

Open to ROI only - as we're pretty sure there hasn't been a delivery bag invented yet that'd keep your noodles warm for a long haul flight. Soz. 

Get choosing, get tweeting, GET EATING!

Good Luck xx