My Favorite Clean* Eating Food Blogs

So I was asked this question on twitter last night and the truth is, the answer is not one that can be summed up in 140 characters or less. At least not by me because I LOVE FOOD BLOGS. Exhibit: A — THIS GINORMOUS POST. Brace yourselves! I read many. Some are specifically Paleo, some are not, but all have massive amounts of food porn and cooking inspiration and I will take that wherever I can get it. I’ve never sat down and made a list, but the time has come for me to at least attempt an abbreviated list. Yes, this is abbreviated. No, I am not ready to admit I have a problem.

I mentioned in the post title “clean eating” which, you know, sounds kind of a douchey, right? I mean, who reads “dirty” food blogs? Gross. I thought about saying “healthy” but man, if that word isn’t becoming totally meaningless and subjective. So to clarify a little, the following sources of food inspiration generally have all of the following things in common:

*Use of Real Food — so probably not a lot of ideas of how you can just mix up some fat free cool whip and some fat free jello and make an orgazmo, weight watchers approved dessert that will curb your late night cravings! Sorry. (Except not really.) There will be a lack of food like products on most of these websites.

*Most are gluten/grain free — generally when I cook at home all of our meals are both. I tend to fill our plates with lean meats, vegetables, fruits, good quality fats and some nuts/seeds. Strangely you can make quite a bit of food with those *few* ingredients.

*The food is FREAKING delicious — I’m only posting food blogs here that I have actually used. I am not into pretty food that is hard to make. Or delicious food that looks disgusting. Though I would always choose the latter over the former. These are Garrett & Holly tested and weight loss approved. The two of us have dropped 140 lbs together eating from recipes from these very sites! And having a fruit pesticide tester at home is also useful because it ensures that the food that we eat is clean or not.

*Not necessarily vegetarian friendly — So most of the sites I read are not vegetarian friendly, it’s just a fact. And for that I am a little bit sorry. I hate excluding folks! Unless of course you only want to eat Cool Whip and Fat Free Jello Pudding. I mean yes there are lots of vegetables, but after years of trying to thrive as a vegetarian I have come to terms with my (and my body’s) love for animal protein. Though as I have done this I have become EVEN MORE committed to getting animals from reputable sources. I think Vegetarians/Vegans and Paleo eaters have a lot more in common than it appears from the outside. There’s just that pesky animal protein difference. haha. Anyway, that is the direction I’m going today — just as a heads up. No food judgment! We are a judgment free zone here! But I just thought I’d give you warning.

Ok, have we sang kumbaya and qualified enough? Let’s get to the food!

(Longest Intro Ever!)

Chowstalker– Chowstalker is a great aggregator of Paleo-ish recipes from around the net. I’ve found a number of great recipes and new blogs from Chowstalker!

Dessertstalker – This is Chowstalker’s charming, sweet sister. Treats for those who don’t want to give up eating well just to have dessert.

Foodee – This is another aggregator which I enjoy even if I’m seeing recipes I have already seen on another blog. It’s a great repository for food porn. Enough said, really.

The Clothes Make The Girl – Mel is coming out with a cookbook soon, and honestly if I could line up right now like a crazed Star Wars fan or something, I would. Her recipes are AMAZING. And I’m not being hyperbolic in the least. This post alone has over 50 inspiring meals — many of which I’ve eaten and enjoyed!

Balanced Bites – Diane writes a lot of technical information about nutrition, but every once in a while throws up a great recipe. Her zucchini pancakes inspired me and I think we ate those for weeks this summer when my garden was overflowing. Worth a look around.

Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations – Even though it references cavemen (argh!) give it a chance! What I like about this site is that all the recipes let you know up front how much equipment you’ll need. I like to know that, because weeknight recipes need not have 10 million pots and pans — even though Garrett does the dishes! His recipes are easy and tasty — Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes is one of our faves.

Elena’s Pantry – Elena’s pantry helped me get over my fear of giving up bread. I resisted Paleo for a long time because I just thought the quality of my life would decline without bread. Truly, this is no joke. I was THAT attached. I learned so many great techniques for bread making, baked goods, snacks and even delicious savory meals. This is good one all around. And her cookbook was LITERALLY life changing.

Life As A Plate – Obviously AndreAnna is MY PEOPLE, but also she is a fantastically creative cook! She takes really simple ingredients and makes them taste awesomely gourmet. She is like a Gluten/Grain Free Barefoot Contessa but cuter and with a Jersey accent and no pretentious blow-hard-like tendencies. Also, her pizza crust changed my life. She’s a winner, folks!

Everyday Paleo – Sarah’s recipes are really family friendly, convenient weeknight food. Nothing too complicated and everything I’ve made has been pretty delicious.

Food Renegade — I will say that this is a pretty hardcore Real Food website. Think, like, Make Your Own Kombucha hardcore. That said, she has featured some great recipes here (Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Sandwich anyone?) so it’s worth perusing.

Health-Bent – I love this website. Plain and simple. We’ve made so many of Megan’s recipes it would be stupid to link to them all. Just look at all the pretty pictures and then pick your poison.

Jen’s Gone Paleo – Jen doesn’t update super often but her recipes are super tasty.

Nom Nom Paleo – Food porn to the max. If this doesn’t make you realize clean eating can absolutely be an exercise in pleasure then you, my friend, are a lost cause. Great recipes, meal ideas, cookbook reviews, etc.

OC Cave Girl — Listen, she gave me the idea to make a cocktail with Coconut Water. I mean, this is reason enough to check her out, right?

Primal Kitchen: A Family Grokumentary – Family friendly food inspiration. I particularly love her lunch combos for inspiration. Lunch can be hard, yo! Good food, good info.

Stuff I Make My Husband – So many tasty things here. Desserts! Appetizers! Crock Pot recipes that have saved my booty. I haven’t made a bad thing yet. Plus, she introduced me to Protein Powder Cookie Dough, which — honestly, is so damn good. It’s not an every day treat, but when you NEED it (and you know you sometimes NEED it) it comes in handy. Never would have known if not for this site.

The Food Lover’s Primal Palate – Pretty pictures. Recipes for every occasion. Sometimes they use things I don’t readily have on hand, but for special food I would be willing to go out and get some of them. I very much want to bake this Carrot Cake. Too bad I hate baking. 😉

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That is probably enough for now, yes? Are you over stimulated? Did any of you even make it to the bottom of this post?

If so, tell me — what have I left out? What are your favorite clean eating food blogs?