Clean Eating is all about developing a healthy lifestyle. It is not about eating perfectly 100% of the time.
This blog has become a way of me sharing the clean eating recipes that I make for my family, but that is actually just a very small part of my life.
In the hopes that I can offer a little support and a fun dose of reality I wanted to share with you a little insight into another side of my imperfect but beautiful life behind the scenes and screens of The Kitchen Shed.
- I wish my kids would eat school dinners. I love my kids and I love it when they eat healthy foods but I hate making packed lunches with a passion and I’d honestly rather pay for them to eat fish and chips on a Friday lunchtime then pack up lunch boxes every evening before I go to bed.
- I really do not like cooking for other people. It makes me anxious. On the very rare occasion that we invite people over for dinner, or have to take a meal over to someone else’s house I’ll usually make lasagne and it more often than not won’t be clean. (Unless I know that they like curry and then I’ll make them this).
- If I REALLY wanted to eat some cake, I would NEVER make a Clean Eating Butterfly Cake, nor would I ever waste precious calories on some pre packaged cake from the supermarket with a shelf life of forever. No, no. I would drive miles out of my way to the best bakery or cafe to get a slice of proper, homemade cake.
- Whenever I go out to eat, it is possible that I will order a superfood salad. It is also possible that I will order a loaded cheeseburger with extra fries followed by sticky toffee pudding and a mocktail. Either option is ok with me.
- Please don’t be surprised when you ask my children what exciting thing they had for dinner and they tell you Tuna Pasta for the fifth time in a month. It’s my go to meal when I can’t be bothered to cook (which is quite regularly).
- I put on around half a stone every Christmas. I also lose that half a stone by the end of January doing the Clean Eating 30 Day Challenge that I dread every.single.year.
- I have more pictures of food on my phone than I do of my children. It is something I’m working on fixing.
- Sometimes my dinners are such a disaster, my husband will go out and buy himself a takeaway once the kids have gone to bed.
- Please do not be concerned about me if you happen to see me in KFC with my mum at lunchtime. We go there often.
- I am an Introvert, so blogging is actually the best career path for me to follow. Except the part where I have to actually think of something remotely interesting to say about the 10th bolognese recipe that I’ve made. Oh, and posting anything on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I hate that too.
16 Comments
Lucy Bishop
18th September 2017 at 9:34 amOh Charlie, I absolutely LOVED this post – made me nod along and chuckle all the way through – as a fellow mummy, wife, daughter, sister, blogger, etc who loves to eat and cook healthy, clean meals I totally get it – there’s no way I could do it 100% of the time too, I couldn’t even do it 80 or 90% of the time, honestly – it’s probably 60-75% of the time in my house. Clean Eating with an added dose of real life! 🙂 XXX
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
18th September 2017 at 9:53 amAhhh! I’m so glad you enjoyed it Lucy! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let me know ❤️ It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in the continual persuit of health, happiness and balance! xxx
Rebecca Jones
18th September 2017 at 10:16 amloved this!! No one can be perfect 100% of the time. And anyone that thinks they are or can be are truly mad! I see your wonderful website as a go to place for lovely recipes when I am being good, and they are great recipes I also go to KFC, macdonalds and seek out cafes that sell good homemade cakes!! And I love prosecco I still like to try and be healthy and it’s something I will keep trying at. And I will keep coming back to your website even though I know you eat cake
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
18th September 2017 at 10:34 amHahaha! Thanks Rebecca! I’m glad to know that my love of cake won’t take away the credibility of the clean recipes I share! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for all of your support. I really do appreciate it. Here’s to keeping it real xx
Clare
18th September 2017 at 11:21 amI love this. I can relate to so much of this too! Tell me more about this bakery…
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
18th September 2017 at 2:05 pmHaha! I’ll have to take you there one day xx
Sarah Cooksley
18th September 2017 at 12:54 pmAwesome post. We have an amazing bakery cafe nearby; this post reminds me I should visit it again soon!
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
18th September 2017 at 2:06 pmThanks Sarah! Everyone needs a real good bakery!
Jackie
18th September 2017 at 2:41 pmBest. Post. Yet.
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
19th September 2017 at 9:19 pmHaha! Thanks Jackie!!
Barbara crawford
18th September 2017 at 9:51 pmWell, honestly I’m glad you are “normal” like the rest of us! For a little while there I was getting anxious that you were so disciplined with all the exercise etc that I started to feel inadequate as unfortunately I can’t ” be it all”, despite loving exercise as a single mother i can’t always get out ( I do a lot of home workouts too!) and fit it ALL in!! I feel guilty at times when I have an off day and am trying to accept that I’ll never be “what I want to look like” because I too love food and prosecco! I have used your site more than any other due to simplicity and being healthy! Keep it going please! Plus I loved the January 30 day plan! Didn’t see it as a chore at all!
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
19th September 2017 at 9:18 pmYou need never feel inadequate! We are all just doing the best we can and unfortunately, it’s a lot easier for us to share the highs and not the lows. I’m glad I shared this post so that you can see that I am very normal! xxx
Jo
19th September 2017 at 8:22 amI love all your entries Charlie but this might be my favourite! It did make me giggle!
You are amazing to do all you do and a little cake on occasion is perfectly okay!
PS Is the bakery near me?
Charlie @ The Kitchen Shed
19th September 2017 at 9:22 pmAhh Thanks Jo! All of my favourite cafes and bakeries are near you! (I might have to move in). Xx
Danielle
20th September 2017 at 9:30 amIt’s so lovely to remind ourselves that even though being healthy is important being real & moderation are key to maintaining balance and keeping the whole family happy.
Love your blog, as a single mum I make myself and my toddler these recipes daily!
The Kitchen Shed
26th September 2017 at 9:04 pmSo true Danielle! Its all about that balance. So happy to hear that you and your toddler enjoy the recipes! Thanks so much for the comment!