RECIPE: Sweet Potato Fries

Since I’m doing the Whole Life Challenge at the advanced level, I’ve pretty much gone without any starches or grains for nearly eight weeks now (except for on those three, count ‘em three, cheat days). The only starch you are allowed to have at the advanced level: Sweet potatoes. I have to admit I’ve never been a huge fan of this particular root vegetable, but when they’re the only starch you can have? Instant fandom! In fact, I’m not quite sure why I was such a sweet potato basher before. They’re actually pretty damn delicious—when you puree them in soup, bake and butter them (yes! You can have butter on the Whole Life Challenge, even at the advanced level!), or cook them up in the oven as fries (or chips).

I do realize fries and chips are so easy to make, you almost don’t need a recipe, but I’ll walk you through the process anyway. It’s mostly about using the right amount of oil (olive is fine but I recommend coconut—the perfect complement to the sweet potato flavor) and seasonings (I like them with nothing but pink Himalayan salt, but I know others like them with garlic powder, pepper, paprika…and you could also make them more dessert-like with a touch of cinnamon—no sugar though!), and baking them at the right temperature for the right amount of time. On that note, especially if you go the chip route, be sure to keep a super close eye on them. I tried to make a batch the other day and nearly burned the house down! Seriously, I’m surprised the fire department didn’t come with all the smoke I created. Eeep. Also note that the fries don’t really crisp up completely—although chips will, especially if you let them sit and cool for a bit. Alright, then. Here you go!

Less Junky Junk Food

Okay, so I know one of the primary goals of The Whole Life Challenge is to focus on eating fresh, clean, wholesome and minimally processed foods—and I’ve definitely been striving for that, I swear. But as anyone who’s been doing this for the past five-plus weeks (and/or for more than one Challenge) knows, there are times when you just want to reach into a bag or open up a container of something for a quick food fix.

Oh sure, you could roll with something non-compliant and lose a point, but guess what? In addition to the old, tried-and-true nuts and dried fruit (and LaraBars, which I don't really like since I started making my own), I’ve discovered a few packaged foods that will satisfy a craving (and/or need for speed) while being one hundred percent compliant. (Incidentally, as I'm sure you've noticed, most allegedly "healthy" packaged snack foods on grocery store shelves are loaded with non-compliant ingredients, from artificial sweeteners to all kinds of other garbage.) So, I figured I’d compile a list of a few of my favorites—all A-OK at the Advanced Level. If you have a favorite to add to the list, please do so in the comments. (Just make sure to note if it’s compliant at the advanced, intermediate or beginner level.) Here you go: