EAT CLEAN IN 2015

As we ring in the New Year, many of us look for a new start, whether it’s de-cluttering the house or adopting a healthier lifestyle. You can achieve both by cleaning out your pantry and swapping processed junk for whole foods. Here are six ingredients to kickstart a year of clean eating.

1. ALMOND FLOUR

—Whitney Thompson

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Third Place: Swoozie’s

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Look for a roundup of all the ‘Best Of 2014’ winners at prestonhollow.advocatemag. com/bestof2014

If you are taking a break from grains or just want a replacement every now and then, almond flour is the perfect substitute for traditional flour. It adds good nutrients and a mild nut flavor to your recipe.

2. WHOLE ALMONDS

If almond flour is good for you, so is its source. Keep the pantry stocked with whole, unsalted almonds for a variety of protein-packed recipes.

3. COCONUT OIL

Coconut oil replaces any high-heat cooking oil and has many health benefits. This oil is one of the most versatile and can be used in baking as a dairy-free butter replacement.

FIND THE FULL RECIPES at inkfoods.com or advocatemag.com.

4. COCONUT FLOUR

Used in small amounts but full of fiber, protein and healthy fat, coconut flour is a perfect substitute for wheat flours.

5. COCONUT MILK

Creamy and full of flavor, coconut milk can be added to smoothies, soups and sauces. It also can replace milk or cream in baking. This ingredient is one of the best to have in your pantry.

6. COCONUT SUGAR

A simple and easy baking substitute, coconut sugar looks more like brown sugar but can replace all sugar for baking. It adds an earthy flavor boost to any dessert that you want to lighten up.

STEPHEN KING once advised aspiring writers, “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart — kill your darlings.” What did popular culture’s most prolific horror writer mean by that? That good storytelling often requires nixing superfluous parts, no matter how much the author loves them. Each month when we publish the Advocate magazine, photos and anecdotes we adore are often left scattered about the figurative cuttingroom floor. Please allow us to indulge our egocentric little hearts as we share the more fascinating photos and tidbits from 2014 that almost lost their lives in the interest of brevity and limited page space.