That being said, I’m the least likely person to be writing a blog post on chicken but since I live with two growing boys and a hubbie who says, “salad is what dinner eats,” I’ve had to (and continue to) educate myself on all-things meat related.

We always encourage our participants to become label detectives and this skill is never more important than when it comes to shopping for meat. Unfortunately, these labels can be the most confusing–causing the best of us to become a vegetarian! (Wink, wink.) Although these labels can guide us into making healthier decisions, they can also be misleading because the regulations behind the stickers are often vague.

So let’s demystify some of these marketing claims!

Let’s start with the term “Organic.” Just as with produce, buying “organic” chicken is always solid choice. Organic poultry means that the birds were raised on feed containing no antibiotics, hormones, artificial ingredients or preservatives. Yet unless the labels reads “100% Organic,” the chicken feed likely contained GMO-components, like corn and soy.

Next option is “Vegetarian-Fed.” This too can be misleading because a normal chicken diet is omnivorous, since chickens naturally eat grubs, insects and worms, in addition to grasses and grains. In fact, the omission of bug protein usually means even more GMO corn and soy!

Stickers that read “Free-Range” or “Cage-Free” are widely used and sadly, generally useless. These terms do imply that the chickens are not tightly compartmentalized and that they have access to open air, yet there are zero requirements ensuring that the chickens actually spend time outside. “Pastured” or “Pasture-Raised” may be a more transparent term because it has been widely adopted by small farmers who insist that their grass-fed chickens actually see the light of day. Unfortunately, it has no legal definition and, therefore, can be applied without consequence.

So how do we stop playing chicken with our chicken?!

The best way to find out where your chicken comes from is to go right to the source. If buying from a local farmer, ask about their practices for feeding and raising their birds because even if they’re not “certified organic,” they might be doing everything right. If you’re unfamiliar with your local agriculture, use a farm finder such as LocalHarvest to find fresh produce and meat. Participating in a local farm’s CSA program is another way to hone in on clean poultry sources.

Using a grocery delivery service like Door to Door Organics, can also help you weed through the options and their customer service department is available to answer any question about the products they carry. Use the code “detoxdelivered” for $10 off your first order now though the end of August.

The bottom line when shopping in your everyday health food grocery store is to look for “100% Organic” poultry.

Now that you’ve done your research, we bet you’re expecting a pretty great chicken recipe.

Well, you’re in luck! This week, our natural chef extraordinaire and Conscious Cleanse certified health coach,Jessica Bartlett, helped us create a spin on a favorite finger-licking dish: pulled pork!

Instead of pork, we’re using our well-sourced chicken and a BBQ sauce that isn’t tomato-based. Just like the original dish, we’re slow cooking the meat (in a slow cooker so it’s easier) and the result is spicy, sweet and downright comforting!

Enjoy and please be sure to leave us a comment below. This recipe was a request by one of our readers so we’re ready and listening. What other favorite comfort food can we make cleanse-friendly for you? Be sure to tell me in the comment section below.

With 100% organic grass-fed love,

Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Pull-Apart Chicken

Yield: 5-6 cups
Ingredients:

1 large onion, peeled and sliced thin
2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 5-6 breasts)
1 ¾ cup chicken or vegetable stock, divided
2 tsp. sea salt, divided
1 tsp. paprika
½ tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp. ground cumin
2 ½ tsp. garlic powder, divided
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
4 large carrots, peeled and sliced into discs (about 2 cups)
1 cup water
2 TB. blackstrap molasses
2 TB. pure maple syrup (or honey)
1 TB. apple cider vinegar
1 ½ tsp. smoked paprika
¼ tsp. black pepper
1 head Bibb lettuce or romaine lettuce
1 small cucumber, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Green onions, chopped (optional)
Red cabbage (optional)
Brown mustard (optional)

Directions:

Place onion slices on the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with whole chicken breasts. Pour ¼ cup stock over the top. In a small bowl, stir together 1 teaspoon sea salt, paprika, coriander, cumin, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle these spices over chicken and cook on low for 5-6 hours.

After chicken has been cooking for about 4 ½ hours, begin the sauce by adding 1 1/2 cup stock and water to medium saucepan. Add carrot slices and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until carrots are soft enough to skewer with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together molasses, maple syrup (or honey), apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

Being careful to reserve broth, drain softened carrots. Add cooked carrots to a food processer fitted with an S-blade, along with 4 tablespoons of carrot broth. Blend until creamy. Add blended carrots (about 1 cup), as well as 1 tablespoon carrot broth to large bowl with sauce ingredients and mix well with a spatula or spoon.

At the 5-hour mark, check to make sure the chicken is cooked (there should be no pink flesh and an inserted thermometer should read 160o – 165o). If chicken needs more time, allow it to cook for another 30-45 minutes. If the chicken is cooked, add sauce to slow cooker and use two forks to shred the chicken and mix in the sauce. Let cook for another 10 minutes.

Spoon ½ cup filling onto 1 lettuce leaf and top with cucumber, cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, or any optional topping. Roll or fold in half, and serve.

Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days or in freezer for 2 months.

Variation: For more heat, add ¼ – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to chicken while it cooks.

Jo Schaalman and Julie Peláez are co-authors of the book The Conscious Cleanse: Lose Weight, Heal Your Body, and Transform Your Life in 14 Days, a best-selling, step-by-step guide to help you live your most vibrant life. Together they've lead thousands of people through their online supported cleanse through their accessible and light-hearted approach. They've been dubbed “the real deal” by founder and chief creative director Bobbi Brown, of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, beauty editor of the TODAY show. 

To learn more about “Jo and Jules” and to download a free e-cookbook for a sampling of the delicious food served up on the Conscious Cleanse, please visit their website.