Catching Up With Clean Foods Chef Andre Sickinger

Swatch has long been known for its clever watches, but they don't just help people to keep the time — they also help athletes made the grade. In fact, Swatch is the title sponsor of the Swatch Women's Pro surfing competition in Trestles, California, as well as the sole sponsor of the Swatch Proteam, which includes surfers Courtney Conlogue, Coco Ho, and former world champion Sofia Mulanovich. 

Held in September, the Swatch Women's Pro in Trestles was the seventh stop on the 2015 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour and Swatch hosted the Swatch House nearby as a "home base" for the Swatch Proteam and other special guests in order to insure that healthy meals were had by all.

On hand at Swatch House was world-renowned clean foods chef, Andre Sickinger creating fabulous, clean foods for the team and their guests. We caught up with Sickinger to find out more about just what clean eating can mean for all of us.

The Daily Meal: What is your food philosophy?
Chef Andre Sickinger: Food is medicinal. Stick to the guidelines of fresh local farmed produce without harmful GMOs, chemicals and pesticides, and you'll find yourself on the right path to wellness. Client depending, I tend to travel extensively, so I take the extra effort to meet and greet farmers and growers to gain better understanding of what is readily available from land and sea. This method generally provides the best nutrients and minerals for our welling, given that we should lean toward eating/digesting a greater percentage of foods grown or raised in the climate we live or roam. Not only does is this offer greater health benefits, the practice of supporting local farmers and growers brings strength to the community, whilst also leaning toward reducing long haul logistics which do not serve the environment at best. 

What do you think the average person can learn from athletes about healthy living?
True dedicated athletes are inspirational. With today's world so closely connected, and with the vast variety of sports promoted and practiced throughout each season, I believe any everyday person holding a desire to reach greater achievements with personal health and fitness could gain great knowledge from a positive professional athlete. Any successful training regime consists of strict training schedules, a strict diet plan — clearly suited to the individual of course, providing fuel and rejuvenation at the appropriate times. Lets not forget quality of sleep, as rest is essential. By all means, check out top ranking world athletes who opt for clean food diets.  

If someone wanted to make one change today toward getting healthy, what first step would you recommend?
Start by assessing every food and beverage product in the household refrigerator, freezer, and kitchen pantry. I mean really take every product item and read the ingredients on the label. Create a list, writing down every ingredient you have no knowledge about, and research what you, your family and friends are actually eating. I can assure you you'll be either surprised or shocked. I recently practiced this with a very dear friend of mine whom I hold the utmost respect for, it turned out we replaced approximately 80 percent of her household food with clean organic non-GMO foods, beverages, and earth awareness cleaning products. Ironically, within four to six weeks, the health of her and her children presented a great leap forward with better sustained energy, glowing skin, healthier hair and nails, better sleep patterns and less stress.

In addition to the above, drink alkaline water preferably from glass jars or bottles. Generally speaking the tap water in many towns and cities throughout the world carry high levels of acidity and undesirables which may eventually lean toward aiding ill health. It may be best to research your local city/town water for more accurate information. In addition to the above mentioned, encourage yourself, family and friends to start up a consistent exercise or fitness plan. Your mind body and soul with thank you! 

What are some of your favorite ingredients to work with right now?
We're heading into fall, generally bringing the cooler weather, so I tend to stick with fresh ingredients as standard practice. I lean toward using fresh garlic, ginger, turmeric, fresh herbs, and etcetera. In the cooler months I tend to slow cook broths and soups with vegetables and quality meats as easy digestives, keeping me hydrated and a balanced movement for my gut flora. I'm a firm believer of supporting sensible sustainably farmed grass fed meets, organic chicken and line caught fish. Fresh is best always. My fruit and vegetables are organic or bio dynamically grown.  

What are the top ten unhealthy things you find in most people's refrigerators and pantries and what would you suggest they replace those with and why?
1. Tap water: Either fit a high grade water purifying system to your home, or purchase alkaline water — preferably in glass, not plastic.

2. Margarine or blended butter: Always opt for a quality certified organic butter. This stands for all dairy products.

3. Eggs: Use soy free farm roaming certified organic, non bleached brown eggs.

4. Bread and baked products: Read the ingredients. A healthy bread consists of organic sprouted flour, alkalized/mineralized water, and sea salt (non iodised).

5. Breakfast cereals/ bars: These tend to be marketed as healthy. Again take the time to read the ingredients. I purchase a variety of organic nuts, seeds and activate them over night in alkaline water, then make my own cereals and granola with fresh seasonal berries or fruit. Today's readily available supermarket snacks seem to bring more hindrance to health than just fix a craving. Opt for a healthy trail mix of nuts, Sulphur-free dried fruits, and or fresh salads or fruit.

6. Beverages with high sugar/fructose content: Opt instead for adding fresh sliced cucumber and/or sliced lemon, and/or fresh mint, or berries to alkaline water. Try it for a refreshing surprise without the hideous spike in calories or sugar intake.

7. Prepackaged foods: Choose quality food products in glass jars as opposed to packaged in plastics and/or metals. They're far more healthier, as the toxins in plastics and flavor of metals are undesirable and detrimental to one's health.

8. Cooking and baking equipment: I steer clear of plastics, non stick metal products and silicone. This is for all things — chopping boards, utensils, kitchen tools, fry pans, sauce pans, and baking equipment. I do not use aluminum cookware or utensils, and microwaves are not found in my kitchens. I proudly use and suggest wooden chopping boards from John Boos Company, quality stainless steel and cast iron cookware by Staub, beautifully hand crafted traditional knives by Messermeister, and I use either one or all of my three Vitamix blenders daily. 

9. Plastic table cutlery and plastic or paper plates – These baffle me, as do plastic cups and straws. Choose a good everyday set of either stainless steel or silverware for your knives forks & spoons, and accompany with a good sturdy ceramic dinnerware set of bowls and plates, cutting back on environmental toxicity and waste. Seriously.

10. Household cleaning products: Whether it's for the kitchen, bathroom, car, dishwasher, laundry, etcetera next time you go to reach for the product you consistently purchase, consider your options on the supermarket shelf and if you do not do so already – search for a brand offering our planet a more harmonious effect as opposed to toxic waste.

Give it a go! 

If you could change one thing about how people view eating and food, what would that be?
Whilst food is a daily commodity of the world, and an obvious necessity, it is nine time out of ten best shared amongst family and friends. My view is that food is a gift from the earth, an attachment to the elements of environments. Whilst food stands in varied categories such as health, indulgence, toxic and or addictive gluttony, I feel a global positive change is in progress at present. An awareness of how we grow, harvest and logistically handle this great commodity is playing a greater part in todays practices around the globe. Children are the future, teach them good clean healthy nutritional habits. Educated them by means of exciting inspiration, curving our planet by a sense of love and nurture. Respect mother earth and receive gratitude by means of good karma. A living cycle at best.