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October #Unprocessed
September 29, 2015
— #Unprocessed, awareness, diet, food, junk food, October Unprocessed
October Unprocessed
This is the sixth year of the October Unprocessed challenge, but the first time I have heard of it. This is an excellent idea for eaters of all stripes. Everyone can benefit from learning more about our food and how it is made. Diet is a hot topic, and many are the suggestions for improving it. I think the least complicated plan is the best. For folks who think fast food is the only way to eat this change might pose a bigger problem, but for my household this is not much of a stretch. At first I believed it meant I would use nothing prepackaged, but the definition used is not that tight. For this purpose unprocessed means something an ordinary cook could prepare with normal ingredients in a normal kitchen. It does not exclude foods prepared with minimum alteration. I can still be in the group while using my boxed tomatoes and jars of olives or pickles.
What will have to be banished for October?
- Fake meat-by far the costliest and least healthy of my junk foods
- Chips-unless I whip some up with freshly fried or baked tortillas
- Store bought bread-I can make all the bread we eat easily
- Bottled juices- fresh is better and much healthier for the planet
I am not opposed to buying help with food preparation as long as the product is not altered or preserved. I sometimes use baking mixes and some frozen pastry products, but for the month I will make my own pastry because it is much more cost-effective. It can be also be made in appropriate small batches for the two of us. Fall is an easy time to create fruit crisps, crumbles, and cobblers with the harvest. Fruit and cheese plates make lovely desserts without any fuss or bother.
I like all the support offered including dining options in popular chain restaurants. The sponsors and leaders are prepared to inform, uplift, and encourage anyone who wants to try to improve their eating habits. Rather than “going on a diet” this program is aimed at awareness and alternatives to the status quo. I am enthusiastically on board. I will finish off my beet and plantain chips with gusto before Thursday. What do you think, gentle reader? I think it is worth the effort.
bell peppers, unprocessed
comments
I love this post Pam! I think it’s timely and perfectly done. I too have been trying to reduce the amount of processed food. I am not a fan of fast food (unless it’s a rare fast casual place). I don’t eat it often though I will sneak a couple of friends from my kid after she has been to In n Out. However I have encouraged her and my family as a whole to go for places where things are made from scratch like VeggieGrill (all vegetarian) and Chipotle.
I don’t often buy chips but we do buy bottled cold pressed juice since that’s a healthier option (just not often because it’s so pricey). I will check out what this movement is doing in LA!
I think it is all positive and helpful to anyone trying to become more aware.
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