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Weekend Coffee Share #OctoberUnprocessed
October 1, 2016
— #healthfood, #OctoberUnprocessed, #weekendcoffeeshare
October Unprocessed
If we were having coffee I would tell you that today is the first day of a commitment I make to myself and the planet during this month. I want you to consider trying it too. You are the one who decides exactly what processed means in this context. You define the challenge, which is not a diet, but an experiment. I have participated in October Unprocessed for the last couple of years. It is an enlightening voyage of discovery for me. Although I think of myself as a clean eater, I am not nearly as saintly or thrifty as I appear to (myself to) be. My trips to Trader Joe’s are all about the packaged goods as well as the high quality and good price on staples. I eat chips and crackers that cost too much and deliver too little nutrition for the buck. There are excellent substitutes. I have prepared this year by purchasing a major stash of good popcorn. This tried and true snack item can be dressed up for all occasions with seasoning. I invite you to join me for a cup of tea or coffee and a trip to the popcorn bar, which will be set up all month for your nibbling pleasure. Choose your own toppings, seasonings, butter, or even make your own popcorn ball with nuts and sticky syrup.
I am happy to be back at the weekend coffee share with so many of you who live far to the north of me. This week I collected a fabulous Norwegian recipe for soup and a bushel of apple recipes form some of the writers at this friendly table. I love to experience the vicarious digital winter through you. My grapefruit tree is full of fruit just starting to ripen. Soon I will no longer need my brand new air conditioner. This is what winter is in Tucson. Although I spend my childhood in Pennsylvania loving snow and four seasons I have been away from that for too long now. I truly would freak right out if I had to endure real winter in the north. Props to all of you who tough it out, drive right on through it. You have my full respect.
No matter where you live I am going to recommend that you try the October Unprocessed challenge. Taking a look at how much of one’s diet is packaged and transported at greater expense than the original food in said package is an eye opener. I discover when I take this month to examine how and why I purchase so many convenience items when I enjoy cooking as one of my favorite activities. Starting with fresh ingredients always yields a superior product. I know perfectly well how to do that, yet I am lured into impulse purchases of items represented as “healthy”. In fact, I snarfed down my last crispy rice crackers after midnight, so I have gone off the wagon before I even started. The idea for me is not to create guilt, but to gather information that will help me improve my diet over time. If I discover delightful alternatives I have no need to return to processed foods I have used in the past. This does not mean Trader Joe and I will be breaking up any time in the foreseeable future. It does not mean that on November 1st I will not return to using mass quantities of bacos (fake soy bacon in bits). Some things just make me happy. Bacos are essential to my mental well being, but I can go without them for a month to prove that I am not an addict.
Thanks for visiting the Weekend Coffee Share. Do visit my fellow writers, not all of whom are serving digital health food. You will find all kinds of hospitality here. Read, write, and share your thoughts with this international crew each weekend for a lively exchange of ideas.
comments
I’ve been trying to eat clean for several months now. I slip up every now and then. Perhaps I’ll mindfully participate in this challenge! Great coffee share! Have a great week!
Thanks for stopping by. This challenge is really good because the individual drives the definition..and we all have different ideas about what clean eating is. There is a lot of good reinforcement and education to stay stimulated through the month.
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Thank you so much for the coffee and the popcorn. 🙂 I love the idea of an Unprocessed challenge, and it fits right in with my plans for the month. I am moving myself back towards a more healthful diet, and that includes less processed food. It’s been a busy few months, and it became easier and more convenient to rely on some ready-mades although that’s not how I would normally be eating. Thanks for sharing the link. I just took the pledge. 🙂
I think you will like all the helpful recipes and help the program provides. Thanks for sharing coffee, Robin. It is always fun to digitally see you.
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Hi there. I have tried to eat less processed/packaged food. During busy work weeks, that can be a challenge, but I’m trying. 🙂 I’m in PA and still love the seasons. I can see how you would get used to not having our winters, though. Have a great week!
~Tara
PA is a traditional as well as a beautiful place. I grew up in Pittsburgh and spent a year in boarding school in Litltz, in Lancaster County. I hope your autumn leaf show is spectacular and the winter causes you no problems this year. Since I moved before I drove a car I never had any bad feelings about snow, ice, or cold weather.
October Unprocessed sounds like an interesting challenge, I love trying new eating tricks. Have you ever tried nutritional yeast on your popcorn? It’s tasty. Can’t wait to hear if you find some delightful alternatives. Lots of luck.
Yes I do really like nutritional yeast on my popcorn. Thanks for visiting.
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Couldn’t help commenting again. My sister and I just had a telephone conversation about this topic. I am horrified by how many times I’ve read “Partially produced with genetic engineering.” The same item says at the top of the ingredient list, “Baked with no artificial flavors or preservatives.” I’m horrified, these are Milanos, one of our favorite snacks…a snack that seemed to be relatively pure. My sister and I have come to the conclusion we need to bake almost EVERYTHING now…and be super-careful with the ingredients we use.
The food industry has different goals than the consumer population..therein we find the various conflicts of interest. Thanks again for the intelligent addition to this conversation.
You are so welcome, and thanks in return for visiting and commenting on my blog.
I love these virtual coffee meetups. They are so smart. though I would love to share the coffee or tea (or something better) with you!. PS.. I pop my own popcorn every couple of days! No packaged popcorn for me! #OctUnprocessed Love Trader Joes!!
Sounds like an interesting challenge. I might adapt it a bit for my own purposes, and do it in a different month, when I’ll have had some time to prepare for it.
I love popcorn. Being in upstate New York, I’m thinking I could approximate my beloved kettle corn with some maple syrup…yum!
May you enjoy the tasty treats and learning this month will bring you!
Going unprocessed in such a good idea. I do try and keep a good amount of raw food in our diets, which is naturally unprocessed. I’ve heard it described as “living food”. That said, my husband has discovered our deep fryer and introducing some serious fat to the family…and this crap is processed as well! Indeed, my kids are on school holidays and we’ve eaten a few servings of fried foods but this is a treat. It is so hard to be good! Thanks for the encouragement! xx Rowena
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I don’t think it is the end of the world to fry something…The ease with which the raw apple slips into the mouth is a thing of wonder. We just need to train ourselves away from the training we have received from the food industry.
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