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Tricking The Treat Monster #OctoberUnprocessed
October 20, 2016
— #OctoberUnprocessed, candy, eating rules, Halloween, salt, sugar, treat
There is much pressure this time of year to start loading up on candy and other treats to celebrate Halloween. This commercial season swings right into Thanksgiving, followed by end of the year parties. Our household is a reasonably healthy place to eat, but in the past we have used the holiday season as an excuse to indulge in extra sugar and junkier food. As I observe #OctoberUnprocessed I have not felt overly restricted. We are almost three weeks into the experiment and I have not prepared anything with sugar in it all month. I might make an apple pecan bunt cake this week, but I do not plan to bake any more desserts during October. This will set the tone for our seasonal celebrating. We will still have special foods, and go out to dine. I am not going into production of extra loads of sugar and butter filled foods because it is been our habit around this time of the year. This is a fine time to alter that.
Trick or Treat Witch
Going to extremes rarely results in permanent change. Too much restriction results in rebounding. I am not banning all sugar, but am limiting our consumption from now until 2017 to two small packages of sugar, one white and one brown, which I have on hand. I have some wonderful honey in the cupboard, some pomegranate molasses, and agave nectar. These sweeteners will have to last us until the end of the year. I think this will be easy, but it remains to be seen.
I am signed up for the recipes and helpful hints published by Eating Rules that arrive daily in my e mail box during October. The above very insightful article arrived two days ago reminding me that all forms of sugar and salt must be used sparsely. The biggest problem with processed food is the excessive use of sugar and salt. This diet has accustomed Americans to those higher levels to the detriment of our public health. I have been eating fruit and honey as a snack, but the amount is small, so I will continue to enjoy that within reason. There is no need to go radically ascetic about holiday eating. Cuisine is one of my life’s great interests. I will not cut us off from all food fun, just from the least nutritious and most fattening. This Halloween we will focus on the dearly departed rather than on our trick or treat haul.
Day of the Dead altar
comments
That’s definitely a great initiative and one I hope your family agreed with wholeheartedly.
As a child, my parents restricted sugar and sweets because they felt they were unhealthy. In the end I ate more candy than everyone else because the fact that I couldn’t have it, made me want it more, and find ways to acquire it. I now have an insatiable sweet tooth as an adult haha
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We are a just couple, and Bob has a sweet tooth, but it does not need to be satisfied all at home…I do think too much restriction will boomerang…moderation is what I am looking for. Thanks for visiting Alexsis.
It’s the salt that has been bothering me lately, to the point that I almost want to get up on a soapbox and start ranting about it. Whenever I watch cooking shows, the chefs are always “SEASONING” the food. I went all caps on that because what they mean is that you should apply heavy amounts of salt to your food. Why? If you’re eating good food, fresh food, it doesn’t need to be salted or at least not heavily salted. Oh. I’m beginning to rant. Sorry. See what I mean? lol!
Good luck throughout the holiday season. I’ve been cutting back, too, and feel better without the usual sugar and salt.
Robin, your point is well taken…we need to rant more about the standards being set, because our health depends on it. You are right about the cooking shows..liberal to say the least with those “SEASONINGS”.
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I like your commitment to good health and smart eating habits Pam! It’s a wise thing to do this time of year!
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