I’m not going to lie – this #NoProOcto #Unprocessed Challenge is becoming a bit of a well, challenge. Do you know how much of our normal food has extra stuff in it??? I don’t have specifics, but it’s a phenomenally high percentage.
I had a bad cold last week (leaving me with zero interest in food) and had a bunch of required meals out where I wouldn’t be picking my selection. I like to think that my lunch at the Hyatt was mostly unprocessed food, but I’m pretty confident that my boxed lunch at the SWE conference last Friday included turkey that was more chemical than poultry. Today, I didn’t really think about the fact that I was eating fake potato chips until I was halfway through the bag. Old habits die hard!
After two weeks (wow, way to stick with it, Champ…) I couldn’t muster the energy to make my own breakfast bread for the week yesterday. I tried to find premade granola bars at the grocery store that fit the bill, but even hippie Kashi brand include all sorts of extras. Instead, I’ll be having plain yogurt (YAH! I found “legal” yogurt!) with a squirt of honey. And an extra dose of the hungries by 10am.
When I make my own meals, it is pretty easy to use natural ingredients. I made yummy cauliflower soup, kale chips, and chocolate brownies on Saturday using nothing processed. Also, a homemade spaghetti sauce with shredded zucchini (to replace ground meat) was a hit this last week. I guess that’s the secret… make as much food at home as possible.
Which brings me to my next point; have I found my November challenge?? Unfortunately, I think eating 100% homemade meals would be a harder challenge than eating 100% unprocessed food! What do you think would be harder for you?
Homemade meals as in I cook and we don’t eat out? I cook but 8/10 of those meals include processed or short cut side items. Thrown in a frozen pizza for emergencies and that is our week. Honestly with kids and a picky husband, trying to come up with a menu plan for the week full of lunches, dinners and snacks is hard enough. Our goals have been focused on trying to stay on budget and not have to go to the store every.single.week for stuff. That is hard to do because we want produce and other fresh things obviously. Any pointers for that stuff?
Funny you say that – I’m trying to get it down to going to the store only once per week. Ah, we all have our challenge.
You are correct – my definition of homemade would be “not purchased from a restaurant”. No Subway lunches, go hot chocolate breaks from Starbucks, no dinner out. I’d have to throw in the frozen pizza every now and then to make that goal. There is no way I could do full-out cooking for everything!
I really recommend the Community Supported Agriculture route. Sure, you have to shell out a hefty amount of change in spring, but it turns out to be about $12/week for all the vegetables (and sometimes eggs, honey, maple syrup, and fruit) we can handle. I’ve frozen a lot of things (which could also help cut the grocery store visits…)
If I were you, I’d plan on doing one big shopping excursion once or twice a month to stock up on staples and items that will keep. Then at the beginning of the week, plan out your meals and go to the grocery only for the fresh items needed. I would imagine you’ll have to go at least every 7-10 days simply for milk for the little dudes, right?
This current challenge has really brought the expense of eating healthier. You’re never going to have a coupon in the produce section…