The October Unprocessed 2013 Challenge...Here we go again. Another food challenge! There has been a lot going on this Summer, and my food choices haven't been that great, so I'm excited to get back on track. The timing couldn't be more perfect!! I'm racing in my first 10K next weekend, in what I am calling my "Road to Oly". I guess this makes it official; I'm going to attempt my first Olympic Distance Triathlon next Summer!! Ack! Anyway, back to the food.
This Summer came with a lot of challenges. There was just a lot going on, from teaching my Autism Fitness class, to a broken refrigerator that caused me to limit my groceries; to a September so crazy, I counted two days that didn't have a schedule (today being one of them). I ate out a lot due to the schedule, and lack of fridge. And now, I'm 6 days out from race day, and ready to clean up my act. The October Unprocessed Challenge from Eating Rules is a perfect start.
I read the official guide to the program and thought I should answer the questions. Putting it in my blog seemed like a great way to make myself more accountable.
My Intention for the October Unprocessed challenge is: to stick as close to it as financially and realistically as possible. I know I will slip, it's ok. It's not cheating, it's a choice. I don't believe in diets or cutting anything out of my diet (everything in moderation)... even processed food. It's true! I know it's bad for me, but it's unrealistic to think- with my lifestyle- that I can cut everything out. Mostly, I want to stop eating out; including my office cafeteria!
What is my definition of Unprocessed? My personal definition is a little different than listed in the guide. I'm just not that hard core! I'm not a huge condiment eater, so I don't feel like restricting them is a big problem. I try to buy as unprocessed as possible, within reason. If I ate ketchup every day or even once a week, I'd maybe think differently! I stick to the "5 ingredients or less" rule, and the majority of the time they are ingredients I can pronounce, and/or pass the Kitchen Test. I became a "real foodie" about a year ago, so I do not eat anything "diet, lite or low-fat". And while I am not even close to vegetarian I do not eat much dairy, or animal protein.
My deliberate exceptions for this challenge? Most visibly: Almond Milk. I have made my own, it was bad. It's more cost and time efficient to buy it, even if it doesn't pass the test. Occasionally pasta is also an exception. I LOAD pasta with veggies, and quite frankly, sometimes you just need the starchy white flour pasta! And since it's October (well, almost, as I write this) and nearly impossible to avoid- I know I will fall victim to Halloween candy! But again, everything in moderation. Also, I'm sure there are some soups in my freezer that may not pass the test, but I'm not going to worry about that. I believe that if you make it at home, it's already better than buying it at the store!
I will try to post recipes, but when you are feeding yourself this way, it's not so much about recipes, and food ideas. Still, I will post as much as possible.
I encourage you to take the pledge and give it your best shot. If it's vowing to eat one meal a week that you made from scratch, going whole hog, or like me, something in between, it will be a change your body will appreciate!
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