I was successful in my baking and cooking endeavors last Friday (for the most part – slacked, as usual with the last of the clean up). Thankful for the prep work I did the day before because good gawd cooking from scratch and eating less processed food can and does mean a lot more work for someone (me). You really need to be dedicated and buy into the philosophy of whole foods, clean eating, etc. If you don’t you won’t be able to sustain the practice.
It’s a lifestyle.
I grew up on my fair share of processed foods. Cheese Whiz, white rice, bologna, American cheese slices, Cool Whip, Miracle Whip, Top Ramen, sugary cereals, etc. I’ve been trying to reverse the effects of those eating years ever since moving out of the house.
It wasn’t that my parents hated their kids and wanted to pump (and plump) us up with preservatives and other bad things – they simply didn’t know any better, had their own personal issues with food, and weren’t really interested in food the way I am – to learn more about just what it was we were putting into our bodies.
Just like so many other people in the US. It’s harder to claim that ignorance these days.
That’s a good thing.
While, thanks to advertisement and media, it would be oh so convenient to slip back into the ways of my childhood. I know too much about the perils of poor eating habits and do better at picking and choosing my less healthy food choices rather partaking in the across the board, flat out, preservative fests that are still so available in the middle aisles of my local grocer or the fast food chain around the corner. Not to mention dealing with crazy pregnancy cravings.
But with this choice comes a hell of a lot more work.
Oh, have I already mentioned that in this post? Well, it’s true.
BUT.
It’s worth it. It really is. To feel good about what you’re putting into your body and those of your family. To KNOW just what you’re putting into your body – there’s peace of mind in that. Setting an example for your kids, influencing friends and family members. All this can be yours when making some changes to your lifestyle (levels of changes varies and is directly proportional to your current diet habits). Be realistic, don’t bite off more than you can chew (pun intended). For me, cookies, bread and soup was a little too much in one day. I’ll try to keep it simpler this week and therefore will be less cranky with my efforts afterwards.
Wish me luck.
Update: no posts this week, in case you didn’t notice, I’ve been sick, sick, sick. Lucky to be able to pull soup from the freezer but prepping and planning the meals this week when not feeling well can really put the brakes on the eating less processed foods momentum! I did make some granola (more on that fun project soon) so all is not completely lost.
Related articles
- Processed vs. Whole Food in Your Body (tipthescale.org)
- Going Unprocessed (goodguide.com)
- Cleaning Up Our Act. (pickahling.wordpress.com)
I hope you feel better! And I am so happy you’re becoming “unprocessed” you will feel worlds better so soon! 🙂
Just had some homemade granola – feeling better already! Thanks!
You have a lovely space here. When you have the time, do drop by my space. I just made some lemon and cream spaghetti and would love to hear what you think. See ya!
Thanks! Lemon, cream, spaghetti – a combo that never would have crossed my mind. On my way to your site now…
It can be a chore to cook from scratch but after awhile it becomes a wonderful world! I adore food and now it’s hard for me to eat out at nice restaurants because I know I can make it better and cheaper at home! But when I do get home from work and just don’t feel like cooking….I have my key hole-in-the-wall ethnic restaurants that are cheap and absolutely delicious! They are usually mom and pop places and I’m so glad for them.
I agree, it is harder to justify eating out – but good for us! Oh, but some of those days after work can be tough…
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