Harvest of Benefits

Yogurt, sprinkled with almonds and cocoa nibs, a mug of Jasmine tea. Breakfast on this pretty Sunday after Thanksgiving. Satisfying.

Weeks after completing October Unprocessed 2011, my family and I have remained 'unprocessed' by choice. Eating real food that tastes better, looks better, and smells better has great benefits, one of which is the shedding of excess fat. Weight loss is not the reason we eat this way, it's simply a pleasant side effect.

This morning I stepped on the scale out of curiosity. Tom told me yesterday that I look a bit smaller. Just a bit. So I weighed. I lost weight this week -  no restriction, no suffering, just mindful eating.

I've lost four pounds this month after losing five in October. I'm not even trying!

The difference is that the food is so good - and so whole - that a little goes a long way. At Thanksgiving's Feast I took small amounts of everything. It was more than enough. A piece of pie later in the day and I was done. Normally, I would have eaten a turkey sandwich a few hours after the feast, and contemplated a second piece of pie. Didn't even want them on Thursday.

Not only do I consume less food, but because of its quality I have more energy. I feel strong. Energetic. Creative. Happy. I find myself wanting to take walks, wanting to rake leaves, craving activity because it feels good. Naturally.

The Happy was definitely in Thanksgiving this year. Family, friends, food, yes. Happiness there. Lots of love. In addition, my own personal wellness added a dimension to the entire holiday that has for years been missing. A childlike joy.

I hope my internal joy and increasing health spreads to those around me and carries us contentedly through Christmas and into a Bright New Year.

Such a Gift!

Day Thirty-One: Success!

Ah, the Finish Line.

Or is it the Starting Line?

Concluding that life is better when real food - and only real food - is consumed, the decision has been made. A new lifestyle was begun on October 1; it shall continue.

Mostly. I'll get to the 'mostly' later.

Here is what my family and I have noticed:

- A general sense of improvement in well-being, energy level, digestion, moods, mental clarity, and skin health.

- A diminishing of cravings, irritability, minor aches and pains.

- The grocery money goes farther.  Yesterday, we bought a shopping cart full of produce at the farm market for $18. Also, as real food satisfies completely, we don't snack and nibble like we used to.

- We've all lost weight - I've lost five pounds, myself - without even trying. We feel hungry when it's time to refuel, then we eat. I only felt deprivation during the first few days when I was detoxing. Once that was over, it was smooth sailing. Milk-chocolate doesn't call to me as it did, either. That's a biggie!

- Our familial relationship, while already good, has improved as we've worked together planning, prepping, and enjoying meals together. Plus, with higher energy levels and better frames of mind we feel like doing things together both here at home and in the community.

- Lastly, we are convinced that eating mindfully makes a larger difference than we imagined and we intend to keep going with this unprocessed lifestyle.

Now, for the 'mostly'. Strict adherence to just about anything opens the door to temptation, to an urge to rebel for rebellion sake. We didn't rebel this month, but sometimes we wanted to, for split seconds here and there. Temptation was resisted because the Challenge presented a good reason to stay on the straight and narrow. Plus, it had a definite end to it.

To eat this way - religiously - for the rest of my life means feelings of deprivation and defiance will rise up, not to mention awkward social moments. So I free myself to eat whatever I want to eat, anytime I want to eat it. And I know that in my freedom I will choose the unprocessed, real food path...most of the time. Maybe all of the time, most of the time. This way, if I choose to consume something that is not ideal, there will be no guilt. No guilt means no beating myself up. No beating myself up means no emotional reaction that ends up lasting for days or weeks because of irrational thinking ("Well, I've slipped up! May as well fall the whole way! Bring on the crap!")

That being said, I have no intention - no desire - to go back to eating the way I used to, which was pretty good, compared to most of this country's eating habits. It's better now. My mind rests in the fact that I am stacking the deck in my favor health-wise. Only God knows how my life and health will play out, but at least I know I'm doing the best I can today. That means a lot to me, it matters, it improves the quality of my life.

So, besides staying the course, where do I go from here?

Back to balance. Body, Mind, Spirit. Now that I've got a good grasp of diet, I can incorporate my discoveries into the care of my body without the intensive focusing. The work's been done for now. Time and life are freed up to pursue all the dimensions of me.

I do like a specific experiment, though, a project. Having to blog each day this month meant too much time in front of this screen. I enjoy writing, but I don't like to have to write. I am currently reading three books about the human brain. Simultaneously. It's the way I roll. These books reveal to me that screen time - whether computer, television, or cell phone usage - are literally changing our brains, the way they operate, the actual, physical way in which they function. And not for the better. It's much more complicated than I can explain here. But this is my next undertaking. Learning about the effects of 'screen time' and experimenting within the parameters of my own life.

It's going to exciting, I can tell. It already is.

But I'm not going to blog about it. If you want to know what I discover, talk to me. Email. Call. Drop a snail mail. Text. I'm still going to be on-screen. Just not as much. (Or so I say. I really like the social media aspect of the internet. It's the milk-chocolate of screen-time. Ah! A challenge!)

Lesson for Today: Give unprocessed a try! You'll feel better.

And now, as I cross the finish line, energized, happy, content, satisfied with a job well-done, only one word comes to mind....

...FREEDOM!

Day Thirty - Rest

I've made it thirty days. None the worse for the wear. Tomorrow, the final day, I shall put up a short review of our month of unprocessed foods.

Today, however, is Sunday and, as it's been a month of busy Sundays, this one is for me.

A simple Michael Pollan quote will suffice as a post for today. After all a commitment is a commitment.

"At home I serve the kind of food I know the story behind." MP

(Sums up the month perfectly.)

YOU have a terrific day!

Day Twenty-Nine: "Two Pork Medallions and a Box of Crackers"

Cassie craved Schnitzel.

Cassie made Schnitzel.

Caroline, Tom, and I prepared the side dishes which included the last of our summer lettuce in a green salad, potatoes, and a wedged Meyers Lemon for squeezing over the salad and/or schnitzel.

The meal took less that thirty minutes...and hit the spot!

Cassie flattened two medallions, cooked them, and each of us had one half a schnitzel. A filling and tasty lunch, to be sure! 

The amazing thing is that it's just pork medallions - smashed thin - coated in cracker crumbs, and fried, three minutes per side. Yet, there is a sense that it is more than merely 'the food of the people.'

Another indication that 'country food' is not only healthy, but cheap, and often quick. A little goes a long way.

A little history can be found on Wikipedia:

"There is a debate as to where schnitzel originated. Some claim Milan, northern Italy, as cotoletta alla milanese, though others say it appeared in Vienna during the 15th or 16th century. One hypothesis is that it could have been brought to Austria during the Battle of Vienna in 1683 by Polish and German troops. According to another hypothesis, it was introduced in 1857 by Field Marshal Radetzky, who spent much of his life in Milan. The term Wiener Schnitzel itself dates to at least 1845.^[2] Variants of this dish are common around the world."


Whatever its origin, Schnitzel is 'fast food' at its healthiest, tastiest best.

(Today marks the end of the 'Twenties' in our Challenge participation. Two more days - 'Thirties' - and we will have crossed the finish line. Amazing. Time flies when you're having fun!)

Day Twenty-Eight: Anticipation

Anticipation. Waiting. Excitement. Curiosity. Joy. Fun.

Turning the mere fueling of bodies into spiritual moments of connection.

Beauty. Sharing. Knowing.

Goblets full of beautiful liquid clinking together after spoken heartfelt expressions.

Delightful foods sparking enthusiasm. Enthusiasm replacing hesitancy, making room for Freedom.

Relaxation.

Thoughtful meals carve space for human beings to remember connection, humanity, in a world where time is money, haste makes waste, and the tortoise and the hare.

Enrichment of the soul-variety rarely happens over sloppy, salty, greasy fast-food eaten in front of the television, or in a car on the way to yet another organized children's activity.

Lesson for Today: Slow down. Learn who and what you are. Reclaim beauty and connection. Let eating be communication with loved ones, learning, loving, lasting.

Day Twenty-Seven: Stew and Biscuits

Chilly temperatures.

Blue sky.

Verdant lawns and colorful leaves.

Wood stove merrily sharing warmth.

Perfect occasion for Stew...

Where I normally season the meat with Worcestershire Sauce, today I used  a dark balsamic vinegar. Mmm.

...and Biscuits.

Enjoying the difference unenriched, light whole wheat flour makes. Hearty!

Unprocessed, baby, still unprocessed.

Day Twenty-Six: Poop and Sawdust

Cassie, Caroline, and I were instructing Ben on some of the gross things that are in food, such as the secretions of beetles which are used to make Junior Mints shiny, sawdust and sand used as fillers, and even animal poop, the use of which I can't recall (I think I blocked it out!), and human hair.

Convincing Ben of the need to be ever diligent about the foods we eat was easy.

The conversation's hilarious laughter came when Cassie - with her usual passionate flair - summed up her feelings about these disgusting additions to our food.

"I'm just sick of eating poop and sawdust!"

See? Still enthusiastic and laughing as we near the finish line.

During the process of harvesting the sticky secretions, beetles are also scooped up and become part of the shellac.

Lesson for Today: Keep your eye on that ingredient list. If you aren't sure what a listing is, think twice before purchasing or ingesting the item.

Day Twenty-Five: Ideal Autumn Day

If I wasn't sure summer was over before, I'm convinced of it now.

My widget says 36 degrees and it's nearly nine in the morning.

Tom covered the fall lettuce in plastic last night.

An evening stroll required a jacket.

There's frost on the car windshield this morning.

I harvested all the mature lettuce yesterday, as well as the green and purple basil.

Today I will crack more walnuts and make more pesto.

And tutor Caroline by the wood stove.

And sip tea.

And revel in the changing colors of neighborhood trees.

Taco salad is on the menu along with crisp local Jonathan apples.

Yes, today is an ideal autumn day.

Day Twenty-Four: Mojito Chicken

After most of the slumber party girls went home yesterday afternoon, and before church, my family, our friend Kimi, and I ate:

Mojito Chicken

Mashed Organic Russet Potatoes

Baby Green Salad with Pomegranate and Sprouted Sunflower Seeds and Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

I just sort of let myself go into a cooking trance when preparing the chicken. Using what I had on hand I began with a long drizzle of thick, brown balsamic vinegar into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. To that I added another long drizzle of olive oil, a spoonful of raw sugar, several minced garlic cloves, salt, pepper, and water to fill the pan about a third full. As I stirred vigorously with a fork I wondered what else I could use to boost the flavor since my normal route was either off-limits or out of stock.

Mint! The mint in my garden is still perky so I went out and plucked several coarse, bright green leaves. As I tore them up and added them I realized the brew was mojito-ish. Not having any limes but in possession of a Meyer Lemon, I cut it up and squeezed the juice from half of it.

Now we're talking!

I cut boneless-skinless chicken breasts and thighs into smaller pieces and placed them into the marinade, letting them sit there while I cleaned my work space. Then, I flipped them over, covered the pan in foil, and placed it into a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Moist and very tasty.

The mashed potatoes were ordinary creamy, buttery deliciousness.

The salad was just plain fun. Learning they make excellent salad companions, I'd sprouted sunflower seeds earlier in the weekend. Never done that before. Adding a crunchy, flavorful texture to our greens, they were most welcome. (I particularly enjoyed watching my fellow diners approach the sprouted sunnies with curiosity, timidly pinch a few with their fingers, thoughtfully crunch them, then heartily go in for more.) A few leftover pomegranate seeds added juicy color to our increasingly unique salad. Using the other half of the Meyer Lemon, Cassie made a savory vinaigrette.

What a fun meal! And filling. And easy.

Definitely getting the hang of this.

(I didn't take any pictures. You'll have to use your imagination. Go on, it's good for your brain!)

Day Twenty-Three: Sunday Scents

Sunday is my favorite day of the week for many reasons. The quiet - how I love it! The calmness, the choices of what to do or not do, relaxed family time, church, friends. Freedom.

My mind opens up as the stress of the week dissipates on this most serene of days.

This morning it is the sense of smell that so pleases me. The lawn, soil, and mulch outside my open windows give an intoxicating aroma of earthiness. Waffles and bacon on the griddle waft their scent down hallways and through open doors to my chamber. Brushing across my face clean hair smells of eucalyptus shampoo. A lavender candle's scent gently reminds of summer's purple flowers and sage green leaves. A clean beagle this morning smells much better than a dirty one did yesterday.

"Mindful smelling stimulates the memory, and the olfactory gland is the strongest sensory gland in the body. Scent opens the neural pathways to the limbic system (the emotional brain.) Aromas recalled from the past can be a tremendous comfort in times of stress and sadness. Many studies have been done on the effects of scent on our state of mind. And it has been shown that aromatherapy can be used to stimulate the mind and body connection." ~~ from Ten Mindful Minutes, by Goldie Hawn

In the activity required to prepare our home for my daughters' slumber party yesterday I neglected to eat or drink anything until mid-afternoon. While the girls dined on Cassie's beautiful meal with their friends, Tom grilled three burgers for himself, Ben, and me while I toasted Killer Dave's bread, plucked lettuce from the garden, sliced cheese, and pulled homemade condiments from the fridge.

"I am so hungry," I said aloud to no one but myself as I was the first to have an assembled burger and to be seated outside on the patio. My first bite was much larger than normal. I found myself gulping it down. This was a warning to me that I was not eating mindfully - or healthfully.

"Slow down. Smell it. Realize what it is. Enjoy it."

I did. Seasoned grass-fed beef between seeded heels of bread, crispy lettuce, smooth mayo and mustard, a bit of cheddar cheese. It looked gorgeous. It smelled even better, it's peppery, cheesy, grainy goodness luring me. And after my introduction to the sandwich, the taste was out of this world. No more gulping. Appreciation made the difference. Edibles often taste better when they are studied a bit, you know. And hunger makes the sense of the food all the more vivid.

Today - nestled inside a home full of groggy girls, with foggy air in my lungs, and a tranquil countenance - I celebrate my Sense of Smell!

Day Twenty-Two: Cheesecake

Pasta drying and Cheesecake cooling

"Because of the Challenge I can't have cheesecake for my slumber party. I was really counting on cheesecake. Oh well," said Cassie a couple of weeks ago,  a little disappointed.

Since then we have learned that anything is possible.

As one who doesn't give up without a fight, and as a mother who is determined to teach her kids the same, yesterday I sent Cassie to the market to search for a healthy cream cheese. "There will be something there. I know it." She found a beautiful product from the Sierra Nevadas that qualifies. She even found qualifying graham crackers for me to make the crust with.  I was worried about that. I didn't know what to substitute for a graham cracker crust. What a relief! 

I beat the cheesecake ingredients then tasted the batter. Delicious! This evening we will see how the finished product tastes.

Also yesterday morning, Cassie, Caroline, and Ben made homemade pasta with light whole wheat flour and semolina. Oh my! Cassie plans to make a Four-Cheese Sauce today to serve with it. Her slumber party guests are in for a treat!

Nothing is off limits except for food-like substances.

Real food? Totally do-able!

Day Twenty-One: Three Weeks

Well, the family and I have been 'unprocessed' for three weeks now. Tom isn't staying as pure as the girls and I but he's eating much better than normal.

Energy level remains up.

No illnesses even though exposure has occurred.

Patience. Kindness. Understanding. Most of the time.

I'm looking forward to being out from under the restriction of The Challenge, even though I'm planning on incorporating what I've discovered into my lifestyle from now on. It's that good. I'm just tired of blogging about it, having it always over my head. I'm ready for some freedom.

But, I have no doubt we'll run across the finish line in ten days with big grins of contentment on our faces.

It's been fun sharing our experiences with others. There are a lot of unhealthy ingredients and processes in the foods we have all unquestioningly eaten. A little education goes a LONG way.

Yesterday I went to the grocery store to 'pick up a few things.' You know how that goes, a full shopping cart later. Yeah. But I knew I'd have no time today or this weekend what with a slumber party coming up, plus a dentist appointment, a hair appointment, a tennis game or two, a cheesecake to make, a house to clean. So I thought of a few things to grab to make meals with and to have on hand. Because of all the detective work I've done I knew exactly what to get. My vision only saw good, real foods, the rest just blurred away. It was a joyful moment for me. A change for the better has transpired. Not only is this lifestyle becoming like second-nature, it is satisfying.

That's the best news of all.

(Ten. More. Days.)

Day Twenty - Simple, Rustic, Better

An easy day with no-nonsense food arrived just in time.

After the hectic week recently endured, the thought of thinking about meals seemed like an Everest-like undertaking. With laundry to do, a dog to walk, school to teach, and bills to pay, the idea of spending time in the kitchen felt ridiculous.

"Sometimes I just need to make eggs.''

I am not good at cooking eggs. These got away from me. But they tasted mighty fine this morning.

Later, soup prep was a breeze. Leeks, red potatoes, garlic, white wine, salt, pepper. Creamy and flavorful it tasted like something found in a gourmet restaurant. Yet it was plain and simple. My pantry is a bit short of supplies. No onions. No broth. So, I used the last cup in a leftover bottle of wine. It boosted the flavor above and beyond any shortcomings.

Creamy Leek Potato Soup

A few heirloom carrots for crunch, color, and nutrition.

Some local kids grow these and sell them at the orchard market, to earn money.

Wash it all down with a pint of fresh-pressed cider from the orchard. Another farm-fresh meal interrupts hunger pangs.

I neglected to photograph the biscuits and honey.

"I think poor people from a hundred-fifty years ago sat on a mighty good secret," I said at dinner.

Cassie completed my thought with, "Yeah. The simple food. Inexpensive, tasty, and quick. It's just better."

Simple rustic food satisfies like no other, especially when the mind and body have been through the wringer.

Day Nineteen - Reflections

"I know one thing I want to make after this month is over. A panini sandwich on artisan bread, with grilled or roasted chicken, and cheese." ~~ Caroline

"I'm thinking I want to keep doing this even when the month is over. I feel really good."~~ Cassie

"I feel better, too. I am amazed at how we handled the four days of Three Kids and a Funeral. We just kept going and none of us cracked up or dropped from exhaustion." ~~ Cherie

"How is the grocery money? Have you noticed a change?" ~~ Cassie

"Yes, I've noticed it doesn't fly out of my hands anymore. No more take-out, or impulse shopping makes a big difference." ~~ Cherie

"It's not hard to do this. I suppose that's because we were 80% there before we started." ~~ Tom

"I miss milk chocolate." ~~ Cherie

"It is nice to, when you're tired, just order a pizza or get take-out. But then you feel sick afterwards and wish you hadn't. It's more about being tired in the mind than body. I guess it's about changing the way you think about things." ~~ Cassie

"For me the change is in planning ahead, having some options available for those surprise moments when life goes in a different direction than expected. It's about preparation. I mean, the pioneers had to do everything from scratch all the time. It really is a mind-tranformation. To have popcorn, yogurt, and an apple for dinner is okay. It's food. It fills the belly. It's good for us. That's a new way to think." ~~ Cherie

With twelve days left to go in the Challenge, we are holding steady. The learning continues.

Amazing.

Day Eighteen - At Last! Pizza!

Before baking

After a very busy week and weekend all I wanted was pizza. Just a slice. Comfort food.

It used to be easy to make up a crust, dump some Prego spaghetti sauce over it, add some toppings, and bake it up.

The crust was still easy. Cassie simply substituted light whole wheat flour in the recipe. The meat was some leftover hamburger, cooked and seasoned with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Fresh mozzarella cheese, no problem.

Up-close, before baking

It was the sauce that took some tinkering. I was too hungry to use my own tomatoes and simmer them to a thicker sauce. That would take too long. Tom found a tomato paste with only 'tomato' in the ingredient list. I used two cans of that, added water to thin it down. Then, to my herb garden I went for oregano and basil. Some garlic, salt, and pepper were added. Simmer simmer simmer for about fifteen minutes while I did dishes.

Easily assembled, fresh basil leaves added, and a good drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Into the oven it went.

When I began to smell 'Italian', as the pizza pie baked, I was quite relieved.

The experiment was a success! It tasted like pizza!

Baked, hot, flavorful. 

And I am satisfied.

Lesson: When life drains, keep going. When hungry in the grocery store, stick to the list. When all you want is comfort food, use your imagination. Never give up. Never give in. Real food doesn't take much longer, especially once you've done your homework and found the right ingredients, created your own recipe, and most especially when you are dedicated to putting wholesomeness into the bodies of your family and yourself. It's worth the extra bit of trouble.

Day Seventeen - Tried and True

"We can do it, honey. It's good to do hard things."

So said I when faced with a death in the family, the baby-sitting of twin four-year olds plus their seven year old sister for a long weekend, visits from friends and cousins, and keeping a serene environment for my husband's study for an important work-related test.

The death hit me hard. Funeral today.

The baby-sitting here at home was a bit draining but we had no 'incidents' of any kind, only creating glee for the kiddies and fond memories for the rest of us. I am happy they came!

A cherished cousin came for a visit, which was a highlight for me. Friends stopped by 'just to say hi' which is always appreciated.

The four hour work-related test is over. Husband relieved.

But this is a post about October Unprocessed. How did I fare during all this craziness?

I passed. Everyone in this house ate 'unprocessed' foods along with me. I served the kids the same thing my family and I ate. They loved it. Who can turn their nose up at whole-wheat pasta sauced in butter, white cheese, and fresh purple and green basil? Or grilled cheese on Killer Dave's bread? Home made chili and cornbread? Grilled burgers with homemade mayo, pesto, home-grown tomatoes and lettuce? Cassie's pancakes and farm-fresh eggs? Perfectly cooked veggies, orchard-fresh apples, and Aunt Cherie's creamy oatmeal for which seconds and thirds were requested and given? Popcorn? Chips and salsa? Fresh-pressed cider? Why, Cassie, Caroline, and their friend even made us hot cocoa with real whipped cream! All this deliciousness within the Eating Rules.

Note: Tom and I both noticed our tiny nieces and nephew seemed much calmer in spirit and body by the time the third day with us rolled around. We wonder if our 'unprocessed' foods had anything to do with it. Maybe. Maybe not. Pleasant it is to know we did our best for the kids in every way we could, including mealtimes.

Lesson for the Day: Even in the midst of seeming chaos, there is space for dedication in how one cares for one's self, whether in the preparation of food, time for fresh-air and movement, and/or simply stepping outside the energy into a quiet place for a moment or two. Always there is space for nurturing ourselves.

Day Sixteen - Last Quotes

"In the absence of clearly defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily acts of trivia." ~~ Unknown

"He that will not reflect is a ruined man."~~Asian Proverb

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still." ~~ Chinese Proverb

"Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind." ~~ Seneca

Day Fifteen - Quote #2

"Americans spend, on average, less on food and more on healthcare than any other nation." ~~ Slow Food

Day Fourteen - Quote #1

My family and I are baby-sitting my nieces little kids for a few days. I shall have no time for proper posts, though the family and I will stay true to the Challenge.

I've had some great quotes to share and here is a good time to use them.

So, enjoy!

"Financially, food corporations bring us so far away from the farmer - and rob our pocketbooks. As an illustration: If you were to buy a bag of potato chips, and calculate how much it would cost to make your own, you're actually paying $12/pound for those potatoes. The most super-expensive, organic fingerlings cost maybe $2.50/pound. It's six to 12 times more expensive to buy processed foods. Institutional food is the same way." ~~ from Slow Food website

Day Thirteen - Pound Cake and Love

A different sort of post today. A short one.

One of my favorite people in all the world died yesterday. My Aunt Marge. She was the most generous, loving, kind-hearted, faithful woman I've ever known. I am better because she lived.

She had a secret, decades-old Pound Cake recipe. She shared it with me last summer, with my sisters, too. Whenever Tom and I would visit her she'd pull a pound cake out of her freezer and hand it to us, carefully wrapped in plastic and then foil. Good good cake.

My dad, Aunt Marge, and Nya, my great-niece. Summer 2010.

"I love you, Aunt Marge. Can't wait to see you again....and hear your laugh. You will be sorely missed, by so many."

Day Twelve - "I Only Need One Small Pumpkin"

While Cassie planted pumpkin seeds in our garden this spring, she uttered the words, "I only need one small pumpkin. Enough to make pumpkin pie from a fresh pumpkin for Thanksgiving."

Vines grew, blossoms bloomed, and one small pumpkin - just one - heartily, faithfully grew. And remained.

A more cherished pumpkin was never sown nor harvested.

One. Small. Pumpkin.

"Enough is as good as a feast."

How I'm looking forward to that pie!

Day Eleven - Pass the Pesto, Please!

As eleven o'clock on a rainy Monday morning rolled around, the eternal question was raised, "What shall we make for lunch?"

"Well, I have a ton of basil ready for harvest, we still have some pasta leftover, and there's a lot of lettuce for the picking."

"Yeah, and we bought that fish the other day. It needs to be cooked."

"Sounds like lunch to me!"

I took these ingredients...



















....and made this.

Purple basil makes the salmon sauce pink.
Sage gives the Dover Sole delicate flavor.

Yes, Pesto makes a second appearance in my October Unprocessed postings.

Cassie found a bottle of white wine tucked away and used it to make delicious herbed fish.

I picked a bunch of lettuce, a couple tomatoes, and chopped some radishes and cukes.

Lunch was born. How I wish you could catch the aroma!

What is interesting to note is that even with making pesto from scratch - picking the basil, cracking the nuts, shredding the cheese, and prepping the garlic -  still this entire meal took less than 45 minutes start to finish and that includes picking up the nut shells, and cleaning as we went along.

Some of you have commented that you enjoy the photos. Hope these don't disappoint. For all my good readers, I have a question: Does this look like suffering?

Rosemary & Purple Basil Salmon, Sage Dover sole, pesto on whole wheat
shell pasta, and a Garden Fresh Salad with salt and pepper (I grew the
purple basil in my herb garden for fun - it tastes fantastic!)

Day Ten - Illuminating Meatballs

Last evening Tom, Cassie, Caroline, and I went to Dinner and a Play at our favorite local college.

This morning I find myself pleased with - as well as illuminated by - the choices I made last night. The dinner turned out to be a very simple buffet, the food wholesome. (We knew going in that this is not a rubbery hot dog and cheap chips sort of crowd. That played in our favor.) The dishes served were undressed green salad, dressing on the side, plain sliced grilled yams, meatballs in a very light, chunky tomato sauce, and biscuits.

"I can eat this!" I was very proud of our favorite college. While I could have stayed completely 'pure' by eating only the greens and yams, I chose to take two meatballs, too. I was hungry. I did pause in conscious decision-making before tonging the meatballs onto my plate. They looked like something I could make in my kitchen, and very well might make, even in this unprocessed month of October.

The meatballs probably had processed salt and other seasonings. The tomatoes were canned but might have been okay. (I'm going to look into the ingredients in canned tomatoes. Thank you October Unprocessed for bringing this to my attention!) Other than that, it seemed they were made only of meat and onions. They were rather tough, so seemed void of bread crumbs, crackers, or other fillers that would have tenderized them. I decided it was okay to eat them, and did, without guilt or any sense of regret.

A Biblical passage comes to mind. Mark 2:27. After his disciples picked grains of wheat on the Sabbath, Jesus replied to his finger-pointing accusers, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." For me it's, 'October Unprocessed is meant for Cherie, not Cherie for October Unprocessed.' By this I mean that my goal in taking the challenge is to learn about the foods surrounding me, not only in my own kitchen, but in outside eating situations, as well as my response to the food. To become educated as to what I'm putting into my mouth, to learn to choose wisely. The Challenge is for my education and betterment, not an endeavor meant to restrict me for restriction's sake.

In that pause before reaching for the meatballs, a junction appeared in my path, the choices being to either remain completely pure, no question as to what I've eaten, or to trust the trustworthy, give an unknown entree a chance, then make the right decision for me. Suddenly, the challenge became more about thoughtfulness than purity for purity's sake. It was a choice between legalism and freedom. Not freedom to be stupid, or to give in, or to hurt myself, or to break my commitment to the challenge. No, freedom to explore a question: am I compelled to be legalistic about my eating, or, when away from home, will I allow myself the freedom to mindfully choose a food that may not meet my personal requirements, but comes very very close?

I'm excited because I had that debate in my mind. A debate fueled by budding knowledge, curiosity, and concern for my health. A huge step for me, one the Challenge has provided. Rather than mindless eating, my eating last night was extremely mindful. A cause for celebration!

It's taken only ten days to become convinced of the fact that it's reasonably impossible to never eat another processed food as long as I live, at least insofar as I want to mingle with other humans and have an enjoyable life. Meals are a main source of fellowship, after all. I must be realistic. Grateful am I to have faced last evening's challenge, for it revealed to me a quiet, rational flexibility as well as the strength to dine with others without offending them, while at the same time feeding my body nutritious, life-affirming food. I did not draw attention to myself. If I'd thought beforehand that the dinner would be an assault on my determination concerning the Challenge, I would have eaten first and perhaps arrived only for the play. But I had confidence in my favorite college. They didn't let me down.

The play was fantastic, by the way! I highly recommend it. There are a few more showings later this week and weekend.

An illuminating evening in more ways than one!

Day Nine - Indiscriminate Eating

John Lennon was self-conscious about his weight for years.

In his thirties he discovered that, once he cut out alcohol, it was 'indiscriminate eating' that was doing him in. So he cut that out, too.

And his excess weight dropped off.

After a week of eating unprocessed foods I have discovered what John noticed. The weight drops off. I didn't realize just how much I was ingesting due to nibbles here and there. Since the things I normally snack on - crackers, candy, cookies - have to be made by hand with unprocessed ingredients before they can be nibbled on, I'm not eating them anymore. Too much trouble.

I do miss the nibbles, to be honest. But I am getting used to grabbing a handful of nuts, a piece of fruit, a bowl of made-on-the-stove-in-a-pan-in-extra-virgin-organic-coconut-oil-popcorn, or a glass of milk.

My sweet tooth has been assuaged easily with homemade ice-cream, pumpkin muffins, and chocolate cake. Because these foods are prepared with honest-to-goodness ingredients a small amount satisfies, plus they are served as single serving desserts and do not avail themselves to indiscriminate eating. It makes a difference.

I never thought I could eat full meals and tasty desserts and still lose weight.

Lesson for Today:

Discriminate Eating = Mindfully choosing what you'd like to eat, preparing it if necessary, then enjoying it.

Day Eight - Of Lewis & Clark, Cheese & Crackers, Chips & Salsa

Grocery List in hand Cassie and I hopped into the car, headed to Winco and Market of Choice, read labels - like crazy - and came home with a second week's supply of 'unprocessed' foods.

Caroline had been craving cheese and crackers, plus corn chips and salsa. Tom had been hearing the siren song of chocolate bars in the vending machine at work. Cassie and I set to work looking for whole foods in these categories to calm, comfort, and satisfy our family members. Like Lewis and Clark, we were on a Voyage of Discovery.

Honestly, I had my doubts as to whether we'd find crackers with only natural ingredients. The long stretch of choices spread before us. Cassie started on the left, I on the right, both working toward the middle. Box after box selected, label read, box returned to shelf. Nope. Nope. Nope. The very last choice, Late July brand crackers, had both saltine and buttery crackers. Our last hope at putting a smile on Caroline's face, cracker-wise. "We have a winner!" Cassie victoriously proclaimed. Yes! We snatched up a box each of buttery and saltine. Cheese was easier to find. Corn chips didn't take too long, but salsa did. Found a jar with a homemade-type label that qualified. Chocolate was hard to find. Teeny tiny labels, lots of choices. But, we finally found one bar, 73% dark cacao with crunchy nibs, that fit the requirements. Handling it like gold we placed the treat into the cart. Until that moment, we'd sincerely believed we'd have to go a month without chocolate. "Tom's going to be delighted!"

Groceries rounded up, we headed for check-out and home.

Tom, Caroline, and I had an evening conference to attend and Cassie needed to skedaddle off to work soon after unpacking our bags. We're hungry! Need food! "Cassie, you're in charge of the chicken. Caroline, do the dishes and set the table, I'll prep the broccoli, potatoes, and pears."

Clockwork.

Delicious.

Bellies full and appointments kept with plenty of time to spare.

Afterwards, in the family room, joined by Jessamyn (Hi, kid!), we gathered for a sort of apres work/conference unwinding. Laughter! While the girls caught up, Tom and I prepared cheese and crackers for a taste test. Thumbs up all the way around. Caroline was like Toad in The Wind in the Willows, eyes happily focused and a bit swirly at the lovely snack food. Smiling. More laughing and talking.

I fetched the chocolate bar, let everyone have a long sniff...mmmmm.....then, broke it into pieces. Plop, plop, plop went the little squares into mouths ready for the Food of Heaven. Again, all thumbs up.

Somehow the evening was even more special because Jessamyn, Cassie, Caroline, Tom, and I remain interested in this food challenge, this opportunity to snoop out new products, new ingredients, new tastes. To have a late night snack that is actually good for us, well, that was icing on the cake.

Salud!

Day Seven - Send in the Cavalry

Hobbling around from an overstretched muscle, I'm not up to food prep.

Never fear! The family steps to the front, sends me to relax and rest my leg.

Shepherd's Pie, made by Cassie and Caroline using leftovers and freezer supplies, provides a tasty main dish. Tom cut up a melon.

Voila! Food! Food that keeps us in the running of October Unprocessed 2011.

It's been a week, people. Seven days into the challenge.

Even an injured Head Cook can't keep us down!

 We ROCK!

Day Six - Little Things

Little things like making my own baking powder for the fun of it and then using it to make pumpkin muffins. Light, airy, moist, delicious.

The 'pumpkin' was actually frozen butternut squash from last year's harvest.

Little things like Cassie making a batch of mayonnaise for our lunch-time turkey sandwiches, and later, for a chocolate cake.

This is the first time I've ever had home-made mayo. How can I ever go back? Good job, Cassie!

Little things like making our own mustard on a whim using canned dry mustard and water.

During lunch I asked the family what they enjoy about this experience so far and what they might miss.

Little things like Jiff peanut butter were missed, though the 'other' peanut butter is 'okay.'

Little things like how nice it is to linger at the table during and after meals since there is so much more to talk about.

Little things like working together to figure out what to eat or how to make what we want using our know-how.

Little things like weight coming off, sleep coming easily, grocery money lasting longer, and fabulous homemade vanilla ice-cream made with evaporated cane sugar.

Little things like no hunger, no sugar withdrawals.

Little things like one daughter saying, "I hope we stick with this beyond October."

It really is the little things that make life interesting.

And satisfying.

Day Five - Poultry Panic

With four days under my belt there is a certain growing confidence. Patience, too.

Last night for supper I wanted a turkey sandwich, something I adore. My mouth began to salivate at the thought. Turkey leftovers from Thanksgivings past came to mind. The soft bread, the mayo, the heaps of meat.

Then, I remembered, there's no unprocessed mayo in the house and store-bought isn't an option. Mayonnaise on a turkey sandwich is a must for me. I simply must have it, that's how I make them. Always. Cassie, Caroline, and I planned to make home-made mayonnaise - but, alas, we forgot! And Cassie, the only one of us who's made the stuff, was at work for several hours more.

Salivation grew stronger. Eyes widened. Breathing quickened. Deprivation! The dieter's nemesis.

I want a turkey sandwich!! NOW!!

But I wanted to victoriously complete the October Challenge more.

The angel/devil on the shoulders conversation in my head went something like this:

"This is not a problem, it's an opportunity."

"No, it's NO TURKEY SANDWICH." Jaw clenches. Then, in supposed defeat, shoulders slump. Lower lip trembles.

"Shush. You're overreacting. Sheesh. There must be another way to have that sandwich and be satisfied."

Thinking. Thinking.

"AHA! Pesto! There are those frozen pesto cubes you made last month from the basil and walnuts. Tom's Dubliner cheese qualifies, to add to the pesto. Yes."

"You know, that actually sounds better than mayo. Let's go!"

I lightly toasted the bread, spread on pesto, layered turkey, a tomato, and a few crisp lettuce leaves I'd braved the rain to pick from the garden. Sitting at the table, napkin in my lap, half an apple next to the sandwich, and glass of milk nearby, I bowed my head to whisper a grace that has never been more sincere.

With great contentment I dined.

THE TURKEY SANDWICH WAS SO GOOD!

Lesson for today: Don't panic. Use your mind. Think outside of your own little eating-experience box. Alternatives may delight you!

Day Four - Tea and Turkey

The sun is shining! First time in days, so I'm posting a quickie in order to get in a game of tennis before the weather changes.

This morning Tom realized we are out of our favorite Jasmine Tea. He brewed a pot of chai before looking at the ingredients. Oops. Questionable ingredients in tea. Good grief! Fortunately we looked before we sipped so our purity remains. To the store, to the store, to the store I say! Love that morning Jasmine.

An eighteen pound sage, rosemary, and apple-stuffed turkey is roasting in the oven as I write. A warmish, sunny Thanksgiving-scented day, me in my shorts and t-shirt, Tom splitting wood, the girls at their French tutor lesson, the beagle lying in the sun, this day is off to a great start, tea mishap notwithstanding.

The morning of Day One I weighed, for statistical purposes. Though I rarely weigh myself, instinct nudged me to do so today. Stepping on the scale, squinting in fear that the weight may have gone up because the food is so good and plentiful, I peeked through my eyelashes. What? I've lost two pounds? Huh? Well, hey, nice surprise there.

I have plenty of weight to lose so this is not unforeseen. A chubber, me. I didn't accept this challenge for reduction of the chub but to learn about the foods I eat and how to improve. To give myself the healthiest aging possible I strive to attain better habits.

Tea. Turkey. Trimming up.

I LIKE Day Four!

Day Three - Up With Butter

"We have been told to eat margarine because butter raises our cholesterol and is bad for our heart. The truth is that margarine eaters have twice the rate of heart disease as butter eaters (Nutrition Week 3/22/91 21:12). We've also been told that saturated fats, the kind that are in butter, clog the arteries. But according to a study published in The Lancet (1994 344:1195), the fatty acids found in artery clogs are mostly unsaturated, not saturated, as we have been led to believe.

Butter is a natural fat, made from cream. Margarine is an artificial concoction of chemicals. Not only does butter taste better, but it's good for you. Butter is a source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and important trace minerals magnesium, zinc, chromium, selenium and iodine. Purchase organic butter produced without the use of hormones, steroids and antibiotics. Raw butter from pasture-fed cows is even better."

~~ Lori Lipinski, from Weston A. Price website In an effort to fight obesity, the Danes are taxing butter. They label it an unhealthy food.  Governments have no business taxing our food in the first place. In the second place, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. Butter is good for you. End of mini-rant. Day Three looks promising.  I ate fast food for breakfast. Yes, yes I did. A nectarine with yogurt and a mug of jasmine tea. Pretty fast. Cassie and I created a casserole from yesterday's taco leftovers that will serve as lunch. Not much kitchen time today which is great! It's raining so this afternoon will be comprised of a drippy walk up Kelly Butte to get my blood circulating, the cracking of filberts and walnuts to keep crunchy munchies on hand, and the washing of mirrors layered with the dust of a hundred dry summer days. Enjoy Monday, everyone! It only comes around once a week.

Day Two: Hey, This Isn't a 'Diet'

"I'm getting antsy. I feel deprived. I want munchies, sweets, chips. What's happening to me? It's only the first evening. I'm doomed." So said I to Tom last night before realizing that, in my mind with all its memory-routing and such, I was 'dieting.' For someone like me who's been on way too many weight-loss diets in her life, this was panic mode.

Restriction and its feelings of powerlessness and deprivation kill most weight-loss diet attempts because a person feels suffocated by whatever the restrictions present, whether it's caloric reduction, food-type reduction, or any number of restraints we put upon ourselves for 'the cause'.

After my fearful declaration, rationality returned. I'm not restricted by the amount of food I am allowed to consume. "This isn't a diet in that sense." That fact settles me down. The only restriction is that food not be processed beyond what could be done in a household kitchen. "I can eat as much as I want of any real food. There are a gazillion choices!"

First discovery for today, my favorite farm-wife cupcake recipe - from two generations ago - can be made with no exceptions except for raw sugar replacing granulated. I made a batch and they taste virtually the same! Moist and chocolatey they require no frosting. Hit the spot!

Second exciting find is how the family and I hit roadblocks, became momentarily stunned, then found a way over most of them. For example, Cassie usually preps the meat for tacos, which we made today for lunch. She's like a crazy chef hunched over the meat, shaking bottles of spices into the skillet, stirring and shaking, powders puffing into the air. Her taco meat is always delicious. Today, she hit a few roadblocks. Some of those spices are no-no's. She'd stop, stunned, as a problem arose. Then, she'd explore options. She discovered that, while prepping taco meat with bottled seasonings is faster, stirring together sensational taco meat with unprocessed fresh or home-dried herbs is easy and do-able.

Same with refried beans. Tom holding can: "We can't use these." Solution, canned whole beans, though it took some elbow-deep pantry-diving to find a can that was only beans, nothing added. (Note to self: plan to soak and cook beans for next time.) One roadblock we couldn't jump today was hot sauce. It has one questionable ingredient. In our quest for purity we abstained, determined to find or create a recipe of our own. Later. Thankfully, Cassie's meat was spicy. We ate like Mexican Royalty.

Third satisfying realization is that my herb garden, close at hand, holds far more value than even I have understood. Replacing customary processed 'flavors' with herbs goes beyond substitution into enhancement and contentment. Cassie and I found ourselves putting all our knowledge and experience to the test as we threw pinches and handfuls of various herbs into our concoctions. More than usual because we have to cook differently. How satisfying to create an entire new taste experience off the cuff!

Lastly, I am concerned with how much time I am required to spend in the kitchen. Here, though, once I get the hang of using different ingredients I think I can cut the time back to where it normally is when making a 'from scratch' meal. My brain will make new pathways and I'll be cooking by instinct again, with unprocessed ingredients. I think. Time will tell. For now, I am incorporating more help from the family.

You should have seen the four of us today, working different stations. Like a well-oiled machine. I was making masa tortillas while Tom shredded cheese and chopped veggies. Cassie worked her magic on the meat, picking Hawaiian chili peppers from our indoor plant, chopping garlic, crushing coriander in the mortar and pestle, selecting spices that were pure, and finding new ingredients to add texture and taste. Joe set the table and played the role of sous chef to all four of us. A smile erupts on my face as I remember the moments.

Yes, Day Two has been a success. I've followed the rules. I'm not hungry. I haven't overeaten. I don't feel deprived. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, even as I enjoy the rest of this perfect, quiet Sunday. Tonight we'll eat the last of the green beans from the garden, along with yogurt and fruit.

Sounds divine.

Day One - Starting Strong

First thing I notice about this first day of the challenge is that our food choices are not much different than what we are used to eating. Second thing, the sweet tooth is going to be the hardest hurdle. Not that I wanted anything sweet today. (Had ice cream yesterday, remember?) But it's the missing of the little nibbles such as Tom and I buying a half dozen peanut clusters from the bulk food section to eat on the way home. Can't do that.

However, we used our brains. We bought peanuts. Just peanuts. They are crunchy, and good, and unprocessed. Good alternative. I think we'll get the hang of this.

Since I don't want to spend a lot of time on the computer documenting my journey - but I do want to document it - I will use photos now and then (each is worth a thousand words, you know).

I made yogurt last night, just to get the ball rolling.

Oatmeal for breakfast, which is very common for us.

After making a menu for the week, Tom and I went grocery shopping for unprocessed foods. A few alterations in our regular choices, such as peanut butter made there in the store, evaporated cane juice sugar, natural sour cream, and Bob's Red Mill all-purpose flour that meets the challenge requirements. Amazing how many things have sugar in them! But again, how exciting that so many of these good options are available at the grocery store. We live in a time of great opportunity. This colorful food, added to what we harvest from our garden, pick up at farmer's markets, and thaw from our well-stocked freezer is just plain beautiful!

Day Zero

Tomorrow begins the October Unprocessed 2011 Challenge.

Daughters and I have perused the rules and suggestions, one of which is to make a custom plan that suits our needs and goals. Check and Double Check.

Because one of our needs is to continue drinking milk, we are following the advice of Challenge experts by adding one Deliberate Exception to our personal plan: we will continue to drink homogenized milk, though it is processed. I know, I know, raw is where it's at. But we can't afford raw milk right now. We do buy a more expensive local milk, Lochmead, because it is hormone and antibiotic free, plus the dairy does not ultra-pasteurize, a process I believe Louis Pasteure would find abhorant. But that's another post. Perhaps someday raw milk will be affordable to those with tight food budgets, but until then, well, we do what we can.

Our journey's goal is to explore the world of unprocessed foods by eating only them for the month of October, 2011. We are heading into this challenge with a sense of discovery and excitement. What will we learn about our current eating habits? How will our food tastes change, if at all? What will be the economic result? How will we feel in the beginning, middle, and end of this adventure? Will this be hard or easy? And, most enthusiastically we wonder, will our participation in the Challenge yield only a short term diversion or a long term life-style shift?

Cassie, Caroline, and I (and Tom, on a sort of wait-and-see basis) are heading into this month free of expectation and micromanagement, one day at a time. Menus will be made a day in advance so that we don't find ourselves up a creek, hungry, and thus tempted.


Enthusiam abounds! (And to be honest a sort of, 'What are we getting ourselves into?' feeling. Kind of like the feeling one experiences in that pause when the roller coaster harness and safety belt are in place but the ride has yet to move. Yeah, that feeling. Which is okay because I LOVE roller coasters.)

Preparation for tomorrow's foray into unprocessed-land were made today, just so you know. Pizza was eaten, as well as ice cream. Cravings subdued, we await October, rested and eager.

'Here we go!'

October Challenge

Beginning Saturday, the first of October, I am participating in October Unprocessed 2011. The goal? To eat only unprocessed foods for the entire month. The long definition of 'unprocessed' can be found here. The short version is: Unprocessed food is any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with readily available, whole-food ingredients.

I'll be writing a post here on Vivacita every day.

Cassie and Caroline are joining me which makes the prospect all the more fun! Normally the girls and I aim to eat this way, but we are sloppy about it. Very. I'm hoping that the experiment will help clarify for us just exactly what we are eating by forcing us to think, plan, and read labels.

I hope you'll join me here for this unusual adventure!

Getting excited!

Variety is the Spice of Life

Sausages.

Six flavors, four chicken, two pork.

Cooked together, presented together, cut into pieces for sampling.

Served with brown rice, fresh from the garden salad, and farm fresh cantaloupe.





Variety. Discovery. Taste. Joy.

Australia's Favorite Cookie

Some years back Tom's and my friend, Cecily, who lives in Tasmania posted something about being tempted by a treat in her cupboard. The sweets, as I recall, were called Tim Tams. I asked her what they were and she courteously replied that they are a type of cookie.

I'd never heard of Tim Tams until then and what's worse, I've never seen them so couldn't taste them.

Until today.

Walking the aisles of our market this morning my head did a double-take when I saw a random display of Tim Tams. "Tom! It's Tim Tams! The cookies Cecily was talking about."

"Better get some," he replied.

We did.

After smuggling the cookies to our room, in a brown paper bag so the kids' dessert-radar wouldn't hone in, we carefully opened the package and sampled the crispy, gooey, caramel-infused, chocolate-covered wafers.




Now we know why the cookies in the cupboard were tempting Cecily that day so many years ago.



Mmmmm.....