Tag: October Unprocessed

October Unprocessed 2013 with Bob’s Red Mill Coupons!

I’m up for the challenge!

October Unprocessed 2013 is right around the corner, and I just took the pledge for my third year.

I just need to set some customized ground rules ahead of time; the original Eating Rules processed food definition is a bit too stringent for me, so I’ll be thinking about my own guidelines in the next few days.

It’s extra exciting this year, as Bob’s Red Mill (my fave) is sponsoring the challenge and they are offering some really valuable coupons, like REALLY good coupons, for those that sign up.

Yay!

I just printed the page of coupons now:

  • Buy 1/Get 1 free (up to $4.99)
  • Save .75 on one product
  • Save .55 on package of Scottish oats
  • Save .55 of package of whole wheat flour

I’ve been slacking on my blog lately, and I’m really hoping this will spark new creativity. I’m looking forward to next month!

October Unprocessed 2012

Okay, so I think I’m on board for the October Unprocessed – 2012, starting TODAY. I know I sound very hesitant, and I am.

Partly because I think some pledged people go a bit too far with their views of “unprocessed” and it can drain the joy out of eating. LOL.

I like to use “Food Rules” by Michael Pollan as my reference to unprocessed eating instead. Using the ole “if grandma had it in her kitchen” rule as my guide.

I’m also a little hesitant, partly because I did it last year and IT WAS DIFFICULT! I feel like I’m gonna fail before I even start…..but I have to have a better attitude than that!

On a positive note, last year was very eye-opening. I lost a couple extra pounds, and so many of the guest authors on Andrew’s blog were awesome! I learned a lot!

So, yeah I’m going to try it again this year.

I had a few “considerations” last year and I have a few this year as well.

  1. Chocolate – I lean toward fair-trade brands. I feel it’s more important than worrying about a little soy and/or white sugar in the list of ingredients, which brings me to my second consideration.
  2. White Sugar – yes, I have white sugar in my cupboard. Again, it goes back to grandma’s kitchen. No, I don’t make a habit of using a lot of it, but I do use it for canning my jams/jellies, but I’m using a much smaller amount than most commercial preserves.
  3. White Flour – yep, I use white flour. I add it (sometimes up to half) in my homemade bread. What’s more important? Homemade bread with a little white flour or commercially made bread with only whole wheat? I’d rather control my ingredients and make it from scratch.
  4. Eating Out – Okay, this one is tough. We don’t eat out a lot, and I’m gonna try my hardest not to eat at any fast food or chain restaurants this month, but there might be days when I just need take-out Italian or Chinese. I’ll hoping to stick to local restaurants, but I’m not going to go too crazy and worry about the ingredients on the menu. All I can do is my best!

Here we go! Happy October 1st! And good luck to anyone taking the pledge!