Final Countdown

I have shopped at 3 stores (some 2 times) and stopped at the farm to stock up on all of the things I will need beginning on January 2. And I have made some observations.

First, eating healthy is expensive. I am struck that highly processed foods (take boxed mac-and-cheese for example) is so inexpensive while food in its simplest form is much more pricey. My grocery budget was larger this week and I do understand that produce, for example, is more fragile to ship than boxed meals, but very little needs to be done to it to prepare it prior to shipping. Think of all the steps it takes for a box of mac-and-cheese to be produced vs. an apple: noodles, cheese powder, cardboard box, little bag vs. tree. (I know I am simplifying things but it is an intriguing concept.)

Second, the majority of the grocery store is processed foods. I searched in a new store for frozen raspberries. There is one small shelf for frozen fruit. There is an entire wall of ice cream and another wall of packaged dinners. Have you seen how many ways you can consume a potato from the frozen food section? We are a do it fast society and many of our consumed items are pre-made.

Finally, I pride myself on being fairly aware of what I put into my body. I have read The Omnivores Dilemma and watched Food Inc. I have been a member of a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm for years. I order my beef, pork, and chicken from farmers that I have actually had conversations with. But I consume so many other things. I absentmindedly munch on crackers or pre-made dips without giving much thought to where they come from or how they got to my kitchen. I love quick meals and convenience snacks for my busy family because they are so easy to make. And, they are everywhere!

So I will take this journey one step at a time, knowing that I can't make every change at once (that would be too overwhelming), I have to live in this society and don't want to be that house guest who annoys her host with special food requests, and I will do the best that I can. I will forgive myself for the occasional stop at the drive through window (after these 3 weeks, of course). I will also continue to teach my kids to think about their food choices and my primary method of teaching will be with my actions.

And for three weeks, I will feel good about what I eat and hopefully just feel good.

Happy eating!

Kara

Wildwood farm greenhouse under a bit of snow

the greens that the greenhouses and a dedicated farming family have produced

Preparations

January 2012 is upon us and it is traditionally a time for resolutions. I generally don't make resolutions for the new year; if there is something I should be doing, I try to do it right away, adding mini-resolutions to my daily life: eat vegetarian one day a week, drop everything to read to my kids at least every other time (ok, every third time) that they ask, exercise enough throughout the week so I can participate in an occasional 5K, take the kids to yoga on Friday afternoons.

But this year, I am trying something I have never done before, I am doing a 21 day cleanse. The cleanse that I have chosen doesn't include any type of fast (all water or all juice) and it doesn't have supplements that I need to take. It is clean, vegan, gluten-free eating for three weeks. It is real food in its purest form.

I am doing this for several reasons. First, so I can counter act all of the party food I have consumed. Don't get me wrong, I love it - the cheesy things, the gooey treats, the sugary sweets, but it is too much in too short period of a time and my digestive system needs a little vacation. Second, the cleanse promises to increase my energy and with three busy kids, I always need more energy. And third, I want to challenge myself to eat a vegan diet, rich in fruit and vegetables, in a time when Michigan is typically under snow. I am getting as many greens and herbs from Wildwood Family Farms CSA (www.wildwoodfamilyfarms.com) as I can and then shopping at Harvest Health foods and Meijer for the rest. I know not everything will be local or sustainable - Michigan will never produce mangoes - but I am cutting out processed foods, meat, and dairy (all things that take alot of energy to produce and transport). And I admit, the promise of dropping a few pounds while cleansing is alluring as well.

I am eager to see if I feel better and have more energy (after the expected first few days of adjustment). I am nervous to cut out extra sugar (chocolate!), caffeine, and alcohol. And I hope I am able to see it to the end.

If you wish to check out the cleanse that I have chosen, go to
www.wholeliving.com/challenge-plan
(I am not in any way affiliated with Whole Living magazine, I just liked their plan.)

Happy eating!
Kara