This is what a month of unprocessed food will do for you. Oh, and a great photographer. Thanks to Jen Sabo Spencer of Modern Tree Studio for a wonderful photo shoot! Now, on to my lessons learned.
Lesson #1: It’s worth the trouble to eat unprocessed
Part of the reason I took the challenge myself is that I felt I’d gotten off track with my eating habits. Ever since we went to France, where I pigged out on all the foods I avoid in everyday life, I have had trouble consistently sticking to my eating plan. Even though it adversely affects my health when I don’t stick to it. So taking the challenge, and documenting my meals on Facebook, really did help keep me honest. And I have to say that I feel fantastic! So I have recommitted to eating this way, with only one or two processed foods back in my diet (all are dairy substitutes, like Daiya cheese and soy creamer).
Lesson #2: Never say that you’ll document all your meals on Facebook
What was I thinking? Sheesh. Yes it kept me honest. But it was a pain, hard to remember (more than once I had to reconstruct my lunch plate and photograph it), and I frequently wondered if it was useful to anyone.
I didn’t mind documenting this lovely lunch hosted by Liz the Chef!
Lesson #3: It helps to be part of a community
Talking with people on the Eating Rules’ Facebook page who were also taking the challenge, and visiting a friend who was eating this way, really helped.
Lesson #4: Self-sufficiency is innately satisfying
October Unprocessed motivated me to try making my own staples, which I found to be fun and satisfying. While not everything I tried has made the cut (yes to margarine, no to toothpaste), I will continue to try making and sharing my discoveries as I go.
Congratulations on such a great achievement! Brave to document all your meals on Facebook… :)
You say brave, I say crazy…
you look vibrant and happy!
this is good info – after finishing our juice fast a couple months ago, we felt so great and had intentions of sticking with a mostly unprocessed, raw diet.
we went on one vacation and have completely “fallen off the wagon” – and even though we state our intentions again (back to juicing! eat clean!), we are having a hard time. even though we KNOW we feel better!
tomorrow is a new day, we’re trying again!
glad you had a great result – thanks for sharing.
I almost used the phrase “off the wagon” in the post but decided against it. I don’t think there are bad foods and I really hate how women especially beat themselves up for eating choices. They’re just choices. Some are less helpful than others. Thanks for writing!