I’ve lately been reading a lot on this blog.  It’s pretty awesome.  This family went on a 1oo day food challenge, where they didn’t eat ANY processed foods.  I love the concept and am even more impressed because they have two kids, and a big challenge for people sometimes is what snacks to give kids aside from fruits, veggies, and dairy.  It gets tricky, and is easier to reach for the grahams.  It’s been on my mind a lot, and our family really does pretty good at staying away from most processed stuff, but we can always be doing better.  I think 100 days is a lot to commit to, especially with the holidays coming up, but I am going to try it between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Our whole family will try it.  So we’ll start the day after Thanksgiving (November 24th) and go through Christmas Eve (so we can allow any Christmas traditions we may have).  It’s going to be a challenge for sure, but a good trial run for when we start to cut out more and more processed foods in our family.  The more people who join in and decide to do it, the easier it will be.  We can share meal plans, ideas, struggles, and thoughts, and it will be a good support for everyone.  So if you wanna do it with Granola Mom, let me know!!!  I’m getting excited about it and we have a week to prepare.  As a side note, I don’t believe in diets…  This is more of a health challenge to see “Wow, I really do eat so many refined foods!” or “This really makes a difference in how I feel,”  or “My children respond so differently when they do not consume processed foods.”  So here are the rules (the same as the blog’s).

What you can eat

1.  Whole Foods – as in from nature, not industry

2.  Fruits and Vegetables

3.  Dairy Products – Cheese, milk, plain yogurt, etc.

4.  100% whole wheat and whole grains

5.  Seafood

6.  Locally raised meats – hormone free, etc.

7.  Beverages – water, milk, 100% fruit juice

8.  Whole food snacks – nuts, seeds, popcorn

9.  Natural sweeteners – honey, maple syrup, fruit juice concentrates.

What you CANNOT EAT

1.  Refined grains – like white flour or white rice

2.  Refined sugars – this one is going to KILL me.

3.   Nothing packaged that has more than 5 ingredients. Ex.  Tortilla chips would be acceptable if they have “corn, oil, and salt.”  You’d be surprised at the good quality products that are out there if you get the right brand.

4.  No fast food or deep fried food.

That’s it!  Those are the conditions.  Let the games begin.  T minus 7 days.