Here We Go

It is approximately four hours until the official start of Lent.  If there's any last minute indulgences to indulge upon, the time is now.  Last year at this time I was sitting in front of my computer googling "things to give up for Lent."  That's very lame.  Perhaps I needed to give up the Internet. But I did find some interesting things.  I actually contemplated giving up shoes.  I figured it would be kind of liberating and at the same time help me form a deeper appreciation for comforts we take for granted.  Then I concluded it would just make me look awkward and then people would stare me and having people look at me is about the last thing I wanted to happen so I skipped that one.

This year however, the idea for Lent came quick and easy.  The task, on the other hand, perhaps not so easy.  We have decided to go "unprocessed" in terms of the food we eat.  I've done a bit of research.  The health benefits are remarkable however coffee without creamer is not so remarkable. Leave me alone. I like that hot cup of creamer in the morning with a splash of java. And I like it again in the afternoon. I would suggest not calling me tomorrow morning to chat.

So what does an unprocessed diet look like?  Well the good news is it isn't really a diet because supposedly you can eat as much unprocessed food as you'd like and still reap all the benefits.  It seems every website says something a little different but everyone encourages individuals to find what works best for them.  So for the next 40 or so days, here are the rules for the Long's (grown ups only)...

1.  All food consumed prior to dinnertime must be unprocessed.
2.  Dinnertime meals will contain as much unprocessed or "whole" foods as possible...but we all know what dinnertime tends to be like at our house so I may sling some chicken nuggets on a plate  with a side of celery and call it dinner. 
3.  Food must be eaten as close to it's original state as possible.
4.  Anything that contains a food label must contain less than five ingredients.  You must be able to read the names of those five ingredients.  Words like enriched, corn syrup, or artificial are automatically out. 
5.  Only natural sweeteners are allowed...honey, agave nectar, or raw sugar in baking.
6.  Sweets are allowed if using whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners.  Also, you can only eat sweets if you bake them yourself.  Not even organic ones.  Not even from the co-op.  How often do I really feel like whipping up a batch of cookies?
7. Dairy is allowed in moderation, if used in it's whole form.  Nothing should be added or taken away when available.  Try to buy organic whenever possible.  Greek yogurt only, no flavored jobbies either. We are looking into raw milk if I can convince a local farmer to break the law.
8. No processed meats allowed...only a big slab of steak or chicken or fish, purchased locally if possible, cooked with minimal flavorings.
9.  Peanut butter is okay, natural only.
10. No juices or any other drink from concentrate.  Water, coffee, tea, wine, and beer are acceptable.  Did you think we were going to do this sober?
11. All breads, cereals, and pastas must be 100% whole grain...and made with less than five ingredients.
12.  Eggs are a winner here and I've made arrangements with a chicken lover to give me some.
13.  That sentence came out wrong.
14. Fruits and veggies are our best friends. Spend as much time as possible with them.
15. Most foods that don't come with a label are unprocessed.  Foods that spoil easily are unprocessed. My fridge is gonna smell awful if I don't get eatin'.
16.  Foods I will miss the most...creamer, salami, and a loaf of white bread. Mmmmmmm, hoagies. I could live on loaves of french bread.  But apparently they will kill me eventually.

And for the kiddos, a little something as well.  We are challenging them to eat the rainbow....or a rainbow of colors.  Ok, lets be honest, we are challenging Isis to eat a rainbow of colors.  It's no secret that Eliza would eat the bark off a tree for nutrients.  But I think a little help from little sister will give the needed incentive for big sister.  Rules for the Long's (children only)...

1.  You will get a blank rainbow coloring sheet.
2.  Each time you eat a food of a certain color, you color that strip of your rainbow.
3. Once your rainbow is full, you get to go out for frozen yogurt.
4.  You may top your yogurt with high fructose corn syrup and processed food.
5.  All rainbow foods must be eaten in their original, whole state.
6.  Fruits and veggies only.
7. Orange goldfish do not count.  Nor do fruitsnacks.  Nor does string cheese.  Fresh food only. Smoothies accepted.
8.  Eliza will fill up her rainbow by lunch.
9.  We are hoping Isis can do it by Sunday.

Here we go.  The stakes are high.  My blood sugar is already crashing just thinking about it. I now only have three hours left.  Gotta run, must shove face.