Real Food Challenge - Week #5

For 14 weeks, the family and I are undertaking a Real Food Challenge (put forth by the awesome 100 Days of Real Food blog). I'm hoping to check in about any struggles and successes along the way each week. Our ultimate goal is to cut down on our dependence on processed foods and start using some cleaner fuels to energize our bodies. And stuff.

So, here's how it works. I'll get an email every Thursday for the next 14 weeks (the actual eating challenge will start on Sunday or Monday for 7 days, so there are a couple of days of grocery prep built in). Each email outlines the "rules" for that particular week. It's up to each participant as to whether or not they'd like to try each week independently or build on top of the prior week. In other words, continuing doing the prior weeks while attempting the new weeks, if that makes sense. There's also a very active Facebook group (I've actually joined an offshoot that's super supportive and far more focused) that's there to share, answer and support.

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Review of Week #4: I thought this week was going to be a relatively easy week. All I needed to do was avoid deep-fried foods and fast food restaurants. Up until today, I've done it, mainly because that's our usual routine anyway. But, today I'm heading with some family to a funeral several hours away. (Hubby's staying home with the munchkin; I'm super lucky that way.) With all that traveling (and that unknown of where/what we're going to eat next), I'm assuming that there will probably be at least one fast food stop.

And, y'know what? It's fine. It "breaks the rules" for this week, but considering we eat fast food 1-2 times a year (or, um, less), we're doing fine. I'm not stressing. It is what it is, and I'm going to try to bring a couple of apples/granola bars along to help with hunger along the way. I have noticed that my body doesn't react kindly to even "regular" restaurant foods these days, so I'm sure I'll regret whatever I end up eating.

Week #5 Challenge: This week is a fun challenge, actually. I've been kind of looking forward to it. We need to try at least 2 new whole foods that we've never tried before. Guess what that means. WE'RE FINALLY GOING TO TRY KALE.

I've gotta figure out what the second item is, but given that we're not the most adventurous of families, palette-wise, there's probably a list of new foods to choose from. It also depends on what's available at the grocery store, since I have zero time to do any extra shopping at a farmers' market this weekend. (Bummer, but such is life.)

That said, this meal plan is flexible and last week I altered it dramatically. It's still a good jumping-off point, though, and I figure I'll still be using it this week!