I am so excited about what we have coming up next. And part of my excitement could very well be because I am not challenging my family this time, but instead challenging you! It is no secret that we are pretty hard-core about eating real food at our house. Even though our first pledge is over we still mostly live by the same “real food rules” except for the occasional treat at a birthday
party, school celebration, dinner out, or yes, even at home. And even though we’ve had almost 900 people from across the globe sign up for the “10 Days of Real Food” pledge (following our same rules for a shorter period of time) we recognize that an “all” or “nothing” challenge is not for everyone. Which is exactly why we created this next real food challenge…100 Days of Real Food “Mini” Pledges!
So here’s how it is going to work. Rather than asking you to cut out all of your sugar, refined grains, and other junk food at the same time, we will tackle a different area each week. Every Friday I will announce the real food pledge for the following week, and depending on where you are coming from you can join in for only one meal, one day, or hopefully, the entire week. Each pledge will start the Monday after it is announced so everyone will have time over the weekend to food shop and meal plan. The whole point is to get you reading ingredient labels, thinking, and feeling comfortable with the “real food” alternatives. We will tackle everything from sweeteners to whole grains to beverages…and don’t you worry because I will not leave anyone hanging. Along with the weekly pledge announcement I will be sure to provide plenty of meal ideas and easy recipes to help you along the way.
To sign up for these challenges you will simply pledge to join us by leaving a comment at the bottom of each new weekly post. And don’t do this just for yourself. If you have kids, spouses, partners, or roommates…please bring them along for the ride! There is no better motivation than accountability from a friend or family member. So starting this Friday be on the lookout for the first weekly pledge announcement, and then on Monday (a week from today) the games will begin!
Count me in. I have made the recent decision to go all organic/natural where I can and have a couple of challenges. The DESIRE is there. The fact that I have a son who has been diagnosed with ADHD (and ODD) and week to week custody with my ex who does not buy into the fact that our son has ANY problems. I would like to embark on this, but have never been one to cook much – it’s just me one week and then me and my 7-year old one week. So, tough it is, but if I can get a handle on this and get a meal plan, I will definitely do what I can. I eat lunch at work, but would like to start brown bagging it. And I’ve just started bagging my son’s lunches and next custody rotation will start feeding him breakfast also so I can hope to “control” most of what he’s ingesting for 7 days before he goes back to processed/normal food at the other house.
Based on research diet does have an affect on ADHD symptons…so definitely keep making changes like you are (when you can)! Also, I just posted some meal plans yesterday, which may be helpful.
[...] you read that right. Next week’s mini-pledge is to avoid all low-fat, lite/light, and nonfat food products. And if my prediction is correct [...]
Count me in!
[...] join us “all or nothing.” So in March 2011, we decided to launch some “real food“ mini-pledges where we would challenge readers to cut out processed food one step at a time. Each week we [...]
[...] could join us “all or nothing.” So in March 2011, we decided to launch some “real food“ mini-pledges where we would challenge readers to cut out processed food one step at a time. Each week we [...]
I know that my family is a little late but we will definitely be doing this! Thank you so much for creating this! I am so excited!
This is fantastic. I know I am late to the game, but I will be following along week to week.
Thank you
JQ
I’m up for a challenge!
Thanks!!!
RP
I know I missed the boat in march, but I’m starting this challenge after labor day! I am really excited! Thank you!
I can not wait to get started. We have been doing better, but I am excited for help to keep it going.
We are a family of five (three of them are under four) and even though we are late to the game so to speak, I am hoping we will be able to participate starting next Monday. love the idea of mini-pledges as to give us time to clean out our pantries and freezers. Now that fall is coming, looking forward to prepping our yard for the upcoming planting season.
I just discovered your mini-pledges. Somehow I missed them following on Facebook. I’m going to take the mini-pledges and start on Monday. Thanks soooo much for all you do to develop and share Real Food!
I have a question for you ladies. I would Love to do this with me and my 4 children but I have 2 kids that are extreamly picky, how do you go about that? And with buying real food do you spend more at the grocery store than you used to? I’m on a budget with only one income and 4 children. Is there a way to still be frugal and eat “real food”?
Hi Natasha. It may be a little more expensive, but, you will not be buying a lot of what you may have been before, so hopefully you can put that money towards whole, unprocessed foods. Check out what is referred to as the “dirty dozen” as far as what produce it pays to buy organic (http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214). As for picky kids, check out these posts…http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/09/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-deal-with-a-picky-eater/ and http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/08/19/winning-over-your-picky-eater/. Good luck. Jill
I would love to do this!
ok
I’m ready and anxious to start… what do I do first?
Hi Sharon. Welcome! Here is where to start: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/start-here/ and http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-defined-a-k-a-the-rules/. Goodluck! ~Amy
I’m ready start and have be en eating real food for two weeks .
I’m ready to do this, sort of. Moving in two weeks and using up stuff in the meantime to avoid moving it. Its a great time to begin purchasing better things.