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We would like to ask you to join our mission by taking the 10 Days of Real Food pledge. Taking the 10-day pledge means following our same real food rules (that we followed during our 100-day pledge) just for a shorter amount of time. Thousands of people all the way from Austin to Australia have signed up so far! Check out the blog post with their feedback to see how much the 10-day pledge has impacted their lives. As you’ve probably noticed, this website is about our family taking the 100 Days of Real Food pledge. If all four of us did it for 100 days, I am convinced that absolutely anyone can do it for only 10 days. And what harm is there in trying?
On the other hand, if you feel the need to ease into things then check out our weekly “real food” mini-pledge series or our list of suggested pledge alternatives on the rules page. These may help you get ready for the 10-day pledge or simply help you make some general changes for the better. However, if you want a true wake up call to just how pervasive processed foods are in everyday life, we believe there is no substitute for the 10-day pledge! We promise that your new-found perspective will be worth the effort.
Benefits of Taking the 10-Day Pledge
Upon completing your goal we predict you will gain the following:
- A first-hand, eye opening experience of how to identify the real food in our processed food world.
- At least one improved health benefit such as having more energy, losing weight, improving regularity, or just feeling healthier overall.
- The realization that some of those pre-packaged processed “food-like substances” don’t even taste that good compared to real food.
- The opportunity to teach your children (if you have them), by example, the healthiest way to eat and enjoy the food mother nature has given us.
- A congratulatory letter and complimentary gift – a silicone wristband debossed with “10 Days of Real Food” which you can wear to make sure all of your friends know what you accomplished!
- The ability to continue on with your life however you chose, but with the new knowledge of how and why to avoid processed foods. Hopefully your 10-day experience will convince you to consider making at least a few changes for life.
How to Take the 10-Day Pledge
- Review the rules that you must follow for the full 10 days. In case you need some more convincing you may also want to review 10 reasons to cut out processed food.
- Complete the form below including your start date. We recommend that you take at least a few days or longer to plan and prepare your kitchen with whole foods so you have enough to eat once your mission starts. Also, consider boxing away the stuff that might tempt you to break the rules – we want you to succeed!
- We also recommend that you spend a few moments reviewing our concise list of real food meal ideas (that link directly to recipes) on the Recipes and Resources page of this site.
- Don’t forget to update your facebook or twitter status to let your friends know that you are starting the 10 Days of Real Food pledge so they can provide you with support and accountability!
- Once you have completed your 10-day pledge visit the Real Food Graduates page to tell us about your experience. We want to know how it went, keep track of how many people have come this far, and be able to send you your free gift.
Just got done reading “Pandora’s Lunchbox” very very scary! I purchased three books and they are currently being rotated through family and friends. A must read! Found this site at the end of the book. Love all the info, we must return to our eating roots. Things that the earth produces, since we are also a product of Mother Earth! Expecting a much healthier ME!
I’ve been doing a lot of research and think I’m ready to change to a “real food” lifestyle. I’m wondering how to effectively do this on a single gal’s budget. I’ve also always found it challenging to cook for one, which is why I tend to eat a lot of convenience/processed foods. Have you previously posted about any of this or do you have any resources or tips for me?
Hi Bianca. Make sure you go through Lisa’s post on 100 Days on a Budget: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-on-a-budget/. Also, read through the reader comments following the posts because so many good ideas are shared there. Do not be afraid of making a full recipe and having leftovers. Leftovers save time the next day or further down the line if you freeze them. It is also more economical. Good luck. ~Amy
I am preparing to start studying for the California Bar. I can’t think of a better time to do this challenge than now. I will need the energy, the motivation and the determination to study for the bar, so I will also take this challenge for the 70 days that I study for the bar. I am so ready, but words of encouragement are always desired. Thanks for the support!
Hello Danilita. Best of luck on the bar!! Here is a little article on some of the best brain foods: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/brain-food-superfoods_n_1895328.html.
~Amy
I have taken the pledge and am very excited, however, when grocery shopping yesterday I was a bit confused. I know you should not buy foods with more than 5 ingredients. But does that include sugar? I know you should avoid sugar too. And what about Brown rice syrup? Is that ok? Also, I have found a great solution to my morning coffee. I put a little organic maple syrup and it added that little bit of sweetness I needed. Looking forward to feeling better over the next 10 days!!
Hi Andrea. So how’s your pledge going? Maple syrup is one of our approved sweeteners (yum!) for the pledge. And yes, the 5 ingredient rule includes sugar…but both sugar and rice syrup should not be a part of the pledge. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Started our 10 day pledge today. so far so good with the banana pancakes! Thank you for taking the time to create and publish the meal plans! Makes my life a lot easier! I work full time and I am in Grad. School. Time with my family is at a premium.
My husband and I tried completing the 10-day pledge…we got to day 6 and everything seemed to fall apart. Our bodies just could not handle such a drastic change from the junk we normally ate. However, we have made lots of little changes since then and are about 85% unprocessed. I just really wanted to thank you all for your help!
I have always been asthmatic, ever since I was a kid and my symptoms had been increasing (having attacks 4-5 times a week). Of course, I went to my doctor, who gave me another inhaler, but I’ve never really liked them. Anyway, my point is, since we’ve made our changes I have not needed to use any of my inhalers…I haven’t had any asthma attacks at all. So, thank you again, we’re healthier than ever and we couldn’t have done it without you!