Day 8 - I NEED ALTERNATIVES!!! - 30 Days No Ultra Processed Food Challenge
We are on Day 8 - and I'm still surrounded by ultra processed foods... but I'm staying strong!
We have to be realistic that when we change our dietary habits, that others in the household may not be on the same page. And that's how my house is. While everyone is eating healthier than before because I'm providing non-ultra processed meals, they still like to munch on their cookies and cakes and chips and all that.
But that's ok. Would it be easier if I didn't have all the ultra processed food around me? Absolutely! But it's not realistic. We gotta work with what we've got.
Here is my super yummy pancake/waffle mix. I find it is easier to make this in bulk (as listed below) and store in an airtight container, instead of taking the time to get all the ingredients out every time I want to make it.
Pancake/Waffle Mix:
4 cups flour (I prefer unbleached unbromated flour)
3 tbl baking power
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3 tbl sugar
Store in an airtight container until you need it.
To Make Pancakes/Waffles:
1 cup pancake mix (from above)
1 egg
1 cup milk (or as needed)
1 tbl melted butter
Pour onto hot griddle for pancakes, or into a waffle iron, and enjoy!
Food Diary:
Brunch:
Coffee with sweetened condense milk
Homemade Belgian Waffle and all-natural blueberry fruit syrup
3 pieces of bacon
Snack:
Fresh fruit
Triscuit Hint of Sea Salt
"Healthy" soda (see my other video)
Dinner:
2 hard shell beef tacos
11:40 PM Snack
Tostito Tortilla Chips
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#pancakerecipe #wafflerecipe #homemadepancakes #homemadewaffles #processedfoods #onedayatatime #day8
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Day 9 - STRUGGLING - 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge
Day 9
The struggle is real. I was starting to feel like I was over the hump, that I was bound to start reaping the rewards, and I guess I was a bit too hopeful.
Frustration is definitely setting in, but I've stayed strong with eating NO ultra processed foods for 9 days out of the 30 day challenge.
Food Diary
Breakfast
Coffee with sweetened and condensed milk
Oatmeal with all-natural jam
Lunch
Cottage cheese and triscuits
Dinner
Pork carnitas nachos (Tostitos Scoops which is a NOVA 3 processed product, corn, black beans, pulled pork, cheese, homemade salsa, and sour cream
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Facebook:
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#30daychallenge #30dayfoodchallenge #day9 #struggling #ultraprocessed #processedfood #fooddiary #healthjourney #eatbetter
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Healthy Soda??? Easy Recipe!
My biggest struggle with the #30daychallenge of No Ultra Processed Foods is EASILY soda.
I love soda - I think of soda - I dream of soda.
So when a viewer suggested carbonated mineral water and fruit, I just had to try it!
Recipe is SUPER simple.
Mash up your favorite fruits - I used strawberries, blackberries, and lemon. Add an UNFLAVORED carbonated mineral water. I used #Perrier
I added a dash of sugar (because... well, sugar) and this is STILL by far a healthier option than traditional soda.
Cheers!
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#soda #sodaaddict #sodasubstitute #healthyrecipe #recipe #myrecipe
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EASY Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe (without ketchup)
Quick and easy BBQ sauce recipe that is completely ultra processed free!
Ingredients:
15 oz tomato sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup black pepper
Directions:
Add all ingredients in a pot. Whisk all ingredients together before you start heating it up and make sure it is well combined.
Cook over medium high heat in a saucepan. Boil for 1 minute, then reduce heat and simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes.
Pour into a container - I like to use old mason jars. You can store in the fridge for about a month.
I’ve used this in chili in replacement of ketchup, and on any bbq’d meat.
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#bbqsauce #bbqsaucerecipe #homemadebbqsauce #homemadebbqsaucerecipe #easyrecipes #fast recipes #6ingredientsrecipe
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Day 4 - No Ultra Processed Food Challenge
Day 4 of my 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge
Day 4 is by far the hardest day yet. I want soda, I want chips, I want all the things.
Anxiety, feeling down, and brain fog are creeping in - but I'm going to stay strong!
Food Diary
Breakfast:
Coffee
Oatmeal with natural jam
Lunch:
Homemade chili
Zucchini bread
Dinner:
Steak and Veggie Stir Fry
Corn on the cob
Night Snack:
Banana Bread
Join the journey at any time - and let me know when you do!
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#30daychallenge #processedfoods #eatbetter #health
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Day 3 - 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge #30daychallenge
Day Three of the 30 Day No Ultra Processed Foods Challenge
Things are getting real! The energy and enthusiasm of the first two days are gone and cravings for soda and snacks are on the mind.
I'm ornery, which is very common when quitting processed foods. Our bodies have become addicted to the ingredients in them and tend to throw a fit when we stop eating them.
I'm also thirsty. I read that our bodies store more sodium and water when we eat a lot of processed foods do to increased insulin. When we quit eating all that stuff, our body let's go of the water and can result in an increased feeling of thirst.
I've also lost 2 pounds - which I wasn't surprised about. The first few days of trying to be healthy usually result in a few pounds lost because I let go of water retention.
But the soda.... ugh - if you know a good way to make water taste good (without using ultra processed stuff) please let me know!
Food Dairy:
Breakfast:
Coffee with sweetened and condensed milk
Cottage cheese and strawberries (I'm NOT eating cottage cheese tomorrow)
Lunch:
Hamburger patty (without a bun) topped with pepper jack cheese and jalapeños I canned and the homemade BBQ sauce from Sunday
Canteloupe
Snack:
Zucchini bread and butter
Dinner:
Homemade chili topped with fresh grated cheese
Snack:
More zucchini bread... I need to get another snack on board
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#30daychallenge #30dayfoodchallenge #ultraprocessed #processedfood #healthjourney #eatingbetter
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How Do You Know A Food Is Ultra Processed?
Someone asked a great question - How do you know a food is ultra processed?
There is a food classification system called NOVA. There are 4 groups of food within NOVA, and NOVA 4 is considered ultra processed.
Group One - unprocessed or minimally processed foods (fruit, veggies, milk, eggs, meat, ect)
Group Two - processed culinary ingredients (fats, herbs, sugars, ect)
Group Three - processed foods made my combining items from group one and two. These are foods that have minimal ingredients and are natural (homemade breads, natural jams, bottled vegetables, canned fish, ect).
Group Four - ultra processed foods - foods that either no longer resemble their original form (candy, soda, ect) and/or have many ingredients with additives that improve palatability, hydrogenated fats (margarine, fried foods, ect), modified starches, ect. These foods are industrial, are rarely cooked with (think mechanically separated meat here....) and have low cost, high taste, and long shelf-life as it's main goal.
There is a website where you can search a product and see the NOVA rating.
https://world.openfoodfacts.org/
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#30daychallenge #30dayhealthchallenge #30dayfoodchallenge #processedfood #ultraprocessedfood #healthjourney
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Day 2 - 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge!
Day 2 of the 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge!
I miss soda!! But I found out that beer and wine is NOT ultra processed, so I'll enjoy those every now and then. Just FYI - hard liquors (rum, whiskey, ect), colored beers, and seltzers ARE ultra-processed.
I tried natural peanut butter (with just roasted peanuts and oil) because regular peanut butter is considered an ultra-processed food. You guys... it's different... But you stir it up and it went great with apples.
I was hoping to make homemade spaghetti sauce, but before I knew it 7:30 PM had rolled around. Luckily I had found this Ragu spaghetti sauce that only has 8 natural ingredients and is NOT considered ultra processed (most spaghetti sauces out there are - check the ingredients!)
I also made some Zucchini Bread (don't knock it till you try it!) Here is the recipe if you want to try it out!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup grated zucchini
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup UNSWEETENED applesauce (if you want to stay away from ultra processed foods...)
1/3 cup butter (vegetable oil works too, but I like butter better)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup flour (I like unbleached unbromated flour)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp to 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice depending on preference (if you don't have pumpkin pie spice you can use 1/2 tsp cinnamon)
Directions:
Add grated zucchini, sugar, brown sugar, apple sauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla and stir till it is well combined.
In a SEPARATE bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon. Stir till well blended.
Pour flour bowl mixture into the zucchini mixture. Stir until flour is moistened - do NOT overmix.
Pour into a greased 9x5 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 54 minutes. A toothpick should come out of the middle with moist crumbs.
Let rest for 10 minutes - after 10 minutes, say a prayer and take it out of the pan. Cool on wire rack.
You can eat it right away - but I think it's better after it's been in the fridge.
Store leftovers in the fridge.
Food Dairy:
Breakfast:
Cup of coffee with sweetened and condensed milk and splash of milk
Bowl of cottage cheese and raspberries
Lunch:
Peanut butter and apples
Zucchini bread
Dinner:
A Beer
Spaghetti
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Day One Recap With The Chickens
Day One Recap!
Every time I start a "health journey", the first few days are always the easiest. See an overview of what I ate - plus some love from my chickens.
Breakfast:
Coffee with sweetened condensed milk and a splash of milk
Homemade pancakes with all natural jam
Snack:
Cottage Cheese with cherry tomatoes
Lunch/Dinner (we ate late!):
Chicken tenders with homemade BBQ sauce
Grilled corn, zucchini, tomatoes, and sweet peppers
Watermelon
Canteloupe
Late Night Snack:
Popcorn with butter and salt
Subscribe and join in on the fun!
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Day Zero - NO Ultra Processed Food Challenge
Welcome to the 30 Day No Ultra Processed Food Challenge!
Join in on the fun of exploring healthier ways to eat and going through all the emotions and frustrations that are sure to be found along the way.
Subscribe and share - and if YOU are joining in on the fun, make to sure to let me know in the comments!
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30 Day Challenge + Meet Baxter!
Even though I have been doing research and know that ultra-processed food is not good for you, I keep eating it! So I think it's time for a 30 Day Challenge.
Starting Sunday, August 13th, I will be cutting out ultra-processed foods from my diet for 30 days. Subscribe and join me on the journey as I find healthier ways to eat. It's go time!
Also - meet my lovely dog Baxter :)
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:12 Why I'm Doing the 30 Day Challenge
01:17 Meet Baxter!
01:40 Closing Comments
#30daychallenge #challenge #stayhealthy #cleaneating #myjourney #processedfoods #healthyeating #fooddairy #eatbetter #nutritiongoals #mindfuleating #selfcare
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30 Day Challenge + Meet Baxter!
Even though I have been doing research and know that ultra-processed food is not good for you, I keep eating it! So I think it's time for a 30 Day Challenge.
Starting Sunday, August 13th, I will be cutting out ultra-processed foods from my diet for 30 days. Subscribe and join me on the journey as I find healthier ways to eat. It's go time!
Also - meet my lovely dog Baxter :)
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EASY Roasted Vegetable Recipe - A Winner Every Time!
Easy roasted vegetables! I always use whatever I have lying around. Super easy and a winning side everyone always loves.
For this video I used sweet potatoes, carrots, and sweet peppers. But any veggies will work! Regular potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower... This is a great way to use those extra vegetables before they go bad.
Chop them up and toss with softened butter or olive oil.
Add your seasoning - I personally like McCormick Hamburger Seasoning.
Cook at 400 degrees - for this video it took me about 40 minutes to get them browned and soft. But it could take more or less time depending on the size of your chopped vegetables.
At about 20 minutes I do mix it all around so that you get a more even browning on the sides.
And that's it!
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Quick Thoughts on Processed Food and Meet My Chickens!
What I think about giving up ALL processed foods - plus meet my chickens. Check out the full video on my channel.
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I'm Not Giving Up ALL Processed Food! And Neither Should You!
Processed vs Ultra-Processed - What's the Difference?
You'll be surprised by what's considered a processed food. Learn the difference and why not all processed foods are bad.
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:20 Definition of processed food
00:50 Definition of ultra-processed food
01:50 My confession - I'm not giving up all processed foods!
02:13 Closing comments
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Coffee Creamer Battle Sneak Peak!
Coffee Mate vs International Delight Coffee Creamer. Who will win??
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Coffee Mate vs International Delight Peppermint Mocha
A listener asked that I look at coffee creamer, specifically Coffee Mate or International Delight Peppermint Mocha. I figure we would do a show down between the two! Learn about the ingredients in creamer, and which one I deem the winner.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Main ingredients of coffee creamer
00:55 Oil ingredients
01:34 Cocoa
02:03 Milk derivatives
02:42 Natural and artificial flavors
03:05 Carrageenan
03:35 Verdict and Winner
03:57 Closing comments
Websites used in research:
https://foodstruct.com/compare/soybean-oil-vs-palm-oil
https://www.marigoldfoods.com/4-reasons-you-should-avoid-casein/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/what-is-carrageenan/
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PFAS -A Chemical in EVERYTHING - in 30 Seconds!
Quick overview of where PFAS is and what the side effects are. A must listen!
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PFAS - The Forever Chemical That's Everywhere
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals because most do not break down so they stay in our environment and bodies. Learn all the many products and places this chemical is, and some steps you can take to reduce your exposure.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:32 Products with PFAS
00:52 Side Effects of PFAS
01:21 Intro to ways to reduce exposure
01:47 PFAS in our drinking water
02:16 Take Out Food containers
02:31 Nonstick cookware
02:58 PFAS in the home - dusting and vacuuming
03:19 Clothes and outdoor gear
03:51 Companies that are PFAS free
04:25 Closing comments
Website for PFAS free products:
https://pfascentral.org/pfas-free-products/
My research:
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/protecting-against-forever-chemicals/
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/forever-chemicals-called-pfas-show-your-food-clothes-and-home
https://www.ehn.org/what-are-pfas-2656619391.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5jH4kchbZEBuUtY6KKTvgnmKXLf7mZ90kjMGIGhNIyXVzbNfOuaYrxoC2P0QAvD_BwE
https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/history_and_use_508_2020Aug_Final.pdf
https://pfascentral.org/pfas-free-products/
https://time.com/6292482/legal-liability-pfas-chemicals-lawsuit/
https://cvskinlabs.com/danger-can-pfas-be-absorbed-through-the-skin/
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Pop Tart Ingredients Have WHAT Side Effects?
Pop Tarts - if you take one bite you already know that extreme sweetness can’t be THAT healthy. But how bad is that convenient pastry really?
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Food Coloring
01:18 Sugars - Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dextrose
01:28 Dextrose
01:59 Bleached Wheat Flour
02:09 Soybean and Palm Oil
02:39 TBHQ
03:38 Citric Acid
03:57 Caramel Coloring
04:32 Xanthan Gum
04:42 Corn Starch, Yellow Corn Starch, Soy Lecithin
04:50 Verdict and Confession
05:02 Closing Comments
I researched the topic on these websites:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23026007/
https://satia.com/blog/how-bad-are-pop-tarts-for-you
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11777037/The-risky-food-additives-banned-Europe-legal-US.html
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/study-preservative-used-pop-tarts-and-hundreds-popular-foods-may-harm
https://draxe.com/nutrition/tbhq/
https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news-release/study-preservative-used-pop-tarts-and-hundreds-popular-foods-may-harm
https://draxe.com/nutrition/tbhq/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/tbhq/
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/potential-tbhq-dangers#possible-dangers
https://learn.ddwcolor.com/is-caramel-color-safe/
https://www.isitbadforyou.com/questions/is-caramel-color-bad-for-you
https://physiologicnyc.com/xanthan-gum-debunking-hype/
https://www.mashed.com/325737/why-you-should-rethink-eating-pop-tarts/
https://ourworldindata.org/what-are-drivers-deforestation
https://draxe.com/nutrition/soybean-oil/
https://www.peacefulmountainmedicine.com/post/citric-acid-a-common-food-additive-with-an-uncommon-source
https://explore.globalhealing.com/top-20-gmo-foods-and-ingredients-to-avoid/
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TBHQ: In Over 1,250 Processed Foods - Linked To Rising Food Allergies!
TBHQ is in over 1,250 processed foods and is directly linked to our growing food allergies in our children. Do the foods you eat have this preservative in it? Chances are yes, if they are processed - and they have a whole bunch of other health concerns than just food allergies.
See List Here: https://www.ewg.org/sites/default/files/u352/EWG_TBHQ_FullChart_C01.pdf
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 Increase in food allergies lead to studies
01:19 Other side effects
02:00 Overview of some processed foods with TBHQ
02:50 Closing comments
I used these websites in my research:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/tbhq/
https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/8349-research-links-tbhq-to-allergies#:~:text=TBHQ causes T cells to,, eggs, wheat and shellfish.
https://www.ewg.org/sites/default/files/u352/EWG_TBHQ_FullChart_C01.pdf
https://www.verywellfit.com/what-is-tbhq-5195951
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TBHQ: 22 Second Video!
TBHQ is in over 1,250 processed foods and is directly linked to our growing food allergies in our children. Do the foods you eat have this preservative in it? Chances are yes, if they are processed - and they have a whole bunch of other health concerns than just food allergies.
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No Trans Fat, No Preservatives, No GMO - WHAT IS IT??
Find out what pre-made roll has no trans fat, no preservatives, and no GMO. And they're yummy!
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Rhodes Rolls - Too Good To Be True?
Rhodes Rolls - convenient and yummy, but is it too good to be true? Find out!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Ingredients
00:48 Statements on package
00:53 Verdict and confession
01:14 Closing
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/preservinghealthyliving/
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