Green is Universal: My Processed Food Commitment for 2008

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My Processed Food Commitment for 2008

Posted at 02:59 PM on March 07, 2008 comments (2)

By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness

We are well into the year 2008 and I have created the steps to make more of my own "processed food." My new years resolution is to rely less on industrial energy, packaging and transportation even when I want to nourish my cravings or desire a quick hunger fix. So, now you will find me wearing my apron and creating mixtures in my private kitchen laboratory. It does take more time and energy which is difficult to find for a busy New Yorker but I feel a great amount of pleasure in the creative process of cooking, knowing that love is an ingredient in my food (also knowing what is in my food!) and eating a meal that I created myself. I can make exactly what I want and don't have to worry about hydrogenated corn syrup, preservatives, or food coloring.

The last two weeks I made my own jam, bread, yogurt, almond milk and pickles. The almond milk was surprisingly easy to make. It took me 15 minutes. When placed in a nice jar (yes... it was re-usable) it made a nice gift for my friends and family.

Here's the recipe:
1. Place 1 cup of freshly roasted almonds in a glass jar
2. Cover with 4 cups of water
3. Tightly close the jar
4. Refrigerate for 1 day or no more than 2 days
5. Pour into blender and blend until smooth

We would love to hear from you. Share with us. What are your favorite recipes? What have you created this week?

Nicole Ohebshalom, RN,CHHC, AADP
Radiant Living Wellness

comments

Posted by: Mico & Coco on March 12, 2008 06:26 PM

Hello there,

Love the mission! & the encouragement your making for unprocessed foods.

I will say that RAW Almonds are definitely a better, and more vibrant place to start than with roasted almonds.

Raw nuts, can be soaked for a day or so, and then used with the same recipe above.

We like to add agave nectar (low glycemic sweetener - made from cactus) & then add a little organic vanilla!

Taste great! We also drink Organic Raw Dairy milk when we can get our hands, and mouths on it... Stupidly, it's been outlawed in some way, shape, or form in most states.

Raw milk - in any form, whether nut based, or dairy, is an incredibly healthy vegetarian treat - high in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes!!! (The latter is something you can't get in cooked foods, including pasteurized milk).

Enjoy !!!!

Micah & Clare
Coco & Mico
"Drive Your Car On Water"
www.EcoChariot.com
;-}

Posted by: Tammie Umbel on March 14, 2008 09:29 AM

Thank you for your post. My household (myself, 11 children and husband) is very anti-processed food. I decided to throw out the processed foods years ago. Even processed health foods, while better are not nearly as healthy as eating food made at home using organic and whole (rather than refined) foods. I do not buy cookies, cakes and the likes. Instead I provide my children with lots of cookbooks, bags of whole wheat and whole sugars. They use farm fresh butter in their recipes. We also raise our own pasture raised chickens for eggs that put store bought (even "free range") to shame. This is something I encourage every household to do. Keeping a few chickens is easy, they are very sociable, provide great nutrition and keep down on the bugs. If your zoning does not allow it, find others to band together to get it permitted. They require very little space and producing your own eggs means there are not chickens in a inhumane factory with your name on them.