The October Unprocessed Vault: Day 13

Allison Jones has worked for the Portland Farmers’ Market for four seasons, and is a photographer and writer in the Portland food scene — all of which has completely changed the way she eats.

Eleven months after changing how we eat, we not only have more energy and stronger immune systems, we have a healthier approach to food that will stay with us for the long-term. And we still get to eat cake regularly.

What I was striving to teach my kids is also applicable to most adults as we have forgotten the basics of why we need to eat certain things.

Several years ago I made a decision that changed my life forever. I was going to stop dieting. Stop counting calories and stop waiting until I hit 120 pounds to be happy with myself. I was going to do something every single day to be healthy that day and no longer worry about my weight.

Ok, so eating healthy and unprocessed at home is one thing but it’s a whole new ballgame when you’re away from home. Eating and being healthy while traveling doesn’t always go hand in hand.

Making your own chocolate can be inexpensive or a bit pricey, depending on the ingredients you use. If you typically buy good chocolate, you will definitely save money per bar.

The meaty portobello mushroom is the star here, full of texture and earthiness. It’s painted with a mixture of boozy chimichurri, olive oil, and red wine vinegar, then grilled to perfection.

To avoid the picky eater trap, I realized I had to do more than just feed my daughter different sorts of tasty and healthy foods. I had to involve her in food by cooking together, shopping for food together and more.

If you’re cutting out processed foods in October you are part of a growing movement of people who care deeply about what is going into their bodies. In September the ASPCA launched a national challenge asking people to make the welfare-conscious choice. The Change Your Chicken campaign challenges consumers to avoid all factory-farmed chicken products for 30 days and instead purchase only products bearing meaningful animal welfare certifications.

Flavorful sauce is the key to a perfect pizza. This tomato sauce recipe shines in its simplicity and allows the freshness of a Neapolitan pizza to really come through.

Got a recipe with undesirable packaged food? You can probably make it even better yourself. Grab the recipe and ingredients list and get to work!