We did it! (But it doesn’t really end today…)
Nov 01, 2021
Congratulations on making it through the annual October Unprocessed Challenge! Whether you went completely unprocessed, or just started paying closer attention to what is actually in your food, I hope you can consider the challenge a success.
October Unprocessed, at its core, is an awareness exercise. Although many people report feeling better (and losing weight!), the goal isn’t really to change your health in just one month. It’s to learn about and focus on what you’re putting in your body, and how it affects your health and well-being, and the world around you. I hope you’ve learned a lot this month, and will take that with you moving forward from today. Even though this October has come and gone, October Unprocessed doesn’t really end today – I hope you’ll take your new-found unprocessed knowledge and build on it, growing and learning for the rest of your lives.
Each year our movement has grown — and it gives me hope for the future. It means the pendulum is starting to swing back from ultra-processed foods to real food, and it’s gaining momentum. By continuing on this path, we will shift our world to what we want it to be. So please keep seeking out nutritious, delicious, unprocessed food. The more we demand it, the more the market will provide it, helping ensure everyone will soon have access to unprocessed, wholesome, and affordable food.
Thanks.
Each year I’m blown away by the number of people who volunteer their time, expertise, and talent to make October Unprocessed a success. I would like to thank the Guest Post Authors – the heroes of October Unprocessed! Together, they brought us stories of inspiration and health, along with many creative “how to” guides, recipes, and resources. I am reminded each year of the incredible people in the food blogging and wellness community. They are one of the finest groups of people I’ve ever been blessed to know and be a part of, and for that I am truly grateful.
And a big thank you goes out to everyone who took the challenge and participated in any way. The challenge is really about all of you and I hope you’ve had a great experience.
Hungry for More?
Now’s the time to join the Real Food Rescue!
We’ve gone through a month of recipes and exploration, but if you’re looking for more of a guided experience this is the best way to continue and build up on what you’ve just accomplished. The Real Food Rescue is a 4-week program that gives you the strategies and tools you need to transition to–and maintain–a real food diet.
The Real Food Rescue is filled with advice, strategies, and printable checklists & worksheets. It also includes dozens of easy recipes and three weeks of full meal plans.
Take control of what you eat, feel great, and transform your life!
So… How did it go?
I’d love to know how the challenge went for you. Did you complete the challenge? Overcome any specific hurdles? Have any revelations? The most important question: What will you take with you moving forward? Leave a comment below and let us all know!
Eating healthy food which is near me means you have to eat a variety of food that gives you the nutrients necessary to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy in your body all day long. These nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, minerals, etc. Food popularly is believed to maintain good health by containing natural nutrients, grown without pesticides and chemicals, and low sodium and fat content. This type of food is generally known as Organic food, and they are the best for the human body and the body system. Focus on getting nourishing foods that will support your the immune function now and in the long term. Making your body more resistant to infections and diseases by getting sufficient protein from good leafy greens and flavonoids from colourful vegetables are rich in vitamin C and zinc. Avoiding high sugar food and highly processed foods which are… Read more »
This is great cheers inspiration for me.!!! Challenge s so much fond of me . Thanks Andrew for giving me the chance again.
Hello! This is a nice article and an awesome challenge. I haven’t started it yet. But I am planning to do it this at earliest
This challenge changed our game plan. It is our 7th year. Now we eat this way 90% of the year. Does it
take more time & thought, yes. Is that important to our well being, yes. We are 65 yo, have eaten vegan/veggie for the better part of it & understand what we need to do vs. what companies that have the bottom line as their most important goal. We increased our garden by 300% this year & loved every minute of it. Don’t feel bad that you slipped, feel great that you took the challenge & got a better perspective on how you eat, what you eat & how you can improve your health & well-being with a few
changes. It doesn’t have to be 100% because you always have choices in your life or unplanned events.
Just be happy you were able to enjoy this learning opportunity.
I started off the month fairly well- I did eat some processed foods I already had, because I didn’t want to waste them, but I ate unprocessed as much as I could. I even avoided most take-out, which is a big deal for me! Then, about 1/3 of the way through the month, I was hit with some major stressors and I fell off the wagon. But, I was fully aware of it, and tried not to let it totally ruin things for the month. I can’t honestly say that I was very successful. However, I do plan to carry it forward into November. I’d say the biggest change for me is in the way I shop. I used to spend a lot of time in the center of the grocery store, but now it’s mostly along the edges, and overall, I’d say I’m not unhappy with how I did.
I believe this is my 5th year of the October Challenge and each year it becomes more unique to my lifestyle. This year it was about setting a mindful physical intention each day at 3pm, when processed foods become the goto for the afternoon slump. The other was to eliminate processed dairy and packaged items. I DID IT!
I feel great and in control and i noticed I’m less hungry. Eating clean is a lifestyle I adopted 50 pounds ago and the October Challenge is a great Fall reset. I lost 7 pounds and feel great! More important I am in control….
I read labels like it was no one’s business! But, that gave me a better understanding of what goes into food, and, I discovered some new foods that will definitely be a part of my lifestyle from now on.
Hello! This is a nice article and an awesome challenge. I haven’t started it yet. But I am planning to do it this 2019. I’ll do this by the first day of January and see if I can survive. Wish me luck. Xoxo.
Is this happening again in 2019? I’d like to get involved!
Last year I took the challenge and lasted a week. This year I took the challenge and, with the exception of a few times, went the entire month unprocessed. I read labels like it was no one’s business! But, that gave me a better understanding of what goes into food, and, I discovered some new foods that will definitely be a part of my lifestyle from now on. Like the Susan before me, I woke up thinking I could eat processed food again, but it just doesn’t interest me. I had steel cut oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon again for breakfast and loved it! I, too, have lost some pounds and am standing up taller and straighter, sleeping better and feeling overall better than I have in a couple of years. My visiting family even got into the spirit of things as I served them unprocessed foods and they liked… Read more »
Hooray! So glad you had a great month… and am thrilled to hear you’ll be continuing on. Yay!
Today while pillaging for breakfast, I had the thought “Oh great, I can eat processed food, what do I want for breakfast?” Well, I wanted homemade greek yogurt and 1/2 mango. Wait that’s my preference and I’m no longer obligated to eat unprocessed? Yes, nothing processed sounds good to me today, I hope it lasts until next October Unprocessed. Also, I am down 4 1/2 pounds!
Wonderful!! 🙂