As I type this I am eating these delicious lentil snacks. But alas, despite all the "better" ingredients they are still "processed." Out they will go.
The rules are:
Most of these things are defined by the fact that they are multi-ingredient items containing preservatives, chemicals, excess sugar, excess salt, and tons of packaging. They are things I could be making myself... like crackers, cookies, breakfast bars, cereals, bread, frozen pizzas, chips, canned soups, applesauce, candy bars, soda, pizza, pasta, sauce packets, salsa, boxed mixes, tortillas etc. The colorful highly advertised stuff.
Now, theoretically fish sauce is a prepared processed packaged food, well condiment really, but lets be honest, I'm not equipped to make fish sauce from scratch and I'm not sure many people would care to watch me try to do it or live with me while I was doing it for that matter.
So, a word about condiments: if I can reasonably make it then I cannot eat it. Here are a few examples of things I could be making myself with little trouble: mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, jam/jelly, relish, and pickles. I will NOT be making, hoisin sauce, rice wine vinegar, vinegar in general, fish sauce, wasabi, siracha, chili sauce, lyle's golden syrup, honey, salt, pepper, olive oil, coconut oil, let's just say oils in general, or any other troublesome condiment used in small quantities.
A word about dairy products. I don't own a dairy animal... yet. And because of this, I will still buy processed dairy products like yogurt, ricotta, aged cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, butter, heavy cream, and others as long as they are not OVERLY processed with flavors added. BUT, if I get a dairy animal (like a goat!) I will stop buying milk and many of these things once I have the ability to make them myself.
A word about preserved meats. I'm not equipped to start making prosciutto... deer sausage yes, but not salami. So limited preserved meats will be allowed as long as they are single ingredient meats. Summer sausage is not allowed.
A word about meats. We already raise our own eggs, and chickens, and a yearly turkey. Next year will hopefully add some meat ducks. We have a local source for grass-fed beef. I am going to try to stick to these sources.
A word about refined sugar and flour. Actually a few words. These two are pretty much the biggest offenders when it comes to processed foods. They are refined and ultra-processed. They are killing us. BUT, I recognize I cannot cut them out altogether because they are ingredients. I will be making an effort to use cane sugar and good brands of flour that are not brominated but I will use them in baking and cooking as needed.
A word about canned foods. They must be single ingredient veggies or meats. So yes to canned tuna, canned salmon, and canned straw mushrooms but a big fat NO to canned apple pie apples or soups.
A word about frozen foods. They must be single ingredient like frozen broccoli or spinach. However, if the frozen veggie is currently in season I will make every attempt to grow it myself or find a local source.
A word about dried fruits. Who has time to dry fruit?! Occasionally I will use dried fruits but only if obtained from local source.
A word about baking: Yes to baking soda, baking powder, cream of tarter, powdered sugar, gelatin, and other single ingredient baking items. Vanilla extract will have to be made since I now know how to do that.
Chocolate and Alcohol: I didn't forget. How could I? Yes, to chocolate. But unflavored, dark chocolate only. Mostly to be used in baking purposes. As for beer, I'll have to quit that until my husband starts making it again. Wine will be ok. All hard liquor ok. BUT, no sugary processed mixers or add-ins unless I make them myself from scratch.
So here's the basic idea: I don't eat it unless it is a single ingredient or I prepared it myself. Within reason.
