Day Twelve

Trav here....

Wow...we haven't really been blogging!  We'll catch up...We have been doing pretty well...both dropping some pounds (though that's not really the goal).  I have been sneaking a latte every now and then but otherwise sticking to the plan.  We found some bread at Whole Foods that is made on site from 5 organic ingredients; unbleached flour, buttermilk, butter, cage free eggs, yeast and water.  Nice to have some bread, seriously.  Ang has been hitting the farmers markets around the area and getting some great fruit and veg.  Sam has been enjoying his diet....but it hasn't really changed much for him as that is how he normally eats.  We have been eating a bit more animal fats than usual but still dropping a little weight and feeling good.  I still have some stomach woes, but I think it is due to having more milk than normal and not always getting raw milk. I would like to open up the 4th as a semi-free day as it is un-American not to consume beer on such a holiday....I can't lie, I'm really looking forward to it.  We found a healthy cookie recipe that we'll be working on this weekend..yum.  Look for peanut clusters in the Nourishing Traditions cookbook.  Ang has been using this book a lot for this little experiment in traditional eating.

Why does something that should be so simple sound so hard?

What do doughnuts and beer have in common?  Those are two things my husband won't be enjoying for the next thirty days!  Since moving to Fairfax nine months ago, we have been absorbing a lot of the alternative cultures and have decided to put some of them into practice.  Basically, focusing on healthy eating and low environmental impact. I went to a local lecture put on by Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions a cookbook and guide that challenges politically correct nutrition.   This lecture really opened my eyes and got me thinking about our day-to-day food consumption and how that impacts our bodies and our community.  Our family plan is to avoid any processed and packaged foods, consume only local/organic produce and meats, and eat raw dairy (yogurt, milk and cheese) for the next 30 days.  I know half the world already does this....but for most Americans, this is a challenge.  We won't be quite as extreme as No Impact Man, but it should be pretty hard on Trav who likes to have a Friday doughnut and a trip to the pub--and me who enjoys trying new restaurants for our weekly date-night.  We've made a few small concessions; to keep honest and to not torture ourselves too much.  First, we get one cheat item, we both decided that would be coffee...meaning we can get a coffee from Peet's and not feel too guilty about it--but we will bring our own cup and of course our own raw milk!  Second, we can pull out of the bulk bins at the grocery store if it's organic and isn't processed.  Third, make as little waste as possible, but understanding that foods like milk have to some in some sort of package.  Please feel free to join us or just follow our blog.  Input is always appreciated and welcomed!!