Gosh, my commenters are so amazing. Talk about a movement.

I remember when the only processed food my grandmother would have in her house were baking staples(flours, oils, spices, etc) and boxed cereals. We had drop biscuits and cornbread for bread up until her 70′s when the cooking became too much for her. And mixing dough for rolls at 5am was no joke! I hated visiting her in the summers ’caused we weeded and canned whatever she grew ot bought, and also cleaned many a chicken she got minus the head from a local farm by the dozen.

Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest have a weekly food distribution at my church. When I help out, they always pack me a box of food. I usually wind up giving most of it away to neighbors that are worst off than me simply because I try my best to stay away from processed foods. My neighbor told me that they are suffering in this economy (grown children having to move back home with children of their own)and appreciate whatever I can share. It’s a question of them not having enough food versus processed “healthy” food. I don’t drink orange juice “from concentrate” or any bottled juices. I’d rather eat the fruit anyway. I don’t do breaded anything, or sugar substitutes. It’s funny how long it took me to get used to the taste of homemade salad dressing, as opposed to bottled stuff.

This year, I’m using the neighborhood kids to help me plant my garden and do yardwork in exchange for veggie plants and flowers. They bring me a pot and their labor, and an hour or so later we both have things planted. They are actually learning about eating fresh fruits and vegetables DAILY from school: Thanks Mrs Obama! I had to go back to the Farmer’s market to buy another flat of mixed vegetables today! We talked about using composted manure, and soapy water/companion plants instead of bug sprays. I told them that we could have a “healthy” bbq at the end of the summer with grilled vegetables (from our gardens), fruit, and some type of healthy protein. Are there any healthy hotdogs/sausages out there? If not I guess I could do chicken…

@Gee, I’m excited for you! I’m considering planting a little garden, as well – give my daughter something nice and small to care for. We’ll see how that goes, lol.

@Tracy and OG… I’own wanna hear it – y’all only had to read it. I had to read the research aaaand write it! LOL! I’m glad that you enjoyed the post, though. I’ll soon be discussing some of the marketing mishaps in food labeling… “natural” is a huge one.

-OG

Part of the deception with processed foods is the use of the words “natural,” “all natural” or “100% natural.” Take Campbell’s Harvest Select Soup, for example. I’ve seen commercials for it, stating that it’s “100% natural.” However, when you read the ingredients, there are a few fleeting ingredients that make you go “Hmmm…. How ‘natural’ is that?” As most people don’t read labels and/or don’t take the time to learn or dig deeper in terms of nutrition, they see “100% Natural” and think they are getting something “healthy.” It may not be as bad as other products, but it’s still processed.

I can’t wait to read more from you on the subject. As with everything, I’m sure processed foods are OK in moderation, but this just solidifies the fact that I’m gonna have to kick old school and set Sunday aside for cooking. I’m talking about baking bread, making meals from scratch, etc.