Un-processed Foods

A little over a year ago, we made the decision at our house to move away from pre-packaged foods. Over the past year, we've really made significant changes in what we buy at the grocery store. Right now, we shop the perimeter... fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, meat, and the baking aisle for flour, etc. From these basics, we can make just about everything we're interested in eating!

For breakfasts, those quick go-to frozen pastries, waffles, etc., can be tempting because they are a time saver. For us, we make our own "freezer" goods. Make up a big batch of wheat oatmeal pancakes, cinnamon waffles, bagels, wheat cinnamon rolls, or muffins and freeze the rest. Pull them out, pop them in the toaster and you have breakfast in a flash. Or, instead of cereal, try homemade cinnamon granola or apple granola.



For lunches, sandwiches are a go-to staple. If you don't have a bread maker, try a no-knead quick whole wheat oatmeal bread, or wheat tortillas for a yummy sandwich. Like specialty breads for your sandwiches? Try a tomato basil bread, or Parmesan Italian bread.



Like soup with that sandwich? Make your own, freeze them in individual serving sizes and take them with you in your lunch. Maybe a veggie-loaded Minestrone, a comfy chicken stew or an amazing chili?



Need an afternoon snack? Reaching for that bag of pretzels or chips can be very tempting. Our solution... we just don't buy them (that often). In reality, we do have some processed food weaknesses, but we're working to find our own replacements. Homemade soft wheat pretzels, cheesy crackers, fruit "roll-ups", chewy oatmeal craisin granola bars, and crunchy honey granola bars.



How about dinner? Need a hamburger buns in less than 40 minutes? How about a pizza crust in a pinch? Once a month, make up a batch of spaghetti sauce, keep it in the freezer for a variety of meals -- like homemade ravioli. Breaded chicken fingers or popcorn chicken comes together in just a few minutes -- breaded in wheat flour and baked in butter rather than fried in oil makes these a healthy alternative to the boxed variety. No need to buy that boxed chicken pot pie either... you can make one for just pennies a serving.



And, who can forget desserts? We love desserts here... and we've come to make nearly everything from scratch. Pudding. Ice Cream. Popsicles. Pie Filling. Brownies. Cookie Dough (made with whole wheat flour), Ice Cream Cake. You name it, you can make it with some simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools.



For more un-processed foods, check out Katie's Super Foods Carnival by clicking on the image below!