Ingredients:
• 1 large jicama
• 3/4 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cold pressed olive pil
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chili seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch cayenne
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
Directions:
Peel and slice the jicama so it looks like a French fry. Place in a container with a tight fitting lid. Add the spice and lemon juice olive oil. Put the lid on the container and shake until the jicama is well coated.
Variation:
Instead of using jicama, use a sweet potato.
Since 2009, October has been “unprocessed month,” and more than 5,700 people have committed to giving up all processed food for 30 days in the October Unprocessed challenge.
What exactly does unprocessed mean? The Free Dictionary defines unprocessed as 1) not refined or processed 2) not altered from an original or natural state 3) not treated or prepared by a special process.
The definition of unprocessed for the purpose of this challenge is “any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with whole-food ingredients.”
In 2010, the challenge was taken on by 415 people, and last year participation jumped to more than 3000 people.
The rules are simple:
Eat only 100 percent whole grains, don’t eat any high fructose corn syrup and don’t eat hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or anything that’s been deep-fried.
This challenge may take a little more time than just picking up something to eat. It will require reading labels to see if the food has additives like sugars, fats, salts, preservatives, artificial flavorings or colors.
However, there are benefits to taking this challenge, including getting to taste what your food really tastes like, and feeling and becoming healthier.
So what are some unprocessed foods to eat?
Vegetables and fruits in their raw state are unprocessed, as are many nuts and seeds. Raw, unpasteurized honey is a good source of sweetener. Note that so called “raw” sugar is boiled then dried and sometimes color is added to it, so it is not unprocessed.
One thing that took me the longest to realize is that cooking is perhaps the oldest method of processing food.
I realized that food and the way it tastes is important. While the recipe I have given you is technically processed, it falls within the guidelines of this challenge in that any home cook can make it.
To join the October Unprocessed food challenge visit www.eatingrules.com.
For more about living a balanced life visit Summer Bear at www.summerbear.org.