October Unprocessed Challenge 10/5

This challenge is becoming a little less challenging as the days go on. Breakfast has been easy enough as long as I plan in advance. That is really the key - planning - and it doesn't really mean a lot, if any, more work.

Oatmeal is my new friend and it's wonderful with a few berries and walnuts.

Cold, leftover oatmeal patties are delicious fried in coconut oil and drizzled with the teeniest bit of honey.

Some overnight oats will be made very soon.

Lunch has been pretty easy this week thanks to Joe.  Since we homeschool and Joe has been offering, I've let him make lunch which always means nachos.

I can easily skip the chips, cheeses and sauces that don't make the "kitchen test" cut and have avocado slices, queso fresco and creamy cilantro sauce instead.

Today Chris was home and I wanted to make a variation Spicy Sriracha Potatoes but the sriracha sauce doesn't pass the kitchen test which really surprised me.


So I grabbed some peppers from the garden and made my own. While it wasn't quite as hot or thick as the original it worked really well.

Quick Pepper Sauce

In a food processor place:

6 large Cayenne Peppers
6 small Thai peppers
1/3 cup Rice Vinegar
1 teaspoon Sea Salt

Process for about two minutes or until well blended.  Keep in small glass jar.

For today's lunch I wanted to add some green to the potatoes so took a couple of pounds of small yellow potatoes and added one pound of fresh brussel sprouts, washed and cut in half lengthwise and a large bunch of kale, washed and torn into bite sized pieces into the usual all potato dish.

It was just as easy as using all potatoes. The potatoes went in the pan first, when they were browned I added the sprouts and let them start to brown. At that point I threw the kale on top to steam.

As soon as the kale was wilted I tossed everything together and served with a side of kimchee. It was a healthy, spicy lunch.

I've learned a lot these last few days. There are some things I can't wait to get back to and many I'm confident won't be making a return to the pantry.

Grocery shopping, even for all natural products, has been eye opening. Like everyone, everywhere our lives are busy and I had become complacent about our diet.

I have to say the first couple of days were hard - I really craved chocolate - but that has gotten better already. I think there will be some great changes this month.