We're In This Together - October Unprocessed Month

 

It is October 1^st and here at Farm Fresh To You, we're taking the October Unprocessed pledge once again - and we hope that you will too!

As many of you know, the most powerful device you have to transform your health is your fork! The goal of the October Unprocessed challenge is to try and get as many people as possible eating higher quality, whole foods and to refrain from eating processed foods for the month of October.

Fear not, this challenge is not about deprivation. Quite the opposite, it is about taking time to read labels, trying a few delicious whole food recipes and maybe developing a few good habits in the process.

The rules are simple, fool-proof and designed to make you successful. The Cliffs Notes version is that whatever you eat must pass "The Kitchen Test." Simply stated, unprocessed food is any food that could be made by a person with reasonable skill in a home kitchen with whole-food ingredients. That doesn't mean you actually have to be the one to make it in your kitchen. Sounds doable right? Word on the street is that beer and wine pass the kitchen test so it can’t be all that hard to stick with it (wink).

A few basic guidelines to keep in mind: eat only whole grains, avoid high fructose sugar, and stay away from trans-fat.

For two generations now, we've encouraged local, organic, real-food eating. On our website we have a fantastic array of recipes, we'll be pinning recipes on our October Unprocessed board on Pinterest and sharing your stories here on our blog to help you eat healthier during this challenge, and all year long. Plus, you've got one leg since you receive farm fresh produce to your door.

 Thaddeus, Freeman and Noah in the fig orchard.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1)      Take the Pledge.

2)      Discuss October Unprocessed with your family.

3)      Help your friends be healthier too - Refer-A-Friend to Farm Fresh To You and do the challenge together.

4)      Set Your Goals. One week or the whole month (mine is six days a week).

5)      Follow our October Unprocessed board on Pinterest.

6)      Read Eating Rules for daily updates and tips during the month of October.

7)      Share with us here on the blog and on Facebook! Send pictures, updates and your favorite recipes. Don't be afraid to share the high and low points!

Good luck, and remember, we are all in this together!  

Happy October Unprocessed Month!

Farm News & Seasonal Dinner Tickets Giveaway!

As our event season starts to wind down, it's clear how very important it is for our farm to connect with our greater community.

On Saturday, October 11th, we are incredibly honored to be joining forces with our good friends and partners at the Center For Land-Based Learning, as well as Bon Appetit Management Company and Beneficial State Bank, to create an amazing dinner and at the Oracle Conference Center in Redwood Shores. We hope you'll consider joining us for this unique, inspiring and delicious event!  

Which is why...We are thrilled to give away THREE PAIRS of tickets to our upcoming Fall Farm Feast and Food System Talks at Oracle on Saturday, October 11th.  Please note, the events are in the San Francisco Bay Area and you have to be available to attend on the date mentioned.

Fall Farm Feast and Food Systems Talks
TICKET GIVEAWAY!! 
(CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED)

Here's How to Enter – 
In our September 29, 2014 Farm News "Always Planning Ahead" we talk about how important your feedback is to our farm and the planning we do from season to season. As such, to win a pair of tickets to our Fall Farm Feast and Food Systems Talk event, simply leave a comment below answering this question by 8:00 a.m. Friday, October 3rd (one entry per person please).

What fruits or vegetables would you 
like to see planted on our farm?

No purchase required. Limit one entry per person, please. Entries will close on Friday, October 3rd, at 8:00 am. Winners are chosen by Random Number Generator and announced on our blog on Friday, October 3rd. Tickets for this event only and are not redeemable for cash but can be transferred to another party if winner cannot attend.

Congratulations to our winners: Carmen, Teri P. and Ron! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Giveaway.

Together, Farm Fresh To You and the Center for Land-Based Learning are partnering with Bon Appétit Management Company (BAMCO) and Oracle to educate and engage in conversation about the importance of sustainable farming practices, as well as eating organic, seasonal foods. The event will include a free open house with local farmers, followed by a ticketed farm-to-fork seasonal dinner and a panel presentation and discussion with three national industry leaders in the food system. This diverse and educational event promises to be both delicious and thought-provoking.

The event benefits the Kathleen Barsotti Non Profit for Sustainable Agriculture,
whose mission is to support and provide resources to farm workers and their families, and the Center for Land-Based Learning, providing hands-on programs that educate California’s youth and creating the next generation of farmers.  

For tickets and more information: www.fallfarmfeast2014.eventbrite.com