It’s been awhile since the last food related Hangry Pants challenge, but I’m ready again! Mark and I have done several 30-day challenges since completing our first challenge, Meatless Month. I’ve learned that I can do almost anything for 30 days. Then when the challenge is over the behavior I was “testing” becomes much less daunting. Therefore, I’ve decided to gradually tweak some things in my life. Nothing too drastic, just some small changes that I’ve been wanting to make, but have been lacking the motivation and discipline to accomplish. 

You might remember that I recently expressed an interest in using this month to do a little research about some of the products I eat and use on a daily basis in an effort to live a less toxic life. This was all based on Dr. Ginger’s opinion of some of the worst, better and best products to eat and use.

I came up with The Cleaner Life Month, which is going to run kind of like the “Crap Free Weeks” that were made popular a couple months ago by Chandra, Caitlin and Angela, to name a few. This, however, will be a month and it will include non-food products as well. The changes represent my ideal; how I would eat and what products I would use if I lived my version of perfection. Of course, I am not perfect, so these are more goals than rules.

Food Goal: Reduced Consumption of Processed Foods & Toxins

• Milk
  • Less soy in general and no tofu. After the soy milk in my fridge is gone I am switching to organic cow milk or some other milk.
  • Be more aware of the hidden soy in products!
• Sweeteners
  • No artificial sweetener including diet coke, sugar free gum & mints!
  • No white sugar.
  • If I buy something in a package it should have organic sugar in the raw, honey or maple syrup. Ideally, it will only have agave.
  • If I bake something for myself I will use agave or natural sugars like bananas.
• Bread
  • No white flour.
  • Try to get mostly organic wheat bread and other whole grains. Sprouted grain breads when possible ($$$).
• Processed Foods
  • The no white flour rule applies to all foods. I want to drastically reduce my packaged & processed foods intake, which includes chips, cookies, crackers, goldfish or pretzels, to an eventual nothing. If I have something like that, I will try to make it organic and, in accordance with rule numbers 1 – 3, white flour, soy and white sugar free.
• Caffeine
  • Max one cup of coffee/day. Drink more tea instead.
• Produce
  • Purchase mostly certified organic or local produce.

Product Goal: Paraben, Petrochemical & Sulfate Free Products

• As I purchase new products, replace with those that do not contain parebens, petrochemicals & sulfates. I can’t spend more money than usual. That means I can’t buy all new lotions and house products right now. As I use them up, I will try more natural alternatives. This might not happen this month, but because I am interested in permanent changes, I promise to get them eventually and report back. I know I will need toothpaste and deodorant soon!
• Research products before I buy them.

You might want to know why I chose to change these specific things. First, it’s based on my own personal desire to eat good whole foods and take care of myself. I’ve often noticed, especially in the last year or so, that I feel bloated and weighed down sometimes. Maybe eating less processed foods will reduce this feeling. Please note, he month is not about no sweets or treats! I think forbidden fruit only tastes sweeter. Deprivation generally leads to mindless overconsumption and that is not the point!!!! Second, now that I no more about what is in my skin, dental and hair products, I cannot ignore it. Third, I direct you to these posts.

• My Worst, Better, Best Post
• My Organic Importance Post
• Gena’s Soy Post

Final thoughts

• I do not have an unlimited funds and must stick to my usual $50-60/week food budget.
• I do not live a life of absolutes. It is part of my food philosophy not to label things as good or bad and I will stick with that here. I am doing this challenge to improve myself and therefore, want to make changes in a way that will work for me. I know that means cutting myself some slack and doing it gradually.
• The Cleaner Life Month runs from June 8th – July 8th, a time the includes my birthday, Mark’s birthday, the 4th of July & countless other summer cookouts. Obviously, this is not an easy time to try to do this, but it never is.
• And for the most exciting part …

Mark and I always discuss and plan a new Hangry Pants Challenge. I asked Mark if he was up for this and he said, “I don’t need to live a less toxic life,” so I recruited Rose from On a Lobster Placemat to join me!!!!!

What do you think? Feel free to join me and Rose!!!!