Real Food Challenge

A few weeks ago I came across the Real Food Challenge, which basically dictates eating unprocessed foods for one month - and I decided to dedicate April to it. In order to gear up towards eating real food, I've slowly been phasing my diet for the past 3 weeks, starting with one meal per day, then two, and for the past six days, I've been at three, plus desserts.

As a note, I'd like to define what "Processed Food" means: it is any processing from the time of the Industrial Revolution on. Therefore, I am eating some "processed" foods (after all, olive oil is processed, but I'm not about to grow an olive tree in my backyard), but it is traditionally processed. This food is nutrient-dense and is generally akin to the food our ancestors ate.

My main interest in doing this was two-fold. First I wanted to see how it would make me feel, how my body would react to eating unprocessed vs processed foods. Will I have more energy? Not be bogged down by a food coma? Second, I'm actually really curious just how hard this is actually going to be, considering that not only am I going up against The Food Industry, but I also work a full-time (sometimes more) job. What works in my favor is that Chicago has a local-food culture, giving me access to some of the key staples.

So far, each day has presented itself with new challenges. First there was the list - what is acceptable and what is not. Already for the past several years I've slowly been eliminating highly-processed food from my diet; and having recently moved into a new apartment meant that my pantry and fridge are mostly empty. Now it's just about finding out what "real food" means within these categories: Grains, Meats, Fruits and Veggies, Dairy, Fats, Sweeteners; and where I'll have the make the biggest changes.

Meats and produce present the least change for me; I already eat grass-fed and pasture raised beef and pork - or at least Whole Foods tells me I do. While I can't always justify the cost of organic fruits and vegetables, I do try to buy local and am planning to split a CSA with a few friends for the summer. The program recommends raw milk and dairy products. However, raw milk is really hard to find and technically illegal, so I've switched to low heat pasteurized and non-homogenized instead. I have sought out raw milk cheeses, and I find both the milk and cheese to be delicious!

Sweeteners are limited to raw honey, sorghum syrup, maple syrup and unrefined cane sugar, all of which are fine by me. As I've told people about this challenge, sugar always comes up - why isn't brown sugar ok? Basically, brown sugar is processed the same way as white, but the molasses have been added back in at the end. In unrefined sugar, the molasses have never been separated.

Fats fall into two categories: Fats to eat raw and fats for cooking. The former is basically olive oil (heat breaks up the vitamin E) and butter, which isn't preferred for cooking because of the residual milk solids. Fats for high heat therefore include ghee (clarified butter), coconut oil, red palm oil and any rendered fat such as lard (from pigs) or tallow (from cows). I've bought ghee, coconut oil and red palm oil and am currently experimenting with each to see how their unique flavors impact what I'm cooking. I've already determined that coconut oil, due to it's residual sweetness, is better for vegetables and probably baking. I've used the other two enough to have an option - yet.

Finally grains. Grains have officially become the bane of my existence. It is easily the category that has been the hardest to transition to for a several reasons. So, white bread, white flour, white rice, instant oatmeal, dried pasta (the list goes on..) are all out. What's in? Any whole grain anything, preferably soured, sprouted or fermented - which therefore removes even the whole wheat bread or pasta I might buy. This basically means that I have to make all my grain food from scratch, a time consuming effort indeed.

In order to mitigate the effect of phytic acid (an anti-nutrient present in whole grains that binds up minerals and other nutrients and prevents your body from absorbing them), whole grains must be either fermented (several days), sprouted (1-2 days) or soaked (overnight) in a slightly acidic solution before they can be cooked, baked or eaten.

But what's exciting is that I've started baking my own bread; Later tonight I plan on starting a sourdough starter, which requires 3-5 days fermentation before I can even use it in the bread recipe, which is another 10 days of fermenting - in other words, it'll be two weeks before I bake my first loaf of sourdough. I bought The Laurel's Kitchen Whole Grain Bread Book which has been a godsend. So far I've baked 4 loaves of bread and I've found that whole wheat breads are a lot harder to get to taste. Either I'm not using enough salt or I just need to reset the expectation for my palette.

The other exciting thing is that all of a sudden, I've discovered all these options that I never knew existed because I've never cooked with whole grains before. It's funny, but I'm almost learning how to cook all over again. Or at least it feels that way because every recipe in this category is new; nothing is tried and true. And while that exploration can be invigorating, it also means I don't really have much to fall back on. If I'm tired because I had a long day at work (such as today) and I don't feel like cooking (again, today), then, well...I can't exactly order take out. I can't just react to being hungry, I have to plan for it. And that, more than anything, is the biggest challenge.

52 in 52

Last year, instead of setting a New Year's Resolution, I set a craft goal: Complete 52 projects in 52 weeks. What was supposed to average at a project a week turned into a mad dash at the end, averaging 2 projects per week! (Hence the lack of blogging - I was too busy crafting!) In any case, I did finish, on New Year's Eve no less, and it's taken me a few weeks to shoot and gather all the pictures together. Unfortunately, I'm missing photos of 4 pieces (knit dress, sewn t-shirt, sewn pants, knit doggie neckwarmer). The shirt, pants and neckwarmer I gave away before I had the chance to take pictures; the dress is currently a wip towards becoming something else.

Which brings me to my Craft Goals 2010:
1. Use found objects. I'd like to think of this as a euphemism for destashing, but it's more than just that. Over the years, I've collected t-shirts, ripped jeans, half-finished projects, finished projects that don't quite fit right, and manufactured clothing that I've never worn, in addition to a fabric and yarn stash that I struggle to keep under control. I've always started from a blank canvas (i.e. a solid cut of fabric), which is a relatively easy way to create. I think it's much harder to change one thing into something else. The ultimate goal therefore, is to expand my way of thinking and to challenge myself creatively. Since I already have an entire dresser to shop from, I'm excited to see how this is going to pan out.

2. Learn new skills. I want to learn to crochet, spin and possibly weave. This is really the second part of the Creative Challenge. While I assume that I will continue to defer to sewing and knitting, I want to be able to think about yarn and fabric in different ways still. Suj got me the SNB crochet book, so I'm already on my way!

3. Slow down. Enjoy the process. Blog more. :)

Finally, I've finished my first project this year. The mad rush to get 2009 buttoned up burned me out just a little bit and I haven't been making much since the start of the year. I've actually not yet finished my Christmas knitting, these slippers are for my sister.


French Press Felted Slippers, knit in Patons Classic Wool Merino. These were a quick knit, but I have to confess, they weren't my favorite project to work on. I'm just not the biggest fan of felting. The result is super cute however, so I'm tempted to make another pair. After I finish the rest of the Christmas knitting, that is. :)

Cables Galore

Work has had me so busy lately, I've hardly been able to find the time to do anything else. I finally got through a big presentation Friday, and spent the rest of the weekend happily knitting. So much so, that I bruised my finger from the constant pressure of the needle.

Green Gable is finished.


This pattern was easy to knit but hard to follow. She wasn't wholly clear about the yoke decreases, so after some Rav consultation, I ended up taking from the sleeve on the back decreases, and from the body on the front decreases.


Furthermore, the hood is obviously missing. I really like the way the body fits, but when I knit the hood it ended up being too baggy, too big, too loose, overall just meh. I didn't plan on wearing the hood up much anyway and I though it detracted too much from the pattern on the back. In a rare moment of forethought, I put in a lifeline on the last row before starting the hood - saved me so much time! When I picked back up, I knit 2.5 inches in the established rib for the collar.


I'd also used Cascade Eco Wool for the sweater - love, love, love. The stuff is awesome! It's so warm and cozy. I'm really happy with the fabric it produces - perfect for a sturdy fall sweater or a blanket. I'll definitely have to find another project for this yarn.

And now for something new.


Rosamund's Cardigan, knit in Tahki Yarns Rio, which is the recommended yarn for the project. The yarn is a lovely blend of alpaca, merino and silk - it's a wonderful yarn to have running through your fingers. I love just even holding it. So apparently the squishy softness of it overruled my general dislike for thick/thin yarns.


Although, since the difference in the thick/thin ratio is far less than other yarns I've worked with, I think the Rio will produce a nicely textured fabric. Some of the definition in the cables seems to be getting lost as well - which could also be a function of the reversible cable - I've never knit one otherwise, so I have nothing to compare it to. So we'll see.

How's it supposed to drape?

Having been a sewer for so many years, it's intuitive to me about how fabric drapes. (It's also quite obvious - the fabric itself is falling off the bolt.) I know what cotton will do versus linen. I also know (that in few cases) all cottons are not created equal. I know how silk differs from rayon or polyester (and how polyesters differ amongst themselves). I know how wool suiting is supposed to behave, and I know that most upholstery fabrics do not make a cute skirt, despite how appealing the fabric print is.

What continues to puzzle me is how yarn drapes. About a month ago, I was told that I do not want to knit a sweater from bamboo yarn, because the fabric will not hold up to the shaping of the sweater. Bamboo is therefore more appropriate for things like shawls. While I'm appreciative of the tip, it also frustrates me. I don't know enough about [plant and protein] fiber to understand what it's going to do before I even do anything with it. I feel that I'm at the point in my knitting career that I'm trying to become smarter about my yarn choices prior to casting on (oh, I should mention that I'm a big substituter - in almost all cases). I'll also swatch long enough to get gauge (which in my case generally means that I've cast on and am swatching as I go. If I'm not at gauge, I'll sooner make adjustments to the pattern than rip out - a terrible habit, I know.), but I won't swatch big enough to actually figure out how the thing will drape. It seems there are too many variables to handknit fabric - if I knit on a 4 versus a 6, gauge will obviously change, and along with it, drape. But certainly there must be basic principles - am I overlooking them as I jump from project to project? Will I ever learn this?

Hello, Kitty

Every few weeks, I get together with some like-minded crafty friends to hang out and make things. We're all different in our strengths and in what we make, or how we think about making things, so in addition to the camaraderie, we're learning from each other as well. Plus, one of the best parts of Craft Day is actually planning the project to work on.

We'll usually gather at Suj's, so I try to bring something portable. Although I have been known to lug both my sewing machine and my serger along. And my guitar. And dinner ingredients. And beer. (We'll make dinner [and sometimes desert] too - it keeps with the spirit of things.) Several months ago, I starting working on a cross-stitch Hello Kitty wedding pillow for Rima. Aptly, I also finished it at Craft Day.


Rima and I are both tea fanatics - sometimes more appropriately known as water snobs. Sure, some teas are better than others, and proper steeping times and water temperatures can't be wholly overlooked, but it all tastes like garbage if you don't use good water. Therefore, in addition to the pillow I also sent her a few tea tins, which Suj painted. I have no drawing skills whatsoever and Suj didn't have a project planned (very fortuitous for me) so I put her to work. :) She was happy to help and her painting turned out beautifully. Thanks Suj!

So it begins..

Fall knitting, that is. And just as the summer heat has finally arrived. But it'll start cooling off soon, and I'm excited for it - fall is easily my favorite season.

This summer has been fairly productive for me, I only have a couple summer projects left to finish. Surprisingly, I don't have much in the queue for the fall, so I'm also looking forward to the surprises it'll bring. At least I can say that first up is the Green Gable Hoodie using Cascade Eco Wool in Platinum.


For being such a bulky yarn, the sweater is actually turning out to be quite light. I tried to knit it before in Wool Ease Thick & Quick, which ended up being too bulky and stiff. I hope the Eco Wool will stay drapy but hold up on the hood. In any case, I'll be using it again for something else - it's such a great deal for the yardage.


The mitts are just over halfway done. The right one still obviously needs to be blocked, but I'll wait and do them at the same time. Otherwise, I'm smitten with these mittens - they've turned out a lot better than I'd thought - my sister joked that they were an early birthday present for her and Dad was surprised when I told him they were a handknit. And even the train conductor, who sees me knitting every morning, inquired about them!

These have really been a fun knit so far. There's not been any overwhelming urge to frog or put them on hold; there's a few mistakes, but I'm living with them; and they went up super fast. To that, I have to give credit to the 9" Hiya Hiya circ. Just the fact that I have to use dpns for the cuff, tip and thumb irritates me, because I seriously can't stop raving about that circ. I think it's one of the best things to happen to the knitting world. Ever. I'm even considering knitting socks with it. Seriously. I even bought sock yarn. (Ok, it was one of the Sock Summit Dye for Glory winners, but still.) I'll let know how it goes with the socks.

Knitterly Commuting

Most of my knitting gets done on the train as I commute between Chicago and suburbs, and I've been fairly adamant about reserving this time specifically for knitting. I honestly believe I wouldn't knit nearly as much otherwise. Last week I also started commuting to Racine, WI, which gives me about 3 hours (roundtrip) of uninterrupted knitting time. Awesome :)

Here are the train knits from the past couple of weeks.


This was a [sweet,-I-just-got-an-internship-so-I'll-celebrate-by-buying-yarn] kind of a project. I normally don't like the color pink and I normally don't like knitting with cotton (the yarn is Berroco Cotton Twist), but I think it was the subtle sheen that's been spun into the yarn that attracted me to it. And what better way to show it off than with a lace shawl? Little Arrowhead Shawl is the pattern, and it was actually quite delightful to knit. The yarn ended up being ok. I don't know if I'd knit with it again. It was a bit splitty, and there were knots in the middle of the skein (and with only 85 yards on the skein in the first place, that quickly becomes annoying). Further, I'd knit a stockinette swatch and was a bit disappointed at how it looked and draped in stockinette. The open lace is far better in showing off the yarn and it drapes well, so I'm happy with the overall result, but still.


I've secretly been wanting to make Saartje's Bootees for some time now. Last month, I'd asked a photographer friend to shoot some of my work, and I'd offer to compensate him in knitting. He'd told me he and his wife were expecting a baby boy, so I thought these would be perfect.


And currently on the needles are the Anemoi Mittens, in Knit Picks Palette, and on the new Hiya Hiya 9" circ. Mostly, I'm excited to be using the circ. I knit the cuff on dpns, which I generally dislike using for an extended period of time anyways, and though I'm only 6 rounds in on the body of the mitt, I'm already loving the circ. It definitely took a little bit getting used to, and especially since I'm knitting with yarn in both hands (which in and of itself takes a bit to get used to), but it's overall easier and much faster than the dpns. So far, no complaints. I'm eager to knit these - we'll see how they turn out.