I thought it might be fun to do something different this month in the form of a challenge! Each Monday I will post a small tid bit, challenging you in different ways around your home! Feel free to take it or leave it. IF you choose to challenge yourself, please post a comment and let us know what you did and how it went!

CHALLENGE I: remove one processed food item from your menu! Here are a few suggestions if you are struggling with what this might look like:

• breakfast cereal
• boxed meals (‘Helper’ meals, rice mixes, breads, etc)
• frozen dinners
• quick packets (noodle side dishes, powdered soups, etc)
• snack bags (muffins, cereal bars, etc)

MY humble suggestion would be cream of _____ soups. They can quickly and inexpensively be made at home and you probably have all of the ingredients already on hand! There are powder versions as well as fresh versions. I personally just do a fresh recipe as I need it!

Homemade Cream of Soup

• 1 cup milk or bone broth
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch (I use non-GMO) or arrowroot powder (corn free option)
• 1/2 tsp. each garlic powder & onion powder
• pinch of dried parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• Mix all ingredients in sauce pan on medium high heat. Stir often to prevent scorching. Once the mixture bubbles, take off heat and stir 30 seconds to finish thickening. Use in place of ‘one can store bought soup’. Feel free to add bits of chicken or cooked mushroom!

When I look at food labels and see all of the extra additives and then find out that I can easily MAKE that food at home cheaper and with less junk, it definitely makes me one happy kitchen mama.

Does this challenge sound doable? It is after all, a challenge. Maybe push yourself! What will YOU choose?