Going Junk Free For June...#junkfreejune
Junk Free June is a 30-day campaign to raise money for the Cancer Society of New Zealand. 100% of the profits will be given to the Cancer Society to fund their continued support of people and their families with cancer. It will also help to fund much needed cancer research. Astonishingly, the cancer society receives no government funding and relies solely on personal donations to fund their amazing initiatives.
Cancer is New Zealand’s single biggest cause of death. Most of us have been affected by it or know of a loved one who has battled the disease or been taken by it. Given that about one third of the most common cancers could be prevented by eating a nutritious diet, being physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight, it is so important that the healthy message reaches far and wide. A message of eating nutritious food daily that is not only simple but also utterly delicious. A way of life that involves regular activity with friends, family and children and a way of living that is sustainable for years to come.
It is about creating new lifelong rituals and healthy habits that will stretch beyond the month of June, a new normal and a new way of thinking about health. One of the best things we can do for our health is to eat more fresh foods, more wholefoods and fewer foods that come in ‘packets’. Less of those products with horribly long ingredient lists containing words you can’t pronounce or spell. It’s about getting back to basics, the way our grandparents did. Making things from scratch, growing our own and taking time to prepare foods for the ones we love. Sitting around the dinner table and enjoying food the way it should be.
This is what Junk Free June is all about. Eating more the good stuff. More nutritious wholesome foods and by default pushing out the packaged processed foods that have unfortunately become a daily part of many people’s lives. Now don’t get me wrong, I have a sweet tooth, so this will be hard for me too. While I tend to make my own wholesome treats at home that I enjoy when I feel like something sweet, I adore more my daily flat white and my few glasses of red wine throughout the week.
So over the month of June, for just 30 days to honour the need to raise funds for cancer, I intend to forgo my daily flat white and donate the money I would have spent to Junk Free June. My nana battled breast cancer while living with Type 1 Diabetes. She was a highly resilient women, she always volunteered and gave greatly of her time to the Cancer Society and in particular to Daffodil Day. I can’t ever look at a Daffodil without thinking of nana.
While the thought of giving up my much loved flat white for 30 days makes me slightly fearful, it is for this very reason that I intend to do it. For June, I will eat only fresh, natural wholesome foods. Foods that provide my body and mind with an array of nutrients and not a single flat white in sight.
What is your favoutite thing and could you give it up for 30 days for a wonderful cause? Is it that daily after-dinner chocolate bar or wine? Is it a muffin you enjoy with work colleagues at morning tea? Could you swap it for a bliss ball or smoothie or peanut butter stuffed Medjool dates? It's simply all about finding a healthier alternative that you enjoy. For the savoury lovers out there, is it chips & dip for nibbles or popcorn at the movies? Is it Friday night pizza? Why not try making your own homemade Italian pizza - your body and family will love you or it! Try Nadia Lim's delicious salmon pizza recipe here.
I encourage you all to jump on board Junk Free June. What's not to love about eating well, feeling great and raising money for an amazing cause! To make a donation, please click here. Remember 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Cancer Society so it's a wonderful cause to support.
Bring it on. #junkfreejune
