Revolution!

I've been having a “food revolution” lately and I love it.  I haven’t had one of those in a few years, now, so I think we’ve been due for a nice change in diet.  There have been new recipes, more strides towards healthier choices, and new subjects to be educated in.  This is not new for me or my family, but as I said … it’s been awhile since we’ve had a “surge.”  So far the new recipes, flavors, and ideas have been met with resounding support and vigorous “let’s have this again’s!”  I couldn’t be prouder. 

It’s been so good for me to get back into the kitchen after such a long time away. –you know what I mean … I’ve been stuck in the “what-are-we-throwing-together-in-15-minutes-or-less-tonight-because-I-don’t-really-want-to-be-doing-this” dance.  That’s not how I operated before our move into this HUGE home (well … a lot larger then the 800-ish square feet that we lived in for 10+ years), but it’s a pattern I fell into as a result of being exhausted, sick (literally), and just plain ‘ole overwhelmed.

Here’s my most recent challenge:  MORE whole ingredients in what I cook. 

Now, for those of you that know me (and my cooking), you’re probably thinking “don’t you already do that?”  It is simply not good enough for me anymore.

I don’t like eating food that’s been processed and manufactured and I don’t like feeding it to my children.  It’s supposed to be bigger and better and stronger, but the reality is that science is playing with something that should be simple and natural.  Our bodies weren’t constructed to handle all the meddling we’ve done with our food supply.  I’m case. In. Point.  There’s NO WAY vegetable gums aren’t processed, modified, and altered; despite the fact that they are “technically” organic and all natural.  (They’re plant derived.  That’s about it.  I feel pretty secure in saying that you won’t find a field of vegetable gum growing anywhere.)  I understand that some gums are incredibly helpful to those with legitimate gluten allergies and sensitivities, and I’m happy that the alternative exists for them to use.  Aside from that … should we really be eating this?  I wonder how additives and the like can possibly be good for us when they are manufactured in a Plant instead grown and nourished.

Of course, we all know I like to pick on vegetable gums but this really applies to all additives everywhere.  I understand that without them shelf life wouldn’t be long enough to exercise the convenience of buying some products on our grocery store shelves.  I understand that some items would be more expensive without the aid of more inexpensive additives to thicken/color/crisp/and what-ever the hec else.  I *get* these things.  But … I don’t have to like them, do I? 

All that said, it’s incredibly difficult to purchase non-processed, non-modified, actual food ingredients when you’re on a family budget.  Already my food bill is pretty ridiculous. If I continue down this road it’s only going to get worse.  I know that I have to strike a balance in all of this, somewhere, and I’m trying to find where my new line in the sand is.  My hope is that the more I strive towards this cooking/eating lifestyle, the more easily these nutritious and wholesome foods will fill up the bottomless pits I call my *children. 

*Side note: My children, in an unfair twist of fate, are both so skinny that it’s sometimes difficult to find pants that are both affordable *and* don’t fall off of them.  My daughter owns *no* skirts or dress pants for the sole reason that we’ve yet to find any that actually stay on her waist.  I’m not kidding.  Now, before you go judging me and thinking that I don’t feed them enough (some people think I’m a little crazy when it comes to food - hahaaa!), they’ve been known to eat both my husband and I under the table.  (Ok.  It’s not hard to eat more than I do.  I’m 5’ 7”, 145 lbs, get full fast (lately), and have a very slow metabolism… but my husband is 6’4” and cuddly.  Seriously.  They eat more than he does.  Frequently!)  If you don’t believe me, come over for dinner just before they hit a growth spurt.  I promise you they eat like squirrels just before winter hits; chubby cheeks and all!