This post should wrap up this edition of Ask the Housewife. Ironically, I just began reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and I am all renewed in my whole foods vigor. When you understand how the modern industrialization of our food flies in the face of the laws of evolution and/or the divine created order of things (whichever you chose to believe in), you cannot deny the ludicrousy of the situation. (Is ludicrousy not a word? Because I really think it should be.)
I wish I could even BEGIN to explain the situation as articulately as Mr. Pollan, but I don’t even dare try. If you’re interested, pick up a copy of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Or, if you’re not into reading, rent Food, Inc., although I admit that I felt disappointed by the movie. It left SO much out, as movies tend to do. Actually, this article is a great supplement to the movie, and a fairly succinct explanation of the problem with commodity corn, among other things. And this article goes more in depth into the problem with feed lots. It’s actually an excerpt from the book. (Or maybe it’s the other way around.)
But on to your questions.
Mary Kathryn says: Okay, so I broke down and bought a box of flax seed, and now I want to know what to do with it! Do you have recommendations? The box really didn’t indicate how to use it in everyday cooking.
I’m sure there are many more ways to use it than what I do, but I throw flax seed into my homemade bread and my granola. If you buy boxed cereal, which I don’t recommend*, but if you do, you can sprinkle flax seed on top. Add it to waffles or pancakes. You could really hide it in almost any quick bread or granola bar recipe. I hear you can put it in smoothies. Sprinkle it on a salad. Does anyone have any more advice for ways to use flax seed?
*If you’re wondering why don’t I recommend boxed breakfast cereal, as usual, Kelly has a good article on the topic so I’m not going to reinvent the wheel.
Nicole says: I want to know about lunches and snacks for the kids, especially the ones in school all day, every day.
Oh I could do a whole post on this! Actually, I think I did. Looking… HERE!
But here’s a quick synopsis for those of you who are too lazy busy to click. I usually give everyone a peanut butter sandwich on homemade bread. One child likes pb & honey, one child likes pb plain, and one child likes pb & jelly. Yes, I do cater to each of these preferences. I know, I should just go ahead and have a big SUCKAH tattooed on my forehead. Sometimes I send a thermos of chicken noodle soup instead of a sandwich.
In addition to that, I usually send 2 pieces of fruit (apple, banana, clementine, grapes, or berries) and a baggie of cut up veggies (carrots or red peppers). I sometimes send yogurt. I sometimes send a homemade granola bar. They each take a thermos of water. They can take any of the components of their lunch and eat it as their snack.
I don’t worry myself too much about giving them more variety. No one seems to complain, and frankly, I believe variety in one’s diet is overrated. It is a fairly new phenomenon, if you think about it. And actually, the variety that we think we have is kind of a farce. When you realize that the majority of the typical modern diet is derived from only two ingredients — corn and soy, most of us aren’t really getting that much variety after all.
And she’s off on a tangent, once again!
(Sorry, folks!)
Finally, Keri says:
I would love to hear how you handle family and friends who might think you’re crazy for your food choices. For instance, I have learned so much lately about real food/whole foods etc. (much from your blog and links) and it’s all I can do to listen to their “healthy” foods conversations such as skim milk, lowfat everything, Quaker granola bars as a health food, calorie counting etc. etc. I have the hardest time starting small and being delicate about sharing what I’ve learned. You touched on it when you posted about your son’s health teacher, but what about close family and friends who aren’t on board at all? Any advice?
As far as the family and friends are concerned, most of my friends and family are too polite to tell me if they think I’m whacked. If the topic comes up, most just smile and nod. But then again, I’ve always been a little bit kooky, so I doubt anyone is overly surprised.
It does pain me at times to hear what people think is healthy, and I do *try* not to sound like a know-it-all, and who’s to say I have it all right, anyway? Sometimes I just nod and smile, and sometimes I try to share what I’m learning in a way that (I hope) isn’t off-putting, but I’m not sure I always succeed.
With people who aren’t on board at all, I generally avoid the topic. I feel strongly about the way we eat, but I also realize that not everyone will share my passion for the subject, and I certainly don’t want to bore anyone. The hardest part, for me, is when people are actually interested, and they ask me a question where the answer isn’t simple, (and most aren’t.) I often feel inadequate to explain it, and I wish I could be more succinct.
In the end, we’re all doing the best we can with the information we have, and it’s always good to remember that.
I think that’s it for now, but I’m always happy to answer more questions! And remember, we can chat about this topic any time in my forum over at Savvy Source. It’s a great place to pool information.
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I love these posts Jo-Lynne! Great information.
Thank you for such amazing food advice these last few months and sharing your own convictions with us.
Merry Christmas!
I think “variety” in our diets is part of what causes obesity. Think of a church pot luck dinner with plates heaped up with a generous taste of everything on the table. I believe that’s what we tend to do in our every day lives, only on a smaller scale. Frankly, when food is boring we eat a lot less of it, so while we should be careful to get a balance of nutrients I think we’re better off varying the veggies and keeping everything else pretty simple.
In regards to what to do with flax – there is an online company that sells flax – http://www.flaxmatters.com – that has nutritional information, recipes and of course many different types of flax. I personally use their flax seed
I use ground/milled flax seed in place of 1/2 the oil of most of my baked goods/pancake mixes etc….works SO much better texture than using applesauce substitutions…esp in brownies, waffles and pancakes!
The ratio on my box of milled flax from Hodgson Mills says to use 3 TBSP flax for each 1 TBSP of oil. AS I said, I usually try to substitute no more than half the called for oil of any recipe and have had great results!
Trader Joe’s sells a ground blueberry flax that adds a wonderful nutty berry flavor to muffins etc.
Our school doesn’t allow peanut butter :–(
I bought the bento box for his cold lunches and just bought a bento that is a thermos, circle, and stacks together into three compartments. This will come in very handy for my son, as he is going on the Candida diet and will need to eat meat with each meal. And he hates cold meat.
We get family thinking we’re strict and crazy for our new diet choices, but I frankly don’t give a damn. I know much more about actual healthy foods and diets now, so I just take their advice or rolled eyes with a grain of salt.
I do wish they’d understand that us keeping the kids from eating sugar and cabrs (IE: pizza, mac n cheese, donuts etc) isn’t hurting them… it’s helping them. I guess it’s a total mind set shift you have to make and they aren’t ready to make it. Probably because if they admitted that feeding kids the way they do would mean they fed us wrong as kids.
When we’re all healthier I’ll do homemade pizza – and homemade sweet treats, but with healthy flours and grains and healthier sugars like agave nectar, stevia, fruit, raw honey and so on.
I know it’ll become a challenge when we go to people’s homes, or out to eat, or they go to friends houses, but we’ll tackle that as it comes.
Next to a relationship with God, I think giving your kids good health (and understanding of WHY they’re eating the way they are) is the most important thing a parent can do.
:–)
What kind of breadmaker do you use? Or do you use one? Do tell!
I just use my Kitchen Aid mixer. I mix and knead the dough in there, and then I just have to rise and bake!
Prepare yourself. This may be long
I watched Food, Inc. yesterday (& sort of again today) and have decided I am changing the way I eat. I’ve always been against fast food, boxed food, frozen food, etc. But I’ve never been really concerned with organic foods and where my meat was coming from. I now am.
I grew up on a farm and our cattle were always grazing in the pasture and getting alfalfa in the winter time if needed. I grew up “moving sprinkler”, cutting the hay, herding cows, riding horses, etc. However, once the steers were old enough to go to the auction, I had NO idea what happened from there on with them. (Of course, we usually raised a cow for ourselves, so I guess I was raised on grass-fed cows.) I consider myself pretty tough (and honestly, I’ve kicked and screamed at a few cows in my life). But, I had to turn away a few times during the movie because I couldn’t stand the sight of the cows and pigs going to slaughter. It made me sick. I had no idea that cows weren’t meant to eat corn and the huge amount of antibiotics were putting in these animals. Honestly, I feel kinda stupid; like I should have known all of this stuff because of how I grew up.
Anyway – you’ve inspired me. I’ve ordered a few books and have been looking around on the internet. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and worried about how my husband will feel about it. He’s totally gets the grass fed meat thing – we’ve discussed this part. But he’s a BIG believer in the “low fat” diet. I get that whole milk and butter are ok.
Lastly – I just went to my doctor 2 weeks ago and had about every test done to figure out why I’m not feeling like the healthy, energetic 29 year old that I should be (I’m about 10 pounds overweight & very active). The results are some vitamin deficiencies and high cholesterol [I also have a few other issues, but I won't get into those
]. I can’t wait to see how the changes in my diet will affect next years results.
Sorry if you’re now completely bored or if I’ve shared too much info. Perhaps I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts about the books. Thanks!!!