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!!!

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.

:–)

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.