I don't think that anyone will disagree that Americans have a very flawed relationship with food. We spend countless hours researching what car to buy, what electronics are highly rated, what university to attend, and yet when it comes to food? "Fast, Cheap, and Easy!" Do most of us have ANY idea where our food is coming from? Do we care? I didn't used to. In fact, I don't think I ever gave it a second thought while I was growing up. We take it for granted that we have strawberries in December and cucumbers in February. We don't think about where our bananas come from our how they get from point A to point B. Some of us have arrived at the conclusion that "You are what you eat," but do we think about what we eat eats?? Does it bother us that animals that are meant to eat grass are being force-fed unnatural grains or even animal by-products? Mad Cow Disease is of course a rather extreme example of what can happen when we don't take food sources into consideration, but there are also e.coli outbreaks and other unpleasant consequences of mismanaged livestock and feeding programs. I could write about this all day, but I would bore most of you to tears and I've preached enough. Our family has decided to make changes in the way we eat, but I feel this is a decision that everyone needs to arrive at at their own pace. So what changes are we making? What on earth is this adventure going to require of us? Let me tell you!
1. We are removing as much processed food from our diet at possible. This includes, but is not limited to: eliminating "junk foods" altogether. No fast-food. Possible exceptions for road trips, but we will try to plan for those as well. We will be making our own bread. This summer we will be making and canning our own tomato sauces and salsas. We will be making our own jams and preserves. We will be making our own chicken and vegetable stocks. I will probably make some exceptions for favorite condiments, but ALL high fructose corn syrup is out. ALL artificial sweeteners are out.
2. We will be buying grass fed beef and pastured animal products. This includes milk and cheese and yogurt and butter. Should we feel the need for a sweet fix, this will include ice cream too!
3. We will be buying as much as we possible can from LOCAL farms and vendors. We are making exceptions for some international staples and bananas and avocados.
4. We will be trying our very best to eat by the seasons. This means gorging ourselves on strawberries and peaches in the summer and possibly letting go of bell peppers in the winter! The good news is that the fall and winter bring winter greens and winter squash. Yum!
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| Our first attempt at roasting a chicken! The chicken was fabulous. We definitely burnt the vegetables, though! |
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| Ivy is excited! |
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| YUM! |
