Our awareness of food choices started in 2003, when Zeb was about 4 years old. I began to connect his frequent croup-like coughs with things like birthday parties and Halloween candy and began to suspect what I had heard about food coloring. We decided to have him tested for food sensitivities and boy, were we in for a shock. Certain dairy products, vegetables, fruits and all artificial ingredients, not surprisingly, showed to be problematic. But the worst was corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)and all other corn-related products (from corn on the cob to cornstarch). Of course, eliminating corn products meant completely changing our diet.
But that was just the beginning. From there I learned about organic vs conventional foods and the negative impacts of conventional farming. That lead to the discovering of hormone-laden animals and the environmental impact of factory farming. Of course that lead me to researching veganism, which is when I read about raw diets and the possible effects of cooking or heating foods. Throw in gluten-free diets, local and seasonal foods, buying in bulk, cooking from scratch and genetically modified foods and I’m starting to wondering what I can eat.
Here’s the kicker. I am not passionate about food; I’m definitely not what some would call a “foodie”. I love growing it (what little I’ve grown thus far) and I enjoy eating what I’ve grown. But I’m not a die-hard, gotta-try-this-new-recipe, love-to-cook-and-eat-what-I-cook kinda gal. I’d be perfectly content if all my nutrition could come in capsule form and need only be remembered once a day (any more than that would be pushing it). I eat because my body demands it, but I find it a hassle and too often wrought with too many damn decisions and a high price tag pulling on a shoestring budget.
Thus eliminating so many options – bananas, sliced bread, anything not made from scratch or “certified” in some way or other – really doesn’t help my situation. I end up putting off eating for lack of appealing or easy or “healthy” choices until my blood sugar is ravaging my mood and my stomach is echoing complaints of neglect. I skip meals. I pick at snacks. I’m not taking care of myself. And with Zeb’s hypoglycemia, I’m setting a horrible example.
No need to chastise. I know this contributes to much of how I feel emotionally and mentally. I know it’s something I need to stop talking about it (or complaining about) and just do. Find something manageable that has me eating regularly (cuz lots of mediocre food is better than no food, right?) and stick to it. At least until I’m in a position to make other changes.
So, I’m temporarily compromising my so-called standards. I’m eating bananas again – the locavore’s nemesis, but at least they’re organic. I’m buying at least some bread until I’m organized enough to make it from home. I’m opting for simpler meals and habitually revolving menus and I’m remaining open to allowing it to unfold without my pushing it along. I’m also working on drinking more water because I’m fairly certain the one glass a day thing is causing radioactive pee.
Ultimately? I’d like to eat more fresh fruits and veggies than not. I’d like to keep eating my cheeses and homemade yogurt because I enjoy them. I’d like to homebake my bread and pasta and tortillas again. And I’d like to simply enjoy the process of sustenance.
But I’m not there yet. And I’m no longer gonna fake it. Eating will become more of a priority, but finding the perfect diet is taking a back burner for a bit.
And since I seem to have started a tradition, enjoy some Mia Dyson (does her voice remind anyone else of Bonnie Raitt?):
P.S. Those two top photos are actually decent foods that I’ve found are easy enough and healthy enough to spend my energy on right now. You can click on them for details.
I'm Tara Wagner, life coach and creator of the Digging Deep process, where I coach women out of survival mode to recreate their lives and families.
I hear you. I think there is always a balance. We try to eat as local as we can, but bananas (as well as avocados and coconut milk) usually end up in our kitchen.
Wait did this just turn into a locavore’s reconciliation?
Baby steps sister.
Sounds like you have a starting plan in your mind. I guess it’s like everything else in our lives, it all requires some mindfulness. Probably even more so with stuff we’re not that jazzed about.
As for the locavore thing, I have a different take on it. Link if you’re interested.
Thre are about a million cooking books out there, there’s gotta be one for Can’t be Bother But Wat to Eat Reasonably Well people?
You could inspire/motivate yourself by making it a blogging mission to experiment and list recipes for Lazy But Healthy Cooks. lol
I’m a definite foodie, but I can become lazy. You know, when there’s other fun stuff to do….
http://holisticmum.blogspot.com/2008/11/buying-local-as-global-citizen_11.html
Okay, if you like that musician, I think you will *love* Over The Rhine. They are a husband/wife duo (totally how I picture Aaron and I in the next few years). I saw them in 2005 at a tiny well-known place in Minneapolis called the Fine Line Music Cafe. Here is a link to a song that was inspirational during one of my many transitions. I think you might like it too, “Lookin’ Forward”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQN5XaDce4g
This one is also pretty: “I Want You To Be My Love”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8w_1pD3GcU
hmm…Nick LOVES carrots, especially the “kind with the grass”. What can I barter with you for some fresh (overflow)veggies?
I’m right there with you. I got really sick this pregnancy. I had to stop being so hard on myself. My blood sugar is bothering me again and so I have started eating some meat and dairy.
I love homemade bread and find if I make the dough when I have the time, then I can let it rise in the fridge. I do use a Kitchen Aid though. I just make he dough pour some oil on top, and roll it around. Then I put a clean kitchen towel on top and pop the whole thing in the fridge. I can decide tomorrow if we want bread, cinnamon rolls, pizza rolls, or pizza.
So
It gets a bit sour but I find I can go three days before I have to use it. Just punch it down once a day.
Yes, these decisions drive me nuts too. Guilt, everything I read tells me what I’m eating is somhow morally or socaily or nutritionaly wrong. I’m trying to just listen more to what my body needs instead of listening to what everyone else says my body does not need. It’s hard, I hear you!
Once you start harvesting goodies from your garden and the warmth of summer comes, it is much easier, I tell ya.
I hate that food choices have to be so difficult — but they are. One day at a time..
I love Happy Foody!
I love food, but I don’t like to cook very much so I know where you’re coming from. I could eat peanut butter sandwiches three times a day, or a bowl of cereal. Oh wait, I used to do that! But now when I try it, I feel rotten. So, I’m destined to eat better…Still, I “cheat” by buying grocery store bagels and rolls instead of always making bread. I’ve been buying apples and oranges that are definitely not from MN in winter. I’ve been buying yoplait yogurts on sale so cheap, for the kids, though they’re mostly HFCS and that makes me sad. We all take two steps forward, one step back, but at least we’re doing something.
Life in balance my friend. Is it possible to get Zeb into cooking a bit? Include it in your unschooling ‘home ec’ bit? As things grow in your garden it becomes a ‘mission’ to use at least 2 things at lunch and 3 things from the garden included in the meal? Make it fun is all I’m trying to say and if including Zeb will get you into the kitchen and having fun with food again, then great! (Good music in the kitchen always makes me want to stay in there longer by the way.) Good luck.