Real Food Confessions : Malissa

How “into” real food are you?

We have been moving to a Real Food diet in our house since our wedding in October of 2008. We began by adding Omega 3′s to our diet in fish and eggs. When I became pregnant with our first child, I was very careful to watch the hormones in our milk and beef products. Once Miss Moo was born, I began researching organic foods and moved us towards a diet that was very conscious of the Dirty Dozen and GMO’s.

After we relocated, I fell in love with Farmer’s Markets and became a bit of a local food snob I began buying as much local produce, meat, and eggs as I could. I was also excited this year to purchase a cow share and move us to raw milk! Not only do I love the way local foods taste, but I also genuinely treasure the relationship that I have with our farmers. It makes meals mean so much more to me than just food.

When Miss Roo was a newborn, she had HORRIBLE reflux. Nothing helped. I removed everything that I could think of from my diet. One of my real food friends mentioned gluten as a possible gastrointestinal culprit. I removed all gluten from my diet but kept fats, dairy, garlic – our three other top contenders. Within DAYS she was a normal infant. And I felt better.

We are now a gluten free household. All of our stomach issues have resolved. And I actually enjoy the challenge of working around gluten.

What is one food you just can’t make yourself?

I cannot make donuts. My girls LOVE the homemade sourdough donuts found at our favorite market and now that we are gluten free we must go without. I’ve tried every store GF donut and several recipes. My batter is like paste. It’s very sad for us all.

How much of what your family eats is *really* homemade?

Sadly, this really depends on the factors in our lives. A month ago we had several family health problems, two trips, and Daddy working 15 hour days more times than I care to count. We were in a rut and we were eating in restaurants at least twice a week. My kids were getting chips and sandwiches every day for lunch.

However, I started making meal plans again. It’s AMAZING what a list and a plan can do. We went two weeks with every meal cooked here by me. Included were Father’s Day, a huge work change for Daddy, and a 5 day visit from NanaPop. Make a meal plan – even if a day or two is blank for the first few weeks. Some place to start from is better than asking yourself at 5:45 each night “What am I going to make for dinner??”

We have meat, dairy, egg, veggie, and fruit shares this summer. They, too, have been exponentially helpful in getting me back on track. Store trips happen less often. I can plan my meats by walking to the freezer. I can also grab extras while at the market to get my shares. Less trips makes cooking easier.

What is one junk food or processed food your family still eats?

There’s a local Italian Water Ice shop. We just can’t give it up. (I actually just ate some.)

What is the worst thing your family’s eaten in the last few months?  Why?

When I had Miss Roo, friends from church brought meals. One delicious meal was Smithfield smoked pork chops with Country Crock apples on top. I made that a few weeks again with some canned veggies (I know!!) because I was at the store during the witching hour with two girls who were melting down. In terms of calories and sugar, it was pretty bad. But it’s the most convenience food based meal we’ve had in months.

What’s one area where you won’t compromise, no matter why?  Why?

Page 1 of 2 | Next page