Real Food Confessions: Mackenzie

Today we have Mackenzie, a new contributor here!

How “into” real food are you? (how long have you been doing it, how many different foods do you make from scratch, etc.)

I have been “into” real food for about six years. However, its been an evolving process the entire time. I am always learning new things and discovering new foods or new ways to prepare foods so our diet is constantly changing for the better. That makes this journey fun as well. We aren’t just restricted to the organic section at the grocery store, but we are learning how to make our own things like butter, cultured butter, yogurt, cheeses, freshly milled flour to use for bread making, sourdough, all kinds of fun things! As far as things I make from scratch… well, that would be everything except the occasional box of Annie’s Organic Mac & Cheese.

What is one food you just can’t make yourself? (even if you’ve tried a lot…!)

Well, last year at Easter I tried making a raw apple pie…. FAIL! I am so haunted by the HUGENESS of my failure that I haven’t attempted it again.

How much of what your family eats is *really* homemade? (vs. store bought, restaurants, etc.)

My family and I rarely go out to eat. When we do its pretty much because I forgot to go to the store and we have no food in the house. Its not even fun at this point to go out to eat because I sit there judging everything on the menu and being completely unhappy with the entire selection. Now, if we lived in a town with a few healthier options this would be different.

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

I can’t compromise with this area. If we want something sweet and treat-like, I will make it. There is absolutely no junk allowed whatsoever. I’m not a nice Mommy…. ☹ But, I do make the kids Roller (aka Lara) bars and they think they’re getting something pretty special when that happens. I also just got an ice cream maker last week so now my husband and kids really think I’m cool. Plus, I can feel really great about giving them a snack or “junk” food treat when I know its really not junk at all. Honey sweetened raw milk ice cream is something I willingly give my family! ☺

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

Several months ago my husband took us to a new restaurant in town. The food was great…especially those white flour, super fluffy, delicious rolls they kept bringing us. It was like a train wreck… you see it, its terrifying, but you can’t stop looking – or eating. I felt like crap for a long time after this eating out experience, and no it wasn’t worth it, but in the moment….

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

When it comes to food I really won’t compromise at all. We bring our food with us where ever we go to be prepared. I am not willing to let my kids have Fruit Punch and a cupcake to “fit in” and have their bodies and minds be destroyed for the next week as they recover from the annihilation. We look at it as this: if our children or us had food allergies, diabetes or some other medical consideration for food we would be socially accepted and no one would bat an eye-lash at our food choices. So, we bring our food and carry on. I’ve not experienced any judgments or odd comments, and if I do I will be excited to share with that person why we live and eat like we do and perhaps they’ll get interest in real food, too!

What’s your best tip for eating real food in the real world?

Be prepared! Learn to plan ahead and to keep snacks on hand that are PORTABLE. Don’t leave the house (especially if you have kiddos) without some food for them so when all the other kids get their snacks you can have one for them, too. Bring water as well! Stick to your guns and don’t waver, you have decided to eat healthy, so do it all the time and be a good example to all your friends and also to strangers who will see how you feed your children.

My real food confession is this: I don’t really always enjoy all the things that I do.

Really. Its that simple. I get tired. I get cranky. I get lazy. Sometimes I just want to grab up that phone and order a pizza. And the farther a long my pregnancy gets, the more often I feel this way. But, what I have to tell myself is that those thoughts are just not an option. My children’s health is worth more to me than some mild inconvenience of getting off of my (growing) butt to make them dinner that will nourish their bodies and minds.

There are so many days when I’m just done. You know those days. Everything seems to take 85 times more effort to get done than normal, and the world just seems to be stuck in molasses. There are so many things to do, and prepare, and get ready to be prepared. I just want a little break, you know, from the knowledge of what is good and what is not. I just want to go back to a time when I didn’t understand that when I ate something it had any impact on my body. I liked those days… sort of at least. I liked just being able to sit down and enjoy some nasty burger and shake with out any negative thought (other than… “Oh, this is going straight to my thighs!”) coming to mind.

Those were simpler days, yes, but they were also sicker days and unhappier days. It’s phenomenal to see the change food can make in a life. Going from “blah” all day every day to feeling alive and having energy (to do all the preparing and making and growing of food). I am so thankful that I have been able to embrace this life we are living. As much of a hassle as it can be some days, it is more than worth it in the end. To see my children thriving and happy, intelligent and eager to learn, that makes every inconvenience a non-issue for me. Knowing that their little bodies are full of nutrients and are fighting off germs and viruses without the help of toxic medical intervention fills my heart with joy. I know that the food I am putting into their bodies is helping to keep them in this state… that and Jesus. Can’t do any of this without Him.

Do you ever get tired of being in the kitchen?