100 Days of Real Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
×
Home

Frequently Asked Questions

The Leake family at the farmers market

1) I am new to your website, where should I start?

If you’re new here you should definitely check out Start Here, our Recipe Index, and our free Real Food Resources area. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay in touch and be informed of new recipes, tips, and resources as they come available.

I’ve also written three best-selling cookbooks that are geared towards typical families trying to get healthy, delicious food on the table, fast. These are available anywhere books are sold and in many libraries.

2) Why don’t you consider sugar to be a “real food”…isn’t it natural?

Sugar comes from a plant so it is definitely a “natural” food. Some other “natural” foods that we like to avoid are high-fructose corn syrup (from corn) and white flour (from wheat). What all of these have in common is that, aside from being natural, they are so highly refined and processed that the good stuff is stripped away leaving mostly empty calories. Here’s a little more about our decision to avoid sugar and other refined sweeteners - Mini-Pledge Week 9: No Refined Sweeteners.

3) What does your family eat now that your strict “100 Days of Real Food” pledge is over?

When we are at home I estimate that we eat 95%+ real food. Since our pledge ended we’ve incorporated a once-a-week “special treat.” This could be anything from a homemade chocolate cake to a donut from Krispy Kreme, although I do try hard to steer my family away from artificial ingredients and food dyes no matter what. With that being said, we do believe moderation is key so we most certainly let our daughters participate in school celebrations, birthday parties, and other events that often involve junk food.

4) Have you noticed any health-related changes since your switch to real food?

Yes! We switched to real food because we thought it was the right thing to do. What we did not expect was for our youngest daughter’s constipation and asthma to completely disappear. We were equally surprised by how much my HDL level increased (a.k.a. the “good" cholesterol that should be a high number), which jumped up by 50%! I also feel like I have more energy (no more afternoon slumps), and my husband and I both lost a couple of pounds without even trying. For more details check out this link: Our personal changes in health.

5) What kind of milk does your family drink?

We’ve switched both our type of milk and source for our milk a couple of times over the last year. We currently drink the least processed type of milk available in North Carolina (where raw milk is illegal). We buy Homestead Creamery’s non-homogenized whole milk in half-gallon glass bottles from Earth Fare. Since switching to whole milk we’ve also been working to reduce our consumption.

6) What kind of cheese do you buy that is "real food" approved?

When it comes to cheese we go for blocks of cheese that are organic and preferably from grass-fed cows (if we can find it). The pre-shredded stuff contains an anti-caking agent (to prevent it from sticking together) which is a little too powdery for our taste. Also, most cheese is actually supposed to be white so even though the orange coloring is natural and probably a harmless additive I like to stick with white cheese just to make a point. :)

7) I see that your family enjoys foods like cream cheese and boxed whole-wheat pasta, but aren't those processed?

Actually even cooking is technically a form of "processing" or changing your food. So since we are not on a raw food diet I guess you could say we avoid all "highly processed" foods, which we define as having more than 5 (or any refined) ingredients. Check out our real food rules for the full list.

8) Is there anywhere that you can shop without having to read labels and scrutinize the ingredients?

Unfortunately, no. But the closest you can get is a growers only Farmer’s Market. At a growers only market, all of the produce and meat will be locally grown/raised. There are a surprising number of farmer’s markets out there that allow third-party vendors to sell you anything from Chilean blueberries to Florida oranges (which is, of course, okay if you actually live in Florida!). But even growers only markets have local “bakers” that use their fair share of white flour and sugar so you still have to ask questions. We also like to ask our local farmers if they use any chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilizers on their offerings because we prefer to eat foods that are as organic as possible, even if they are not USDA certified organic.

9) Where else do you shop for food?

I’ve shared my food shopping routine as well as my grocery template here.

10) Are there any “real food” books you recommend?

Well, first of all, I must recommend my first book of course! It's part cookbook and part guidebook. The book that originally inspired us to switch to “real food” is In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. Two other books I highly recommend are Food Rules also by Michael Pollan and Food Matters by Mark Bittman. I also highly recommend watching the documentary Food, Inc.

11) How do you deal with eating at someone else's house when they don't exactly follow a "real food" diet?

It can be tricky to try to eat a certain way without offending your host. For us, taking our "100 Days of Real Food" pledge was a great conversation starter as to what we were doing and why. I am not saying everyone around us fully understood or agreed, but at least they knew about it. :) During our pledge we did not have any flexibility at all so for the most part, we either brought our own food wherever we went (and people were thankful because it meant they didn't have to figure out what feed us) or we ate beforehand. Now that our pledge is over we have more flexibility so we pretty much just eat what is offered especially since it doesn't happen every day. We might still sometimes eat a little beforehand or bring a few key food items with us when we travel (like good whole-wheat bread, granola, and tortillas), but for the most part, we just go with the flow. But I will say that after watching us complete our real food pledge, it's no surprise to our friends and family if we suddenly decide to bring something special along to the next BBQ (like our own organic, grass-fed, nitrite-free, dye-free beef hot dogs)!

12) What kind of oils do you use for cooking and baking?

For baking, we mainly use butter and unrefined coconut oil. For stove-top cooking, we either use olive oil (cold-pressed if I can find it), organic butter (preferably from grass-fed cows), ghee (a.k.a. clarified butter because it does well at higher temps), or yes, we occasionally use lard (from pastured animals) as well. People tend to look shocked when I tell them we use lard and I admit it isn't exactly an appetizing word, but it is a traditional food that our ancestors survived on for centuries. Here's more info on using unrefined oils - Mini-Pledge Week 10: No Refined Oils.

13) I am completely on-board with cutting out processed food, but how can I get my reluctant spouse and picky kids to join me?

No fear...because you are not alone! Here are a few posts on this very topic:

  • Picky Eaters: 12 ways to deal with a picky eater and Winning over your picky eater
  • Reluctant Spouses: Convincing a reluctant spouse (to eat real food!)

14) Where do you and your family live?

People are sometimes pleasantly surprised to learn that we do not live in a "real food" mecca like New York or California. Yep, we are just a regular ol' suburban family living in Matthews, N.C., which is a suburb of Charlotte. You can find out more about our family on the “About Page.”

Comments

  1. Amy says

    September 10, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    Our family's meals are now about 90% organic. I make certain I purchase all of my dairy products (milk, butter, yogurt, etc.) organic and/or grass fed. Your ideals are very much in line with mine as far as cooking and ingredients. So I am curious if you make exceptions for different cheeses. I buy most cheese that is organic but there are some that I simply cannot find. Imported cheeses are never organic. Are these ok and free or hormones?

    Reply
    • Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says

      September 24, 2014 at 10:49 am

      Hi Amy. Bovine Growth Hormone is banned in the European Union as well as in Canada, Japan, and Austrailia. :)

      Reply
  2. Amber says

    September 09, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    Hi there...love your site. I'm curious what your thoughts are on eating a vegetarian or vegan diet. We (and by we, I mean me, all the while dragging my four kids along...lol) have been eating this way for about three years and have begun revisiting my reasons for the switch. I see you guys eat a variety of things including dairy and meat. I respect your opinion on all things food, so I'd love to know why or why not you'd go completely veggie/vegan. Thanks for your info!

    Reply
  3. Sarah Nuttall says

    September 09, 2014 at 12:00 am

    Lisa and family! I have been so inspired by you, your book and your journey. I am a mom of three, work part time, and my husband owns his own business. Needless to say we are busy people. Your recipes are easy and simple. I found myself talking non stop about artificial coloring in foods and how it effects my daughter personally that I ended up collaborating with two good friends and created a website/blog to spread the word (set to launch in a few weeks - http://www.fedupwithfake.com). I can't thank you enough for all the hard work you have done and shared it with all of us!!
    Sarah

    Reply
  4. Jamie Johnson says

    September 08, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    What specific jar of Croftor's organic fruit spread/jam do you buy?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 11, 2014 at 10:17 am

      Hi Jamie. This is my kids favorite: http://www.croftersorganic.com/Product.php?unid=20. :)

      Reply
  5. Brie says

    September 08, 2014 at 10:46 am

    I am trying to convert a recipe into a real food recipe. Currently I am stuck on a substitution for ketchup (meatloaf). Any suggestions? I would really prefer not to use it!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 17, 2014 at 10:35 am

      Hi Brie. There is really not substitution for the tangy sweetness of ketchup, but you could try a tomato sauce instead. ~Amy

      Reply
  6. Michelle says

    September 07, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    I use the reusable muffin cups but mine leave a soap like taste on my muffins. Have you had this problem? I have tried two different brands and still no success.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 11, 2014 at 9:29 am

      Nope, sorry. No insight on this one. :(

      Reply
  7. Karen says

    September 07, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Hello! I found this website by following a link on mywisemom. I love it! I would like to gradually read through this blog starting with the first post. However, clicking on 2010 took me to the final post of 2010. Is there a way for me to read the postings chronologically? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 11, 2014 at 8:21 am

      Hi Karen. You can read through the original pledge as well as the budget pledge that way: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/original-100-day-pledge/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-on-a-budget/. You can also see how the mini-pledges rolled out: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-of-mini-pledges/. :) ~Amy

      Reply
  8. Melissa says

    September 05, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    If a label says that it contains less than 2% of certain things does that mean it would be a "real" food? Or are even those minute traces bad?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 09, 2014 at 7:55 am

      Hi Melissa. Those still count on the 5 ingredient list. It doesn't take much of chemical to cause harm. Of course, not all are equally as bad but we just avoid them all. Generally, if you don't recognize the ingredient or if it is something you would not find in your panty, you shouldn't eat it. ~Amy

      Reply
  9. Carla says

    September 04, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    I may have missed this on your website but I am looking for different things to drink! What drinks do you and your family drink besides milk and water? Are there any other options? Thanks for your help!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 06, 2014 at 8:01 am

      Hi Carla. Those are Lisa's family's main drinks. Sparkling water with a splash is 100% fruit juice is a great option. Coffee, tea, wine, and beer are enjoyed, as well. :) ~Amy

      Reply
  10. Nadine dumoulin says

    August 31, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    Hi!
    I wanted to say how much I love your new cookbook! It has opened my eyes so much. I always believed we were healthy eaters but was stunned at what we are really eating and giving our kids once I started going through our labels. We have already started meal planning and making great school lunches for our kindergartener!
    I do have a question that maybe you have addressed before and I did not come across, I sure hope you have some time to answer it.
    Our sons school refuses any kind of nuts. I would love to make him some granola bars, do you have a recipe that does not include nuts? Also, what recipe do you use for a crust base such as for a pot pie or a real food fruit tart? Thanks again for changing our lives!
    Nadine D.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 02, 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Hi there. You could replace the nuts with various seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, flax and chia in the granola recipe. Here is a crust that should work: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/26/quiche-with-a-super-easy-whole-wheat-crust/ or this one https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/05/30/recipe-whole-wheat-toaster-pastries-a-k-a-pop-tarts/. ~Amy

      Reply
  11. Angie says

    August 31, 2014 at 4:16 am

    What bread do you buy from the harvest bread co.? Do you buy other stuff there. We have a store 1 hour a way I plan on going there next week. Thanks! Angie

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 02, 2014 at 1:23 pm

      Hi Angie. Lisa buys the whole wheat loaf and sometimes special orders buns. ~Amy

      Reply
  12. christen juhnke says

    August 29, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    I am wondering how to start modifying some of my recipes for baking to cut out the sugar and substitute honey or maple instead of brown sugar. Do you have a ratio or a recommendation on how to make over baking recipes?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      September 02, 2014 at 10:43 am

      Hi there. These links should help: http://www.pickyourown.org/SubstitutingHoneyForSugar.htm and http://www.wikihow.com/Cook-With-Sugar-Substitutes.

      Reply
  13. Bronwyn Bolton says

    August 24, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    My family really could use this.

    Reply
  14. Kat says

    August 21, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Hello! I am in need of some advice or direction toward previous posts or direction in general!
    I am a 24 yo soon-to-be graduate student and I will be living on a very limited budget. I have struggled with my weight my entire life and am now at the point where my weight gain is affecting my health. I need a lifestyle change and I sincerely think this is the best choice for me - since it is about nourishing my body with food that is best for it.
    I need help help finding resources that will assist me in adopting a real food diet on a limited budget. Can you help?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      August 25, 2014 at 9:58 am

      Hi Kat. Lisa has a whole series on food budgets: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/100-days-on-a-budget/. This one in particular should help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/30/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-keep-it-cheap/. And I love this: http://www.ewg.org/goodfood/. ~Amy

      Reply
  15. Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

    August 19, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Hi Katie. No, Fiber 1 has a pretty long ingredient list with things you would not find in your pantry. Lisa sometimes buys 100% whole wheat or brown rice puffs or 100% shredded wheat. You could also try her granola recipe: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/. ~Amy

    Reply
  16. Katie says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:48 pm

    Hi,
    This is a great website with so many fantastic resources! I am looking for a high-fibre cereal such as Fibre 1 that would be considered a real food. Do you have any suggestions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Shannon says

    July 28, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Can you explain why refined flour is considered an unacceptable food, while oil is considered an acceptable food? In both instances, nutritious parts of the whole food have been removed and a product with few nutrients remains. I just really don't understand what the difference is - seems kind of arbitrary to me so I feel like I must be missing something.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      August 10, 2014 at 8:36 pm

      Hi Shannon. We are pretty picky about the oils that we use: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/. And, this should illustrate the difference between refined grains and unrefined grains: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/10/17/nutrients-in-refined-vs-whole-grains/. Hope that helps explain. ~Amy

      Reply
  18. Bridget says

    July 26, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Hi! I've recently discovered this blog and I'm officially addicted! But I do have one question/concern: my family and I have started this new lifestyle and have been going strong for a week and one thing I've noticed is how much more fat we take in. Don't get me wrong, I love it! I'm just wondering if I should be concerned about it. It's really hard to get over all the years of watching calories and fat content. I would say we definitely eat less, but it's still higher in fat than we would normally eat. I would love an opinion or some tips on this matter! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      July 29, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      Hi Bridget. The Leakes don't count fat grams, calories, or the like. The whole low fat era has done way more harm that good, unfortunately. Healthy fats are essential for the body and brain to function properly. Here are a couple posts that might ease your concerns: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/14/mini-pledge-week-10-no-refined-oils/. ~Amy

      Reply
  19. Susanna says

    July 26, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Hi, I came across your blog while searching for lunch ideas for my daughter. I just saw on our school website that our school is now a peanut-free school. This is hard for us because my daughter does not enjoy meat (maybe a processed chicken nugget now and then, sorry, but true) and is a very picky eater. Basically, the only sandwich she will eat is peanut butter with jelly which is no longer an option for us. Is there a post written about vegetarian/peanut free lunch option for kids? I've read that the food allergies are on the rise and this would be a great subject to blog about. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      July 29, 2014 at 5:46 pm

      Hi Susanna. These should help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/10/07/nut-free-school-lunch-ideas/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/22/an-elementary-school-snack-list-%E2%80%93-nut-free/. ~Amy

      Reply
  20. Melanie says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:19 pm

    Hi,

    I was thinking about using avocado oil in my cooking? And what about organic durum wheat semolina pasta? Are they both considered whole food?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      July 21, 2014 at 9:28 am

      Hi Melanie. Avocado oil is a great healthy fat and can stand up to high temperatures. Be sure that the pasta you choose is 100% whole grain. ~Amy

      Reply
  21. Kelsey says

    July 01, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    I'm wondering if anyone has personal experience or research on the effects of a real food diet, on digestive disorders such as acid reflux, crohns, or irritable bowel syndrome? Or any suggestions on where to find that information? Multiple members of my family have diagnosed digestion problems (as well as just really not feeling as healthy as we should). We're hoping a real food diet may help, but are there any extra suggestions or things we should pay attention to when dealing with particularly sensitive digestive systems?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      July 12, 2014 at 11:24 am

      Hi Kelsey. Check out Dr. Mark Hyman's website: http://drhyman.com/blog/2010/04/28/ultrawellness-lesson-4-gut-digestive-health/. ~Amy

      Reply
    • Cecily says

      July 14, 2014 at 6:15 pm

      Hi Kelsey!

      Besides using this awesome blog to help out yourself and your family, my fiance and I discovered a blog called Empowered Sustenance. The writer began her real food journey in order to end her ulcerative colitis, a really harsh digestive disorder she's had since she was young. The results have been incredible.

      Check it out, I hope it helps!

      Reply
  22. Becky Gracia says

    June 23, 2014 at 9:22 am

    I am an insulin pump diabetic. I love the recipes and am switching to whole foods so your website is definitely helpful for me and my family. I am struggling a bit because I desperately need the nutritional breakdown on recipes due to the fact that my insulin pump is programed by the amount of carbohydrates I eat per meal. Can you help me? Is there a place I can go to find out the nutritional information?

    Thanks :)

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 25, 2014 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Becky. These are both online tools that can help you find the nutrition facts for any recipe: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator and http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-calculator.asp. Hope that helps. ~Amy

      Reply
  23. tracy hatt says

    June 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I am wondering if you have serving size/nutritional information posted for the recipes in your meal plans.

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 19, 2014 at 10:56 am

      Hi Tracy. We don't. Our focus is on helping folks get the processed stuff out of their lives and practicing portion control. ~Amy

      Reply
  24. Danielle says

    June 13, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    I'm lactose intolerant and currently use almond milk or coconut milk (not pure coconut milk) when needed. I'm guessing these are not considered "real" food, but what would you suggest for those who can not have real milk?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 18, 2014 at 2:01 pm

      Hi. Look for an almond or coconut milk with the fewest added ingredients. Also, organic soy milk usually has fewer than three ingredients. ~Amy

      Reply
  25. Danielle says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:39 am

    My daughter will be 11 months soon and as of right now I send in some food to daycare with her so she can get used to solids. I only send her in with real food, fruits, veggies, whole wheat crackers, oatmeal etc. She doesn't eat much and still relies on breastmilk for most of her nutrition. The teachers at daycare have made comments that she is reaching for the other kids food, which the daycare provides - not all real food and some of which is processed -chicken nuggets, patties etc and nothing is local or organic. They do try to be healthy with lots of fruits and veggies and "whole wheat" breat (but I don't know if real whole wheat)though i know it's not the best quality.

    My goal is to try to send her in with things from home that mimic their food, but have you ever had to address an issue of your children just wanting what the other kids are having? My husband and I for the most part only eat real food, local/organic when possible and want to raise our daughter to eat the same. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 27, 2014 at 11:29 am

      Hi Danielle. If your child is accustomed early on to your food and she understands the "whys" behind it, you will have a much easier time than those trying to break bad habits. You are bound to run into some tough situations and it is okay to be a little flexible but you are laying a really important healthy foundation. ~Amy

      Reply
  26. Barbara BV says

    June 11, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    For sugar free condiments try Tessamae's. http://www.tessemaes.com/ I've tried and love the ketchup.

    Reply
  27. Vanessa Smith says

    June 09, 2014 at 2:57 am

    I was wondering if you offered a "fix my recipe" segment on this site :). I have tons of recipess that are not healthy that my family just loves! Case in point, every time we go camping they want these spaghetti pockets. Made with wonder bread and white floor pasta. For the record, that stuff is not in my home. Anyway, do you think it would work with organic pasta sauce, whole wheat organic pasta and whole wheat bread? I'm afraid of burning the sandwiches in the pie irons. Any help would be fabulous!,, thanks so much!,,

    http://chasingsomebluesky.blogspot.com/2012/06/camping-food-ideas.html

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 27, 2014 at 11:01 am

      Hi there. I think it should work fine with the whole grain options. :)

      Reply
  28. Christina says

    June 02, 2014 at 4:04 am

    What is your take on Homemade ketchup and Mayo ?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 04, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Christina. You can read about that here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/04/17/real-food-condiments-do-they-exist/. ~Amy

      Reply
  29. Rita says

    June 01, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Is there a link where you have all of your freezer meals (and snacks) and anything that can be frozen in one place? Or do I just need to go through the recipe index and see what I can freeze and what I cant? If its all in one place, please let me know, I am expecting a new baby in a month and I want to make as many freezer foods now that I can. Thank you so much :-)

    Rita

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 16, 2014 at 10:29 am

      Hi Rita. They are not in one place but this can get you started: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/08/14/real-food-tips-10-recipes-to-freeze-for-school-lunches-which-makes-packing-a-breeze/. :) ~Amy

      Reply
  30. Niki says

    May 26, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    We are trying to cut down on salt. Is there a nutritional breakdown for your recipes?
    Do we just use nonprocessed foods and not add salt?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 29, 2014 at 8:47 am

      Hi Niki. We do not provide nutrition information. We want people focusing less on numbers and more on incorporating more real whole foods into their diet. You are welcome to leave the salt out or just cut back the amount in any of our recipes. :) ~Amy

      Reply
  31. Cindy says

    May 26, 2014 at 2:49 am

    Hi, I'm new to your site; just found it looking for a pulled pork recipe. Like what I see but I just have a quick comment. I've been eating organic, real food and been a gluten free "sugar avoider" for over 2 years. Started on this track because of my son's gluten intolerance and some of my own health issues. My comment is that I don't think treating horrible food as a "special treat" is a good idea. While I sometimes let my son try something new or eat certain foods like NAAN which are not gluten free but part of an otherwise really healthy meal at a restaurant - I never treat it like a special thing. I think if you do you are just doing the worst thing you can possibly do. The food that is special is the perfect organic apple or the gluten free bread or the organic pulled pork. The other food, the junk food is "poison". A little bit of poison is still poison. It's not special. Using this approach my son has no problem not eating a sundae with M&M's at a birthday party. He just doesn't want a little bit of poison just 'cuz it's somebody's birthday. AND, he's making a big impact on what his friends eat. I'm sure that your kids can be opinion leaders, too. Hope you aren't offended....just trying to share what works for me. Oh, and he threw down the gauntlet one day and said I couldn't make a sugar free, gluten free Key Lime Pie. Which I did. And that was special!

    Reply
  32. Lisa says

    May 24, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    I found a Morning Glory Muffin recipe (below) that sounds good and fairly "healthy" I think, but it calls for 1 1/4 cups sugar. How do you know how much honey/maple syrup to use instead of sugar? Do you have a rule of thumb? Or is it better just to use the sugar since it is homemade? Thanks for your help!

    Original recipe makes 18 muffins
    1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup whole wheat flour
    1 1/4 cups white sugar
    1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
    2 teaspoons baking powder
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    2 cups grated carrots
    1 apple - peeled, cored, and chopped
    1 cup raisins
    1 egg
    2 egg whites
    1/2 cup apple butter
    1/4 cup vegetable oil
    1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
    2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 26, 2014 at 8:30 am

      Hi there. This should help when converting: http://www.cooks.com/recipe/4516i4d5/substituting-honey-for-sugar.html. ~Amy

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        May 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm

        Thank you! That helps a lot!

  33. Carrie Jaeger says

    May 19, 2014 at 8:07 pm

    Would really love to see a post about spices (if you do have one please share the link with me :D) We would like to know what spices are good to use, which spices we should be staying away from should we be buying organic spices? etc... Thanks so much!!!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      June 01, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      Hi Carrie. This Food Babe post might help:http://foodbabe.com/2013/12/01/are-there-harmful-ingredients-lurking-in-your-spice-cabinet/. And this is a nice article on some of the spices with the most antioxidants. There are no spices that you need to avoid. ~Amy

      Reply
  34. Robin says

    May 15, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    Hi~

    I wasn't sure where else to ask this question... I have been trying to purge my house of all plastic used in the kitchen (slowly but surely). I have been looking for the perfect sized bowls for my kids (they aren't toddlers - 6, 8, 9) but am completely lost. I want BPA free, obviously, so I am looking at glass. There seem to be so many discussions on whether or not Corelle or Duralex are lead free and what is the better choice, etc. Or do I go the stainless steel route? Aaaaah! Do you have any input on this? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 25, 2014 at 8:59 am

      Hi Robin. I know. It is so hard to sift through all the conflicting info. Just when you feel you've made a good choice, you learn something new. This article may help or may just fuel the fire: http://silvahayes.hubpages.com/hub/Lead-and-Cadmium-in-our-dinnerware. ~Amy

      Reply
  35. Kara says

    May 07, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    Is there a post available on substitutions? For instance taking a recipe that calls for all purpose flour, can you evenly substitute whole wheat flour? I am looking to see what healthier twists I can make to some already family favorites and I am just starting to make the journey :-)

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 23, 2014 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Kara. This might help: http://www.livestrong.com/article/491727-how-to-convert-to-whole-wheat-flour/. ~Amy

      Reply
  36. Linda says

    May 07, 2014 at 12:58 am

    Please explain how bacon can be alright?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 08, 2014 at 4:04 pm

      Hi Linda. This post will help explain the Leakes general stance on meat consumption: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/03/25/mini-pledge-week-3-meat/. They meat locally and know how it is processed whenever possible. ~Amy

      Reply
  37. Gilda de Armas says

    May 05, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    I need to buy liquid Chlorophyl I am looking at one that has the following ingredients:

    Chlorophyllins, purified water, methylparabens, spearmint oil, polyparabens
    Also need to buy Vitamin C 1000mg... any suggestions... I have a sensitive stomach
    Are not parabens bad for you ?
    Please let me know....if you can email me....
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 12, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      Hi Gilda. Sorry, that is just not something I am familiar with. As a rule, we avoid any additives whenever possible. I do avoid all parabens but I do not know anything about those in particular. ~Amy

      Reply
  38. Christina says

    April 29, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    Do you have a cookbook with all of your recipes in it?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 01, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      Hi Christina. Lisa has a cookbook coming out this August: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2014/01/02/upcoming-real-food-cookbook-august/. :)

      Reply
  39. sara says

    April 27, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    will these green smoothies nececessarily make you loose weight? im not looking to loose any weight but want to eat healthier and feel better. Also is it ok for kids to have them?

    Reply
    • Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says

      May 01, 2014 at 11:08 am

      Hi Sara. I assume you are talking about this post: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/12/26/green-smoothie-recipe/. No, they will not "make" you lose weight unless you are pairing them with a diet. They will energize you and pump up your consumption of fruits, veggies, and greens. They are perfectly healthy for kids. Just tailor them to your kids needs. ~Amy

      Reply
  40. Judy says

    April 23, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    Do you ever make your own nut butters? If so, what appliance do you use or can recommend? A regular blender just does not do the job and I do not have a processor. I would like to get something else but the prices can be so high, I am a little worried.

    Thanks.

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Healthy foods.

Welcome!


Welcome to 100 Days of Real Food! Born in 2010, this food blog has created a community of millions of people who share our love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

Learn More

Popular

  • Healthy chocolate cake.
    Healthy Chocolate Cake
  • Air fryer ribeye steak.
    Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
  • Baked peaches.
    Baked Peaches
  • Chicken taco pasta.
    Chicken Taco Pasta

Seasonal

  • Taco pasta.
    Taco Pasta
  • Cottage cheese brownies.
    Cottage Cheese Brownies
  • Air fryer quesadilla.
    Air Fryer Quesadilla
  • Garlic chicken pasta.
    Garlic Chicken Pasta

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cookbooks
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
  • Favorite Products
  • Free Downloads

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Blog

  • About
  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 100 Days of Real Food