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.”
Grace Myers says
http://www.scarymommy.com/those-people/
Lisa, I love your blog! It had been on my mind to mention to you that it would be wonderful if at some point in your blog, you addressed the issue of how those on an extremely limited budget/ food stamps can manage healthy eating. It would show a measure of compassion for those less fortunate.
I think there are two main points to convey to your readers:
1) For those on a tight budget: They can still choose to eat vegetables and fruits and whole grains even if they aren't organic. There's no way around it, the foods with organic labels cost a lot more! But, far more important than eating "organic" is eating foods containing healthy vitamins and nutrients.
2) For those with the means and prosperity to share with others: Be encouraged to donate QUALITY foods to Food Banks (especially in light of the upcoming holiday season.) Do not assume that those in need "won't know what to do with it".
Here, again, is the link to the post that really touched me and got me thinking about it.
http://www.scarymommy.com/those-people/
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Grace. Thank you so much for sharing this.~Amy
Zainab says
I know you only use honey and maple syrup, but what are your thoughts on coconut palm sugar? or what do you substitute for granulated sugar when making recipes that require such consistency.
thank you,
Zainab
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Zainab. Other than a couple exceptions, Lisa typically creates/adapts recipes to use honey or maple syrup. Her sugar cookie recipe as well as a cake recipe call for some granulated sugar (a very rare occasion). Regarding coconut palm sugar,it obviously is not pledge approved, but as an alternative to table sugar, it gets high marks. I use it as my coffee sweetener and have baked with it a good bit. It is less sweet and is a lower glycemic choice. There is question as to its sustainability, so knowing how a brand is sourced is a good practice. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Michelle says
Hi,
What type of cream cheese do you use?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Michele. Lisa usually buys Nancy's organic cream cheese. ~Amy
Pam Gregory says
I was wondering if you could give me an idea on how many fruits a day I should consume. I know they are healthy and it's not the calorie factor, but I'm concerned with the "natural" sugar content. How many fruits would be considered too much sugar???
Thank you
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Pam. It would be hard to get too much fresh fruit. Of course fruits vary in their sugar content, but if you are eating a good variety and mixing it up with plenty of veggies you are doing great. :) ~Amy
Dara says
Hi! New to this site and really love it--find myself on here for hours... I'm trying to find your thoughts on canned veggies/ tomatoes, especially. I know, canning your own is the best way to go, but are canned organic tomatoes really bad for you (I've heard different opinions of BPA and carcinogens in the lining of the cans). Our family eats alot of homemade marinara sauces and jarred tomatoes in our local stores run about $6.00 (3x as much as organic canned tomatoes). Don't know if I should start adding canning tomatoes to my already growing list of things to do! Thanks so much!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Dara. There are varied opinions out there about canned tomatoes. Because of their acidity, it is likely that they leach more chemicals than other canned items. Lisa uses canned tomatoes sometimes, but you will have to decide what is right for you. ~Amy
Staci says
What are your opinions on getting the flu shot? And the risks.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Staci. We really can't weigh in on that one. But, I will say that avoiding sugar is a great way to keep your immune system working its best! ~Amy
Anne Bierman says
HI! HAPPY MONDAY!! =)
Just wondering if your kids take vitamins since they are eating healthy. If they are which vitamins do you prefer for the kids?
Thank you! =)
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Anne. Lisa's girls do not take vitamins. Here is a post about that: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/13/why-my-kids-dont-take-vitamins/. ~Amy
Liz says
I am really excited to take this challenge; I rely on processed, low-calorie snacks way too much. I've read about maple syrup and honey being the only ones allowed, but what about organic agave sweetener? If not, then why so? Thanks for all of this information!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Liz. We do not use agave and this will help explain why: http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/. ~Amy
Bria says
Good Morning, I have only recently, the past 2 days, started reading your blog. My husband I are considering taking part in the 10 day challenge, along with our 2 oldest children (our youngest is still nursing.) I wanted to ask a question about sugar...I have been reading and noticed that you and your family only use honey and or maple syrup so basically, no refined or artificial sweeteners, but my question is what is your opinion of Rapunzel Pure Organic Whole Cane Sugar? The package states that it contains "organic, unrefined, unbleached whole cane sugar and may contain traces of wheat."
Thanks in advance for your response.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Bria. For the purposes of the pledge, we do not use any refined sugars at all. This post will help explain: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/06/mini-pledge-week-9-no-refined-sweeteners/. This is meant to break us of our sugar habits which are wreaking havoc on our health. Regarding the sugar in particular that you are talking about, it would certainly be better than a non-organic super refined sugar but we avoid sugars as much as possible. ~Amy
Elizabeth says
Just wondering if any of you ever use honey granules or sucanat? I just recently learned about them and they sounded like a good alternative. Just wanting to know your thoughts! Thanks.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Elizabeth. I stirred pure honey crystals into my tea in a little cafe in Hawaii recently and that was my first exposure to it. It tasted no different than liquid honey. Both sucanat and honey crystals are definitely better choices than any refined sugar and could be subbed 1:1 for them, I believe. However, if you are planning to do the pledge, the only sweeteners which are approved during that time are honey and maple syrup. ~Amy
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Stacy. This post should help answer your questions: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/27/what-i-buy-at-trader-joes/. ~Amy
Stacy says
Hi! I found your site today and very excited. How do you feel about the store Trader Joe's? I hear they offer a lot of natural products. Do I still need to be concerned about reading food labels all the time?
G.Ira says
I just didn't know what a disservice I have done to my children. We just didn't know any better. Being hailed in a big tobacco state we smoked for years until the "truth" was revealed. Now that I have researched/read about the "Big Food" companies and know they are no different than the "Big Tobacco" companies... and in fact they are the same companies not just "like" them; I am trying to change and pass these new (really old) eays of eating on to my G-kids. I have been rough;ly 85% un-processed for a little over a month, not great, but I did notice the difference in a lot of ways. Going to try to keep it up.
Kerry says
Hi! I am going to start the 10 day pledge next week - looking forward to it, but I know it will really tough for me. I've been vegetarian for 14 years, and in the past few have become a very unhealthy vegetarian. 55 pounds overweight, cholesterol is high, constantly exhausted, horrible insomnia, the list goes on and on - About 7 years ago I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and on top of that a seizure disorder. Because of them, I cannot work - and I just watch t.v. all day and eat junk. It's really bad and I'm sick and tired of living like this. After the 10 days I want to try my best to cut out all the junk for good - hopefully improving my health! Glad I found this website to inspire me!
Meredith says
Just wondering if you guys have any tips and recipes/good snacks for eating real food during pregnancy (ESPECIALLY early pregnancy when nothing sounds appealing). Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Meredith. Well, we all have such different needs, cravings, and intolerance for various foods and aromas during pregnancy that it is a completely individual kind of thing. Simple things like being sure to keep 100% whole grain crackers by the bed vs bleached out saltines will help. Keep your foods nutrient dense and real....but only you know your body and how it will react to what you are eating. I quickly glanced at this bog post and thought it might be helpful: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/03/a-healthy-real-food-diet-for-pregnancy.html. Wishing you a healthy and happy pregnancy. :) ~Amy
Alison says
Hi
Thanks for this blog, I am loving reading it, but i do have one problem. So I have a shared apartment with little storage (freezer, cupboard etc.) and I find it a struggle to get ahead of myself and have many things ready and frozen. Any tips for some-one with limited storage and limited time (work 40hrs and go to college 7.5hrs)??
Tks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Alison. Maximize your freezer space by using compact storage options like ziplock bags so you can pack things in tightly. Beyond that, grab and go options like nuts, seeds, some fruits and veggies, homemade granola: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/04/recipe-granola-bars-cereal/, homemade lara bars and power bars: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/01/recipe-homemade-larabars-4-ways-including-nut-free/, and 100% whole grain crackers go a long way to keep fueled and can keep well without a lot of care. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Liza says
I have been trying to get my husband and myself into a "real food" diet for a while but all the recipes I had seen just weren't our style. Your website makes this transition seem not only possible, but enjoyable! I can't wait to take our pledge after I purge the kitchen! I had a quick question about Sugar in the Raw... is it not acceptable as a natural food? I would appreciate your feedback but otherwise, I love the site and all your helpful tips!! Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Liza. The only sweeteners that are approved during the pledge are honey and maple syrup. Here is a little more information: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/05/27/mini-pledge-week-12-no-sweeteners/. ~Amy
Sarah S says
I recently got a bread machien so I can start making my bread instead of buying it. I have a cheep generic brand bag of whole wheat flour, that is fine for some things but I think I may try something different for my bread. something with a higher protein content.
I am looking into the king aurther brand, and was wondering how you feel about their white whole wheat flour? It says on their website that "starts with lighter-colored, milder-flavored white wheat, rather than traditional red wheat. But don't worry; it still has all the fiber and nutrition of traditional whole wheat" do you think this is true?
my husband and son prefer white bread and I'm having a hard time convincing them to switch to whole wheat and thought this might be an agreeable option.
Thanks
Sarah
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Sarah. Yes that is true. It is 100% whole wheat. Lisa uses it frequently. :) ~Amy
Erin says
Hi,
I'm certain, awhile ago, you posted something about bugs found in your grain products. I too, just found them in my flour. Yuck! I mean....I like my protein but not like that. lol
You mentioned what you did to eliminate the problem but I couldn't find it on your site. Can you tell me what you did again?
Thank you,
Erin
Samantha Shah says
It would be wonderful if you could do a week-long series on the blog or on Facebook posts about what your family eats for dinner every night (even if it's leftovers!). I love your posts about the lunches you pack, but I am always struggling to find "real food" weeknight dinners while juggling the schedule of a busy family.Thank you for taking this into consideration. I love your site and FB posts. Thanks for the inspiration!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Samantha. Lisa did a post with a full week of dinners last year: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/05/24/a-week-with-the-leakes-dinner-and-treats/. :) ~Amy
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Dana. Well, we know this is a hot topic and plan to do an in depth post on it sometime soon. However, whole grains are a staple item in the Leake's household. They have no sensitivities to gluten or grains and believe them to be a nutritious part of their diets. Some people choose to soak the whole grains they consume though this is not something we've tried. If you have trouble digesting grains or are concerned about nutrient absorption, it might benefit you to look into this practice. ~Amy
Dana says
I've been reading some things online about eating healthier. Some things that I've read state that grains (even the whole grains) are terrible for you. What is your take on this? I love your blog! We've already started implementing some new foods and cleaning out the junk from our pantry and refrigerator!
Kristen Dickerson says
Hi there! I was wondering if you have a receipe for making Mexican style stewed tomatoes? I use them to make Spanish rice, but I don’t want to have to buy them canned for obvious reasons.
Thanks so much,
Kristen
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Kristen. We do not but here is one that seems to fall within the rules: http://www.webnuggetz.com/mexican-stewed-tomatoes-recipe/. ~Amy
Kristen Sickerson says
Hi there! I was wondering if you have a receipe for making Mexican style stewed tomatoes? I use them to make Spanish rice, but I don't want to have to buy them canned for obvious reasons.
Thanks so much,
Kristen
Melanie White says
This sounds great but we don't have an Earth Fare or Trader Joe's on my side of town. Can you give shopping list options for people who only have a Harris Teeter or Food Lion.
lisa says
I am preparing my self for the real food challenge, however I am struggling to find a way to modify my morning cup of coffee. I typically use Sweet n low( I know, I know I hate to say it but I do!) and then I also like a creamer in it. I have tried using honey to sweeten my coffee but it is not cutting it for me. Any other suggestions that might come close to making my coffee taste similar to what I am use to, that will work on the real food diet. Thanks
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Lisa. I know it is an adjustment but part of the challenge is getting your taste buds comfortable with not using refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. You can also try maple syrup which adds a nice flavor to coffee and I often use coconut or almond milk as my creamer. It took a bit of time for me, too but I don't miss my old coffee at all. :) ~Amy
Elizabeth Speed says
Can you please suggest some good real food books and real food related activities for elementary school aged kids? Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Elizabeth. Here is a post about some of our favorite books: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/recommended-reading/ and check out this website for lots of great real food kid activities: http://www.foodday.org/ :) ~Amy
Angela says
I'm just starting out with eating "real" foods. I love all of the information and recipes on your site. I recently bought a bread maker and would like to make my own bread, especially for my kids. I made your whole wheat bread recipe and the taste is delicious however mine came out pretty dry. Is there something I did wrong or something I can do differently next time? I'd like to use this bread as my daughters sandwich bread for school but I'm afraid she'll choke lol (she's 2 1/2), I've choked a few times because its so dry, but it tastes so good. Help!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Angela. I'm not sure why it would turn out so dry. Did you have it on the whole wheat setting for a 2lb loaf? ~Amy
Lara says
You are a godsend. I was doing research from my upcoming 30 days of real food when I found your blog. I am doing a post on my blog about losing belly fat and my 30 day pledge. I will link to all of your resources. Thanks for putting this together. I am in the holistic health industry so this is no new to me but it is amazing how many little ways i have been sneaking in processed food. I was at a party tonight and the bowl of chips was screaming at me... I felt like a drug addict how challenging it was for me to withhold from a few bites. It is obviously a direction I need to head. Hoping to bring my daughter and husband along so your tips, recipes and lists will help tons. Thank you!!!
Rachel says
Hello! I love the recipes on your website! However I was wondering if there is a cookbook that I can find all of them in? Thank you:)
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hello Rachel. Good news! Lisa has a cookbook coming out this January. ~Amy
Kellie says
Hi Lisa, I need advice. My school is forcing my son's class to eat snacks off an approved school list unless there is a doctors note. . There are only processed foods on the list. How can I fight this, there is no proven medical reason for my son to get a doctors note! I don't want him to eat these things but I don't want him to be hungry either. Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Kellie. I would go the route of attempting to expand the list to include some healthier options that all can agree on. That might get the least push back to start. Then later, you can tackle getting rid of the junk list. :) ~Amy
Tara says
Hello!
I read your answer about coconut sugar a few comments above me, but I bought some the other day that says "unrefined" on the package, so I was just wondering what makes it unsuitable for the pledge?
Thanks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Tara. The parameters set by Lisa are just limited to honey and pure maple syrup which are considered the most natural and unrefined of sweeteners. ~Amy
Virgie says
I find it interesting that our school district has a policy for student health and wellness which includes promoting good nutrition, and yet the PTO continues a monthly fundraiser at McDonalds and distributes ICEE frozen treats to each student on Back-to-School night. I don't think the PTO is modeling healthy eating to our kids. (Our school breakfast/lunch options are horrible, too.)
I'm wondering if you have any suggestions for how to open a friendly discussion about it - either with PTO or Board President.
******************
Student Health and Wellness
The Board of Education of Marquardt School District 15 is committed to providing a learning environment that supports and promotes wellness, good nutrition, and an active lifestyle, and that recognizes the positive relationship between good nutrition, physical activity and the capacity of students to develop and learn. The District 15 school environment shall be aligned with healthy school goals to positively influence students’ beliefs and habits and to promote health and wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity. District 15 staff is encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Virgie. The way we have approached the junk food crisis is by forming a committee within our PTO that will address these and other issues. By having a coalition of concerned parents, you can start a conversation as to how to best tackle your situation and brainstorm some solutions to gently share with decision makers. Here is how we began: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/10/04/the-healthy-child-and-earth-committee-at-our-school/ and progress is happening slowly but surely. Also, we have found that children are pretty great about sharing what they learn about nutrition with their parents. Here is the presentation we do for students at our school: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/04/19/how-to-talk-kids-about-real-food/. Hope it helps. ~Amy
Laura says
Hi. I was hoping for a bit of advice. We are currently living on a military base in interior Alaska. Fresh produce is usually half rotten and extremely pricey. We bite the bullet and pay most of the time, but my family goes through A LOT of tomatoes. Before I read about the horrors of citric acid, I bought whole, canned tomatoes to make ketchup, sauces and other things, that I would can. We should have planted tomatoes in our garage, but didn't realize the value of that until just recently. We move out of here next July, so we don't want to invest in the equipment. Anyway, so is citric acid such a HUGE baddie that I should cancel piano lessons to be able to afford fresh tomatoes? Or do you know of a brand I can order online that does not have citric acid? And on top of that, is there a company that produces citric acid in its real fruit form? Thank you for any advice you can give me. My family is almost 100% free of chemicals and I'd really love to go all the way.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Laura. I'm not sure what you are referring to regarding citric acid. Naturally occurring citric acid should be fine though corrosive. Additives and preservatives, as you know, are something we try to avoid as much as possible. Canned tomatoes may be more of a problem because of the BPA they can leach from the cans because of the tomatoes natural acidity. I do know that many stores here sell boxed tomatoes. One brand is Pom but their are others. Can you order particular grocery items? Best of luck. ~Amy
Kathy says
First, thank you for a great website. Such great information. I am wondering if there is a substitute for using yogurt. I really have a hard time with the taste, and I'm hoping there is something else I can switch to.
Thank you.
Joni says
I tried real food for a couple of months and loved it. I lost 10 pounds. My problem is cost. I am single so I would make food and have leftovers. But most of my food would go bad before I could eat it. Also, where I live, to eat whole foods for just me I was spending over $200 every 2 weeks. That's abt 1/4 of my pay. Also how do you deal with food aversions, intolerance, etc. I cant have wheat, liquid milk. Allergic to celery, mango. Cant stand cooked veggies (ewww soggy) and absolutely no fish.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Joni. My first thought is cook and then freeze leftovers to use another day. Most foods can be frozen even a lot of fresh produce. This post will also help guide you: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/09/30/real-food-tips-12-ways-to-keep-it-cheap/. Regarding food intolerance and allergy, the best thing to do is just avoid those foods. You may have to make adaptations to recipes to fit your own needs. You could talk to a doctor or a nutritionist to get more specific advice. ~Amy
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Debbie. This link has been really helpful to me: http://www.egglesscooking.com/egg-substitutes/. :) ~Amy
Debbie says
Hello!
Do you have any suggestions on egg-substitutes? And for what recipes to use them? I've read you can use mashed bananas, applesauce or flax seeds with water but I don't know if they can be used interchangeably or if the type of recipe (pancake, brownie, bread) needs to be considered first. Any suggestions?
Love your site!
Debbie
angela says
I was just wondering what your thoughts are on coconut sugar?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Angela. Organic coconut palm sugar is a low glycemic sugar that may be a good choice outside of the pledge when using a sweetener other than honey or maple syrup. There is some question as to the sustainability of palm sugar and its effect on animal habitat so where and how a brand is sourced is important. ~Amy
karen says
What store bought yogart would you suggest?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Karen. Look for a plain full fat organic yogurt. :) ~Amy