Well here we are on day 50 of our real food pledge – a milestone! I feel similar to when I was halfway through each of my pregnancies, which goes something like this… wow, we are already halfway done! And at the same time…wow, we are only halfway done? I would like to take this opportunity to remind those that don’t know me personally that only a little over six months ago not only was I clueless about what eating healthy truly meant, but I didn’t know the first thing about how to tell the difference between a processed and non-processed food. I was eating white bread from the grocery store, feeding my kids Kraft macaroni and cheese when we were short on time, stopping at fast food restaurants on road trips, and had never bought a single organic item in my life (well, at least not on purpose). That was all before I got the biggest wake up call ever from Michael Pollan’s book In Defense of Food.
It is funny to think back to what the “old me” thought of people who are the way I am about food now. I have to say that I did not understand one bit, and I know for a fact that if I had to stay at (and eat at) someone’s house whose pantry and fridge resemble mine now I would’ve been worried. I did not like whole-wheat bread and would have rather gone hungry than eat it. I truly had no idea why whole grain was even better for you. I had never stepped foot in Earth Fare and thought it was just a place that sold weird ingredients like tofu and barley (which they do of course sell, but they are also so much more). I had never even shopped at our Farmer’s Market before and had no clue what it meant to eat produce that was in season. I also knew of someone that had their own chickens so they could eat their eggs, and I remember thinking that they must either be really weird or maybe even a little crazy. Now I must admit that I am slightly envious that I don’t have my own fresh egg source in my backyard. Wow, I have come a long way in a short amount of time.
Just to take you back with me for a moment here is my Facebook status update from January 29 of this year “[I] can easily consider cutting out overly processed foods like prepared meals, etc. but this business of cutting out basic things like plain cereal, bread, and white flour (used to make something from ‘scratch’) sounds way over the top for me…” Oh my, I don’t even want to get into what the new me thinks about the old me! Regardless of what that may be, I can at least say I understand and can relate to anyone in that same state of confusion. My whole point of telling you this is that if I can go from where I used to be with my food choices to where I am today then absolutely anyone can get on this bandwagon and make similar changes as well. I know going 100% of the way for 10 days is not for everyone, but what would happen if you just tried to follow the rules for one or even two meals a day? Challenge yourself and consider doing something really great for your health and the health of your family! I know I am so glad I did.
Now here’s to another 50 days of eye opening experiences as we continue to seek out the real food and real food only in our processed food world!
I just started reading your blog last week after talking to one of my friends who turned me on to this. It has been great to hear what you and your family are doing and my husband and I have been talking about it. We haven’t had a working kitchen for 6 1/2 weeks and we are moving back into it today! We’ve been missing our kitchen during our remodel project, especially because we love summertime and cooking. And we have 2 daughters whose lives have been disrupted by all of this too.
We are considering doing the 10 day challenge soon, and fortunately for us, we have been eating “healthy” for the most part for quite some time. I have been surprised by some of your friends reactions, like the night you had your girlfriends over for apps, it sounds like they were a little apprehensive about trying your real food. I guess it makes me wonder – do most people think that if it is not processed, fried, etc., then it will not taste good? Are our tastebuds so dull that we forgot what nature tastes like? Do most of us know what a garden fresh tomato tastes like? (or do we think that fat, pink tomatoes from the grocery store are “normal”?) As I continue to read your blog, I noticed that you were worried about your daughter’s friend and if she would like the food too. I know how picky young kids can be, but I think a lot of that has to do with how we present things to them. Dan and I have always offered what we eat and nothing more to our girls, and now we have a 3 year old who prefers steamed green beans with dinner and asks for seconds! Our attitude has helped to shape her choices on food. I know we have some room for improvement, but overall I’m pleased that she eats her fruits and vegetables and a very balanced diet.
One thing that I was wondering (since it seems like you are somewhat new to this) – have you heard of CSAs in your area? We live in Wisconsin and we belong to one – it stands for Community Supported Agriculture – where we buy a share into a local farm and get 26 weeks of fresh, in season vegetables (and some fruits). This is our 5th summer doing this, and we have 3 other families that have joined with us over the years. We’ve learned a lot about different vegetables and it challenges us to come up with creative ways to prepare them. Some CSAs also offer fresh poultry, eggs, milk, etc. so the customer can research what really fits their needs and wants. I would encourage you to look into it!
I think what you are doing takes a lot of courage and will power, especially when it comes to your children. I know it would be easier to make something “fast”, but the benefit to their health is the most important thing. Kudos to you and your husband for sticking with it, and I wish you the best as the last 50 (well, 48 as I write this) are coming to a close.
Thanks for the comment! And I have to say coming from someone that has not been eating real food for as long as it sounds like you have – I do think a lot of our friends think we are starving over here without the processed stuff! A common reaction I get from people is that they have no idea what they could eat if they were to follow our rules. I don’t think it is so much that they don’t think the real food would taste good I just think that our society has come to rely on the processed foods and ingredients so much that some people wouldn’t know what to eat without it. And as I am sure you know pickier kids who are fed so much processed food will often shun away from the “unfamiliar” whole food they aren’t used to eating. I think it is wonderful that you have already been on this bandwagon for so long, and that you are teaching your children about eating healthy foods from the start. You guys should definitely consider taking the 10-day pledge!
Also, we actually signed up for our very first CSA this summer! It is amazing to hear of people like you guys who have been doing it for years because I just can’t believe how long we were in the dark about all of this!
Lisa, it sounds like you are doing great, and learning so much on your journey!!! Good Luck on the next 50!!!!
Hi, great blog! FYI I am speaking in Charlotte at an event called Ignite, and I will mention your blog in my references. My presentation will be on technology and food. Cheers!
That is great news! Thank you for doing that. Also, be on the lookout for the article on our family’s little 100 days project next week. It will be in the Charlotte Observer and Raleigh’s News and Observer on Tuesday.
I loved the N&O article about your family! My husband and I watched Food Inc. recently and I am very interested in moving away from quick processed foods and eating a more vegetable and whole grain based diet. We too have young children (6 and 3) and believe the patterns they develop now could hugely improve their lives. My husband is traveling a lot this summer and I have a full time job–does anyone have tips or suggested reading for trying to move in this direction with limited cooking/prep time?
I am actually going to do a post soon (on foodillusion.com) about making your own convenience food. Doubling recipes and freezing them. Be on the lookout or subscribe to that site to make sure you get it once it is posted!
TYVM you’ve soledv all my problems
That’s the best asnwre of all time! JMHO
Wow, I can’t believe how far you’ve come in such a short amount of time!! Usually it takes people a lot longer to make such a complete and total switch… I am personally at the point of having all the knowledge and the desire but not quite being ready to actually make the changes for whatever reason. I have signed up for your 10-day challenge though, starting next week! Hopefully it will be the jump-start I need. I just found out about your project today, and have already read this far in the blog, and am planning to read the rest before bed :o) Thanks for taking something to such extremes, it really does bring awareness to an extremely important cause. I think you guys are great!
Thank you for the comment and good luck with your pledge!
I just want to say BRAVO! I applaud your efforts to transform not just yourself but your entire family! It seems like far too many children’s first words are “McDonalds” these days! Keep up the good work! :)
Great post, thanks. Where is your contact details though?
Hey Lisa, I would love to hear your thoughts on tofu? Would you consider it a “Real” food?
I am personally not a fan of tofu because I don’t like the taste/texture. If it is “real” would depend on the ingredients, but I feel that people use it as a meat replacement, which is part of what I don’t like (seems like it is an imitation).