I used to think we were fairly adventurous eaters and cooks. And even though I didn’t actually learn to cook until after college, once I did I quickly dabbled in everything from homemade egg rolls to pasta from scratch to my grandmother’s crepes. Nothing could have prepared me though for all the “new foods” that I had to learn about – and now can’t live without – once we made the switch to “real food.” I am constantly amazed at all the items on my regular shopping list that I had never purchased before we decided to cut out processed food…
- Whole-wheat flour
Other real food newbies likely “flirted” with whole-wheat flour on occasion, but no no…not me. I promise you that I had never before purchased or cooked with whole-wheat flour (because I hated anything made with it!) until the start of all this 2 years ago.
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- - Oats
We used to eat boxed granola cereal, but it never occurred to me that you could actually make it yourself (and that it would be soooo much better)! The main ingredient in homemade granola is oats and the first time I made it I found myself saying… “Are plain 'oats' just oatmeal?” I’ve never been an oatmeal fan myself (and I’m still not, although I’ve since learned that my kids love it) therefore I never bought oats for any reason, but now I buy pounds of it every week and get worried if our supply is low!
- - Honey
Somebody must have bought at least one bottle of honey before our switch to real food because I remember a tiny bear shaped container of it in our pantry that was all crusted over and crystallized from lack of use (LOL). Now I buy this stuff in big jars and use it in everything from the granola we love so much to our sandwich bread. I’ll be the first to admit that “sugar is sugar” (even if it contains trace nutrients like honey) so we still aim to use it in moderation, but it’s quite a change from my white sugar days. And trust me I used to use A LOT of sugar…brown, white, and powdered. :)
- - Kale / Collards
I could not have picked Kale or Collards out of a line-up to save my life. And even a year into our real food journey I still couldn’t say that I had truly adopted these as part of our regular menu. But, today I finally feel like I am figuring out how to not only incorporate, but also enjoy these nutrient-rich leafy greens (and occasionally even get my kids to eat them, too)!
- - “Raw” nuts and seeds
To me nuts were greasy, salty and packaged in a blue “Planters” container. I admit I didn’t even know what it meant for them to be “raw” so I can completely relate when readers ask me where in the world to find such a product. (Answer: The bulk bins at health food stores!)
- - Pinto Beans
I wouldn’t have been caught dead buying - much less eating - pinto beans and now my homemade slow cooker refried bean recipe (made from dried pinto beans) is one of my most favorite lunches! This might just be the strangest transition of them all…because it’s so ingrained in my brain that I don’t “like” beans.
- - Whole Milk
Okay, I shouldn’t say that I NEVER bought whole milk because my kids actually drank it for a short period of time when they were babies, but it is most certainly a beverage I didn’t drink myself (probably since I was a baby). I was a skim milk girl all the way, and I admit that I was a little "scared" to make the switch, but I am so glad I did! Now I know what “real” milk tastes like, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. (Note to the raw milk advocates…it’s illegal here in N.C., although I am not sure I’d drink it anyway.)
- - Coconut Oil and Ghee (a.k.a. Clarified Butter)
These are both unrefined “cooking fats” that I didn’t even purchase until long after completing our 100-day pledge, and to be honest I had no idea what to do with either one! I am finding that ghee is nice to have around because you can use it like butter, but it has a much higher smoke point so it doesn’t burn as easily. Also, there’s apparently not much you CANNOT do with coconut oil…just check out the reader comments in my post about it!
- - Lara Bars
I still call these “granola bars” out of habit even though I know there’s no granola in there, but that’s because they replaced my very regular consumption of “Quaker Chewy Granola Bars” (in the old days of course). My favorite Quaker bars were the peanut butter chocolate chip, but sometimes I would go for the variety pack to switch it up. J Now I instead have a stash of Lara Bars (the cashew cookie only has 2 ingredients!!) as the “just in case” snacks in my purse.
- - Kiwi
This might be a little random, but the point here is that it is never too late to try and “like” new foods. I am not sure why, but I never ate kiwi before last year (that I can recall) and one day my 4-year-old asked if we could buy one. I certainly wanted to embrace her little adventurous food streak (and set a good example about trying new stuff) so I said “yes.” And I am so glad I did because now that I’ve figured out that soft = ripe…I absolutely love kiwis! Who knew?!?
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Please share any new-found "real food" that you now love in the comments below!
Joelle says
I've been eating "real foods" for over 20 years. I love how you've made the idea of "real foods" more mainstream! I love the ideas you talk about in each post. Quality fats are so important to us nutritionally, which is why whole milk is better than skim milk. Also skim milk is not a "whole food" as part of the food has been removed (the fat). Just wanted to say that it took us a while, but now raw milk is in our lives (about 7 years) and we dehydrate our nuts after soaking them in salt water. My kids eat the nuts more readily that way. They're easier to digest.
Jennifer says
I never before bought sucanat, butternut squash, kale, real maple syrup and much more. Now I buy them frequently.
Michelle says
Oh my goodness, there is such thing as a tortilla press?! I love homemade tortillas (i have only done whole wheat) but I hate rolling them out, it takes forever. My husband and kids love them though and we easily go through 12 at a meal.
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
We bought a tortilla press last year and I've played around with it - it wasn't very expensive. Love how flat the tortillas are, but they aren't very big - my husband always wants burrito sized!
Elizabeth says
Lisa,
Thank you so much for your blog. It has been a springboard to launch our family into healthier eating habits. One added benefit to eating whole foods (this post reminded me of it) is that I can walk into a grocery store and not feel overwhelmed like I used to. Now I have very defined boundaries of what can and can't go in my cart and I LOVE boundaries. :) There is such a consistency (with intentionality) in our meals and it makes our home so much more peaceful. Thank you!
Also, my husband is getting me a tortilla press for my upcoming birthday... it makes me laugh to think what I would have said last year if you told me that's what I'd be asking for!
Thanks again!
Elizabeth
100 Days of Real Food says
I can relate...I can never in a million years thought I'd own a wheat grinder!
Amanda says
I actually got into coconut oil when I started using cloth diapers on my daughter. I use it as a diaper cream. I use it in my hair to get rid of flyaways, I use it after I wash my face (with honey) at night as a moisturizer. I statrted off by cooking my french toast in coconut oil and now that I've started the challenge, I use it on just about everything. I've always loved the smell and flavor but hated the texture of coconut... now I can have the deliciousness of it with out the "hairy" texture!
Leah says
White whole wheat flour. That's really the only thing I hadn't heard of. I used regular wheat, and I am not a fan. Though I love wheat bread. There's also very little I buy pre-made. Except tortillas, which I can't make.
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
I'd say coconut oil - I really didn't use that before I started learning more about nutrition and healthy living. I do think it is amazing how we really can "train" ourselves to love (not just tolerate) healthier food - my hubby used to never eat veggies and now sauteed spinach is probably his favorite side dish!
Jen D says
Someone mentioned kale chips can you post the recipe? Any time a veggy is real food approved and still loved by a 6 yr old it has my attention!! Thanks!
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
Super easy - just tear the leaves off your kale, wash and dry well. Put them on a cookie sheet, toss with olive oil and sprinkle a bit of sea salt. Roast in your oven at 425 until crispy - depends upon your oven but mine takes about 15 - 20 minutes. They are yummy! I actually posted on my blog today about getting your kids to eat healthier - so very timely.
Nicole B says
Would coconut oil or ghee work instead of olive oil? I am very hesitant to cook with olive oil anymore--have been saving it for salads, etc.
100 Days of Real Food says
I think it depends on the dish, but you can definitely sauté with both coconut oil and ghee.
100 Days of Real Food says
Here's a recipe for kale chips!
https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/04/30/recipe-kale-chips-a-surprisingly-easy-and-delicious-veggie/
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
Black beans! Before transitioning to real food, I disliked all beans but had a particular hatred for black (which was dumb. I had never eaten black beans). Now they're my favorite bean of them all!
Jen says
I took a culinary marketing class last summer and tried all sorts of new foods and new methods. My favorite (and the one that we never let run out) is a spicy baked kale chip. Oh My Gosh it's awesome! Even my teenager dives into a fresh batch.
Jen says
Fabulous Blog! I've been following since January :)
Question: What is the benefit for the whole milk vs skim milk, assuming they are both organic?
Thanks!
Jen
100 Days of Real Food says
Thank you! Here's an explanation about why we drink whole milk: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/
Michelle says
It is so nice to hear how far you have come. We are on our way to becoming a "real food" home. I love reading these and seeing where I am in the process. I have been making my own granola for a couple of months now and, like you, had no idea what was in it! I am so glad to hear you are skeptical on the raw milk thing too. I am curious but it is illegal here in MO as well. I would love to try some to see what it tastes like but I am not sure I would feed it to my young children. Thanks so much for sharing and being honest in your journey. Keep up the awesome blog!
100 Days of Real Food says
Thank you! :)
Gretchen says
I am trying to go more clean but I am unclear why you are drinking whole milk instead of skim? Could you let me know the reasoning for this? Thanks so much.
100 Days of Real Food says
This link explains it all: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/
Carisa says
We are not an entirely real food family...but thankfully we eat most of what you have listed on a very regular basis!!! I still hate beans of any sort...but the rest I can do...and we like it!!!
Sally says
We started last year eating real food. Slowly introducing new items and recipes so the teenagers would not revolt (lol). They are enjoying. We raise a lot of our own stuff, eggs, turkeys, pigs, and all sort of vegetables. Real food and home grown = lots of energy an good feelings, let alone treasures of knowledge ;).
Andrea says
I'd never, ever tried any other nut butters than peanut butter before we started eating real food. Now we've tried a few others, and I'm much more likely to buy almond butter than peanut butter.
Tom says
Raw milk would never had crossed my mind. It is great though!
Jamie says
Before you bite into a Larabar, open the packaging and inspect the bar. I had a Cashew Cookie bar last week that had mold all over it! A quick online search proved that many other people have had the same issue with that flavor as well as others. My bar wasn't set to expire for another 6 months! There's an example picture in this blog: http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com/2009/09/30/honey-apple-curry-soba-veggie-style/
katy says
I love Lara Bars, I am glad to see they are approved treats!!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
I'm a fan of most all these - the only exception being ghee and coconut oil. I'd like to try them, but I haven't gotten around to it just yet. I think coconut oil is next on my list.
Nicole B says
You will LOVE coconut oil! My suggestion is to throw out your vegetable and canol oils and never look back.
Sandy says
I second the onions. I never used them before, but now I need them in my stir-fry or it doesn't taste right. I'm even buying broccoli heads to put in it. Broccoli? How did that end up in my cart? I'd love to hear more about the whole milk as I'm still a 2% girl myself. I don't drink it, just put in on cereal and use for baking.
100 Days of Real Food says
Here's the post all about why we switched to whole milk: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/15/mini-pledge-week-6-no-low-fat-lite-or-nonfat-food-products/
Sandy says
Thank you, Lisa. I wasn't sure what you were saying really applied to milk until I read this in the comments:
"I am becoming more and more convinced that all this low-fat and processed fat is causing us to crave the wrong fats, and causing our bodies to crave unhealthy things in search of the missing minerals normally found in natural fats. When we eat “real†fats, the cravings disappear. "
That's worth considering. Cutting out foods that trick our bodies into wanting the wrong things is big for me.
joyce says
I buy quinua, wheat bulgar and agave nectar and am trying new things all of the time.....
Melissa says
We love kale in our salads. We have found the stems are even on the sweeter tasting side! Anything we cook that calls for spinach we subsitute kale for it! It holds up great!
Kelly says
Ground Flaxseeds! Two tbsp a day in my protein shake.
Love your blog!
Anna says
Thank you for these honest articles. It helps to know that a "normal" family like yours made the switch. We are transitioning to whole foods in our home too and I love reading the tips in your blog. I have always bought local honey but mine frequently gets hard from being unused. Any suggestions or calculations for substituting all or part of sugar in a recipe with honey or applesauce?
Britt says
Anna - If you set the hardened honey in a warm spot (like in a window or car dash) for about an hour, it will return to liquid form.
Courtney says
Hi,
I have read in several different places that you can substitute 3/4 a cup of honey for 1 cup of sugar. I have never tried it though. I have substituted applesauce for oil/butter in equal parts successfully in recipes but never for sugar. I now believe leaving the oil/butter in recipes is usually healthier provided it is a healthy oil (coconut, butter, etc.).
100 Days of Real Food says
Glad you are enjoying the site! Honey is definitely stronger than white sugar so start off by using a lot less (maybe even less than half). Anytime you substitute it's always an experiment so good luck!
Jennifer says
Homemade tortillas! I've always loved tortillas (I was in college before I realized that everyone didn't have tex-mex at least once a week!) but making my own has been amazing! It's worth the time to make a double batch and freeze them. I get both of my cast iron skillets going at once to speed up the process :)
I'm still not there with kale - I've tried it but can't get past the texture. However, I did make my first green smoothie this morning with frozen spinach!
Jennifer says
can you share a good tortilla recipe?
Jennifer says
I use Lisa's recipe for whole wheat tortillas and use the recipe on the bag of masa harina (corn "flour") for corn tortillas. I do have a tortilla press, which I requested as a gift, and that makes the corn tortillas MUCH easier :)
100 Days of Real Food says
Here are two: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/05/26/recipe-whole-wheat-tortillas/ and https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/04/26/recipe-easy-whole-grain-corn-tortillas/
Rosanne says
We use honey here for medicinal purposes as well. It makes a GREAT antidote for a bad cough. I make lemon/ginger tea and put in honey. Does the trick every time without cough syrup!
Also, honey is good to put on an infected cut - it has major antibacterial properties.
I am wanting to make kale chips - might be the only way I can get my family to eat kale!! lol Love this blog - so inspiring and makes eating "real" food seem very doable. (that sounds so werd to say that)
Jen says
I just used raw honey on a bad burn that my daughter had. It healed it quickly and we had no problems with infection. She said it felt really good on it too!
Jill says
Lisa,
Raw milk is illegal here unless noted it for animal consumption only. I get raw milk from an organic farmer and let me tell you it is DELICIOUS! So, if you ever have the opportunity to try it, I can't imagine you will be displeased. You can even freeze it so you can buy extra and use it at a later time.
Susan Levy says
We now eat more whole grains like quinoa and farro and legumes like lentils (all colors). Discovering new ones has been the best!
lisa fyfe says
I love kale now too. My son eats kale chips and loves them. I also make my own lara bars. They are super easy to make and store in the refrigerator for days! here is the cashew recipe on my site, super yummy!:
http://www.littlemonsterbaby.com/2012/03/cashew-lemon-bars.html
Abby says
We buy a lot more fresh produce--a lot of types I never bought when I didn't cook. Scallions, shallots, and a lot of different fresh and dried herbs. I have also tried and learned the difference between a lot of types of cheese.
Tip: in case you don't have regular access to a health food store, the baking section of a regular grocery store is a good source for raw nuts. They are usually by the chocolate chips, packaged raw to put in baked goods, but I buy them to use as snacks too.
RevAllyson says
Lauren (and others) ... Get a big pot of water boiling heavily. Drop in your kale in "bite size pieces". I usually shred mine, or just tear it up. You don't have to be perfect about it. As soon as it's all in the pot, wait one minute, then drain the whole thing. Run cold water over the kale (stops the cooking so you don't get wilty, gross stuff) and set to drip while you heat up some ghee, butter, or olive oil in a pan. Toss in onions or garlic if you like them, and cook until they're how you like them, then toss in the kale and stir it around. Get the flavored oil all over it, then just... serve. I love it this way!
You can also shred it and use it in salads, quiche, or anywhere you'd use spinach or cabbage.
Lauren says
i am with Daphne above... i bought kale for the first time but i have no idea what to do with it... can i make a suggestion for you to do a whole kale blog? what to put it in, how to prepare, etc? i want to put it in my recipes but not sure how i should prepare before i put it in... do i cook it, use it raw, sautee it??? just not really sure... thanks so much!
100 Days of Real Food says
A blog post about kale it is! I will publish one soon...
Robin says
I made a whole board just about kale for my Pinterest, just for this reason, everybody is interested in trying it or incorporating it into their diet but nobody really knows what to do with it. I'd say it is today's trendiest vegetable. ;)
Jenzer says
There *is* a whole blog about kale!
http://www.365daysofkale.com/
Irene says
there are blogs for everything. I love it sauteed with onion, garlic, chicken stock and chickpeas
Laura says
Yes! I love this recipe^ with bacon and cumin.
Cindy says
I buy kale now too for my green smoothies. I also buy frozen and fresh spinach and lots more fresh fruit and veggies than before.
Crystal says
I love trying out all the new foods. Although I'd already at least "dabbled" in most items on your list, there are plenty "newbies" that have made their way into my kitchen. Last month it was kale and parsnips. Both were delicious! Like your kiwi, who knew!?! Thankfully, now I do! This month I'm trying swiss chard in a lasagna recipe and very much looking forward to it. And since I've found some local, organic, grass-fed milk I'm eager to try to make my own butter and yogart...wish me luck :)
Bonnie says
Love your blog! I am learning soooo much! Wanted to share a few favorites of mine! Have you ever heard of Chef Brad? He calls what he does "Fusion Grain Cooking" I attached a link.
Also I found this awesome grain hand grinder to crack grains for cereal and other cooking, but it also rolls oats. It's called the Marga oat roller. http://www.breadmachinedigest.com/reviews/grainmill-reviews/oat-roller-flaker-mill-comparison-review.php
Daphne says
I bought my first ever batch of kale at the farmers market yesterday! I threw some in my eggs this morning. Cant wait to figure out what else I can do with it! :)
Jennifer says
your comment reminded me of this.
http://deliciouslyorganic.net/creamed-kale-and-eggs-recipe/
Dani says
Wrap around some goat cheese or feta cheese; steam until the kale gets dark green (not long).
Nicole says
It's great in Green Smoothies! my recipe is 2 cups water, 1-2 cups frozen berry blend fruit, 1 large ripe banana (essential if you are a "greens newbie!") and a handful of the leafy part of the kale stripped from the stems. throw it in your blender and blend til smooth! this is enough for 3-4 8 oz servings. I also use baby spinach instead of kale. I'm sure you could use collards, too, although the flavor might be stronger. Check out rawfamily.com for more smoothie recipes!
Kat says
I'm with you on the honey - I NEVER used it, and since starting real foods at the end of February I've gone through 2 jars!
I think for me (odd as this may sound) it is onions. I hate raw onions, and have some texture issues with cooked ones. But now that I'm cooking I've come to appreciate the flavor of my very-finely-minced onions that I put in things.
Also - granola. I have never in my life liked a granola until I made the homemade kind... now it's my go-to after work snack (and at-work snack if I remember)!
Jessica says
Haven't really bought anything new, but I've been "re-making" a lot of our recipes. Switching over to whole wheat for most everything I cook. I used to do 1/2 and 1/2, but now I'm trying to go the whole 100%.
Just LOVE your blog, by the way!
Heather says
Kale! I never ate kale and now love it. My 6 year old loves when I make kale chips - actually we both fight over them :)
Cathy says
Heather, I was just about to post the same thing. My 3 year old just asked me if I'd make more kale chips today. I never ate kale in my life until this year and I'm thrilled that my children are being introduced to this amazing food at such a young age.