With everyone moving at light speed these days, and the struggle of daily responsibilities, it is difficult to avoid looking around and seeing everything from commercials to magazine articles telling you to eat healthy – cut your expenses, spend time with your children, help them with their homework – and more.
Combined with the fact that most of us work (hello?!) when are we supposed to sleep?
Overall, I think most people know that eating better is something that should be happening. You might even be part of a group of people designed to help people pave the path to healthier eating and lifestyle choice. But over time, many people find it unreachable, unattainable, and simply unrealistic – after all, we have commitments, families, and schedules.
Is real food really a reality though?
Over the last few years, we have done a great deal of self research – starting with food documentaries on Netflix (Food Inc, Forks over Knives – titles that are fairly popular that many others have probably also seen.
We have read The China Study, and this book below – Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – both of which have transformed our perspective on eating healthy.
In Chapter 9 of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, this set of paragraphs was one that stood out more than others:
When my generation of women walked away from the kitchen, we were escorted by a profiteering industry that knew a tired, vulnerable marketing target when they say it. “Hey, ladies,” it said to us, “go ahead and get liberated. We’ll take care of dinner.” They threw open the door and we walked into a nutritional crisis and genuinely toxic food supply. If you think toxic is an exaggeration, read the package directions for handling raw chicken from a CAFO [Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation or “Factory Farm”]. We came a long way, baby, into bad eating habits and collaterally impaired family dynamics. No matter what else we do or believe, food remains the center of every culture. Ours now runs on empty calories.
When we traded homemaking for careers, we were implicitly promised economic independence and worldly influence. But a devil of a bargain it has turned out to be in terms of daily life. We gave up the aroma of warm bread rising, the measured pace of nurturing routines, the creative task of molding our families zest for life; we received in exchange the minivan and the lunchable. (Or, worse, convenience-mart hot dogs and latchkey kids.) I consider it the greatest hoodwink of my generation
Eating preprocessed or fast food can look like salvation in the short run, until we start losing what real mealtimes give to a family: civility, economy and health….
If grabbing fast food is the only way to get the kids to their healthy fresh-air soccer practice on time, that’s an interesting call. Arterial-plaque specials that save minutes can now cost years, later on…”
Changing Habits is more of a Mindset
When you talk about moving away from processed food, or the “Standard American Diet”, or even mention Organic food, Sustainable produce, or investing in a local CSA, the first response you usually get from others is that it’s unattainable. Unreachable.
NOT in any way affordable by the “regular” American family.
Or is it?
We have mentioned in several posts in the past that it is attainable – in baby steps. We ARE a regular American family. we have the same challenges that others do – several children (soon to be 5), full time jobs, extracurricular activities, and commitments alike.
Baby steps helped us transform our eating habits, and desire to reach a new goal. We try to stick with an 80/20 approach, which allows us real food 80% of the time. It’s a great balance.
Food has transformed our life in more ways than we can mention. Food – whether it be cooking, growing, or even eating, dictate our life and that is GREAT {for us}. And although I work at home full time with two blogs, I have the fortunate privilege of being a homemaker too ~ it’s my job to help my husband create a sustainable home.
Both of us feel like it’s incredibly important to have one of us at home – not just to raise our children, but also to be there to make that commitment to our children. Working full time at home with {almost} 5 is not easy – I am fortunate to have the opportunity to do that. But it also taken years to make it work.
It required us to be content with less, sacrifice things that others might feel are necessities that are simply not possible for us to do – in a way, we were required to turn our back on the traditional American way of a bigger house, better car, more trips, more “stuff”.
Having one child in Karate, Swim, Dance, and more is nothing like having 4 or even 5 in a multitude of activities. Our kids find happiness in other areas, and quite honestly are content with what we are able to do for them.
In the end, we had to be able to tell ourselves no to many of the fun things that other families may experience ~ in order to be able to make our real food lifestyle a possibility. I love to cook and bake, my kids love to spend time helping us do that, and our kids love to eat meals together.
Real Food Really Does Require a Change in Lifestyle
Every family has their own challenges, and we aren’t saying that our mentality is right by any means – but moving in the direction of real food for your family requires a shift in your mindset .. in addition to a commitment. A HUGE commitment.
That commitment can’t be a wavering commitment that comes and goes. Your mindset needs to change. your priorities need to shift, and your values need to change. Not everyone may like cooking or food, but it’s not something that can be ignored as every aspect of your life depends on your ability to consider food as a valid part of your healthcare regimen.
Here are 10 ways to Incorporate {Real} Whole Food in your Family –with a limited budget.
#1 – Join a CSA
Joining a CSA helps the farmer.. you’ll score a box or bag FULL of local, organic produce from your own area. Every week is different – and usually you can get a full or a half share. We opt for a full share ($25) and it lasts us ALL week. Not to mention we support the farmer who has the same mindset We do.
#2 – Buy Local
Buying from your local farmer (Milk or Produce) directly or at their Farmers Market will help you support your local economy a LOT more than giving the grocery store your dollars.
Make vegetables the focus of your meals, and make the side dishes at home yourself instead of buying prepackaged products.
#3 – Grow your Own Produce
Anyone can grow items in the space they have. Herbs in the window, plants on the porch – even check your area for a Seed Library to get a hold of heirloom seeds that you can grow in your own backyard, too.
#4 – Plan your Menu AFTER
Plan your meals around the produce from our CSA – we ensure that ALL of that produce gets used before our next pick up.. and it also allows us to use up the items we have already in the pantry.
Planning after allows you to get those items you need only for that week – eliminating any waste you might have had if you were shopping BEFORE . Keep pantry staples like Lentils, Beans, Broth, Cornmeal, Flour, etc. – so you always have the staples on hand to whip up something in a hurry.
#5 – Buy Bulk Items in Bulk
Costco has outstanding prices on some of their Organic items .. without having to clip or find a deal in a regular grocery store.
#6 – Stop Eating Out
Invest in an Instant Pot and try some of our Instant Pot recipes – the pot will actually cook it while you are gone and keep it warm. Stop making excuse to roll through a fast food window or restaurant just because you failed to plan.
I know that sounds so harsh but it’s the truth. The cost of convenience for you could have purchased you $30 – $35 in “healthy” food (you know, the food that is so impossible to afford).
#7 – Read Labels
This might sound overwhelming for you but considering that 85% – 90% of the grocery store is processed food but if you simply stay out of the store completely then you won’t have to read labels at all 🙂
Most of the grocery store (85-90%) is processed food. Stick with fresh produce from your CSA; learn to cook with the produce given, and supplement with the pantry staples for sides. Avoid items with 5 or more ingredients on the box.
#8 – Learn the EWG’s Dirty Dozen and Clean 15
Be familiar with this list – you don’t have to buy everything “good” – but remember that if you belong to a CSA you likely won’t even have to think about the Clean 15 or Dirty Dozen as most CSA’s are pesticide free or Organic.
#9 – If you Work, Brown Bag It
Taking your own lunch is so much more cost effective and better than buying lunch out. You don’t have to worry about what’s in your foot and how much the bill will be… simply allow yourself enough the night prior for an extra serving and put it in a container.
Invest in some lunch containers that you can bring to work every day and reuse.. encourage your co-workers to brown bag it with you.. take your money saved and re-invest into your savings account. You might be surprised to find out exactly what you were spending!
#10 – Drink More Water
Ditch your sports drinks, juice boxes and soda and head for water. Invest in a Stainless Steel Water Bottle like this one HERE to take with you to work daily. Don’t like water plain? Then learn how to add fruit and experiment with essential oils in your water – but make sure you are using quality essential oils (and you can see what we recommend HERE).
But is it COSTLY?
It can be costly – if you shop on a whim and don’t know what to look for.
- These Pantry Staples are your friend – keep them available at all times so you have what you need for basic meals.
- Use a CSA to save each week on Organic produce; if you can’t do that, then shop for fruits & veggies in season.
- Lentils and Garbanzo Beans can stretch your meal quite a bit – especially with a larger family. They are full of protein and iron and are great for you.
- Scale back your meat intake ~ this was one of the FIRST things we did. It’s amazing how quickly your body will adapt. Many Americans eat more than they should each day in terms of meat ~ we go meatless, and incorporate one meat meal into our dinners a week. You can see some of those meatless meals HERE.
- If you can’t scale back your meat, consider buying a cow – or, going in with a friend to buy one. There are many reasons for doing that, you can read them here.
- Buy in Bulk – Costco has great prices on Organic products that truly DO rival supermarket prices. Not to mention, no clipping is needed.
Finding the Reason behind your Choices
There are always going to be obstacles to eating better and making a shift in your health. Although it might seem unrealistic at first, it truly isn’t unrealistic if you take small steps.
It’s also helpful to remember that your health is ultimately dependent on your choices. Food IS medicine – preventative medicine at that. You choose how you spend your money and we opt to spend ours on good food. In turn, we are hoping to prevent sickness.
Our medical bills are non-existent – my husband rarely takes medications now, and I don’t take ANY medications. Our children rarely if ever get sick – they have very strong immune systems. Instead of eating a poor diet and whipping out money for prescriptions and doctor visits, we have opted to transform our diet in hopes to strengthen our immune systems and thus prevent sickness. It has worked very well.
Welcoming a new mentality in regards to food requires real commitment, a shift in priorities and your complete and undivided attention.
Is it worth it?
Of course it is – but only you can make that decision for yourself and your family.
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