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CandaceC
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 7:20am | IP Logged
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Hi ladies,
I'm really supposed to be off here, but during my "off" time I am reading Real Foods and also got Nourishing Traditions from the library.
I am wondering...if you were to give me a list of "simple" changes to make, what would that be?
MSG elimination - I'm working on this, I make alot of our own mixes - what else is MSG in? And is it ever called anything else? Or just tell me the "common" places you find MSG.
Bread - I have made our own bread for years, and went through 3 bread machines. Now, we are waiting to be able to afford a Bosch mixer...but it might be awhile, anyway, I think I'm ok on this one, I buy the wheat berries from a local grain co-op.
I would LIKE to try and eliminate all the processed foods...but ahhhh, they are so um, convenient!  Sometimes it is just so much easier to open a wrapper and have breakfast/snacks ready to go. But I KNOW I want better nutrition for our family. SO...for the most part this will be a sacrifice of my time, is that right do you think??
The other thing I want to add is that we live in a TINY town in East Tennessee, organics and such have not really become popular here...it is HARD to find stuff. What would you suggest there? I am close enough to Knoxville to drive in maybe 1x a month or so...if I could find a store that was quality, I don't even really know what is available, and how do you know if it's good or not??
Snacks - what are your easy, kid friendly snacks?
One last question - my almost 4 year old boy is my pickiest eater yet.  Really, it is terrible. I'm having a hard time imagining what he would eat.
Sorry, I lied, I do have another question. HOW do you go about finding local people to buy beef/milk/eggs from. I would LOVE to do that but am clueless as to where to even start?!!?
THANK YOU!!! I'm hoping by the end of Lent I can have a good grasp on this and at least have a few small changes that I can be implementing...
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
His Mercy Is New
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 10:25am | IP Logged
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Ask people at any health food type store.. any farmer's market.. how about people at church?
You use the time somwehre but you can make things ahead.. I've been known to mix up oatmeal bars the night before so they're ready for breakfast.. or make multiple loaves of quick breads (like pumpkin bread) so that I have enough to use for several days..
You can prep and freeze or premake and freeze.. double what you make one day.. say pancakes.. then freeze them.. toaster pancakes! 
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KerryK
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 12:04pm | IP Logged
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Candace,
I am right where you are, reading Real food right now, and have Nourishing Traditions right under it on my pile. It can definitely seem overwhelming. I know in the back of the book she lists some resources and websites to help find some of the foods. If you have a farmer's market, I would start there. We live in the middle of nowhere, in a pretty harsh winter climate, and even we have a farmer's market! It won't start until June, but there will even be grass fed beef there, I am so excited!
We've been focusing first on getting rid of the processed foods. We also just became gluten free, so a lot of that stuff we can't have anyway.I've also been buying organic milk now, which can get expensive.
Since we are so rural, I have to drive an hour two times each month to go and find organic and natural foods that aren't way overpriced. We've only been at this for a few weeks, but it seems to be going well so far.
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St. Ann
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 12:20pm | IP Logged
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What is the difference between the two books/philosophies: Real Food and Nourishing Traditions? I can borrow both from our library system here, but I am honestly overwhelmed right now with reading materials. Which book would you choose to start with? What are the pros and cons from both?
I don't want to hijack this thread...I thought this might fit in with the OP.
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Stephanie
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CandaceC
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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ok, well for a total newbie like me - I just put DOWN Nourishing Traditions and am going to stick with Real Foods.
I saw this on another thread on this board too. NT has recipes, which is what I was looking for, but it is definitely NOT a starting point...I think I would have to be at this for a few years before I could do all that she suggests.
The chapter I started with is called "Mastering the Basics" and the first few things in this chapter are: how to culture your own milk (Huh??) buttermilk, making your own cream, sour cream and yogurt. I had to stop there...
I say this in jest, I know this book can be very helpful but I just cannot make this leap this quickly. I didn't even know what half the words were in that book!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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KerryK
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 12:30pm | IP Logged
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I haven't cracked open NT yet...I feel kind of intimidated by it. Real Food does not have recipes, but it gives a lot of guidance, I think, about how "regular" people can make the transition to eating this way. It can get technical, but overall, it's really read-able, and I'm enjoying it. Hopefully I can "graduate" to NT after this. I hope, because that book wasn't cheap and our library system didn't have it, so I was kind of going out on a limb with it.
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DeAnn M
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 1:38pm | IP Logged
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I think I may be repeating myself from another thread here, but I would definitely read Real Food first and try to implement those things...real milk, real meats, real veggies, real fats and oils, etc.
You can go to realmilk.com to find somewhere close to you that sells good milk. They are often times affiliated with other farms that sell locally grown produce as well. Also, check the back of Real Food. I think she may give some more websites that will help with community supported agriculture. I would check for you but my copy is upstairs and I have to hurry and get off of the computer!
Blessings,
DeAnn
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Jen L.
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 3:22pm | IP Logged
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I am interested in this topic as well.
Lately I researched the MSG issue, and found a good list of ingredients that do or may contain msg...
MSG is Always In:
Autolyzed yeast
Calcium caseinate
Gelatin
Glutamate
Glutamic acid
Hydrolyzed protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate
Sodium caseinate
Textured protein
Yeast extract
Yeast food
Yeast Nutrient
MSG is Often In:
Barley Malt
Bouillon
Broth
Carrageenan
Enzyme-modified substances
Flavoring
Flavors
Malt Extract
Malt flavoring
Maltodextrin
Natural flavor/flavorings
Natural pork/beef/chicken flavoring
Pectin
Protein-fortified substances
Seasonings
Soy protein
Soy protein isolate or concentrate
Soy sauce
Soy sauce extract
Stock
Vegetable gum
Whey protein
Whey protein isolate or concentrate
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Jen L.
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Very strangely, things that say "No MSG" on the package, still can have MSG in them!
See these links...
Truth in Labeling - MSG
MSG - common names for it and foods it's in
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Jen
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Mary G
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From what I've read and do, Real Food gets you motivated while NT is much more a reference for recipes, descriptions of ingredients and resources. I really like the recipes we've tried in NT but haven't switched over completely  , yet!
I think if you just try to head toward the real thing ... rather than picking up frozen potatoes in the store, cut 'em up yourself ... rather than buying cold cereal, make your own granola. Stuff like that.
For snacks, especially since it's Lent, my kids have been eating lots of celery sticks with natural peanut butter (you can grind your own ... buy just roasted peanuts and grind 'em up in your mixer and you'll have GREAT peanut butter -- if you want to avoid salt, buy the unsalted peanuts!) ... or today, Maggie made "ants in the snow" -- cream cheese and raisins on celery.
We always try to get as much ripe fruit as we can ... always have apples, bananas to snack on but when berries come in or bumper crop of oranges or whatever, we stock up. Fresh fruit ... especially berries ... freeze well and can add sweet to a simple yogurt.
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CandaceC
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Do any of you make your own yogurt? Or what kind of yogurt do you buy? Again, small town, only a few choices and we LOVE yogurt around here. Of course, it has HFCS in it.
Thanks for the list of MSG names.
Also, thank you for the realmilk site - I found someone VERY close to me that is on that list! I emailed them (in shock!) and asked if they still do that, as I wasn't sure how old that information on the site was. I'm excited to hear back from them, hoping they still sell to local families!
So, would anyone be willing to give me a weekly menu maybe?? Including breakfast?
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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MarilynW
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
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Candace - it is a process - first changing cooking and buying habits and also the eating habits of your family. I would advice changing slowly - decide on your priorities. We started years ago - and I think it was something like this:
- first stop all hydrogenated fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors and flavorings (ie most processed snacks and cereal)
- cut down on sugar
- move to a few organic items - milk, meat whatever is your priority
- get some good wholefoods cookbooks - I got all of Sue Greggs - and start making yummy healthy food so that nobody in the family notices the change
- make it a "health game" with the children - we had fun. My kids are all label readers now! Nutrition is part of our curriculum
I still do very little from Nourishing Traditions because of the time factor - I just do not plan enough to soak grains, make my own sourdough etc. But I do raw milk, grassfed beef etc.
I really like Real Food and another book called Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (sorry cannot link - very need 18m old who weighs a ton, sitting on my already large belly!!! I also like Jordan Rubin's The Maker's Diet - it is a bit extreme - but with those books I just adopt a couple of good ideas (he follows Sally Fallon's ideas)
Blessings
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MarilynW
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 3:42pm | IP Logged
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Here is a copy of a week's meals on my blog
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KerryK
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 4:00pm | IP Logged
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We used to make yogurt, but I couldn't keep up (we use a lot) Now I buy stoneyfield farms yogurt (organic), it has organic sugar. I buy the big tubs, the kind made with whole milk. It's really delicious!
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CandaceC
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
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Marilyn, thank you! Yes, I am trying to make a list of changes and then prioritize, figuring out where to start first!
I think the processed thing will be a huge help...I don't feel like we have THAT much, but we do like our granola bars. 
What about packaged oatmeal? Is there any kind out there that is "safe?" Like those little individual packets that are flavored? I'm assuming the flavoring is bad...but I wonder if there is any organic type brand that would work?
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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stellamaris
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When we were trying to implement NT, I got a lot of help from the book "Eat Fat, Lose Fat". It has recipes and menu plans. We have found the easiest breakfast is the soaked oatmeal. It is quick to set up, and very fast in the morning, with only one pan to wash! The kids also like the Crispy Nuts (using walnuts) for snacks. The menus have some use of leftovers, but I'd like to see more menus that are a little thriftier! We purchased lamb from a local farmer that we met at the county fair...most of the livestock here is raised pretty much on grass. It cost us about $2.50/lb. Our beef is also from a local farmer. We bought a side for $2/lb. I think if you just ask around (maybe through 4-H?) you might be able to find farmers willing to sell to you. It's a transition that takes time!
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stellamaris
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One other thing you might investigate. We get our organic grains, beans, yogurt, etc. from a wholesale organic food cooperative. I know there are several around the country. I think I found them by googling "organic food cooperative". They deliver to my home, are about half the cost of a regular organic/natural foods store, and have a great selection. The main drawback is that you have to place a minimum order (in our case, it's $450) each time you order, but I only order about every two or three months and I have a few other families that order with me.
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marihalojen
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You might try at your local Extension Office, you're in Tennessee, right? They always have a wealth of information at their fingertips, Candace. They'd know who was selling eggs, milk, meat, etc...
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8kids4me
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CandaceC wrote:
The other thing I want to add is that we live in a TINY town in East Tennessee, organics and such have not really become popular here...it is HARD to find stuff. What would you suggest there? I am close enough to Knoxville to drive in maybe 1x a month or so...if I could find a store that was quality, I don't even really know what is available, and how do you know if it's good or not?? |
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I found http://www.localharvest.org/ to be a great start in finding local, real food.
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CandaceC
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| Posted: March 04 2009 at 9:40am | IP Logged
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I'm going to post this and hope people are still reading, if not I can start a new post.
I was under the impression that raw sugar was better than white sugar?
However, in nourishing Traditions she says not to use it?
I'm using honey and maple syrup in some things, but with baking I need some type of sugar.
What is best? What is your experience? I'm thinking mostly muffins, cookies, etc.?
Thank you!
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Real Foods - getting started
