I thought at this point in the Getting Real with Food series, you might enjoy hearing from someone else on the matter. My friend Lindsey recently began making some changes for her family (which includes her husband Eric and two of the cutest little girls). She and I have been visiting and emailing back and forth. I’ve loved hearing about how hard she’s working to learn and about all the changes she’s making. And I thought you would too! So, I asked her to write a guest post to tell us all of her journey so far.
Here’s Lindsey:
When Laura started posting about eating healthy, natural foods, I was a little skeptical. I thought that her lifestyle was something that would take a lot of time and money, and those are two things I do not have. Because I know Laura to be an intelligent woman, and one that I want to mirror my own wife/mothering skills after, I thought I should open my heart to this topic. As I continued to read her posts, I also set out to do some of my own research. I began with reading about unnatural foods such as High Fructose Corn Syrup, Partially Hydrogenated Oils and artificial sweeteners. Once I heard everything that went into processing those foods and the health problems they can lead to, I was pretty convinced we should try to make changes.
Our changes have been slow for two reasons. The first is that we want to make sure the changes we make turn into habits that will fit our lifestyle. Second, we make small changes because some of them are costly and we need to find room in our tight budget.
One of the easiest changes to make was switching from margarine to real butter. I never had real butter growing up, so I never knew the difference. Now I know, it is so good! And, when used in moderation, is a great addition to the fats needed in a healthy diet.
We have also stopped buying prepackaged foods that have HFCS and Partially Hydrogenated Oils. These are in pretty much everything. Some things I buy still have those ingredients, but I will only continue to buy them until I find an alternative.
Recently, we stopped buying bread from the store. The ones I found either had whole wheat and HFCS or were not whole wheat, even though it was labeled as whole wheat bread. So, I made my own, with Laura’s recipe. I thought I would give it a try, and if it didn’t work out or if it was too time consuming, I would have to try another replacement. It was not time consuming at all, and I really loved the process. My two year old even helped me, and it was a great bonding experience for us. I also switched from buying enriched pastas to whole wheat pastas. This was another easy change to make, because it doesn’t cost much more and it actually has way better flavor.
We also switched from buying white flour to whole wheat. It is not much more expensive, and because I am saving money with not buying prepackaged snacks, I have that money to spend so I can make healthy snacks for our family. My two year old also helped me make Laura’s pretzels and they are incredible! They also lasted longer for my small family than a box of unhealthy food would.
Something that we have always done is buy a lot of fresh fruit. Over the summer, I had a garden where I grew a lot of it, so we didn’t spend much money on that. Now that gardening season is about over, we are buying more fruit, but it is so good, and I really feel good when my husband and kids ask for more grapes/apples/pears etc. We have found so many healthy snacks that are good for us and taste good too.
I really thought at first that this is something I would fail at because of the money issue, as well as my husband’s picky eating. His favorite foods are cheeseburgers and pizza. Not only have I found healthier ways to serve those foods, I am so surprised at the new foods he is trying, and how much he likes them. There are still many changes I am excited to make because I know I am taking better care of myself and my family.
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Thank you so much Lindsey for opening yourself up to share with us. You are such an encouragement to me and to others.
One of my favorite things about what Lindsey is doing: She’s not just reading my posts about healthy eating, believing what I say and that’s it. She’s been doing a lot of research on her own to validate the fact that HFCS and hydrogenated oils and such are not good for you. (In the meantime, she found a website telling how great HFCS is supposed to be for your health. Guess who funded THAT website? Grr)
I’m curious what others of you out there have discovered about making changes. Has it been difficult? Is it costing you much more to eat this way? Are you discovering some new favorite foods that are both healthy and delicious?
Deborah Swinson says
Great article! Sounds like my family’s journey this past year. We did an abrupt change all at once. I cleaned out my pantry and then started filling it with good things. One of the things that my husband and I both noticed, was how much LESS food we actually eat now. When what you eat is so full of nutrition then your body actually requires less of it to maintain everday functions. When I started making my own homemade pizza with whole wheat crust I made myself and added wholesome toppings, we could only eat two pieces each, where before it easily could have been 3 or 4 pieces of the store bought/pizza parlor type! So in the long run although some things that are more healthy cost more to buy, you actually don’t use so much of it once your body gets used to being fed nutritious foods.
We have had such great health since changing our eating habits. My husband no longer gets acid reflux or heartburn, we both have lost over 20 pounds, our children are weaned from the processed junk food and none of us have even been sick!
Keep encouraging everyone to eat healthy and enjoy a better life for it!
Jo Ann says
I feel like Lindsey wrote about my family’s life this last year. Really more like the past couple of months. For a long time I thought it would cost us too much and would take up way too much of my time to eat more naturally. Boy was I wrong!
There is an investment at the beginning and that’s why we still have changes to make, but there are so many little things that can happen now. The butter and flour are a good examples. We are also trying to incorporate more whole grains. We had soup last night that had wheat and barley in it. Yum! And I never thought I’d say that. :)
I am so excited about the changes we are making and what I thought would be a burden has been a joy. I have been surprised at how easily it has been to adapt the changes into my life. We do take things slow though and that probably helps.
My kids are weaned off sugar cereal and love the snacks I make them. Thanks for your encouragement and for sharing your recipes!
Therese says
I found your site this summer and it has been eye opening to me. I have a girlfriend who switched from white flour/sugar to whole wheat and has lost 30 pounds this last year. She changed because she felt so crummy all the time. She says she doesn’t have the cravings and mood swings she used to have all the time. I’m ready to make the change. I found a copy of Nourishing Traditions at the county library. I’ve begun by using coconut oil in my tea. It’s only been two weeks, but I’m finding I don’t have the crushing fatigue mid-afternoon like I used to. I’m going to be making bread this weekend. I want to try tortillas, since my son eats quesadillas all the time. For me change is hard and scary, and I’m grateful to have a place where I can read about good changes and how to make it easier.
travelinpilgrim says
Laura –
Just out of curiousity, what are you referring to when you say someone is funding and telling us that HFCS is good for us? Specifically, I am wondering if it is the government? PLEASE let me know. I know you are sooooo busy this weekend, but if you have a moment at the beginning of the week, please respond. I’m really curious. Thank you!
Misty says
Wonderful post! I have to say that I live with two very picky eaters – one large and one small! :o) I grew up eating LOTS of veggies and even though we ate a lot of processed foods, I ate more veggies than anything…mmm! Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and tomatoes…Anyway, I ate for a time what my hubby wanted…once he saw how bad I felt it was a LITTLE easier to change some of our eating habits. Then we made some new friends…from India. Hubby now likes spicy food! (Not hot food, that is different beilieve it or not! :o) And has determined that he likes the veggies cooked the way my friend does it. That has translated into him being more open about what I make at our own home as well…and even my son is getting in on the changes! While he doesn’t usually care for the Indian food, he is far more open about trying new things!
Christy says
I’ve been trying to make some of these same changes at our house…Heavenly Homemakers is such a great resource!
Tabitha Blue says
Thanks for all you post about eating healthy! I’ve been following you for a bit, and we’ve really been trying to make changes at home… going as healthy or organic where possible…. as our budget allows. What’s great is my husband is on board! He’s excited about this too. We’ve actually been trying to make many of our own products, so as to save money… and it’s healthier as well. I think my next project is to attempt bread, never tried regular bread before by hand, and my bread machine isn’t working, so I’ll attempt your recipe. Hope it all goes well!! :) Again, thanks for helping us!
Laura says
In answer to TravlinPilgrim:
The Corn Refiners Association is funding this campaign because they are afraid of loosing money since HFCS makes them LOTS of it!! Here’s a great article by Dr. Mercola about the controversy: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/08/beware-of-new-media-brainwashing-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup.aspx
Deborah Swinson says
On the corn syrup subject, they also have a commercial on tv now that tells how “good” for you corn syrup is! My husband and I couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw it! What is sad, is how many gullable people believe it!
brandy says
You are an inspiration to many. I’m tyring to do more baking at home and less buying at the store.
Thanks!
Kate says
I love this article. I can so relate to everything that Lindsey had to say. Like her, I have found so much inspiration from you Laura. Whenever I make something new, Eric asks: “Is this Laura’s recipe?” And now that I followed your recipe for the fruit leather, I think all of my kids think you’re the greatest!
Our dietary changes definitely come in baby steps. I think I’m the biggest hold out. There are just certain things I have a tough time letting go of (esp. some white flour). But I am always encouraged by what you have to say and it does help motivate me to that next step each time.
Cassandra Stafford says
I found that buying the honey was getting expensive versus white sugar. So my compromise is the natural, organic brown sugar. Can I even tell you how good this is in coffee? unbelievable. My baby steps are much slower, but switching flours and cutting back on sugar in general was the best move we have made so far.
Terri-Ann says
Lindsey’s comments are a great start for anyone who is thinking of embarking on a healthier diet. Our family has also started to take steps – and our first ones have been exactly the same as Lindsey’s! In January I started making our own bread. In the spring I started buying whole wheat flour, and also stopped shopping in the pre-packaged food aisles at the grocery store. Over the summer I’ve been reading some great books about food, culture, health and diet, and we weaned ourself from so much refined white sugar. Then in September we made the move from margarine to butter (much to the extreme delight of my husband!)
Much of our budget now is devoted to fresh fruits and veggies. I admit I broke my own “finish what’s on your plate before getting seconds” rule the other day when my 3 year old asked for more sqaush – leaving the hamburger and french fries!
I’m curious about Lindsey’s comment on whole wheat pasta. I really want to switch, however I have found that whole wheat pasta is 4 to 5 times the cost of regular pasta here in Toronto, Canada. Do you get your whole wheat pasta from the grocery store or do you find somewhere to buy it cheaper?
Sherry says
Laura, your site with all the great recipes and posts about healthy eating has helped spur my determination towards healthier eating. We are slowly trudging along. It hasn’t been much more than I thought it would be. Praise God! But even if it is alittle more, aren’t the bodies that God gave us to be a temple worth it?! I was actually surprised the last few days as 2 recipes that I changed from white to wheat flour and used honey instead of sugar, dh and the kids loved! Praise God for the wonderful food He provides!
Semalee Bilbrey says
I found your blog a couple of weeks ago and I just want to tell you how much you are an inspiration. I’ve really learned about the dangers of all the junk we eat and it has really hit home for me. I recently read 2 books that also back up a lot of what you are saying: Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels and the New ME Diet by Jade Teta. Especially MYM had a huge impact on my thinking, but I didn’t really know where to start. I’ve spent countless hours on your website and I’m beginning to implement some changes :) I’m going to make some Chocolate Chip Cookies with my daughter tomorrow! I’ve linked to your page on my blog because you have inspired me so much. Thank you so much for all you have contributed!