Food prep, food prep, food prep

The switch to whole/real foods has been slow and steady. It requires a bunch of extra work on my part and as most of you know, I have very little free time. I don't have a clear definition of how the new system will work yet- am I committing to 100% real/whole foods with nothing processed? Does that mean the kids can't have the Valentine's cookies the sitter bought them? Does that mean the treats they gave at school are out? Or I am practicing a moderation kind of thing where treats are fine and holidays are exceptions and everything I do is whole and real? I am trying to figure it all out. 

Here is what I have figured out at this point: 

1) We are eating loads of fruits and veggies. And they are all organic.  I am figuring ways to incorporate them into breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Consequently, we are throwing out very little fruits and veggies. I will shamefully admit, I've always thrown out veggies that we didn't get to in a week that spoiled. This has been a source of marital discord as Nick hates that. I hate it too, but it happened and I couldn't dwell on it. I am happy to say that we aren't throwing out rotten fruits and veggies for the last few weeks and with our compost started for the spring, I am feeling quite resourceful! 

2) We are eating only whole grains. Making bread with 5 ingredients is easy in the bread machine and an easy way to keep it whole or real. I am not finding much luck in the grocery stores. But I will be honest- it's heavier and sandwiches aren't as enjoyable. Grilled cheeses are amazing. I made a rosemary loaf this week with homemade tomato soup and it was amazing.  I am in search of the perfect light and airy bread maker whole grain bread recipe. Does it exist? We shall see! 

3) We are eating organic/grass fed/vegetarian fed chicken and beef and we are eating wild caught seafood. We are eating cage-free, vegetarian fed, local if possible eggs. This translates to: I am paying out the ass for meat and seafood, but it's better for us (and by us, I mean them because I don't eat meat or seafood). I read about chickens the other day and how they are treated. First, I want to punch the "farmers" who are "raising" these chickens. Did you know, by law, chickens only have to a space the size of a piece of paper to live? Never spreading their wings or waddling around? Never getting exercise or using those muscles we call dinner. Horrible. So I prefer to support the farms that let their chickens roam. Even if it's costing me the price of two chickens. 

4) We are not eating high fructose corn syrup. Or white sugar. Or brown or powdered. I will admit though, I am confused about sugar.  I bought demarcara sugar thinking that it was a good option for the one teaspoon I need in my coffee. Yes, I said need. And arguing with me will be fruitless. 1) I am an attorney so arguing is something I enjoy and 2) I've removed that teaspoon from my coffee before and been miserable. No one can change how I feel about this. I understand, natural sugars are best and I have stopped putting sugar in everything. I have used a touch of honey or a touch of pure maple syrup where I've needed it. But I can't put those in my coffee. I am researching though and will update anything I find as I go along. 

5) We have stopped buying anything that is GMO. I can't throw out my pantry so the items in there will be eaten. But anything I've bought in the last three weeks has been non-GMO and in line with this way of eating. 

6) We are only eating coconut oil, olive oil, sesame oil and grapeseed oil. No more canola or vegetable oil. 

7) We are eating organic, full fat cheese, milk and yogurt. The yogurt is plain. There is no sugar in the yogurt. I have not been looking for pasture raised but I will. I just realized this morning that that was another thing I am watching out for. 

This takes work. These changes mean I spend more time reading labels and reading about brands. I pick up what I always considered staples at the grocery store in the past and I read and I have to put them back on the shelf. I find when the kids want to know what's to eat, I panic a little because their go-to snacks are no longer available. 

One of the positive things this has done is start a conversation in my house about food and chemicals and animals and health. I am shocked at how on board the kids are and how little they've complained. 

Another big change for us is that Saturday is food prep day and food prep is essential.

Food prep for us so far has meant 3-4 hours or more on a Saturday of planning, chopping, mincing, marinating, cooking and storing.  Yesterday's food prep took 4-5 hours. We marinated indian chicken in yogurt and spices.

 We made lentils for a side dish or lunch. We made butternut squash soup. We made white bean, feta and sundried tomato dip. 

We sliced veggies for snacking. We made cauliflower Mac and cheese. We made roasted beet salad with honey candied walnuts and feta. 

We chopped onions and peppers for use in side dishes.  And this was all before we made Valentine's Day dinner! Today I will make bread and more egg muffins for the week. But, food prep ensures that we  can do this all week long. It cuts my after work dinner preparation in half. It means we know what the week looks like, we know what needs to be eaten and we don't waste. 

It's a commitment. I don't know that I feel all that different. I have lost a few pounds in the last couple weeks. I feel better about what my kids are eating. But maybe the most telling is that when I have eaten unhealthy food in the last three weeks, my body feels awful. I feel sluggish and full. I feel fat and cranky. I feel like I didn't treat myself well. That seems to be the most telling sign of change so far. 

Unrelated to food, but wholly related to this lifestyle change; both Nick and I have been in the gym 3-4 times a week. I have been taking yoga 1-2 times a week. I mentioned above we have been composting and we are already planning our organic garden for the spring and summer. 

I haven't bought Birkenstocks yet but I am feeling quite granola. Lol.