It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you first learn about real, traditional food. I think some people look at those of us bloggers who put ourselves and our kitchens out there publicly and compare, wondering how they’ll ever get “where we are”.
It’s just like running a marathon.
I think running a marathon sounds next to impossible. I don’t run – at all – so that makes sense for me. Where I am is so far from a marathon that I can’t see the finish line. However, I know a lot of moms my age and older who train for and run 10Ks and even higher. I know that if I started training logically, bit by bit, I could probably do it. (If I didn’t die first. I hate running.)
If you start out logically and do one thing at a time, baby step style, a lot can happen in a year in your healthy lifestyle, too. I picked up Nourishing Traditions for the first time in December of 2008, as a result of writing a book pitch for the idea of Kitchen Stewardship. Real Food by Nina Planck and The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan soon followed, and (almost) everything I did in the kitchen started changing. I am amazed at how much I’ve tried in the last year and two months.
If you know a bit about my story, you know my mom cooked from scratch and there were many good habits I always had since my first kitchen. Like many people, I made further improvements when I had children. The little darlings are great health and wellness motivators! After screaming, “Everybody out of the pool!” I settled down to trying new kitchen techniques.
This is the last of the three lists:
- What I Learned from my Mother
- Things I Learned Because of Children
- Changes Since Learning of Traditional Foods
These aren’t exactly in order, but I have kept up this list from time to time as the year has passed.
- more chicken stock, not skimming fat off
- trying to do better meat, beef at least, then…
- grassfed beef from the farm
- no microwave/steaming veggies differently
- two soaps at kitchen sink, then no antibacterial anywhere
- blogging!
- testing dishwasher options
- vinegar in rinse aid
- homemade:
- crackers
- tortillas
- dressings
- ketchup
- new granola bars
- hamburg and hot dog buns
- rolls
- potato chips
- mayo
- less white sugar
- using a lot more honey
- more whole wheat flour
- trying new grains: millet, spelt, white whole wheat
- soaking grains, oatmeal
- soaking beans overnight instead of pressure cooker
- more butter, some organic
- lard, coconut oil included in cooking
- coconut oil as sunscreen (test)
- less sunscreen in general – try to get safe sunscreen, increase time in sun before 10 and after 4:00 and early in the season to get a base
- yogurt cheese
- tried fermented items: sweet potato fly, dosas (Recipe available in The Everything Beans Book)/coconut chutney
- visited Harvest Health (local health food store) for the first time
- green smoothies, kale chips
- raw apple cider vinegar
- new commitment to NO packaged foods
- thoughtful about buying local, commitment to farmer’s market for produce
- real salt
- whole fats in dairy – milk, cottage cheese, sour cream
- trying to do more organic produce…
- raw milk, farm eggs
- increased incubation on yogurt
- using whey
- lemon cheese
- making own butter
- cultured buttermilk
- cultured butter and sour cream
- whipped cream
- homemade ice cream
- homemade bread
- crudite platter – raw veggies with dinner
- cloth napkins, wipe-up rags
- moved olive oil over sink
- cell phone – ferrite beads, hands-free headset
- commitment to no more parabens, etc. coming into home
- homemade deodorant
- commitment to no more regular lightbulbs, replacing some with Cfls
- making crispy nuts
- aware even more of energy use: stove and lighting
- stovetop popcorn, then air popper
- aluminum-free baking powder
- shredding own cheese
- wearing makeup more seldomly
- tested shower water consumption – sometimes turn water off to shave and get clean, seek to take shorter showers Oooo, I really don’t do this anymore…winter is just so cold!
- recycled lots of plastic glasses, containers and switching even more to glass
- got scared about mattress, flame-retardant PJs, pressed board furniture
- greater commitment to recycling EVERYTHING
- reduced Teflon use, increased glass and stoneware use
- bought stainless steel pots at garage sale
- lining cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liner
- dehydrating nuts, fruit, summer produce
- even more commitment to reusing all plastic bags – for garbage and diapers
- organic strawberry picking
- using a LOT less soap on Lovey Girl especially
- no ‘poo system for hair washing
- shopping less and less at grocery stores, more at Farmer’s Market and farms themselves
- greater commitment to beans in our diet
- added fish regularly
- tried new grains: whole spelt salad
- lacto-fermented mayo, salsa
- counter-top yogurt
- water kefir
- lacto-fermented pickles
- canning: applesauce, pickles
- bought organic tomatoes in jars
- got a kombucha starter
- sourdough starter and resulting recipes
- homemade mozzarella cheese
- pie pumpkins
- made ghee
- no rock candy at Christmas
- tinware bread pans
- learned tilapia was bad; on the hunt for a new fish that hubs will eat
- new yogurt method: skim milk with raw cream
- served liver as a main course
- testing out soaking in baking recipes
- testing out healthy snack recipes (for eBook!)
- buying ever less at grocery store and more in bulk and from farm
- What’s next for me? Kombucha? No more store bacon? (I saw Food, Inc finally this week) Grinding Grain? Maybe just getting rid of the O cereal once and for all…or not! 😉
That’s a year in my life in the kitchen. It’s not impossible to make big progress, one little baby step at a time. Here’s where I would start if I were you: 10 Baby Steps to Kitchen Stewardship.
I’ve indulged myself enough this week. The blogoversary celebration is over, and we’re back to our regularly scheduled drivel about grains and such next week. The Real Food Face-Off only has one more session as well (but don’t worry, I’ve got a new idea up my sleeve, tee hee!). Thanks for celebrating with me, dear readers! Be sure to check out today’s giveaway, an hour consult with a Health and Wellness holistic health counselor.
Anne says
Who’s that silly little girl with the funny binoculars? The photo in the strawberry patch is just too cute.
Local Nourishment says
It’s amazing what one can accomplish when one just takes a step at a time, isn’t it? It’s also amazing how fear (especially fear of change) keeps us from taking any steps!
.-= Local Nourishment´s last blog ..Thinking Through Edible Food Packaging =-.
Alex says
We watched Food, Inc this past week as well…..very eye-opening, that’s for sure! Needless to say, we’re now on the hunt for a butcher to purchase local, pastured beef, pork and chicken from.
Lynnette says
Great Job! Sometimes just willing to try something new can result in a better way of life. Not to mention the adventure!
elaine says
What an amazing list! I love the list idea – I have a mental one but your’s reminded me that I’ve already forgotten a lot of the changes we have made. I think a written list would encourage me to keep on keeping on. Your list also inspired me to add a few things to my “to do” list. Thanks!
Mary says
It has been quite an adventure over this year. Congratulations!
When I think about some of the things I have tried because of KS and the ones that have persisted, I am surprised and pleased. The cloth napkins were the easiest change. I just have to remember to grab the well-used ones for the wash. My armpits have baking soda/cornstarch on them regularly and I am still surprised at the lack of strong odor the next morning. I have used vinegar for cleaning floors for a LONG time and now I use it for other cleaning, too.
Food-wise: I am still working on adding more beans to our diet, but there has definitely been an increase. I wish I had regular access to the unhomogenized milk from Shetler’s Dairy. Luckily I have found a farm source for eggs (I ‘shop’ at the local library where she works) and am hoping this will lead to meats too. I’ve heard they may get pigs and cows, but I think there are other farmers out there.
I have a large bottle of canola oil that’s going rancid in my cupboard. Olive oil and coconut oil are my primary oils now. There is no more margarine in my house, only butter!
Store-bought bread and some cereal are still around. I eat oatmeal (usually soaked with whey or lemon juice) or granola for breakfast, but that doesn’t ‘cut it’ for hubby. I still like my pb and honey on store-bought bread, so I am a work in progress.
I have tried local honey and been so pleased! Even raw honey is yummy in Oikos Greek yogurt, though difficult to incorporate. (I only buy Oikos when it’s on sale.) Raw honey is too firm to use in my pb sandwiches. My mother is very fond of the raw honey in her tea or…just to eat off a spoon! Yes, I know making my own yogurt would be a good idea, but I wouldn’t eat it regularly enough to keep it fresh. Bread baking is of more interest.
I am still a white flour fan, but have incorporated more whole wheat in my baking. I tried using ww pastry flour in my favorite choc-chip cookie recipe and was disappointed in their crispiness. I will stick with the original recipe the next time I make them. Someday, I’ll try the KS version of healthier choc chip cookies. I really like my biscuits using some ww pastry flour and either butter or virgin coconut oil!
My old habits have been compromised in several areas to become new habits. Hopefully that improves our health and the environment. I will continue taking baby steps.
Fruitful Harvest says
What a great blog~
I’m the Garden Gate on the Cathiloc Blogroll if you what to come say hi?
Blessings in Christ,
Georgiann
Rebecca says
I love how you wrote up your goals. I should do that, to try to stay focused on them . I really really want to get away from the microwave but working and having a one year old it is really hard.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Tuesday Twister – Week of 2/23/09 – Beets, Beans, and Arugula Pesto =-.
Kate says
Good list! It’s good to remember it’s baby steps. That’s why I’m writing a Baby Steps series right now. 🙂 It’s taken me 3 years to get to where I am from where I was: mainstream! There was a point where I was like, “Processed food yay! Disposable diapers! Commercial ice cream! Tons of sugar in baking! Cheapest personal care products!” and on and on. But not now. 🙂 Now we’re baby stepping into GAPS.
Check out my Baby Steps Series if you’re interested!
tonya says
what’s wrong with sunscreen?
Katie says
Tonya,
Sunscreen is tricky issue to balance – while it protects from the harmful effects of the sun (skin cancer), it also blocks the Vit D that we need. Also, many sunscreens have parabens, possible endocrine disruptors, and the active ing in commercial ones are often linked to – of course – cancer. I look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ing when we’re going to be at the beach all day, but I’d rather try natural methods and being smart about sun exposure. We didn’t get any burns last summer! Check the EWG “Skn Deep” database (link in my sidebar) to see the rundown on various ingredients and why they are possibly or definitely hazardous.
Good question!
Katie
Zeke says
I saw you had Kombucha on your to do list. If you can get your whole family to drink it(shouldn’t be hard) its great. As a bachelor I found it more trouble than its worth. Now I’m looking for water and milk kefir grains.
.-= Zeke´s last blog ..Barley, Turnip, and Greens Soup =-.
Lenetta @ Nettacow says
I only run when there’s hungry bears involved.
And I need to follow up – this month’s BHG did note that we ought not be using antibac soap. :>)
Here’s to many more informative and takes-me-three-days-to-read blog posts! I have come to enjoy having you in my head as I go about my homemaking business… Hee.
.-= Lenetta @ Nettacow´s last blog ..40 Bags Update, Bags 2-8 =-.
LindsayP says
Wow, that’s quite a list! Congratulations!
Michelle @ Find Your Balance says
What a productive year. Nice work!
.-= Michelle @ Find Your Balance´s last blog ..Green smoothie book giveaway is here after all! =-.
Kathy says
Katie, thanks for the analogy. It makes me put everything in perspective. As a new subscriber to KS, I have felt a little overwhelmed… I want to change it all NOW! But I know I will have to do baby steps. I’m so excited to be learning new things and being reminded of how to live healthier…I can’t get enough of your blog. Thank you soooo much.
staci @ teaching money to kids says
I need to make a list like this. It seems funny to think of how healthy I used to eat, and now it seems like how could we have possibly been eating like that.
The new link for Meatless Monday is up and ready. We would love to have you join us again.
http://teachingmoneytokids.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/meatless-monday-easy-minestrone/
Staci @ www. teachingmoneytokids.com
Mareth says
Do tell about tilapia. Being in Michigan with the Great Lakes, I so wish our family could tap into that. I am on the hunt for good fish, too. Hubby said he likes to fish…maybe that’s my answer….
Katie says
Mareth,
Great facts and info sharing in the comments at this fishy post: http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/02/12/recipe-connection-st-peters-spicy-fish/
🙂 Katie
[email protected] says
Wow, how awesome to look and see how much you’ve changed in a year. Good stuff!
K @ Prudent and Practical says
Hi Katie,
Great idea putting all of your changes in a list. I might have to copy that idea 🙂 To my amazement, we’ve been to the store two times this week and my husband hasn’t stopped to replenish the cereal – we’ve been without for a week! I better think of something fast though. He’s big into eating it between every meal on the weekends. As a substitute, have you tried the soaked bulgar wheat from NT? Anyway, can’t remember whether or not I said it, but Happy (belated) Blogoversary!
.-= K @ Prudent and Practical´s last blog ..Great-Grandma’s Date Cookies =-.
Katie says
K,
I just figured out the “soaking” of my granola recipe and had a bowl tonight. It’s heavenly! Just like cereal, only healthy. *sigh*
Thanks!
🙂 Katie
Crystal says
Katie,
I am so glad I have found you via http://www.progressivepioneer.com. I have made many of these changes over the last couple years as well… It is so ovewhelming and satisfing to go down this path. I posted a link to your blog (this post) on mine, http://www.ahennypenny.blogspot.com. I am so joyful to have found a fellow Catholic blogger inline with so many of my interests!
Thanks.
Katie says
Crystal,
Welcome aboard! It IS good to be acquainted with like-minded gals!
🙂 Katie
Kelly says
Hi Katie, was searching your site for kombucha and came across this post. I plan to come back and read more thoroughly a little later today, but saw that you were trying to use more CFL bulbs. Kinda surprised, but kinda not. I won’t let them in my house because of the mercury vapor released if one breaks in the home. They are poison, and from what I hear from others, don’t last any longer, thus not making it worth the extra expense. Thoughts?
Katie says
Kelly,
It sure seemed like “the thing to do” but we did just have one burn out after NOT long enough at all. Hmph. Crazy greenwashing. It’s hard to keep up with everything! I am always happy to think that they’re using less energy if a light stays on, but… More research needed! (Sigh) Regular fluorescent lights are the same with the mercury hazard, right? We have a couple in our basement and one over the sink, and we did break one (the long tube kind) in the basement a few years ago. I was terrified. 🙁 Katie
Kelly says
Ya know, I don’t really know, but probably. This is from the EPA (trustworthy?) http://epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html and it says to have people and pets leave room for up to 10 minutes and open a window to air it out.
“What’s the white powder I see inside my fluorescent bulb?
The white powder that you see inside a fluorescent lamp is called phosphor, which is a substance that emits white, visible light whenever it absorbs light waves. Both compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes contain a gas that gives off invisible light when excited by electricity. This invisible light travels to the phosphor coating on the bulb, where it is transformed into light visible to the human eye.” From http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_ballasts.htm
Danielle says
I read Nourishing Traditions and the baby book by the same author, but I did some poking around online about the diet recommendations after and found a few websites skeptical of Ms. Fallon’s take on Weston Price’s work, and some people who have read Price’s writings say he did not recommend all the things that Nourishing Traditions espouses. While I agree with the book on some topics (eat healthy fats, grassfed and pastured meats, lots of veggies) there are others I think may need further scientific inquiry…like the emphasis on sprouted grains and fermented foods, or particular vitamin recommendations. A lot of bloggers take the book and WAPF as guiding resources so I am wondering where you stand in following the Nourishing Traditions guidelines? 🙂 And have you read Price’s book?
Katie Kimball @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Danielle,
I had this tab open for about forever I see because when your comment first came in I didn’t have time to make a good, in depth reply.
Oy! Sorry I waited so long!
I haven’t read Price’s book myself, no, but I do take issue with some of Nourishing Traditions’ rec’s and especially how so many on the web come back to that book as the “one source wonder” for almost everything they say. Not me. Here’s just one time I questioned the norm:
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/05/06/an-exploration-of-soaking-grains-the-first-debate/
and
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/05/13/an-exploration-of-soaking-grains-more-fallonobrien-debate/
In the early years, I did a lot of NT eating. But I never went whole hog – now I’m just sort of “keeping up” with feeding my family the best way possible and running from a mostly “traditional foods” perspective, as in “how did people eat for a really long time, long time ago?” Not strict like Paleo or anything though. Grains took a big change 3 years ago or more when we suspected my hubby had a gluten sensitivity, so that changed a lot of stuff!
Hope that helps you see where I’m coming from, but if you have any specific Qs I’m very happy to answer! 🙂 Katie