I have become domestic and more food contious!

Ok--so I am going to talk about something other than Austin and our insane life!! Instead I am going to talk about how far I have come as a cook!! Yes--you read it right, a COOK!

Let me take everyone back to 2001 when Shea and I got married. Back then--we were very poor so we made the best of things that we could. I think our normal food routine was anything quick, easy and cheap!! Honestly I cant even remember what we used to eat back then--probably lots of bland chicken, lots of chicken Voila' (used to be Shea's favorite!), plain ole spaghetti noodles and sauce. My point being--boring, probably low fat but not very tasty and really just not any good.

Then I went to work at APA and my dear friend Cara started challenging me in my cooking skills. This girl could cook something up from pretty much nothing ( her husband was in seminary so they too were broke!) Cara used to always say "just use what you have around. Add some spices, add some veggies, try things out." This was really hard for me--I am someone who used to need to know exact measurements, was not confident at ALL in my cooking abilities and really did not enjoy it.

Well....that was the past and I am new woman now!! In the past few years--I have begin reading lots on different types of food, different types of cooking, and really broadening my horizons. Most of this came right before I got pregnant--I began reading nutrition books all the time to just learn more about what should go in my body and what should not. I have always been hung up on "good foods" and "bad foods" based on fat and calorie content. This dates back to my HS and college years of trying to stay thin--and thinking as long as I ate really bland and "low fat" foods, i would be fine! Well--thats wrong!! I have learned so much more now--just because foods are "low fat" does not mean they are good for you. Most low fat foods are filled with sugar...and sugar is from the devil! ( although I still love it to death and do still eat it!) But instead of eating it in "fake things" i just eat it in real things.

Ok--so back to my cooking. Along with my inspiration from Cara, I have always been inspired by my very good friend and second mom, Kim Baum. If anyone has spent any time with Kim--you know the woman can cook! Her food is incredible--but by no means is it lowfat! But she did inspire me to try new things, experiment more and try to make lower fat versions of her food--which is what I have been doing.

I have also been inspired by moms who try to make more of their own stuff from scratch--not baking stuff but food stuff. ( I have realized I am not a baker--and mainly thats because i wont allow myself to be! If we have the stuff one needs to bake--then I will eat it--and that goes back to my sugar comment...sugar is from the devil but I still love it!)

Since Austin started eating, its really challenged me to evaluate what we eat and how we eat. He will learn food behaviors from us. He will see what we eat and what we have in the house--and that will be normal to him. So I have the opportunity to make sure that what he see's is healthy food behaviors--and for him to actually be more healthy because of it. I recently read a book by Dr Sears called, The Healthiest Child on the Block, and it was great in reminding me that the food I put into Austin will aide in keeping him well and resistant to certain sickness. Since we have chosen not to vaccinate him thus far, its even more important that he eat well, since research shows that "healthy" kids are less likely to be affected by any of the vaccine preventable illness's IF he were to come into contact with one.


I have also been reading lots on how to stretch your meals and stretch the food you buy--to not only save money but to not be wasteful. And I realized I can make food go a long ways if I get creative!

So---last week I not only cooked a whole chicken to make two meals out of ( we are talking a whole raw chicken that I cooked in the crock pot and then pulled apart to use!) but I also made my very own homemade chicken stock....duh, duh, duh!! I remember once reading about these women who cooked chickens for meals and then made their own chicken stock and thought they were crazy!! I mean seriously...you can buy canned chicken, rotisserie chicken or even frozen already cooked chicken...why make your own? Well --a few reasons--its much cheaper, its less fattening since I control what goes into it ( or out of it!) and it tastes really good!!! AND I then also have juice to make my own chicken stock---yahoo!!

SO last week when I did this---I also made my own chicken enchiladas...duh, duh, duh!! ( applause please!...thank you!) And they were good--AND I made enough to freeze so we have some for next week!! yes--one meal I dont have to think about! Between shopping at Sprouts once a week ( which is similar to Whole foods but with some killer prices on fruits and veggies and meats!) and using the website Allrecipes.com--I have just become so much more confident in my skills.

I add spices and seasoning, I keep staples in my pantry at all times and I just try new things. In the past month I have made sweet potato french fries from scratch, streamed garlic pepper asparagus ( I had never even tasted asparagus until about a year ago!), home made pizza's on pita bread, tuna noodle casserole from a recipe I made up, and some killer olive oil and salt and pepper chicken thighs! I no longer buy rice in a box--I buy it in bulk at Sprouts, season it myself with chicken stock and spices and then cook it the LONG way! ( 30 minutes is really nothing when everything else is cooking too!) I have been eating fruit dipped in low fat organic yogurt for dessert --and its actually VERY good--as long as you get good flavored yogurt!

Austin is drinking Kefir instead of regular yogurt drinks ( or any other milk product for that matter--he wont drink regular milk and I am still not sure where i stand on the whole "cows milk is not for people" debate! ) And Almond milk is the only milk we keep in the house ( except for a single serving container of plain milk for my coffee) --and its actually really good! Of course I dont drink it like people drink milk--but we use it in cereal, in cooking , smoothies, etc... and its great AND has less calories than regular milk!

I also was convicted about using sweeteners and FF half/half in my decaf coffee--so I now use either almond milk or a bit of regular milk for creamer ( did you know that the flavored creamers and half/half have hydrogenated oils in them? I didn't until recently!) And I now sweeten with organic Agave Nectar which is awesome! I just am feeling a little wiser about food now. I have always been very aware of fat and calories--but I was not always so aware of what was exactly in things.
I by no means have things perfect--but I feel we are getting better. I am only buying cereal/granola that has at least 4 grams of fiber and 4-5 grams of protein. I am no longer buying the 100 calorie boxes of treats--I buy a small bag of real dark chocolate chips --and either eat a few of those at night--or eat a bit of granola with flavored yogurt --and so far have not really missed my favorite little 100 calorie cakes! I am shocked!

Sooo...anyways....that is my conversation about food changes in our house! Shea is excited because he eats really good now ( and I always make enough to make sure he has lunch the next day which saves us money and does not let food go to waste!) and I dont tempt him with anything "bad!" I actually enjoy cooking now--I mean its not like am dying to make another dinner--but I dont dread it either on most days. I always know what I have on hand and what our options are--so I cook from that..which makes me enjoy it more!So, Stay tuned for more cooking from Lesley....HA!!