Food Philosophy

I like to eat. I've always had a pretty high metabolism. When I was growing up, if they had had the law about having to be 80 pounds before you can ride in a car without a booster, I would have ridden in a booster until high school. I took that blessing in disguise (I didn't consider being all knees and elbows as a blessing when I wanted boys to notice me) to mean I could eat whatever I wanted, and that wasn't always good things. Ok. It was mostly junk because I was severely addicted to junk. Three kids and nearly two decades later, having outgrown some of that 'blessing', my metabolism doesn't quite work the way it used to, and I'm noticing there is so much more truth to that saying garbage in, garbage out. When I eat junk, I feel like junk. I'm cranky and crabby, weak and emotional. Not to mention, I'd become skinny-fat.

Feeling great conviction about how terribly I take care of myself, and how important that really is in properly caring for my family, I began trying to figure all this food stuff out. I figured I had done it for Jackson and his food allergies, I could do it for me and the rest of the family as well. So, I got back into yoga. We bought a treadmill and I started reducing the junk and increasing real food. Jackson didn't notice the difference because that's how he eats already. I just had to adjust my original way of thinking, that I can eat whatever I want, to I need to eat the things a human being is intended to eat.

I'm not a nutritionist or a doctor or a chef or anything that would give me any credibility in this area. I'm just a mom trying to do things right for myself and my family, and because I over-think and over-plan EVERYTHING, this is my short little philosophy on food for my family. Each family is different with their own special needs. This one is working for us so far.

1. Food is NOT Fuel
I am not a machine. Food is not merely what I use to power my body. Flavor and the pleasure of eating are important! God gave me taste-buds, smell receptors and eyes so that I am able to enjoy the food I eat, and I intend to do just that.

2. Fat is not evil
I'm human. My body needs fat in order to function properly. As with any other part of my diet, the choices I make in regard to the fat I eat should be healthy ones, preferably in foods like nuts, meat and fatty veggies. When I cook I use butter, coconut oil and olive oil.

3. Natural sugar is not evil
Whether they are derived naturally or not, high-glycemic or low-glycemic, low or high calories, sweeteners are sweeteners. I try to stay away from any kind of syrup, even natural brown rice syrup etc. in excess, and prefer raw sugar (it does come from a plant after all), honey, maple syrup and molasses. I think sugar is excellent for recovery after intense activity (like running, my new passion, who knew I could be athletic and enjoy it), and I feel like moderation is the key here. It is also worth mentioning that when sugar is eaten with high fiber foods, like whole wheat, the absorption of the glucose is slowed. Add protein to the mix, and it's even slower.

4. Meat is not evil; however, I believe we were created to eat plants.
Before marriage and kids, I was basically vegetarian, but for the majority of my family life, protein (and by that I mean animal flesh or byproduct) has been king. It got all the attention and veggies were the obligatory side thrown together just to complete the meal. I'm now attempting to change this in my diet and cooking. I believe balance is the key here, and veggies deserve the royal treatment, too.