*Feed your family high quality, nutritional food challenge*

[jwann]

I just read through the entire thread. I am crying as I type this.
We do not eat like this. I have twinkies and potato chips in my cupboard. I ate 6 pieces of bacon as a snack tonight. My husband's favorite food is sugar cereal. I have 2 sons who are 9 and 12 years old. Thank goodness they are both skinny and so is my husband. I was not brought up to shop and cook and think like you guys. I was taught to cook frozen pizza and canned fruit and veggies. How do I stop that and start doing what you guys do? I am so impressed....

 

[staceyfe]

I'm going to have to try that salmon chowder recipe--salmon is the only fish my kids will eat, they won't even touch fish sticks. We're trying tilapia soon, though--if they don't like it, they can go hungry. I'm not a big fish eater, but I like it once in a while.

A few months back I marinated some tilapia in rasperry vinegarett salad dressing. It was really yummy and now it's one of my staples!

 

[solferino]

I just read through the entire thread. I am crying as I type this.
We do not eat like this. I have twinkies and potato chips in my cupboard. I ate 6 pieces of bacon as a snack tonight. My husband's favorite food is sugar cereal. I have 2 sons who are 9 and 12 years old. Thank goodness they are both skinny and so is my husband. I was not brought up to shop and cook and think like you guys. I was taught to cook frozen pizza and canned fruit and veggies. How do I stop that and start doing what you guys do? I am so impressed....

I was raised like this too, but once I was out on my own made a commitment to myself that I didn't have to continue doing it like my mom did. Our diet isn't perfect by any stretch, but it's not what I grew up knowing. Start with small changes... remember- progress not perfection.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I just read through the entire thread. I am crying as I type this.
We do not eat like this. I have twinkies and potato chips in my cupboard. I ate 6 pieces of bacon as a snack tonight. My husband's favorite food is sugar cereal. I have 2 sons who are 9 and 12 years old. Thank goodness they are both skinny and so is my husband. I was not brought up to shop and cook and think like you guys. I was taught to cook frozen pizza and canned fruit and veggies. How do I stop that and start doing what you guys do? I am so impressed....

Don't cry or feel bad. We all have had different upbringings I'd be willing to bet and got here our own way. I was raised in the South and LOTS of fried food. I had a family that was skinny and weren't affected by it.. me well let's say I missed the skinny gene so for me eating healthy is about weight loss and maintenance and realizing that I want to fuel my body in the healthiest way I can. I would be willing to bet as well that we all don't eat like this every day We have our splurges and my DH loves Chef Boyardee Ravioli He doesn't eat it much but he does love it. No one's diet is perfect but you can start making little changes like adding more fresh fruit and veggies a little at a time and go from there. This thread is full of good suggestions!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

I just went to Whole Foods today too. I am trying to go more natural with my cooking and eating. I bought raw milk (it can be purchased it grocery stores in Maine if they have the right license, and whole foods does). I tried some, and while I like it, I couldn't tell a huge difference between it and pastuerized milk. I also got steel cut oats, that are soaking overnight. I also emailed a few local farms to see about joining their CSA's next year. But here is my question..whole foods is so expensive compared to Hannaford. For those of you who buy organic, what are your must be organic foods, and what do you skip on and just buy the regular?

I try to shop the sales at Whole Foods and there "Feed 4 for under 15" or something like that handout is great for planning less expensive meals. I also have had great success with their 365 store brand. I would be interested in knowing if there are certain foods that people ALWAYS buy organic and what they don't. Great question!

 

[Reflection]

For those of you who buy organic, what are your must be organic foods, and what do you skip on and just buy the regular?

My "must be organic" list: milk, half and half, fruits that I cannot peel (i.e., berries, grapes, cherries), chicken, and the ice cream I buy at Trader Joes.

All other items can be regular (although, I will buy Laura's beef products when on sale and when I have coupons). Grains do not have to be organic but I do buy nonbromated flour.

ETA: I forgot to note that I always buy organic salad greens and spinach.

 

[jwann]

Thanks y'all
small steps
I can handle that

 

[weregoingtodw]

well my vegan "friend" is my 17 year old son and please nobody mention it to him or next thing I know he'll be making me buy a 2nd grill.

Oh my! I'm pescetarian and simply can't stand it when someone tries to pull something like that over on me. Have you thought about throwing his food on the grill first? That's what we do for me (um, and we have two Foremans too, and a huge two-level outdoor grill, but I digress...).

 

[weregoingtodw]

I did use a vanilla bean. I know it sounds strange but my son was actually studying about vanilla so I splurged and bought an actual vanilla bean. I bought one bean from the local herb place for $2. However, I will use pure vanilla extract the next time and I am certain it will taste just fine.

Lisa

Have you tried using vanilla paste? We picked some up at Trader Joe's (here's a review of it http://www.chowhound.com/topics/348655) and it really enhances the flavor. I use it in pancake batter a lot.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Bookmarking! I love this thread!!!!

We live overseas, but are in the USA visiting family. We've been here 7 weeks and have one to go. Grandma doesn't seem to believe in any fresh fruits and veggies. I cannot wait until we get home and I can use this thread for inspiration!!!

Thanks to all!
Katy

Katy,

Just saw your tag - how do you like Doha? I'm assuming you're civilian? DH served his time there in Tent City (which actually seems to be a relatively nice base now, compared to many in that part of the world).

 

[LisaR]

Tonight was salad bar night. I use organic spring mix and organic spinach for our base. I set out the other toppings and everyone can pick and choose. I had roasted asparagus, carrots, mushrooms, cucumbers, tomatoes, red pepper, sunflower seeds and walnuts. DH had an individual serving size package of wild salmon on his (he needs to watch his cholesterol - not on any medication and trying to keep it that way through diet). DD and DS had Applegate Farms Turkey and Ham. I just had the walnuts for my protein.

Lisa

 

[LisaR]

Have you tried using vanilla paste? We picked some up at Trader Joe's (here's a review of it http://www.chowhound.com/topics/348655) and it really enhances the flavor. I use it in pancake batter a lot.

I will have to see if I can find something like that around here. Our health food store stinks and unfortunately we do not have a Trader Joe's anywhere in the state of FL. I miss TJ tremendously. Everytime we go on vacation, I map out the closest TJ and I bring an empty suitcase to stock up.

Lisa

 

[weregoingtodw]

Okay, phew..... just got through this thread, and WOW! I love it! I've been away from the Dis for months and was just so happy to come back and find this "support group" for those of us who really care about what goes into our families' tummies.

To answer the one who asked about organics, I will typically buy organic whenever it's available. I also buy fair trade only for chocolate, and fair trade / shade grown for coffee beans (although I'll readily admit to a rather horrendous Starbuck's habit, mostly because I'm out & about and am hopelessly addicted to coffee). As far as produce, if it's not organic, I don't buy it. So, if they are out of a specific veggie in the organic section, I'll buy something else. Same for frozen fruits/veggies, organic only. I'm also the same with my dairy, although I buy fat-free half & half for hubby's & my coffee (he's almost as addicted as me unfortunately). DD only gets organic dairy at home, although we don't limit her at parties, eating an ice cream out, etc.

We're fortunate enough to have Trader Joe's, and the commissary now stocks a decent supply of organics as well, so I'll split my shopping trips between the two (and as an aside -- sorry, guys -- our commissary now carries Natracare pads, liners & tampons!).

I seriously doubt I'll win any food budget contests, but in the end, that's not my priority. I'd give up my housekeeper in a heartbeat if I had to make the choice between having her & buying the chemically-free food in which I believe.

BUT, YMMV. What works for me won't necessarily work for you, and I make no judgments based on that, promise! I'm a pretty crunchy granola mom, but with some pretty decent Libertarian leanings. You do your thing, I'll do mine.

 

[weregoingtodw]

I will have to see if I can find something like that around here. Our health food store stinks and unfortunately we do not have a Trader Joe's anywhere in the state of FL. I miss TJ tremendously. Everytime we go on vacation, I map out the closest TJ and I bring an empty suitcase to stock up.

Lisa

I know that when we have to move again, if we don't have a TJ's, I'll go through massive withdrawals.

 

[mrs.beast]

ok question here, does anyone know where to get canned organic peaches or pears? none of the whole foods or TJ carries them. i can find apple sauce, pineapples, and mangos but not peaches or pears. any suggestions?

 

[LisaR]

For those of you who buy organic, what are your must be organic foods, and what do you skip on and just buy the regular?

I have always read that you should try your best to buy organic fruit and veggies if it isn't something that you peel. I just read something about two months ago that said apples, lettuce and spinach are three items that should always be organic due to the chemicals that are sprayed on them. I always buy organic greens and they are the exact same price as the name brands (I shop at Target and Publix). However, our organic apples in this area are horrible. They are always bruised. It is ashame because they are actually .20 a pound cheaper than the non-organic apples. My family eats 20 apples almost every week year round.

I have found that my grocery stores carry a lot of organic items that really aren't that much different from the name brands. I should stipulate that by saying they are not that much different from the quality name brands. I am sure white Wonder bread is much cheaper than my organic whole wheat bread. However, my organic bread is the same price as many of the 100% whole wheat breads. Does that make any sense?

In addition, I will not buy something if I can not pronounce the items on the label or if there are tons of ingredients listed. When it comes to snack foods most "original" items are decent (Fritos, Pringles, Sun Chips). Once you start getting into the BBQ flavors or the Sour Cream & Onion the ingredients triple and become unrecognizable. Don't get me wrong, I do not think Pringles are the ultimate in healthy snacks, but I would pick Original Pringles over Pizza Flavored Pringles anyday.

Compare Oreos to Newman's O's. Compare Barbara's or Newman's Figs to Fig Newtons. Compare Natures Own Fruit Bars to Nutrigrain Bars. The difference in ingredients is incredible.

We don't consume any dairy but if we did, I would only go organic with those items.

I will only buy preservative free lunchmeat (Boars Head or Applegate Farms are our favorites).

I am vigilant in reading labels. I have a son with multiple food allergies so I don't have a choice. However, it has really opened my eyes up to what is available.

Lisa

 

[Imzadi]

Wow! Great last post Lisa. Very informative, especially about the snacks. I had always thought once you dive over into the "junk food snacks", it's all pretty much the same. I'm not talking about choosing an apple versus Pringles. Of course an apple is better. But, it's nice to learn, that if I go the Pringles route, there are slightly healthier choices even amongst those.

For several years, I've grown more & more allergic to raw fruits & veggies. I've been allergic to melons for about 25 years now. I can only eat cooked veggies or canned or cooked fruits. I figure something in the cooking/canning process breaks down some chemical enough so I can eat the fruits.

Only 10 years ago, I used to eat raw apples every day. Suddenly I became allergic. At one point, I wondered if it was the pesticides or wax sprayed on them. I peeled it. It made no difference. A few years later I tried one from a local orchard. Still allergic. Reading your post made me realize, I didn't really check to see if the orchard grown apple was chemical-free. I'll have to give it another try.

I also used to eat chicken all the time. Suddenly I gained an aversion to it. I couldn't stomach the thought of another bite. I thought it was about the taste. But someone happened to mention maybe my body had enough of eating all the hormones in the chicken. It just knew better. I really wasn't interested in spending more for organic chicken, so I didn't try it. It wasn't until a chef on the Food Network happened to mention organic chicken is not only healthier, but more flavorful, that I gave it a try. Now, I'm eating chicken again, & only the organic chicken.

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

My "must be organic" list: milk, half and half, fruits that I cannot peel (i.e., berries, grapes, cherries), chicken, and the ice cream I buy at Trader Joes.

All other items can be regular (although, I will buy Laura's beef products when on sale and when I have coupons). Grains do not have to be organic but I do buy nonbromated flour.


Ok, another question...I am still learning...lol. The milk in my grocery store is listed as being produced without artificial growth hormones. This is not the same as organic, correct? Is it a good compromise, or should I just bite the bullet and go to the organic? Prices are a huge concern for me right now...I just got my dream job (I am an RN)...but its about 10 hours less a week than I was working. But its everything you could ever want in a nursing job...great pay, incredible hours, no nights, weekends or holidays.. But I digress...lol...less pay. Our grocery bill was insane before this, so I am looking to cut costs, but I really want the healh aspect!

 

[kayeandjim00]

On the organic apples they had a show on NPR this week about eating "in season fruit" being better for you. Apples for example they said should not be eaten in the summer. Whole Foods always has a great guide in their handouts about what's at it's peak right now - I know yesterday had peaches among other things and so we went with peaches for the week and they are delicious!!!

 

[solferino]

I also used to eat chicken all the time. Suddenly I gained an aversion to it. I couldn't stomach the thought of another bite. I thought it was about the taste. But someone happened to mention maybe my body had enough of eating all the hormones in the chicken. It just knew better. I really wasn't interested in spending more for organic chicken, so I didn't try it. It wasn't until a chef on the Food Network happened to mention organic chicken is not only healthier, but more flavorful, that I gave it a try. Now, I'm eating chicken again, & only the organic chicken.

There's a HUGE difference, IME. We raise our own chickens for meat and eggs, as does FIL. He's been doing it for 25+ years, and does the processing as part of the family owned/run business. A few years ago he did a little science project of sorts, feeding half his birds an organic feed, half a non-organic. They were fed the same amounts and lived in coops right next to one another. The organic ones grew bigger birds and with less fat. The fat that was on the organic birds was minimal and creamy white color- the non-organics fat was this greasy yellow color.

Not everyone has the ability to raise their own meat- I'm thankful that we can, but realise it's not for everyone.