Whole foods and drunken chicken...

Joining katydidknit's  fitness-a-long has forced me to take a much needed, but a not so appreciated, look at my body and my lifestyle.  Motherhood has really changed me physically and not necessarily in a good way.  Although I'm still a trans fat nazi and I loathe overly processed food, I've begun to notice that my cupboard is predominately filled with typical preschooler fare of goldfish and fruit snacks and I've stopped at McDonald's a couple more times then I would like to admit.  I've begun to cook "speedy" meals for convenience sake but really the kids don't eat them and I'm getting fat so it's not really convenient for anyone.  I'm enjoying my food less but am still packing on the pounds.   So what gives?  We really do live in a processed food environment and no matter how much I stand on my soap box and preach the evils of partially hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup I've allowed these items to creep into my diet due to pure complacency.  So I need to make some changes.   

But change is hard and it takes time.  I really would prefer to have oodles of extra hours every day to knit, sew, study, and bake whole wheat bread all the while keeping my home clean, my dog walked, my kid's butts wiped, and maintain my personal sanity.  Without some sort of compromise I see none of these things happening.  But I digress.

I'm thinking it's time to get back to whole foods.  Good food really doesn't have to be complicated and it doesn't need to come out of a box or from a can to be convenient.  I used to love to cook and I have a bookshelf full of cookbooks to prove it but lack of food gratitude from my children (seriously though, they are 3 and 5, what sane person could expect food gratitude at that age) and my perceived lack of time has really turned meals into a chore.  So I have decided to re-evaluate and cook selfishly, for me.  I'd like to enjoy my food again and since my kids will probably complain whether it's fast food or whole foods I might as well do something right for myself.  So I've been taking a little extra time, planning out meals, getting the kids involved where I can and just trying to enjoy my time.  Cooking should be therapeutic, and with husband home right now doing the dishes, who could ask for anything more.

On the plate last night - country lima beans with beer can chicken.  You basically shove a can of beer up a chickens *ss and stick it on the barbecue.  It was delicious, and none of it came out of a box!   

Comments

[trillian42]

Ooh. That looks really tasty. I haven't roasted a chicken in a long time - I should do that. I halve a lemon and shove it inside, and smear a little butter on the outside before I salt and pepper it. Terribly complex. I've never actually done the beer can chicken thing, but it has always looked really yummy to me. And I'm going to have to remember that bean recipe.

[Rosa]

I was a SAHM for almost 3 years, and cooked three meals with snacks 97% of that time. Once I worked full time for 7 months, I didn't cook often and chose to do the drive thru significantly. The kids loved it and I hated it. Now that I am home, I am making all meals and snacks again. I am becoming more innovative and appreciative of food and what it has to offer health wise. I am glad that you are taking better care of yourself because we always put ourselves last. And please keep sharing recipes.

[Trish]

Looks yummy!

We've been trying to cook more meals that don't come out of a box. We've even managed to get our 7 year old to eat salad with dinner without having to drench it in salad dressing. We still eat out far more then we should but we are cutting back and I'm starting to see a difference in the way I feel and look.

[Wendy]

MMmmmm...I love beer can chicken. It's so easy and always amusing. The year before last we did a tall boy turkey and it was way better than the straight outta gourmet magazine bird I slaved over last year.

[Beth L]

That chicken looks fantastic - beer can chicken is definately going on the menu soon. If it's any consolation, the kids are likely to eat whatever you prepare and will learn to enjoy it once the "new and weird" factor lessens. Mine did at any rate - we got into the habit of letting each of the kids pick dinner one night a week (with 3, the bonus was that was 3 nights that I didn't have to come up with) and while the first few years had a lot of chicken nuggets or tacos, they have now greatly expanded their menus and love looking through recipe books to find new stuff to try. Hang in there!

[Ruinwen]

That meal looks delish! Kudos to you being healthier too! I'm going to try the lima beans they really look yummy! :)

[Michelle]

Heather! I too have been reevaluating my pantry. I cook all of our meals and we rarely go out, but sometimes I rely on what's easy rather than what's healthy. Good for you for making beer butt chicken, I keep saying I want to try that! ;-) I'm right here finding my cooking mojo again with you!

[Sara]

I'm right there with you. My first is due in 3 months and about 2 months ago, hubby and I decided that to raise our kids with a healthy view of food, we needed to model it. And I certainly wasn't. So bye-bye to high fructose corn syrup and prepackaged meals. One thing that has helped tremendously is our CSA share. See if there's one that is right for you in your area. Getting the bag of farm-fresh organic veggies introduces me to things I've never tried, leaves me with fresh lettuce for daily salads, and lots of fruits and veggies. Fruit salad gets made every few days.

If you haven't already, check out "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. It will help motivate you in your quest to eat healthier, both for you and your kids.