A New Way of Eating

I'm enjoying learning a new way of eating . . . and cooking.  I'm just taking baby steps right now but I've already noticed a difference in my health.

You see, when I got married 29 years ago I didn't know how to cook.  That was good. . . and bad.  The good was that I didn't have any of the unhealthy skills under my belt like deep frying and boiling vegetables to death.  The bad news was that I learned to cook the most "popular" way at the time which was "light" cooking.  I thought I was eating an extremely healthy diet because I was eating low fat foods, light salad dressings, diet drinks, and skinless chicken. 

Well, now many years later, I've learned that whole, real foods are what my body really needs.  Foods without chemicals, preservatives, or artificial anything.  Even better are fresh foods, locally grown.

I was first inspired to begin this journey by my cousin, Jo-Lynne, who authors Musings of a Housewife and several other blogs.  She blogged about her journey to healthier eating for herself and her family.  She has made great strides in changing out unhealthy for healthy.  Jo-Lynne is sort of a jump in with both feet kind of girl and I'm a stick my big toe in the water to test it kind of girl which would explain my lagging behind in the journey so far.

So far these are the changes I've made:

Replaced:                         With:

~margarine                         ~real butter
~skim milk                         ~whole organic milk
~boxed cereal                    ~homemade granola
~bottled salad dressing      ~homemade salad dressing
~honey wheat bread           ~homemade wheat bread
~store bought eggs             ~free range organic eggs
~Campbells soup               ~homemade soup
~canned tomatoes              ~home grown/roasted then frozen
~canned beef/chicken
   stock                               ~homemade stock from organic beef and chicken
~sweet tea with sugar        ~sweet tea with honey
~hybrid veggies grown
  with chemicals                ~heirloom veggies grown in my backyard
~white rice                        ~brown rice
~white pasta                      ~whole wheat pasta
~vegetable oil                   ~organic olive oil and organic coconut oil
~microwave popcorn        ~old fashioned popcorn cooked on the stove in coconut oil
~table salt                         ~kosher salt and sea salt
~canned beans                  ~dried beans soaked and cooked
~canned veggies               ~fresh or frozen veggies (organic when possible)

I've probably made a few other changes but I can't think of any more right now.  I know I have a lot more to learn but I find it easier to take "small bites" at a time. 

My last doctor's visit showed that my kidney function had actually increased (which is a miracle).  I believe that God can cure me and He can use healthy foods to do it if he wants to.  Even if I still have to have a kidney transplant I know that this healthy eating is helping to me feel the best I can.  My nephrology doctor says I am his only patient who comes in for a monthly visit saying " I feel great!".  I am quite anemic due to the disease but I don't feel the effects too much because I am not depriving my body of the nutrients it needs.

An added bonus is that even with buying organic (usually more expensive) foods I am still saving $100 dollars or more a month.  Additionally, I have lost 4 pounds by eating full fat foods.  Who knew?

I'm not preaching to anyone about what they eat.  I'm just sharing what works for me and my family.  What changes, if any, have you made to your family's food lately?  Any ideas of things I should try?