This was the presentation that I gave at our MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) group when I lived in DC.  (A little shout out to my DC friends – miss you all!)  A few of the gals became Real Food Fanatics after our little discussion – so proud…

REAL FOOD FOR REAL FAMILIES

FIRST THINGS FIRST – No one can do it all.  Grace not guilt.

ABOUT ME – My journey and passion to connect faith and food…

DISCLAIMERS – This is politically incorrect and may be a paradigm shift.  Everyone is different.  PRAY for family support and desire.

WHAT IS REAL FOOD?

• Traditional Foods – Nutrient-dense, nourishing, natural, whole, God-created, recognizable
  • Grassfed meat & eggs, raw dairy, wild caught fish, cod liver oil, trad-itional fats (butter, palm, coconut, and olive oil), soaked/fermented grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes, in season organic veggies and fruits, fermented foods, sea salt, and natural sweeteners in moderation (Sucanat, raw honey, real maple syrup).
• NOT – Processed, Nutritionally-bankrupt, Frankenfood, imitation, high heat, additives, preservatives, isolated, filler, lots of unnecessary ingredients that you can’t pronounce– obese and malnourished
  • CAFO meat and eggs, pasteurized dairy products, farm-raised fish, industrial and transfats (soybean, canola, and hydrogenated oil), grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes that are not “pre-digested”, table salt, refined and industrial sweeteners (HFCS, splenda, sugar, aspartame, etc.), additives, preservatives, and fillers.
• 2 rules – begin weeding out processed foods (top ten) and begin grafting in traditional foods (top ten)
• details and preparation can come later

WHAT ABOUT THE COST?

• We are RICH!
  • 2007 United Nations study indicates that assets of just $2,200 per adult place a household in the top half of the world’s wealthiest. To be among the richest 10% of adults in the world, just $61,000 in assets is needed. If you have more than $500,000, you’re part of the richest 1%. Indeed, 37 million people now belong in that category.  When we buy industrial-made food vs. locally produced food, we are making the rich richer and the poor poorer.

• Americans spend less of their annual income on food than anyone else in the world (Eric Schlosser, Fast Food Nation).  Less than 10% (USDA).  Developing countries spend 49-63%.  We have more to work with than many others.

• Real food should cost more – With food, you get what you pay for.  (See The True Cost of Food video)
  • When stewarding our money, we don’t just save – we invest.  Better to pay the farmer now then the doctor later.

• Why is cheap food cheap? Subsidies (Twinkie example.)
  • Farm subsidies in rich countries depress market prices for farm products and induce poor countries in Africa and elsewhere to import food that local farmers could otherwise produce more efficiently.
  • Local poor communities subsist on these cheap foods and pay the price with their health, educational performance, etc.
  • Cheap food is a social justice issue.  When we save money, other people lose.  And we perpetuate this downward spiral by voting with our dollar.

• Be a cheerful giver consumer & sow generously! (2 Cor. 9:6-11) Trust that God will provide.

• Scale back on other things –
  • Reduce  – buy less, need vs. want, impulse buys, the little things add up – toys, coffee, clothes/make-up/accessories
  • Reuse – use it until it dies, repair instead of throw away, repurpose items, waste less
  • Recycle – get free or buy used – freecycle/craigslist, clothing swaps, hand-me-downs, thrift stores,
  • Rethink – DIY, (garden, renter, co-own a house, hair cuts), barter, specific gift requests

• Buy (and cook) in bulk, co-ops

WHERE DO I FIND THE TIME?

• Good things take time.  We naturally sacrifice time for things that we value.  Spiritual parallel – It takes time, energy, perseverance to follow Christ.  (Trust that it is worth it.)

• It is less about time spent and more about planning ahead (great habit – i.e. making broth)

• Time it!  It is often less than you think.

• Let seasonal foods be your guide.  (Less time planning and cooking.)

• Make lists of staple ingredients/favorite meals to update and refer to often.

• Cut down shopping time – co-ops, internet, farmers markets, use what you have!

• Do it in community!  Garden, swap, food prep, share grains, starters, and resources, potlucks, etc.

HEALTHY, INEXPENSIVE, QUICK FOOD IDEAS

Breakfast – Sweet Eggs (scramble with bananas, apples, etc.), Porridge, Smoothie, Homemade sourdough bread w/ raw honey butter

Lunch – Quesadillas, Soups, Salads with homemade dressings (veggie, grain, bean, fish)

Snacks – Pickled veggies, Cheese and Crackers, Dips and dippers, Stovetop popcorn

Dinner – 3 meal chicken, Rice and Beans, Crockpot meat, Pasta meal

Desserts – Raw Macaroons, Chocolate Mousse, Popsicles

RESOURCES

Films – The True Cost of Food, The Meatrix, Food Inc., Fresh, King Corn

Books – Nourishing Traditions, Eat Fat Lose Fat, Full Moon Feast, Simply in Season

Blogs of Christian Moms making traditional foods on a budget:

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/

http://gnowfglins.com/

http://kellythekitchenkop.com/

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/

http://www.cookinggodsway.com/

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/

http://frugalgranola.blogspot.com/

An Article on the practical starting points for changing to a Traditional Foods Diet:

http://www.westonaprice.org/Modernizing-Your-Diet-With-Traditional-Foods.html

PICKY EATERS

• Gut health is SO important.
• Smoothies, popsicles
• Get the kids to help garden and cook
• Make it fun – dips, pizza face, octopus hot dog,

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

To remain encouraged, what are you already doing to provide for your family’s health?

Where can you save or cut back money on other things to pay for better quality food?

In what way can you find more time to spend on food preparation?

Which traditional food can you easily incorporate into your diet this week?

Which processed food can you begin to phase out this week?

What is your main prayer request for this family health journey?