Eat Grub

Although I am in the draining process of trying to find enough food to eat, I have also become ever so presently aware of what I am putting into my body each day. I believe that God is working through me somehow, cleansing me of everything I thought I once knew about food and health. I feel as though I am being re-taught. Taken back to the Garden of Eden to re-learn how to eat again. My taste buds have been heightened, fruit that seemed bland before has become so sweet and juicy in my mouth. Breads taste grainy and wholesome, vegetables crisp and cleansing. I am aware of texture and color, ripeness and freshness. I have become acutely sensitive to chemicals and my body rejects processed food and excess sugar.

Right now my struggle is to keep up with how quickly my body is processing these foods. Because they are not heavy, my digestive system is far less sluggish and I don't feel weighed down by the food I am putting into my body. This is a good thing. My problem though is feeling hungry too much of the time. I find myself having to eat smaller meals, but more often. Sometimes if I begin to feel lightheaded I will eat a Larabar or a banana and instantly feel better. I know that eventually I will find a good healthy balance and start feeling more energized. But right now I am going through a difficult cleansing transition.

I am also becoming more and more aware of how the food I eat and purchase makes a difference in my home, my community, and my world. I feel strongly that it is my job to educate my children and those whom I love. But also to reach out to others who do not have access to healthy organic produce, the money to purchase such products, and the knowledge of how to make healthy meals for themselves and their families.

I can understand the frustrations of those who are living without. I do have a few advantages in that I have a husband who works two jobs to provide us with food, we have two vehicles to get us to and from grocery stores, and access to healthy food options, including natural food stores. Trying to find affordable fresh seasonal produce in the wintertime is a struggle through. Produce does not stay fresh very long, so I am constantly having to replenish our supply. We also have two growing hungry boys, who eat a vegetarian diet. Each month the amount of money we seem to spend on groceries increases and we struggle and have to go without other things in order to keep up. I try to make food last and save money by making vegan casseroles and homemade bread. It is not always financially possible, nor do I have the energy to make all our food from scratch. There are many days when the boys eat peanut butter & jelly, grilled cheese, vegetable soup, Annie-O's, veggie dogs, and apple or orange slices for lunch. Up until a few months ago, we have all drank soy milk, with the exception of panda (who at my urging, is finally starting to buy organic cow milk.) Recently I have switched to almond milk, and occasionally rice milk, after eliminating soy from my diet. I am trying to get the boys to switch to almond as well, but their taste buds are already used to soy, so I am having difficulty getting them to transition. They do eat a little bit of dairy through cheese and yogurt. It has been at least 10 years since I stopped drinking regular cow milk and I consume very little to no dairy products or meat. My diet consists mostly of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. I am being drawn back to the beginning, to the original sources of food that God put on our Earth, while trying to eat them in their most natural and organic form.

It is hard trying to eat healthy on a budget, but it is so important to me that we are willing to sacrifice other things in order to be able to buy the food we need. I can't remember the last time the papa and I bought new clothes. We wear them until they fall apart and then usually shop at used clothing/vintage stores. We take the kids' old clothes to "Once upon a Child" in exchange for money to buy new, gently-used clothes. We take advantage of our local library system to get free books and DVD's. Occasionally we buy used books through Amazon or our local half-priced bookstore. We rarely go out to eat, mostly because I can't eat restaurant food and because it is expensive for a family of four to eat out plus leave a tip. Once in awhile we treat ourselves to Alladin's (although the last time I spent most of the time sitting there thinking about how much more inexpensively I could make all the food myself).

Sometimes I get tired of hearing people say that they can't afford Organic food. To me it's a matter of deciding what is most important to you and what you are willing to give up in order to eat healthier. Don't get me wrong, we don't buy all organic and only purchase items from Whole Foods that we can't find anywhere else. But I wish people would take a minute to think about the food they are spending their money on. Could you possibly give up a few of your pre-processed foods in exchange for something live, organic, and good for your body and the environment? Is there anything else in your life that you are willing to part with in exchange for some fresh organic fruits and vegetables? Please take a minute to read labels. If there are words you don't recognize, do you really want to put those mystery ingredients into your body? And also, pay attention to where your food is coming from. Has it been shipped out of Country to get to the store and then to your table? That's a long process. Try if possible to support local farmers and businesses. Take time to get to know the people and places from which you are buying your food. And lastly, take a minute to appreciate the food on your plate in front of you. I ask you to say a silent prayer or at least take time to give thought to the millions out there who are hungry and for the overworked farmer struggling to put food on his own family's table.

I hope that I don't sound preachy. I just feel the urgent need to share with others what I am going through personally as I continue to change my diet, in hopes that it will raise an awareness in the lives of others. There is an eye-opening book that I am reading right now entitled, "Grub" by Anna Lappe' and Eric Schlosser. If you have a chance, please take time to visit their website to learn more about these food awareness pioneers at, www.eatgrub.org.