Once upon a time, in the land of Forbidden Food, there was a Lord and Lady of Glutenshire…
Haha…Just kidding guys. But sometimes, when I am asked to explain “how” I cook for my family, I feel like I should start my story that way. It sounds silly, but our food story is complex, and requires a moment to explain how it works, and how it came to be that I cook most everything from scratch now.
First of all, I love fresh, organic foods. I love clean ingredients that are good for everyone. I love spending my time and energy in the kitchen to nourish my family. What I don’t love is when unexpected ingredients sneak into our food and make my family sick. It is for this reason, and out of desperation, that I began to buy only ingredients to cook everything from scratch. Do you know what I found out? I actually love to cook from scratch! I can adjust everything just the way we like it, and really tailor our foods to what we want and need them to be. Just about everything that is served at our table is made from scratch by us. Yes, the kids have learned how to cook this way, and are incredible chefs! Do we occasionally order pizza? YES… but only when it can fit into our dietary needs and it’s from restaurants that I trust, and there aren’t many of them.
Every family has food preferences and styles, and some families also have food allergies, like we do. We have additional food limitations as well, due to one of our family members having Type 1 diabetes. So, without further ado, (and because I know you’re wondering) here is the list of food items my family stays away from: wheat (gluten), cauliflower, beef, ginger, artificial food dyes, artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, hydrogenated oils, canola oil, and anything with a lot of sugar or salt. EDITED to update! We now have additional food allergies identified in eggs, dairy, pineapple, and a few types of beans. Good thing we were already making adaptations for allergies!
If you are not used to working around obstacles such as food allergies, it can seem very daunting at first, but I very quickly figured out how to make it easier!! I remember way back when the only thing we knew we needed to avoid was wheat (gluten). I thought it was all about the simple task of replacement buying one packaged thing for the “gluten free” version. I soon realized that the package being marked “gluten free” or even “vegan” (for egg and dairy allergies) absolutely did not mean it was free of yucky ingredients. I began to research and found that what really needed to happen in order to keep my family healthy was a shift in mindset…MY mindset! Yep, I said it. I needed to change how I thought about the task of feeding my family.
Instead of feeding us for comfort, I learned that good, healthy food is both comforting AND nourishing, without compromising either one. Yes, I do know that I have a leg up here, because I grew up with a mother who is a top professional in the field of nutrition. I have a pretty good fundamental and science-based understanding of the nutrient side of food. Because of that, this is not a story of going from buying obviously horrible quality foods to buying organic. It is, however, a story of me learning that ALL ingredients matter, even the ones in the “healthy” packaged foods.
To wrap all that into a nice package (a swan made of foil, perhaps?), here is a list of general guidelines I follow when I am shopping and cooking for my family.
- Avoid purchasing processed foods, because we simply do not need the “extra” ingredients. Yes, I will buy package of gluten free crackers or even cookies on rare occasion, but they are not on my usual list.
- Purchase REAL FOOD ingredients. (real cheese, not processed cheese…etc)
- Shop for what’s in season, so the produce bill isn’t exorbitant. We occasionally use Bountiful Baskets to help our penny pinching, and it’s like Christmas morning when I see the amazing items in my basket.
- Simple, from scratch recipes work the best, especially if you are going to adapt them in any way. To me, from scratch means, that the ingredients are used just the way God made them. So, for example in a from scratch recipe I don’t use a can of peach pie filling, I use peaches.
- Find the brands/items that work the best for your family’s needs, and buy them in bulk when possible. (For example, I order my favorite gluten free flour in bulk so we never run out!)
- When possible, make double recipes when you cook, and you’ll have enough to freeze for later! (Whether its another whole meal, extra banana bread to pull out for breakfast, or even homemade cookies!)
I try to keep in mind that every nutrient counts; every bite of food my loved ones take can either help them or harm them. Since, I am the one who makes the shopping lists, plans the meals, does the cooking, this is my responsibility. It’s up to me, and I like that. I feel a great sense of joy in providing food that I know will grow healthy bodies and keep them that way. And the best part? Our kids are watching, participating, and learning to do the same. I know they will be prepared to care for their own future families in the same way, and for that I am filled with relief.
So, back I go into the kitchen of the royal palace of the Lord and Lady of Glutenshire…oops, there I go again. But I wasn’t kidding when I told you it was quite the tale, right? I hope that our food story helps to put your mind and heart at ease. When you go to shop and cook for your family, you remember to think about our little “castle kitchen” and how it works. No matter what your family kitchen has looked like in the past, you can change your family’s health starting with your next meal. Get the kids involved…find the joy…worry about the mess later.
If you need some ideas on which brands are great for gluten free cooking, or just cooking from scratch, here are some of my other favorite items to get you started!
- Bob’s Red Mill ground flaxseed
- Bob’s Red Mill ground corn meal
- Bob’s Red Mill 1-1 gluten free flour
- Bob’s Red Mill Potato Starch
- Fully loaded spice rack, and free refills for 5 years
- Schar gluten free bread
- Schar gluten free pasta
- Jovial Crushed tomatoes (non-GMO, organic, in glass)
- Mayorga Organics Whole Bean Coffee (Mayan blend, 2 lb)
- Kirkland Signature Organic Whole Bean Coffee (2 lb)
- Traditional Medicinals Peppermint Tea
- Traditional Medicinals Lemon Detox Tea
- Traditional Medicinals Chamomile with Lavender Tea
- Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy Tea