If you are reading this, you know I like to try to cook with wholesome, zero-to-minimally-processed ingredients. I have realized (mostly through blogging) how many people there are out there who are way further along with this than I am. I’ve learned that there is a lot more that others are doing. For example, there are many more products that I could be making myself (yogurt, kefir, condiments, bread, canned goods, etc.), buying directly from the producer (dairy, meat, etc.), or buying a more natural version of (rapadura, honey, etc.) I hope to make changes in some of these areas in the future. But, you know that I occasionally buy convenience foods... like the other week I bought bologna and Kraft cheese slices for my husband because they were on sale. I don’t want to think about what is in them. I ate them too. Anyways, all this is to say that I am pretty satisfied with the progress I have made so far. I try to keep in mind that sometimes some things have just got to give, for my sanity’s sake. So overall, in my own eyes, I have a long way to go before I could be considered health freak. Just so you know.
But, I have a dilemma sometimes when I have to cook for other people. (Like when we get together with friends.) They usually don’t have the same viewpoint on food as I do. To them, I am a health freak and they are normal. So, I usually make what I think they would like to eat, not necessarily what I think we should eat. But then I have issues with feeding them something that I consider inferior or less nutritious. But I know that they don’t feel that way. They would prefer coffee cake over whole-wheat muffins, for example. All they care about is how the food tastes to them. I admit, that is a nice change for me, because it is easier than cooking from scratch, and I don’t want to go to extra trouble when they would not appreciate it. I guess it is just the principle of it. I don’t like lowering my standards.
Oh well. There are way bigger issues in the world.
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4 comments:
I too struggle to cook and eat as naturally as possible. The problem I have is it takes time. I find myself in the kitchen all day every day. I am starting to learn to streamline this and trying some new shortcuts. As far as brining foods for gifts and potlucks I go with mainstream cooking and ingredients. I would rather people like what I bring because most don't understand or appreciate wholesome food. Even for us it took a while to get used to it.
http://www.organizingconnection.com/Blog.aspx
I totally struggle with this. We entertain a lot and have gotten so used to the taste of homemade foods or some of the substitutes I use. Every once in a while, I'll see the look on someone's face when they realize my "ground beef" dish doesn't taste like what they're used to (b/c it's turkey and not full of sodium and fat!) or other areas that I adjust ingredients. Plus it costs more - healthy food is by far more expensive than processed and most people don't care, so I agree with Nicole...kinda sad to feed them garbage, but if they eat it everyday anyway, one healthy meal won't help them.
I don't think healthful and flavor need to be put in opposition. We eat as naturally and healthfully as we can, and we still make cakes, cookies and things like that. We just use real butter, our farm fresh eggs, good chocolate, nuts, etc. We eat grass fed beef and drink raw milk. Other people have never commented on our food in terms of me being a health freak, and I entertain and cook for our church a lot. We use whole and organic foods as much as possible and nobody makes those health nut comments to us. So, I guess my question is what exactly is it that is so different for people who see/try what you eat? What is your concept of eating wholesome foods?
Ranee,
I agree with you, I think wholesome foods ought to taste good (and they do!). We eat our share of homemade desserts around here, too. I think most people that I know are just used to processed foods and junk foods, that is what is considered normal. So anything else is weird to them. The fact that I try to avoid things from a box is just not understood. Maybe it is the part of the country that we live in. I am enjoying the blogs out there that let me know I am really not that strange :)
Emily
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