tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40160614687101628702024-03-04T23:50:21.606-05:00Food, Mommy!Practical mom of two shares her journey to providing good food to her family and the unique parenting situations surrounding eating habits.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-81852974534522371952014-05-31T10:02:00.001-04:002014-05-31T10:02:27.534-04:00Saturday Morning Breakfast: Banana Nut Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4wmds1aH3JZs9XLqlQ5dWZd3J1gW0TEajtYliVGUEctyOKaCBKWnPIRE_QEj66NCj1sIdCvXJxOs89uUYbdx_9sSryvb0kL6FRKgRO4rG2AESpayor-FNWwUFQbWrjFK7HZMTEZ_Idql/s1600/2014-05-31+09.25.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4wmds1aH3JZs9XLqlQ5dWZd3J1gW0TEajtYliVGUEctyOKaCBKWnPIRE_QEj66NCj1sIdCvXJxOs89uUYbdx_9sSryvb0kL6FRKgRO4rG2AESpayor-FNWwUFQbWrjFK7HZMTEZ_Idql/s1600/2014-05-31+09.25.08.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
I hate wasting food, but I and my family are not big fans of eating brown bananas. The obvious thing to do with them was to make banana nut muffins, and they were delicious. Luckily I had a package of biscuit mix on hand (I just have to remember to replace it), and I always keep walnuts in the pantry. This recipe is super easy and adapted from my trusty Betty Crocker Cook Book:<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 400° F<br />
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2 large or 3 medium smashed bananas (you should have a cup to cup and a half)<br />
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil<br />
1 large egg (have you noticed that "large" eggs are not nearly as large as they used to be?)<br />
1/3 cup sugar<br />
2 cups biscuit mix (I use a package of <a href="http://www.weisenberger.com/default.asp" target="_blank">Weisenbergers</a> biscuit mix, produced in Midway, KY.)<br />
chopped walnuts or pecans (optional - but I use at least 3/4 cup of walnuts)<br />
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Mix well and place a couple Tbsp of batter in a 12-muffin pan (medium sized). Either grease the bottom of the cups with butter, spray, or oil, or use paper liners.<br />
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Cook about 15 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Check to see that they are cooked through by stabbing a large one with a toothpick. I shared this trick with my daughter this morning.<br />
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Remove from oven and let cool a few minutes.<br />
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Enjoy with milk and fresh fruit.<br />
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<br />Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-51851202253371978732014-05-29T15:44:00.000-04:002014-05-30T11:46:23.661-04:00The worst things I ever did to my diet<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Before I get started,
I’d like you to know there are a few points of very personal information in
this post. If you are not interested in my digestive system, then you may want
to hit the little “x” in the top right corner. But ever since Oprah, Dr. Oz,
and other personalities have gotten real about health, and poop, and
everything else icky that goes on in our bodies, I feel the need to be real as
well. Also, if you would like the skip all the history and details, go straight
to the bottom for my conclusion. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xhZLJRCRdgjMSxtJ7xOZcbb91UFtOEhNQYgMUDApnsKvuFOjMlb05I6n8GMNT-H-Zng28MX20LW6TpCklbaGvURdsPJFVyRHqPrGBbqFdlmstzP9nAVeVHKkzMCjoNjCG6zs6hbTPc8/s1600/belly+ache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xhZLJRCRdgjMSxtJ7xOZcbb91UFtOEhNQYgMUDApnsKvuFOjMlb05I6n8GMNT-H-Zng28MX20LW6TpCklbaGvURdsPJFVyRHqPrGBbqFdlmstzP9nAVeVHKkzMCjoNjCG6zs6hbTPc8/s1600/belly+ache.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
A few posts ago, I shared how I had gained some weight back over
the past two years because I let my old habits creep back into my life (<a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2014/02/time-for-wake-up-call.html">Time for a Wake-up Call</a>). While not happy, that’s life. I know my
triggers when it comes to overeating and not wanting to move beyond my office chair.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this time last summer, my stress levels were out of
control. I was away from home a lot because of work and all the kids’
activities, and I wore myself down. It made me sick. Very sick. Sick enough for
several trips to an ER and an infectious disease specialist. I was treated for
Lyme disease with a ghastly antibiotic, and I am convinced it did me more harm
than good. After 3 1/2 weeks on the couch and in bed, I finally started to feel
better. While Lyme disease was never confirmed and there was never an official diagnosis, I suspect I had the
recently named <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/heartland/">Heartland Virus</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Why is this important? For one, I gained 8 pounds over the
course of that sickness. Lucky me. The constant fevers wreaked havoc on my
metabolism, and I started feeling a bit depressed and wanted to do something about
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Unfortunately, I did not think that <a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2011/11/eating-healthy-has-paid-off.html" target="_blank">doing what has always worked for me in the past</a> was good enough this time – eating less processed and
fast foods, and working 20-30 minutes of exercise into my daily schedule. I
started watching infomercials and reading about the latest gimmicks, and let a
company convince me that I was not to blame, it was my aging body. Going
against everything I believe, I bought some dumb supplement that supposedly
convinces your body not to process carbs into stored fat. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I took these pills, full of cinnamon bark and other herbs, before every meal. After a month, I found that they did not deliver
any results and my belly started to ache. I quit taking the supplement, and my
gut continued to ache, nearly every day. Some days, the pain was not so bad,
and on others, it was excruciating. I wasn't sure what was to blame. Was it the
supplement? Was it from being sick and taking the antibiotic and eating
ibuprofen and acetaminophen like it was candy? Was it stress? Was all of this
causing me to get an ulcer?<o:p></o:p></div>
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During this entire time, and even now, I never once decided
to take myself to a doctor. That was probably mistake number one. But the whole
scenario reminded me of a conversation I had with John Moody, a local/whole
food advocate who once shared a stage with me to debate GMOs. He told me that
he had developed a very painful duodenal ulcer, and it healed once he removed
processed foods. Great. Remind yourself that I work for corn and wheat farmers,
which is in most everything that is processed. I was starting to let the “all processed
food is bad” Kool-Aid work its way into my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In month 5 of my belly dilemma, <a href="http://kycorn.blogspot.com/2014/02/finding-common-ground-and-corn-half.html" target="_blank">I traveled to South Africa</a>
with my leadership class. I got to experience some wonderful food, and I had
absolutely no belly aches the entire trip. So I began asking myself, “What did
I not eat in South Africa that I regularly eat at home?” I had wonderful vegetables and meats, but even processed GMO corn in the form of “pap” was on my plate every day. While there was not as much bread, I ate
pizza and pancakes, and still no pain. What was missing was milk. I was not
eating my regular breakfast cereal with cold milk as I do most every day of my
life. Was milk the culprit?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Soon after my return to the US, the belly pains returned, and I decided
that maybe milk was not helping my situation, and I could possibly be eating
too much gluten (everyone is jumping on that bandwagon these days, so why not
check it out). So I took a few no dairy or wheat days. I was shocked at how
flat my stomach was within those days. No gas, no bloating. I even lost a few
pounds. The pain was less intense, but my bowels
were not moving. I was getting plenty of fiber from fruits,
veggies and oatmeal, and drinking a half gallon of water or more each day. I had to resort to over the counter medication, and it
did not help much. Once I started eating bread and fiber cereal
again – with soy or almond milk – it was smooth sailing. New realization:
wheat is still my friend.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My focus was back on milk. Maybe I had become lactose
intolerant. Or maybe it was whey intolerance, or casein protein intolerance. I
read about so many food intolerances over the course of a couple of weeks my
head was spinning. And if you have ever read the symptoms of gluten
intolerance, anyone and everyone have experienced one of those symptoms
probably over the course of a week. No wonder everyone wants to cut it out of
their diet (before those with Celiac disease jump all over me, I do realize that
is a real problem). <o:p></o:p></div>
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I tried Lactaid milk, and found it absolutely disgusting and
very expensive. It spoils very quickly as well, making it even more expensive. I
called the local dairy group to see if any research had been done or if they
had any resources about dairy intolerances. I did not like replacing my regular
milk with soy or almond milk because of all the added sugar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My belly pain once again started to diminish. One morning I
felt pretty good, so I thought I would experiment and have a glass of milk. I
was in so much pain that day – all day. Yup, it’s milk. Or was it the four
chocolate covered donuts I ate throughout the day? Hmm?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I then resorted to keeping a food journal. That was about 3
weeks ago. I found that it was actually my healthier meals that were giving me the most
trouble. After doing this for two weeks, I was able to narrow it down to one
thing: cinnamon. And going back to when my troubles started… I was taking those
super concentrated cinnamon supplement pills. Even when I stopped taking them,
I still ate a lot of cinnamon because it is supposed to be good for you –
cinnamon every morning in my oatmeal and on at least 2 sweet potatoes a week. I can't believe I had missed something so obvious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I finally decided to bring a small amount of milk and dairy back into my diet. My belly
is not as flat for obvious reasons, but my bowels are the happiest they've been
in a long time. I've decide the good outweighs the bad.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Conclusion</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I have not eaten any cinnamon in the past week, and have not
had one bit of belly pain. Now I’m going to dig out those supplement pills from
the back of the pantry and ask for a refund. What I’m not going to do is tell
everyone to get rid of cinnamon in their diet. Everyone is unique. I am
surprised, however, at how quickly I was to blame so many other things and
rushed to eliminate entire food groups out of my diet because of something I read. We are told regularly that quick and drastic diet
changes are not good for our pets, so they are probably not so good for us either.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Based on my experience, here is my advice:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">If you are experiencing any type of digestive
issue, a trip to the doctor should be at the top of your list. I have yet to do
that, but it has taken me 8 months to figure out and address my problem.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Keep a food journal, writing down everything you
eat and when your pain/annoyance is the greatest. But keep it simple. If you
are eating a lot of processed foods with many ingredients, it will be very
difficult to narrow down the culprit.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Ditch the gimmicks. If something sounds too good
to be true, it probably is. I let a fancy sales pitch play to my emotions – I was
feeling bad about myself and wanted to be convinced it was nothing I was doing
on my own. Just write “fool” across my forehead!</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Get rid of the stress in your life! You are the
best to figure out how to do that, but stress doesn't do anyone a bit of good. Letting
stress take over my life paved the way to a number of problems.</span></li>
</ol>
Thanks for reading, and may peace be with you.<br />
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Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-82929058589716394372014-02-27T15:37:00.000-05:002014-02-27T15:37:35.160-05:00It's National Chili Day - My Favorite Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3li7o8vjZKTbEEuPtyoIAYWZ4dCpa0AGv_dFlWGK7HTb7O352M4liIJq_0ynYH1OU8-ty7otrBfihCWkslK44Hcx0DmHZfH3fjJp4I9lDWKYGUHIdNK7K8xJ1CafrSFdrKg_33pBWY50/s1600/chili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3li7o8vjZKTbEEuPtyoIAYWZ4dCpa0AGv_dFlWGK7HTb7O352M4liIJq_0ynYH1OU8-ty7otrBfihCWkslK44Hcx0DmHZfH3fjJp4I9lDWKYGUHIdNK7K8xJ1CafrSFdrKg_33pBWY50/s1600/chili.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have always loved chili, especially during the colder months. In honor of National Chili Day, here is my favorite recipe, developed over time with inspiration from my Pop, mama and husband (he introduced me to Rotel). I have been using venison steak only for the past few years, as I just think it makes it more rustic and more Kentucky!<div>
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Brown cubed venison or beef (venison will not need to be drained of fat)<br />Add a cup of chopped onion during browning<br />1 can of Rotel tomatoes with chiles (original)<br />1 15 oz can of petite diced tomatoes<br />1 regular can of tomato sauce (I fill can with water and add to chile - I like a thinner consistency)<br />2 can dark red kidney beans<br />Season with your favorite chili powder mix (I like McCormick's)<br />Cook on medium heat for about 20 minutes, then reduce to low for another 10.<br /><br />My family insists on me adding spaghetti noodles. I will add about one serving size, al dente, just a few minutes before serving, sometimes. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. A dollop of sour cream if you wish.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-83174145152185380982014-02-25T07:15:00.000-05:002014-02-25T07:15:28.176-05:00Time for a Wake-up Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank goodness for time to reflect. Last week I was feeling
pretty lousy. Worthless, actually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My daughter needed a few immunizations to be up to date with
school. While at the doctor, they performed the various battery of tests for
her 11-year checkup. I was thrilled that her weight was well within the
“normal” range for her height, despite her genetic obstacles from both sides. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, we were told she had glucose in her urine, which
prompted a blood sugar test. It was higher than it should be. I was told that
since this was not a fasting test, that we should not be too alarmed, but
something to be careful about. A myriad of excuses went through my head: they
fed her a bad lunch at school, she wasn't drinking enough water, and maybe she
is just intolerant of refined carbs. Of course not one of these was based on
any medical expertise, but I just could not muster that it was anything I had
any control over. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The doctor then said that if any of the other tests were
concerning, they would call and let us know. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I got a call the next day. Her cholesterol level was just a
few points shy of being “high.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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My heart sank. I felt like a worthless parent. It had to be
me. I got lax. I slowly started to let too much fast, fatty, highly-processed food
back into our diet because we are just too busy. I wasn't encouraging play time
and exercise as much as I should, because I was not making time for myself. I was
doing exactly what I write about not doing. What a fraud I had become.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now I guess anyone can see why this blog has taken a back
seat for the last year. My heart just was not in it. I wasn’t practicing what I
was preaching. And it shows. I worked very hard to lose 35 pounds by just
eating better and exercising more over the course of 18 months. Fifteen of
those pounds have crept back on the past 12 to 18 months. And I am weak. I
could easily do 25 push-ups (real ones) and run three miles. I can no longer get
through my favorite Jillian Michaels video taking periodic breaks. She would be
screaming in my face. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But this is not about me. Who cares if there was no way in
Hades I was going to take a bathing suit to my trip to South Africa earlier
this year. This is about my children. They are so important to me. To feel I
have contributed to their bad health make me feel as if I am the worst mother
in the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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While I really wanted to crawl in a hole, I have instead
pulled on the muck boots to make a plan. Or, I guess, revisit the old plan (<a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/reinventing-our-plate.html">Reinventing Our Plate</a>) .
There was absolutely nothing wrong with what we were doing before. I just let
too many other not-as-important things move their way to the top of the list. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So here’s to a rebirth and unfailing commitment. My daughter
seems to be all for it. She’s not fighting the healthier dinners, and we have a
plan for one cheat meal a week, as long as we keep portions under control. The
little one is happy no matter what food I put in front of him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last night we had turkey burgers sans bun, baked sweet
potato fries and steamed broccoli. I will need to be creative tonight, as we
have Karate practice (something new for son, but daughter said she also enjoyed
the trial class), a small window for dinner, followed by a 4-H meeting. But I’m
up for the challenge, again. </div>
Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-68634428938391802382013-02-21T16:14:00.000-05:002014-02-25T07:17:29.335-05:00This Mom is Thankful for FrankenfoodYes, I work for farmers who choose to grow genetically
modified corn and soybeans. I am able to read research defending the benefits
of modified crops to farmers, the environment, and ultimately the growing human
population. I also have friends who work for Monsanto, as well as other seed
companies, who sell and market genetically modified hybrids. I smiled when I
saw that environmental activist Mark Lynas changed his position from condemning genetically modified
foods to celebrating them. But in the end, I am NOT defending GMOs or “Frankenfoods”
for these reasons. I have a better one.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have witnessed a huge shift for the better in our food
system in the past few years. I see more people interested in food and wanting
to know how it is produced. I see more people wanting to purchase food from
small, local or organic farmers, and this shift is providing a wonderful
opportunity for those willing to provide these foods. Others want to produce their own food, which
is also a step in the right direction to foster future food security. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Having options is good for both the consumer and the
producers. Competition is good for business and the economy. I don’t necessarily
like that it takes people screaming with fear to have this change happen, but
nonetheless, we are moving in a great direction for agriculture. I will continue to share as much information that I can to help others make informed decisions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And I am sure there are many out there who do not or will not share my glorified
opinion of GMOs, and I am fine with that. If someone is looking for non GMO, I
will gladly point them in the direction of an organic farmer. I want to see
them prosper as well.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-60693942481958993722013-01-08T11:58:00.000-05:002013-01-08T12:04:55.418-05:00My 3-Year-Old Son Used the “F” Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-6EMNssP0kHJpqivEiWEUQx9cC6gKEnQ-cM7qM6NISrH8CYja9NghMGM0H-7eQ-lE7A8IBKOwFZzerd9Mc7xf1pfNgKHRnFIyJHW7QBfuFJrFvAo5XVHt831juR8QZBIlq-yYv8KXVjf/s1600/fat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-6EMNssP0kHJpqivEiWEUQx9cC6gKEnQ-cM7qM6NISrH8CYja9NghMGM0H-7eQ-lE7A8IBKOwFZzerd9Mc7xf1pfNgKHRnFIyJHW7QBfuFJrFvAo5XVHt831juR8QZBIlq-yYv8KXVjf/s1600/fat.jpg" /></a></div>
The word is probably not what you are thinking, but
nonetheless, it appalled me. Where did he learn to use the word “fat?”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was watching a Discovery Health show about a 600-pound mom
while my son was playing in the floor. He looked up at the television and said,
“Wow. She’s really big. She’s fat.” Aack. My first reaction was to tell him, “Yes,
she is big, but it’s not nice to say that someone is ‘fat’. It can hurt their
feelings.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had been so very careful when raising my older daughter to
never use that word when referring to anyone, and I scolded family members who
did use the word in front of her. I never wanted her to judge anyone by their
appearance or worry that someone may use that word to describe her appearance.
People rarely use that word to describe someone they like, so it is not a word
in our vocabulary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So have I become more lax? Do I need to reinforce my
expectations with caregivers and family who are with my kids? I was not ready
to have this conversation with my son, but I guess it could have been worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My inquisitive boy began to ask more questions. “How did she
get like that?” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“She ate too much food, and food that was not healthy for
her,” I replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I was able to
turn it into a conversation about what is healthy food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What types of food are good for you?” He said he thought
Craisins, milk and nuts were good for him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What are types of bad food?” He said pizza and candy. Then
he sat there a minute and asked, “Then why do you let me eat pizza?” Great, he
turned it around on me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Well, I don’t let you eat pizza all the time, and I don’t
let you eat a lot of it.” Thank goodness that was the end of the talk, but I
know it will come up again. In fact, this morning he informed me that his
current cereal of choice was not healthy. I have decided not to share it
because I don’t know if I want anyone to know that I purchased it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, I am still sad that he learned what the word
means and felt the need to use it. The good news, however, is that this was one
more opportunity for us to talk about healthy eating, and I’m proud that my
preschooler is thinking about it. I praise God every day that I was blessed
with good eaters and we have no food allergies in my house. I also praise God
that I am able to set good examples for them and provide the food they need.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But my mission is now to find the culprit who taught him
that awful 3-letter word and give them a lecture about loving others and
themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-51997546616911703562012-12-05T15:33:00.001-05:002012-12-05T15:33:36.963-05:00Reducing Your Environmental Footprint and Waistline: STOP USING THE DRIVE-THRU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZiGQY11b3tWBAm-xbVBJDEIRO1ZXPRz5cgE_6bjNKfqrAEZoXFfmTX76ba3XswpNdCHXDdX2Ny0aCIcGc-n0DyTiPxSlrn7_4YBgpmkE5tC-Az5JaOkF7HZAsoMSN4sVLO9796cFPUQ/s400/fastfood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZiGQY11b3tWBAm-xbVBJDEIRO1ZXPRz5cgE_6bjNKfqrAEZoXFfmTX76ba3XswpNdCHXDdX2Ny0aCIcGc-n0DyTiPxSlrn7_4YBgpmkE5tC-Az5JaOkF7HZAsoMSN4sVLO9796cFPUQ/s320/fastfood.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I do not abhor the fast food industry. In fact, I use it way
more than I should because of the convenience. However, the more I sit in
drive-thru lines the more I start to realize how awful this “convenience” is
for our environment and our health.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">How much pollution is poured into the atmosphere during idle
time? How much energy are we wasting by going absolutely nowhere? How easy is
it for us to mindlessly eat when all we have to do is stick our arm out of the
car window and demand food? I don’t know the real answers to these questions,
but I am sure it is unbelievable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Therefore, I am making a pledge to stop using the
drive-thru. If I need to use a restaurant, I will make myself park and walk in.
I also pledge to not eat in the car (something I was never allowed to do in my grandparent’s
car as a kid). It will make me think more about what I and my family are eating
as well as improve safety conditions. How often do we choose food that is “easy
to consume while driving” instead of opting for a more healthy choice? I also
admit that it will keep me honest; I can’t tell you how many times I have gone through
the drive-thru needing an emotional pick-me-up and have then hidden it from the husband
and kids. BAD, BAD, BAD!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also want to take this time to scold all the husbands out
there who sleep out in the grocery store parking lots in idling cars. GO
SHOPPING WITH YOUR WIFE! It will save you gas money, improve the air, and allow
you to spend quality time with the Mrs!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, drive-thru days for me are over. What about you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.louisvilleky.gov/APCD/Idling/" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">More about being Idle-Free</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - Proud of what is being done in my hometown! </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2010/0802/Birthplace-of-the-drive-thru-bans-them-to-curb-obesity" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Birthplace of the drive-thru bans them to curb obesity</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2012/01/spoiled-and-lazy.html" target="_blank">Spoiled and Lazy?</a> - </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">Previous Food, Mommy post about convenience food:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.kyfoodandfarm.blogspot.com/2012/11/supporting-local-farmers-through-fast.html" target="_blank">Supporting Local Farmers Through Fast Food?</a> - my post on Kentucky Food & Farm Files</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-49941560504984825032012-12-03T16:16:00.001-05:002012-12-03T16:16:54.191-05:00Don't Count Me OutIt has been a while since I've posted. I regularly see bloggers apologizing for having long periods of absence, but I don't want to do that. What I needed to do was regroup and figure out what my real goals were and how to best achieve them.<br />
<br />
Therefore I have been devoting my time to a new project which feels more professional and less personal; this is really what my slightly unsocial personality needed. You can see what I've been up to at <a href="http://www.kyfoodandfarm.com/" target="_blank">www.kyfoodandfarm.com</a>. While I am not a die-hard locavore, I do enjoy promoting agriculture within my state. I LOVE KENTUCKY!<br />
<br />
The better news, however, is that my nine-year-old daughter Eden wants to start writing for "Food, Mommy!". In all honestly this makes perfect sense. She and her brother are the one's demanding food from me and I'm sure she can offer an interesting perspective. While she would really love to have cookies and cake at every meal, she really knows that is not what is best for her. This also let's me encourage her writing skills... she is pretty darn good at it. She'll be posting very soon, and already has a schedule for drafts, revisions and publishing dates. She must get that from her engineer father.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChg7eKFHAK3b4MGwUdpRxw4exMjZJiLpSyLXtM6rpBMBLIs-RCP5fWNB_jiZDWJBpmDu5hiwLQhyphenhyphenex5hcKt620on4UV2496JhjcSa3mR59yb2LcHNFjUQ81-Fu4FGkbA6MUoWV7BgXAG6/s1600/2012-12-01+11.56.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChg7eKFHAK3b4MGwUdpRxw4exMjZJiLpSyLXtM6rpBMBLIs-RCP5fWNB_jiZDWJBpmDu5hiwLQhyphenhyphenex5hcKt620on4UV2496JhjcSa3mR59yb2LcHNFjUQ81-Fu4FGkbA6MUoWV7BgXAG6/s400/2012-12-01+11.56.59.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I will still post, when something moves me. You can also find me on Pinterest now (darn that site). Follow me at<a href="http://pinterest.com/kyfoodandfarm/" target="_blank"> http://pinterest.com/kyfoodandfarm/</a>. Twitter: @foodmommy Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy">https://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy</a><br />
<br />
And, let us know if there is something you want us to write about. We will be glad to take requests.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEm4mUl5nL2oY5wQopC4fzzhdkg-OamXuMWsRYOzuzpK2GIRWE8p0B6rSIHJNcfAB66zycazUic6pJMIZK_p7lmTxWRMe1i_4HoX_dEvatnvZPI1pT6ftU9k9cKYLuWaXj_QbRzpoPIgo/s1600/signature.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEm4mUl5nL2oY5wQopC4fzzhdkg-OamXuMWsRYOzuzpK2GIRWE8p0B6rSIHJNcfAB66zycazUic6pJMIZK_p7lmTxWRMe1i_4HoX_dEvatnvZPI1pT6ftU9k9cKYLuWaXj_QbRzpoPIgo/s1600/signature.png" /></a></div>
<br />Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-80176219803329784392012-08-28T15:31:00.004-04:002012-08-28T15:31:44.629-04:00Oops, I Did It Again!<b>Teaching Your Kids to Have Life-long Healthy Habits</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1606AgguqBDi7U8iwMRO_R3LjQCs_VnHwM6WFjUu7vYbvz0CsPzdMrh2yxjvXV073Af1_mr4-rwQPYDdnCiNFZJ0WexP5L-06PK0fhbh-eU7My3rGlkftUAW8XEFjpC_UoncKJ8huT6F/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1606AgguqBDi7U8iwMRO_R3LjQCs_VnHwM6WFjUu7vYbvz0CsPzdMrh2yxjvXV073Af1_mr4-rwQPYDdnCiNFZJ0WexP5L-06PK0fhbh-eU7My3rGlkftUAW8XEFjpC_UoncKJ8huT6F/s320/IMG_0359.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's amazing what my kid will eat. This is a<br />raw "Sunny Delight" squash from our garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This entire summer, I have made less than 10 attempts to exercise. I quit working on my <a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2012/03/first-inspiration.html" target="_blank">push-ups</a> and can now only do 10. I gave in to my 9-year-old daughter's constant objections to our daily exercise routine of jumping jacks and sit-ups. We planned to walk the 3 mile loop in the neighborhood nearly every evening, but several 100+ degree days put a stop to that as well. I also quit getting on the scale so I would not remind myself that I once again fell off the "work out" wagon. And I may preach a big "<a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/reinventing-our-plate.html" target="_blank">eat healthy most of the time</a>" game, but I have found myself running through the drive through way too many times the last few months.<br />
<br />
Why is it so hard for me to stick with what I know is good for me and my family? Quick answer: These are not habits I have followed my entire life.<br />
<br />
My point here is not to blame the habits I created in childhood on my parents or grandparents, or school lunches or fast food--it may quite possibly have as much to do with how my brain is programmed--but what I do know is that I need to start creating healthy habits in my children TODAY and EVERY DAY. The more important part of this challenge for me will be sticking with it. I don't want my children thinking it's okay to "give up" on something because it is not easy.<br />
<br />
So with renewed conviction, my kids and I will map out a plan this evening that works for our family that includes daily exercise, less convenience food and NO EXCUSES!<br />
<br />
I would love to hear how you are working to create life-long healthy habits for your kids. Comment here or visit me at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/foodmommy">www.facebook.com/foodmommy</a>.<br />
<br />
Tools and Resources:<br />
<br />
Nourish Interactive - <a href="http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/44-printable-tracker-food-diaries-kids-healthy-goals-tracking-sheets-new" target="_blank">Healthy Habit Goal Tracking Sheets</a><br />
<br />
American Heart Association - <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1559677336"></span>Help Children Develop Healthy Habits<span id="goog_1559677337"></span></a><br />
<br />
Sesame Street - <a href="http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/healthyhabits" target="_blank">Healthy Habits for Life</a><br />
<br />
Super Healthy Kids - <a href="http://blog.superhealthykids.com/" target="_blank">http://blog.superhealthykids.com/</a>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-79676450621000154832012-07-11T16:55:00.000-04:002012-07-11T16:55:20.764-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Maybe I Won't Spray the Squash<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3kUiO4japFVn2YoQPHLwdbuZLK9Ut2WM006e63DoE695_g64QQ6_2MQbrBDM-ONxUggcuH0rU5tNorWy-7m9329VeFw9f4g7cDWqpICUUhrcCPmJKFykk6Ezpd_o4sGxxMEIRYroS2E/s1600/squashblossom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3kUiO4japFVn2YoQPHLwdbuZLK9Ut2WM006e63DoE695_g64QQ6_2MQbrBDM-ONxUggcuH0rU5tNorWy-7m9329VeFw9f4g7cDWqpICUUhrcCPmJKFykk6Ezpd_o4sGxxMEIRYroS2E/s400/squashblossom.jpg" title="squash blossom with honey bees" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is what I found this morning in my little garden. In fact, most of the blossoms were sporting 2-4 bees. I was given a reminder of why it may not be best to spray insecticides in every situation. The cucumbers beetles are not in great numbers at the moment, so I'm just squishing the ones I find. </div>
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I'm still not sure how my harvest will turn out, but for now I will enjoy all of the buzzing. <br />The bees seem very happy!</div>
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Related Posts: <a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2012/07/outsmarting-nature.html">Outsmarting Nature</a></div>
<br />Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-41461206378193531142012-07-09T08:00:00.000-04:002012-07-09T08:00:06.065-04:00Outsmarting Nature<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people would like to see food production go “back to
nature,” and I think that sounds like a fabulous idea. But where I live, Nature
could care less if my family eats. I have tried raising backyard chickens for
eggs, and vegetables in a small garden, and I have been met with challenge after challenge. My latest
challenges have more than two legs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseWgvJgZ0VSmunjV73qLL5dHR1KQo6Ghlw-8pFqMl3zC8QtexalLrFxN4E5fv2Ht4qBzdcNJH7AoKSIQrQhY863XtzKb0Iugn9_h-JoeDvnBuftZHEao99oUpE8W2YgdVihqHrOkrWwfR/s1600/hens2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseWgvJgZ0VSmunjV73qLL5dHR1KQo6Ghlw-8pFqMl3zC8QtexalLrFxN4E5fv2Ht4qBzdcNJH7AoKSIQrQhY863XtzKb0Iugn9_h-JoeDvnBuftZHEao99oUpE8W2YgdVihqHrOkrWwfR/s320/hens2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest in peace, girls. :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">I’m posting this because my chicken coop has officially
become a playhouse for the kids. The last of my beautiful, jumbo-egg laying
hens are gone, becoming another meal for the local wildlife. I commented on an
article in my local paper about urban chicken farming, saying that maybe an
urban backyard may be the ideal place for raising chickens, since my woodland
home has become a banquet hall for hungry predators. Someone was quick to “educate”
me, telling me I needed to provide them a coop so they would roost. Thanks for
the tip, but my chicken mansion had Fort Knox-like security at night. It provided
not an ounce of safety, however, for my free-rangers during the day from
coyotes and hawks. If I try it again, the days of go-where-you-want will not be
an option for my girls. And some wonder why commercial chicken producers keep
their birds in houses. Hmmm – cruelty or protecting your investment and the
food supply?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN8hBhjF-64tkz_h8LlifCSxrf1R3xFgW1S3LPKPI3Vph7l3YW3vFncs-t14tjZNiCGNFvVnXIdNvHfIqBFWEZZ31S1jFdPoeCA0KIB60Bqdc-7VxAk9LMWO33qcWp4ElCyQPSKGhPjwF/s1600/spotcuke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN8hBhjF-64tkz_h8LlifCSxrf1R3xFgW1S3LPKPI3Vph7l3YW3vFncs-t14tjZNiCGNFvVnXIdNvHfIqBFWEZZ31S1jFdPoeCA0KIB60Bqdc-7VxAk9LMWO33qcWp4ElCyQPSKGhPjwF/s1600/spotcuke.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cucumber beetles. Thank you, Ric Bessin, entomologist<br />
friend at the University of Kentucky, for the photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to my latest chicken chapter, we also attempted
a small garden. It is close enough to the house that the deer and rabbits have
not been visiting, but the Cucumber beetles absolutely love the squash and cucumbers
that I have provided for them. Since I do not have to rely on this garden to
feed my family, I have not used any chemical pesticides. I would go out occasionally and
knock them away, but didn’t discover their damage early enough. They were
clipping off all the blossoms. No blossoms, no fruit. Did I mention that I also
have a mysterious, volunteer gourd growing near the garden? The Cucumber
beetles really like that one, too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">I obtained the vegetable seeds from Seminis, which is
currently marketing a much-talked-about genetically modified hybrid sweet corn
called Obsession II. I asked their marketing team recently if any of my seeds
were genetically modified, and they said, “no.” I put in a request for beetle
resistant squash. If that does not happen soon, and I expect to have any decent
harvest, I believe I’ll have to go to chemical warfare. Maybe organic methods work
in other places and growing systems, but I have yet to be successful with them.
I even had a conversation with an organic farmer in Nebraska explaining that I
have had no luck growing cabbage. And to my surprise she said, “That’s why we
don’t grow cabbage.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMplSvsSl9R3BP4fel_rV6VUjbMTwKg5D8WNEnz33AJNZ8Jvr1ebubwIviJT9NJ1MtCLw4ndrw94YKkJ8e_CAWiGMgkhDrvanz-eLlsff56FhPT0mFd0akFY_wJyhDiZqhTrlBT1SFQMN/s1600/cabbage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMplSvsSl9R3BP4fel_rV6VUjbMTwKg5D8WNEnz33AJNZ8Jvr1ebubwIviJT9NJ1MtCLw4ndrw94YKkJ8e_CAWiGMgkhDrvanz-eLlsff56FhPT0mFd0akFY_wJyhDiZqhTrlBT1SFQMN/s320/cabbage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My chewed up cabbage from last year. Something enjoyed it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Our final challenge this spring and summer has been the insects that feed on me and my animals: ticks, mosquitoes, horse flies, deer flies and chiggers, as well as the diseases they
are known to carry. I've tried just about every product and method available,
and the only real relief comes from dousing my kids head to toe with Deep Woods
Off every trip outdoors. I can only imagine what that stuff is doing to our
bodies as we breathe and soak it in. Nothing works for the horses (but our bond
grows stronger every summer because they know I am pleased to provide them a
good scratch or squash a juicy horse fly). I am waiting for some smart person to develop a pill or
injectable medicine to keep the little bloodsuckers off our skin. </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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My challenges are not unique. Our farmers face similar adversity every day, and they are using technology and better management methods to help keep nature from destroying the food supply:</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Crop rotation and natural predators</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Crop protection products</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Structures for plants and animals</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Conventionally-bred hybrids</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Irrigation</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Genetically modified varieties that withstand drought and pests, and allow more efficient pesticide use</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Vaccines and antibiotics that keep animals healthy</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Maintaining wildlife refuge areas</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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And I even know of a vaccine that controls horn flies <span style="background-color: white;">on cattle (</span><a href="http://www.flyvax.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">www.flyvax.com</a><span style="background-color: white;">) that could significantly reduce their stress. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Are there any of these methods that you approve of? Any you don't? Are some okay to use when maintaining a lawn or golf course, but not on food? If you do not want antibiotics used for meat animals, does that mean you would forego the same medicine for your child or pet to manage antibiotic resistance? If you don't want any trace of pesticide residues on your produce, does that mean you don't use manufactured pharmaceuticals in your own body. Are their methods you feel do more damage than good?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">On one hand I appreciate technology—where would be without it? Hungry, diseased, dead?—but on the my semi-misanthropic hand, I </span><span style="background-color: white;">sometimes</span><span style="background-color: white;"> blame technology for growing the population in the first place, thus providing us the challenge of finding, using and growing the resources to sustain weaker selves. And I understand why </span><span style="background-color: white;">some blame technology for creating more challenges or environmental problems, like antibiotic resistance or reductions in beneficial insect populations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Coyote_by_Rebecca_Richardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Coyote_by_Rebecca_Richardson.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I happen to mention one of these<br />
ran 25 ft. behind me and kids on Saturday<br />
night? I've had just about all of "nature"<br />
that I can stand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Some believe going </span><b>back to basics</b><span style="background-color: white;"> (no pesticides, no manufactured fertilizers, no genetic modification, no animal confinement) will put the Earth back into a more natural </span><b>balance</b><span style="background-color: white;">, as "God intended." </span><span style="background-color: white;">This philosophy may actually work for some farmers and gardeners. And these food producers have a pretty good base of customers and supporters in our current day. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">But i</span><span style="background-color: white;">s going back to the
beginning really the answer? Do we sit back and pray for the best, or do we use the
minds that God gave us to continually outsmart the nature He created in order to flourish?</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">The biggest issue I have is that
some are encouraging our lawmakers and regulators to restrict the use of
technology and dictate how food should be produced. Based on my experience, I
don’t think there is any way we could produce enough food for our increasing
population using 19</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white;"> century farming methods. I also know that some technologies may need to change</span>
— <span style="background-color: white;">or get better</span>
— <span style="background-color: white;">to protect the Earth and future generations.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">What I find as the silver lining here is that I think <b>we can
have it all</b> – enough food for everyone, today and in the future, with less strain on our environment. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I believe environmental
responsibility is a value shared by all farmers, whether they are USDA
certified organic, heritage seed savers, or the 3000-acre corn farmer using the
latest genetically-modified variety so she does not have to spray as much
pesticide or use as much fuel. I see a future of farmers working together for that common goal, and it may be as simple as a crop farmer having a conversation with his bee-keeping neighbor to manage when is the best time to spray any insecticides.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> But farmers must be able to choose what works
best for their climate and the nature-created challenges on our changing planet. At my house, that may be GMO squash and a shotgun.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">In the end, I believe that nature will continue to change, and organisms will continue to adapt. The winner will be the one that adapts the quickest. And if a manufactured technology is what it takes to prevail, I will not pass judgment. Nature is a beast, and I want to survive! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><i>Feel free to follow me on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy">http://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy</a> or on Twitter: @foodmommy.</i></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-91945914948127803512012-07-06T10:00:00.000-04:002012-07-06T15:31:45.613-04:00Friday Forward: “No Antibiotics Ever” Does Not Equate to Safer Meat<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW37FW7LxgavEw89-QIW35pfqMXoK0wcUMNeLQXklJOZXq8SalE8V_TDW1Q8Y1gR44EQNd6QBjnwyYOMBoNXkgKap1O2oiJU5qVlW4aHHrwQreIQLG5L3llahTr-KotnuTaSjt9dxunA9/s1600/raw+steaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW37FW7LxgavEw89-QIW35pfqMXoK0wcUMNeLQXklJOZXq8SalE8V_TDW1Q8Y1gR44EQNd6QBjnwyYOMBoNXkgKap1O2oiJU5qVlW4aHHrwQreIQLG5L3llahTr-KotnuTaSjt9dxunA9/s320/raw+steaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last night I was watching my local NBC affiliate news. “You’ll
want to hear what could be in your meat when we return,” caught my attention.
It was a good 15 minutes before the story appeared (a tactic no doubt to get me
to stay tuned – reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit many years ago). The
segment was the health reporter repackaging a story released by Consumer Reports about antibiotic use in meat and food labels.
I was very unhappy with what I saw and heard, so I just had to respond. This is
what I sent to the reporter:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Hi, XXXX. I appreciate all of the health info you cover, but
I was a little disappointed about tonight’s “Antibiotics in meat/superbugs”
story that aired tonight. I think it was very misleading (wish I could refer
back, but the video is not offered online - UPDATE it is not featured on the homepage, but I'm not sharing a bad story!).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While I don’t believe anyone can discredit that routine feeding
of antibiotics to animals, as well as overuse and misuse of antibiotics in
humans contributes to resistance, my “take-a-way” from the story was that
superbugs occurred in meat only from animals that were fed antibiotics any time
in their lives. You led the viewers to believe that if they purchased meat that
says “No antibiotics ever” or “Organic,” this would be a safer option. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have talked to a local meat processor, and I learned that
superbugs can be in any meat from anywhere, whether they were given antibiotics
or not. But, I did not hear the Consumer Reports lady say they tested any meat
and found superbugs. In fact, she didn’t say she tested meat at all. While
contamination can occur, meat is routinely tested. This would have been an
excellent opportunity to stress that all meat should be cooked to the
recommended internal temperature. Food safety is critical. It would have also
been helpful to relay that all animals must be antibiotic free when they arrive
at the processor. USDA routinely checks this and removes any contaminated
product they may find. In fact, they have stepped up their monitoring process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also noted the comment that routine antibiotics are given
because of “unsanitary conditions”, another assumption. Have you ever visited a
commercial poultry house? I have, and could not get over how much cleaner and
less stinky it was than some more “natural” operations I have visited. (I have also
now learned that routine antibiotic use is no longer industry practice - <a href="http://meatblogger.org/2010/07/08/40-years-of-industry-experience-offers-opinion-about-antibiotic-use-in-livestock/" target="_blank">40 years of industry experience offersopinion about antibiotic use in livestock</a>.)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Lastly, I would like to encourage you to utilize the
knowledge of our many Kentucky farmers for stories about food. Get a farmer’s
perspective on why he or she may need to give antibiotics (I would be more
inclined to eat a healthy animal than one that has been sick). Ask how
antibiotic use has changed and how the livestock industry is addressing this
issue. If you ever need help finding the farmers to talk to, I would be glad to
put you in touch with them. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Here is a great post from <a href="http://www.johnscustommeats.com/" target="_blank">John’s Custom Meats</a> – farm and meat processor in Bowling Green – that explains the issue at hand: <a href="http://www.johnscustommeats.blogspot.com/2010/09/increased-federal-beef-oversight-needed.html#more">http://www.johnscustommeats.blogspot.com/2010/09/increased-federal-beef-oversight-needed.html#more</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I hate thinking this story was a way to get people to stay
tuned to the end of the broadcast. It got my attention, but I wish the story
was covered from all sides. I’m afraid people will be led to believe certain
meat products are safer, when in fact they are not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
Jennifer Elwell<br />
Blog: “Food, Mommy!” <a href="http://www.foodmommy.net/">www.foodmommy.net</a>
<br />
Twitter @foodmommy<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">I was also able to call on Kentucky farmer and meat
processor Amy of John’s Custom Meats to tell me more. She offered this:</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">FSIS </span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">(USDA
Food Safety and Inspection Service) <i>is
revamping the residue testing program. There is a new (and more
accurate...better) test available that they will be using. In addition, they
are increasing the amount of testing being done.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Here's
the link to the FSIS press release</span> </i><i><a href="http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News/NR_070212_02/index.asp" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; text-decoration: none;">http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News/NR_070212_02/index.asp</span></a></i><span style="color: #333333;"><br />
<br />
<i><span style="background-color: white;">Translation: This is a good thing!<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></span><i><img alt="Description: https://s-static.ak.facebook.com/images/blank.gif" border="0" height="1" src="file:///C:\Users\Jennifer\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="1" /></i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The new test method can test for a whole
multitude of residues all from one sample. This will provide a more accurate
baseline to zero in on the main problem residues. What will result from that is
focusing in on the main problem areas and increasing sampling in those areas.
Eventually, leading to the source of the issue or just finding there is no real
issue to begin with.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>NOTE: </b>On Friday’s, I will select a topic that I feel was “forward
worthy.” Find many more posts and articles I have forwarded on my Facebook Page - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy">http://www.facebook.com/FoodMommy</a> - or Twitter account (@foodmommy). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Speaking of encouraging news reporters to talk with farmers,
I have to forward this post as well. Another farmer/blogger acquaintance Ryan
Goodman has been a recent and popular fixture on CNN’s Eatocracy – <a href="http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/07/03/no-bull-start-a-conversation-with-a-farmer/" target="_blank">No Bull: Start a Conversation with a Farmer</a> </span></span></div>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-33309735602210904032012-07-02T08:05:00.000-04:002012-07-06T09:02:30.078-04:00Reinventing Our Plate<br />
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All of the information about portion size and what we should
be eating must be sinking in, because I’ve got a new way of loading up my family’s’
plates. Vegetables and fruits take center stage while the meat, dairy, and
grains play side dishes.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZw1SJxf00okvXf-T9i5U4Kr3rFygVS6KtErEZdb4nFibB8pSwteaBvW_RA75nVLJSX5MymV2XyIFEW4n0oHhka4T6dSOEYPEHxBzKQ17J6tAlLyRTDLwQMZlbVgaqOAx22ObCpO4oiw3/s1600/newmyplate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZw1SJxf00okvXf-T9i5U4Kr3rFygVS6KtErEZdb4nFibB8pSwteaBvW_RA75nVLJSX5MymV2XyIFEW4n0oHhka4T6dSOEYPEHxBzKQ17J6tAlLyRTDLwQMZlbVgaqOAx22ObCpO4oiw3/s400/newmyplate.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweet potato and fresh-from the garden squash and beans play the main role on this plate. <br />
We got a few more veggies in by adding a small salad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: white;">As I became more concerned about the nutrition in our
household, I realized that we may not be getting enough of the recommended
vegetable servings in our diet. I try very hard to always provide something plant-based
and colorful at lunch and dinner, but I’m thinking it’s time to step it up and
at least follow the USDA MyPlate suggestion: Half your plate should be fruits
and vegetables. I’ve been consciously doing this for a little over a year now.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Here are a few ways that we have increased on fruit and
veggie intake:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>You can’t leave the breakfast table without having at least
one fruit, but two is better</b>. I always try to keep bananas and berries on hand.
I like grapefruit and usually eat it 3 times a week. I’m not a juice person,
but will drink it if I’m running behind on time.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Have a serving of fruit at lunch and one at dinner or for a
snack</b>. I always have 4-5 different kinds of fruit on hand depending on what is
in season or on sale. Bananas and apples are always around (my husband gets
very unhappy if they are not), and I will pick others depending on what is in
season or on sale. Frozen fruit is great for smoothies, and canned fruit is a
last resort, but I keep it in the cupboard just in case. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">When buying apples, I like getting the bags of
small apples. Occasionally, I can only find the large apples that are worth
eating. In those cases, we share. I also keep dried cranberries or raisins
around; they are a great substitute for candy.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Think "Veggies" at lunchtime. Load sandwiches with spinach and other vegetables like cucumbers, pickles, peppers and more</b>. Then add a baked sweet potato or a
few baby carrots instead of chips. If chips are easy, opt for corn chips and
chunky salsa (limit the chips – don’t let your kids eat out of bag). I also
make sure my kids finish the salsa (1/2 cup serving). You can also serve a salad as the meal with different types dark green lettuces and 2-3 other veggies or fruit.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>At dinner, serve at least two colorful vegetables</b>. White
potatoes and sweet corn are counted as starches in my kitchen, but a better option
than white bread. Sweet potatoes have become a family favorite and very easy to
cook. I actually prefer to cook them in the microwave. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">In fact, the microwave or steamer is my
preferred way to cook most my vegetables.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Figure out how to add more veggies to your standard recipes.</b>
I have started adding squash, peppers and onions to my spaghetti sauce. I add a
can of black beans and onion to my taco meat. Fajitas are a favorite because
you can cook the meat with onions, peppers, squash and more, and then add salsa
and avocado to finish. Stir-fry dishes are also easy to add lots of veggies to.
Think about trying veggie-full soups. On pizza night, I limit my kids to one
slice, and we add a salad or baby carrots and a fruit.</span></li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For additional tips, I found these resources at <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/ten-tips.html</a><span style="background-color: white;">:</span></div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Add More Vegetables to Your Day</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Focus on Fruits</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Smart Shopping for Veggies and Fruits</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Liven Up Your Meals with Vegetables and Fruits</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Kid-Friendly Veggies and Fruits</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Size Matters</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">One thing that we all need to be careful to do as we are
adding vegetables and fruits is to decrease the portions of the other foods.
Taking a cue from the 250 to 400 calorie frozen meals like Lean Cuisine and
Healthy Choice, I serve most of our meals on a 7-inch plate or a soup bowl
(daddy is excused from this). I get the bigger plates out when I want to add
more veggies, but know that I don’t have to cover it entirely – keep food out
of the outer rim.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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For anyone who needs a visual guide to help them fill a
healthier plate, there are several “portion” plates on the market:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Find your Zen when eating: <a href="http://www.thebalanceplate.com/" target="_blank">www.thebalanceplate.com</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Functional and beautiful: <a href="http://www.slimware.com/" target="_blank">www.slimware.com</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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For the educational approach: <a href="http://www.theportionplate.com/" target="_blank">www.theportionplate.com</a> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last year I rated USDA’s new My Plate, and did not give it a
very good review - <a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-give-new-usda-dietary-guidelines-c.html" target="_blank">I Give the New USDA Dietary Guidelines a C Minus</a> - but now realize that the My Plate is a good place to start for better eating,
and is best used with the store of healthy eating tips on its website: <a href="http://www.choosemyplate.gov/">www.choosemyplate.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></div>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-68876523974399868382012-06-27T14:46:00.001-04:002012-07-06T09:04:01.995-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Our Foodie SummerOur summer has been full of food milestones:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikecUhnj6L1i6U0fbuoJ81DNZOpQB8K4uyw4WD4MJ3N4384g21fe6BjNMrrvME_gD7iKrkmjxuShsrI0pCQzi9i_zd56ENgJyIJQ1qwrpEmgcVdjbuPb5L6BYmH_Tt5uLUfcTOQVA-IRI1/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikecUhnj6L1i6U0fbuoJ81DNZOpQB8K4uyw4WD4MJ3N4384g21fe6BjNMrrvME_gD7iKrkmjxuShsrI0pCQzi9i_zd56ENgJyIJQ1qwrpEmgcVdjbuPb5L6BYmH_Tt5uLUfcTOQVA-IRI1/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were asked to take part in a sweet corn taste test. The corn is a genetically-modified hybrid developed by Seminis to protect the crop from insects. It was fabulous! I'm all for reducing pesticide use if possible. </div>
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My first homemade banana nut muffins. It was a great use of too-brown bananas. </div>
I hate throwing away food! While the bananas were obviously not local, I used a packet of Weinsenberger Mills Biscuit Mix instead of Bisquick (which my Betty Crocker cookbook called for). Weisenberger Mills is located in Midway, Kentucky and purchases grain from many of my farmers!<br />
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We put out our first official garden. I prepared the spot with my trusty garden claw and some of my horse manure. Then we just stuck in some seeds. We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, scallop squash, carrots, and beans. The beans emerged first, followed closely by the squash and cucumbers. The cucumber beetles have really enjoyed our garden, but they seem to be gone now. Keeping the weeds out is also daily work.</div>
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This mysterious plant cropped up about two feet behind the garden in the hard clay. We are still unsure what it is. Someone suggested it may be a gourd. We will see. It's getting bigger by the day.</div>
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Our first harvest. Not enough to feed a family of four, but I did cut up the squash and add it to some spaghetti sauce. I am about ready to harvest a few cucumbers.</div>
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The wild blackberries are thick at our house. There are about 50 or more bushes on our property. I loaded the kids up with Deep Woods Off and bowls and off we went. I am amazed they have grown so well without human intervention. It has been very dry here this spring and summer, but I guess we had just enough rain.</div>
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The first of many blackberry cobblers. It was so delicious. I'm also thinking about trying my hand at blackberry preserves. For breakfast the other morning, I added them on top of a whole wheat tortilla and peanut butter. Roll it up and you've got a great on-the-go meal.</div>
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I lost all of my original laying hens to coyotes and hawks.I purchased two new hens and they did not take to the coop. We have yet to catch them, but I recently found where they were laying their eggs... in my hayloft. They are half the size of what I was getting before. I sure do miss my girls. If I try chickens again, I will have to put up a fence. So much for free-range chickens. </div>
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Do you have any good summer food stories? </div>
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Share them here or on Twitter - use #summerfoodfun and tag me - @foodmommy. </div>
</div>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-37626782289190424952012-06-25T18:09:00.000-04:002012-07-06T09:04:55.144-04:00My Meatless Monday: Broccoli Cheese Soup<br />
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If you’ve read my other posts, such as “<a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2010/06/why-i-choose-to-eat-meat.html" target="_blank">Why I choose to eat meat</a>,” you know I’m a full-fledged omnivore, and not the least bit interested in
trading in my steak knife. Occasionally, however, I do think it is perfectly
acceptable to have a meat-free meal as I believe in providing a variety of
proteins in my family’s diet. But be forewarned: my broccoli soup is far from vegan. The dairy cow was my best friend
in helping me achieve this delicious, kid-approved meal.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b>Finally, My Perfect Broccoli Cheese Soup</b></span></div>
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I learned to love broccoli cheese soup after having it at
several restaurants. It was also a food I never had a problem getting the kids
to eat. I’ve tried a few recipes, but never quite got one I loved until this
one. I started with a <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/panera-broccoli-cheese-soup-150384" target="_blank">recipe I found online</a>,
and modified it a bit after trial and error (believe me, I had lots of errors.
The last time I made it, I accidently used seafood stock instead of chicken
stock – my sensitive-palleted husband was not happy). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Large broccoli crown or 2 small crowns – You need about 3
cups of chopped broccoli<br />
1 medium onion<br />
1 large carrot<br />
3 Tbs. butter for onion<br />
½ stick butter for rue<br />
½ cup wheat flour<br />
2 cups milk & 2 cups heavy cream (or use 4 cups half and half)<br />
4 cups of chicken stock<br />
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese<br />
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese<br />
Salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></div>
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Directions:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbxNVMD2YWaBFq3KMysFutA9eokZFdAwcnXaXOvg6io0IRB9fri-7iB8kgFh7hQocLd8iZZoE14G5XtUSnr_6z4jAJ7W06a8XpfPJ60qgjW9Azi4jmnLaJwQ_1PiHZ7Nj8gPQacOfLeoR/s1600/myhelper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbxNVMD2YWaBFq3KMysFutA9eokZFdAwcnXaXOvg6io0IRB9fri-7iB8kgFh7hQocLd8iZZoE14G5XtUSnr_6z4jAJ7W06a8XpfPJ60qgjW9Azi4jmnLaJwQ_1PiHZ7Nj8gPQacOfLeoR/s400/myhelper.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Involve your kids! Learning to cook encourages them to try new foods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Sautee’ a medium white or yellow
onion in 4 tablespoons of butter. Set aside.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Chop broccoli into fine pieces
(about 3 cups). Set aside.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Grate a large carrot or several
baby carrots. Set aside.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">In a stockpot, melt a stick of
butter (1/2 cup) and add 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for
3-5 minutes on medium heat.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Slowly add a mixture of 2 cups
milk and 2 cups heavy cream while stirring.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Add 4 cups of chicken stock and
simmer for 20 minutes. You may need to turn up the heat a bit, but be sure to stir
often.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Add the broccoli, onions and
carrots. Cook for 20-25 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Salt to taste (my kids don’t like
pepper, so I don’t use it). I also learned something from seeing the Voltaggio
brothers (Top Chef) at the Incredible Food Show in Kentucky. “If something
doesn’t taste quite right, you probably only need to add salt or sugar.”</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Add 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese
and 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, and stir until melted.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Serve with your favorite bread, another serving of veggies, and
fruit for dessert.</span></li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcA864h-7LHUSO54CPBTvAYw4kQF0GDSkgMC4B9G8Y0r8xtAyvwknV-ZEwbj9yVbOXJ8qbDFG3TsfV5nzTuAMYVgkGaP6lr3wh4lwO-iykgt-4QhvBz0XtxWWuBdxgTkCk0z54zXk3-LE/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcA864h-7LHUSO54CPBTvAYw4kQF0GDSkgMC4B9G8Y0r8xtAyvwknV-ZEwbj9yVbOXJ8qbDFG3TsfV5nzTuAMYVgkGaP6lr3wh4lwO-iykgt-4QhvBz0XtxWWuBdxgTkCk0z54zXk3-LE/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-77609314499865541262012-03-30T14:31:00.000-04:002012-03-30T14:31:38.471-04:00What Does Healthy Look Like?Today was the moment of truth. I gave myself until the end of the month to be able to complete 25 real push-ups simultaneously, AND I DID IT! My arms felt like they were going to fall off, but I did it, and I am so proud of myself. I am now wondering what my next little fitness goal should be – run the distance between the house and bus stop and back in under 8 minutes, or run two miles on the treadmill in 20 minutes or less. Honestly, I need to work on my flexibility – I’ve never been very flexible, and it seems to be getting worse as I age. So maybe I will try to fit yoga into my routine a couple days a week so I can touch my knees with my forehead.<br />
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This entire period of goal setting and exercising with the kids encouraged me to pose this question: What does “HEALTHY” look like? I know that I am medically “defined” as being overweight – 10 pounds shy of being at the high end of an optimum BMI – but does that mean that I am unhealthy? I am hoping not.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBHLVSLMC4aAFSLf3ry-03uw9Wd1e1vgeSLKECpI8Tdza6H-ka7gYHgJJQHR5AkqSJ5eoN9TA2EFl5uP_mCddDOrUtYeeyBGGKpccr0y_F05fcBOwYKjT-tn40bjca49JPN4JuFKBV45M/s1600/kristen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBHLVSLMC4aAFSLf3ry-03uw9Wd1e1vgeSLKECpI8Tdza6H-ka7gYHgJJQHR5AkqSJ5eoN9TA2EFl5uP_mCddDOrUtYeeyBGGKpccr0y_F05fcBOwYKjT-tn40bjca49JPN4JuFKBV45M/s320/kristen.jpg" width="213px" /></a></div>Instead of going by physical aptitude, physicians’ tests, and the like, most people today tend to dole out the “healthy” adjective to those that look a certain way. She will hate me for doing this, but the photo is of my little sister two years ago when she was competing in a Natural Physique Council bikini contest. Yep, she looks healthy to me! I could be envious and say that I was duped out of getting those good genes, but I know she worked really hard to look that way. She also has a degree in health and fitness and is a certified personal trainer. The interesting thing about her journey to that awesome body is that she said she would never tell a client to eat the way she did for good health. Food choices are very limited. She ate plenty, but her diet was not varied at all. And you should see what all the competitors ate the day of the competition…SUGAR, SUGAR, and more SUGAR.<br />
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It was not that long ago – it must have been before the rise of the supermodel – when somebody was referred to as “healthy” it meant they had some meat and fluff on their bones. Parents were worried if their kids were getting enough to eat, and having a little extra in the middle and on their cheeks was a sign of getting plenty. But where is the line between healthy and unhealthy? Can we really tell by “looking at a person?” <br />
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I try to remind myself on a regular basis when talking with my child that I need to focus on fitness and quality of diet - not what they look like or the numbers on the scale - but it has been a real struggle for me worrying about how they will be perceived by others. <br />
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I was shocked at my kid’s last checkup when my pediatrician called attention to my 3-year-old son’s numbers – he is in the 75th percentile for height and 85th for weight. “I don’t really worry about those things at this age, but we may look at it in the future,” she said. Really? LOOK AT HIM! He is solid as a rock and extremely healthy! So now I’m thinking all this number business needs to be thrown out the window as well. BMI, ideal weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage, waist to hip ratio? What is the real determination of “healthy?” We are unique individuals, and what is healthy for one, may not be healthy for another.<br />
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When I was in high school (late 80s/early 90s), I remember hearing a commercial on the radio for a weight loss product while I was riding with other students to a Quick Recall meet. The commercial was a conversation between two teenage girls who were making fun of another girl who weighed 150 pounds. I remember feeling like a complete loser, because I weighed about 160 at the time. “Do they think I weigh that much,” I fretted? “I’ll just have to lie if someone asks me how much I weigh.” And thus the reason why most men think any woman, who is “trim,” no matter how tall she is, weighs 120 pounds or less. WE’VE BEEN LIEING ABOUT OUR WEIGHTS FOR YEARS! I would be thrilled to be 150, or even 160 again, and I know I would look pretty darn good!<br />
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I always find myself comparing myself to the Biggest Loser contestants. "I weigh that much, and look nothing like that." "They must be much shorter than I am." "Honey, do I look like that?" Finally, I told myself to get over it. We have a wide-screen TV.<br />
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My new philosophy is that “healthy” is a feeling, and right now I’m feeling pretty healthy. Will it make me live longer? I don’t know, but at least I’ll be happier than if I was constantly worrying if my dress or pant size makes me an adequate human being. I hope to instill this in my kids as well.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-78579959468329009652012-03-15T15:11:00.000-04:002012-03-15T15:11:39.361-04:00Things We Like Thursday: Fuji Apples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thefruitcompany.com/images/products/fuji-apples-470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320px" src="http://www.thefruitcompany.com/images/products/fuji-apples-470.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Of all the produce I buy, I think most of my money goes to apples. Unfortunately, we are pretty picky about them, and our favorite - the Fuji - is among the most pricey.<br />
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We love them because they are crisp, super sweet and rarely mealy (nothing ruins my day more than biting into and then throwing away a mealy apple). I have noticed, however, that late summer is not a good time to buy them... grocery stores are trying to move the previous year's harvest, and they may not be the best quality. My suggestion is to try to buy apples from a local orchard at this time of the year.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bestapples.com/varieties/varieties_fuji.aspx">Learn more about the Fuji apple</a>. <br />
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Having been to a local orchard and talking with apple growers, I know it is tough to get the nice looking apples that we enjoy. Last month, I talked with a friend who grew up on a apple orchard in Ohio. You can view the interview below.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EZva_7CmAI4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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So what is your favorite type of apple?Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-77237282159247242122012-03-13T17:02:00.000-04:002012-03-13T17:02:31.116-04:00First InspirationWhile I am not at all a fan of politics or expressing which party I hang my hat, I am a fan of the First Lady’s efforts to improve the health of this country. In fact she has inspired me to do two things:<br />
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<strong>1) Push-ups</strong><br />
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I did not see the show, but I saw the coverage of the push-up contest between Ellen DeGeneres and Mrs. Obama. Michelle was able to complete 25 push-ups – real ones – live on the show. I can do 25 sissy push-ups fairly easily, but I admit I have not attempted many of the other lately. I worked on it in my college days, and I think I got up to about 10. The challenge is ON for me to get to 25. After about a week of working, I can do 15 (some of the time). I hope to be at my goal by the end of the month. I also expect to keep it up throughout my life. I just hate hearing my back crack and pop at every attempt. I am sure it will get better, though.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OTAIedFfUBU" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<strong>2) Scheduling Joint Exercise Times with the Kids</strong><br />
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I finally came to the realization that if I want my children to exercise regularly, I am going to have to do it with them. If I’m stuck in my office working, they aren’t going to be beating down my door wanting to run and play; they sit and play in front of the TV. This week we came up with a regular exercise routine and will also schedule time for “fun” activity several days a week. Our goal is to complete 300 jumping jacks, 30 squats, 30 push-ups (girly-ones count for now) and 30 sit-ups before the end of the day. We have also been working on completing the half-mile round trip between our home and the stop sign down the road. The hills make it quite a bit of a challenge. Playing tag, jumping rope, and riding the horses have also made the list of things to do more often. Unfortunately, my schedule and rising gas prices are going to make getting involved in organized sports somewhat difficult, so we will be happy with activities we can all enjoy.<br />
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I am looking forward to these challenges, and making plans is something my daughter enjoys (must be those engineer genes my husband gave her). If we stick with it, I definitely expect a healthier and happier family on the horizon.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-55826401388675680582012-03-08T16:07:00.000-05:002012-03-08T16:07:21.000-05:00Things We Like Thursday: Green JuiceI always worry that someone will think I am being paid to endorse a product, but that is never the case. I do however want to give a shout out to our favorite things in this household. Who knows, you may discover something you have never tried before.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLDJZz7GfbTL0yWdipu4YPmPtUobBVwH8qWyVynEx21VwIW_Ahyphenhyphen6nNqnu08Li1gRlTRWZSEEWilRrlsLcBpqbZEwoIyzRZAlJNceFxdt1e9lv-NVK_E8ayfu_Nr66d5QjKS9naocY6xZ7/s1600/green-machine.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLDJZz7GfbTL0yWdipu4YPmPtUobBVwH8qWyVynEx21VwIW_Ahyphenhyphen6nNqnu08Li1gRlTRWZSEEWilRrlsLcBpqbZEwoIyzRZAlJNceFxdt1e9lv-NVK_E8ayfu_Nr66d5QjKS9naocY6xZ7/s320/green-machine.png" width="160px" yda="true" /></a></div>This first "Things We Like" post goes to green juice, at least that is what my kids call it. Naked's Green Machine looks terrible and smells weird, but it tastes wonderful. It is an awesome way to get some fruit and green veggies into your child's diet. I do admit that it is a little on the pricey side, but I'm a believer in paying for nutritional content. <br />
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Check it out at <a href="http://nakedjuice.com/our-products/juice/green-machine">http://nakedjuice.com/our-products/juice/green-machine</a>.<br />
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Bolthouse Farms makes a similar product - Green Goodness - and usually one or the other is on sale. <br />
<a href="http://bolthouse.com/our-products/beverages/smoothies/green-goodness/detail">http://bolthouse.com/our-products/beverages/smoothies/green-goodness/detail</a>Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-26063342776366771172012-03-07T14:25:00.000-05:002012-03-07T14:25:40.955-05:00My Chickens are NOT Vegetarians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseWgvJgZ0VSmunjV73qLL5dHR1KQo6Ghlw-8pFqMl3zC8QtexalLrFxN4E5fv2Ht4qBzdcNJH7AoKSIQrQhY863XtzKb0Iugn9_h-JoeDvnBuftZHEao99oUpE8W2YgdVihqHrOkrWwfR/s1600/hens2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseWgvJgZ0VSmunjV73qLL5dHR1KQo6Ghlw-8pFqMl3zC8QtexalLrFxN4E5fv2Ht4qBzdcNJH7AoKSIQrQhY863XtzKb0Iugn9_h-JoeDvnBuftZHEao99oUpE8W2YgdVihqHrOkrWwfR/s320/hens2.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div>It’s amazing what will get me riled up enough to take time out of my job and mommy duties to rant. This week it was the newest commercial from my favorite chicken company (that’s sarcasm by the way). I do have friends in chicken, so I won’t name them specifically, but I’m sure if you’ve been watching TV lately, you know who I’m talking about.<br />
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The latest marketing tactic is to tell us that their birds are fed an all vegetarian diet – no animal byproducts or bone meal. This is on top of their previously used tactics to tell me that their chickens will never be given hormones or steroids and they are raised cage-free, facts in which all chickens destined for meat can claim. <br />
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Why does this make me mad? Because chickens are not vegetarians, nor do I think they want to be! I know this because I watch my chickens on a regular basis. They scratch up any little critter that they can find and devour them lightning fast. While they share corn and greens, they fight over bugs and worms. They are also a bit on the cannibalistic side, having eaten on each other in their younger days. And you won’t believe the frenzy that ensues when one of their eggs crack. It is gobbled up lickety split. The last time I threw a cracked egg out of the coop, I saw one hen grab the shell, and the others chased her around the yard for at least 10 minutes. I wish I had my video camera.<br />
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I guess I’m having a hard time believing that a consumer of meat worries about whether or not the animal’s diet was vegetarian or not. I get that a vegetarian pet owner may want their dog to eat a meat-free meal, but a chicken? <br />
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I remember one of my first days at the University of Kentucky in Animal Science 101. Dr. Ely asked the class, “If a horse, a cow, a sheep, a pig, and a chicken were enclosed within an acre of land with no other food than what was provided on that land, which would survive the longest?” It was a pretty easy guess that it was the chicken. They can eat anything and everything. I expect that even the corpses of the other animals and the resulting insect banquet would be fair game. The chicken, like many other species that are easy “survivors” are opportunistic consumers. Much like us, they eat what they can find.<br />
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I have no problem with my food animals being supplemented with disease-free animal byproducts. In fact, I think it is a pretty good use of resources. I know for a fact that most any intensive animal operation looks at animal nutrition as a top priority, and if bone meal is a good way to add adequate calcium in diets, I think it should be used. I believe the same for protein and fat. In the real world, most animals let nothing go to waste. They eat the bones and the guts. Heck, my chickens even eat poop. This is definitely not a case of the chickens thinking animal byproducts taste bad.<br />
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The “what effect does this have on me” scenario in my opinion is not that we are getting “better” meat, but it’s going to cost you more because they need to find higher-priced nutritional supplements. So I say, “Let them eat guts.” I know they enjoy them.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-78385831864699787712012-02-15T06:44:00.001-05:002012-02-15T06:45:06.099-05:00Making Food Decisions Built on TrustI remind myself everyday how lucky I am to work for farmers. The world of agriculture is like a family to me, and I have built some very strong relationships within my state and across the nation. The exciting part is that my family continues to grow.<br />
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For the past year, I have been witness and huge nurturer of a sprouting seed called CommonGround. Farm moms and women are becoming empowered to talk about life on their farms and how they are working to raise safe, nutritious, ethical and environmentally-responsible food. And for the first time in my career, I am working with young, vibrant ladies who represent all facets of food production!<br />
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From Shana Beattie who raises corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, beef cattle, 8 million pounds of pork and her four children alongside her husband on a 100+ year old farm in Nebraska to Mary Courtney, who raises vegetables for local customers through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Kentucky. She and her husband bought a new farm and are working to support their two young children with one on the way. Linda grows organic produce and crops to enable a livable return on their small farm and Ashley farms several thousand acres of grain in which her family is able to support 14 families by providing jobs in their community. Did I mention they voluntarily participate in an environmental certification program? The best part is that they all support each other. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie (right) and her husband raise turkeys for<br />
Subway. How cool is that?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As a mom of two, I embrace the concept of CommonGround: being able to have a conversation with my peers. I have learned so much by listening to these ladies, and I feel better than ever about making a trip to the grocery store. I also know that I want to support local farmers like the Courtney’s, because I have a connection with them, and I know that getting produce closer to the source tastes better. And… wait for it… I no longer look at organic food as some evil marketing scheme trying to dupe me out of my money. It takes a lot of work to comply with certification standards, and a farmer willing to do that should be paid more for his or her labors. <br />
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There is room on my table and in my refrigerator for it all, and I can feel good about what I am feeding my family. I have developed trust in my farmers because they are willing to be open with me about why they choose to grow my food in the manner that they do. They are also willing to listen to my concerns and tell me if they can do better. That is meeting on CommonGround, and I am proud to support the movement.<br />
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My plea to my readers is that the next time you hear of a food issue in the news or from a fellow friend who may not get their knowledge first hand, seek out one of these fabulous ladies and just ask. You can find them at <a href="http://www.findourcommonground.com/">http://www.findourcommonground.com/</a>. Bookmark it! You can also find many of my farmer friend's blogs by clicking on the tab at the top. <br />
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Follow me at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/foodmommy">www.facebook.com/foodmommy</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/foodmommy">www.twitter.com/foodmommy</a>.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-48455023759515408952012-02-06T20:49:00.000-05:002012-02-06T20:49:50.457-05:00Don't Get Frustrated, Get Creative!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMqROzJO7yE93wpCrt5lTahG4_zAYVB7AxrpVuGYx8dEZ02K0aUPW6Jz-76yFnRvFeBw5jcCKOINtAb4Aqy0O74UWz3RLXF_5ayTUcHBs2GQxYVDfKERIuTK1zK1R-rUyWozTXiaiyTl8/s1600/turkeytaco3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMqROzJO7yE93wpCrt5lTahG4_zAYVB7AxrpVuGYx8dEZ02K0aUPW6Jz-76yFnRvFeBw5jcCKOINtAb4Aqy0O74UWz3RLXF_5ayTUcHBs2GQxYVDfKERIuTK1zK1R-rUyWozTXiaiyTl8/s320/turkeytaco3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>It doesn't happen all that often, but my now three-year-old threw a fit this evening because he did not want to eat his dinner. Even though I have fixed taco salad many times before, and he has been more than happy to eat, this time he decided that he did not like the way it looked.<br />
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He thought he could get away with just hoarding some corn chips, but I quickly told him that he was not going to eat chips alone. The whining and crying was getting him nowhere, and I finally told him that if he was going to continue, he was not going to sit at the dinner table. The rest of us needed to eat in peace. <br />
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After I finished my dinner, I put my thinking cap on and tried something else: a deconstructed taco salad. <br />
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Do you want a little bit of cheese? Open up like a little birdy. Down went some cheese.<br />
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How about some lettuce? He thought eating big pieces of lettuce was really fun.<br />
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Now what about some hamburger? It was turkey burger with black beans, but he was happy with "hamburger." He ate several bites.<br />
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I rewarded him with an apple cut up in slices (he never refuses fruit). And then he asked for a couple chips with salsa. <br />
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So even though he did not eat taco salad, his belly had taco salad, the dinner that I made for everyone.<br />
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Yay, me! Good boy, Lane.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-76472894569071653662012-01-13T10:49:00.000-05:002012-01-13T10:49:56.379-05:00Spoiled and Lazy?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzqYoAxo51MV_xtDKrgsi9On06HRTYA3kjcaSUj9Yd-TedJjZvx062ONPdYNVEYsTjhC1Fg___wk879ve5nsqJDSTk8fBDuzhTwSoH8__3WCxnlVplFpBU48NcMSD93td161IhXS66xjF/s1600/open.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170px" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzqYoAxo51MV_xtDKrgsi9On06HRTYA3kjcaSUj9Yd-TedJjZvx062ONPdYNVEYsTjhC1Fg___wk879ve5nsqJDSTk8fBDuzhTwSoH8__3WCxnlVplFpBU48NcMSD93td161IhXS66xjF/s320/open.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>You may think I will be posting about my children, but even though they are spoiled and lazy at times, today I’m thinking about the state of our food industry and our role in creating what it has become. I do believe our food system is a result of us wanting more convenience, and the industry responds. But is it all bad?<br />
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It has been one of those extra special weeks at my household. I’m working more hours getting ready for a number of upcoming meetings and events, so the meals available to my family have suffered due to a lack of time. Sunday we had Tuna Helper with added broccoli (dinner in less than 15 minutes). Monday was Taco Bell between trips to office supply stores and the copy shop, Tuesday was soup from a can or whatever else you can find that night which was a medley of cereal, apples, peanut butter and milk, and Wednesday I visited the local Chinese takeout. I better stop now before it gets worse. <br />
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But I have come to the realization that even though I have wonderful intentions of providing my family good food, I am exactly the mom our food industry is catering to: one with never enough time on her hands. I am grateful to have these options, but try to be careful not to be sucked into the deep chasm of ready-made meals every evening. <br />
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Why, you may ask? There are fewer ingredients, and I want my kids to learn to appreciate raw, unadulterated food. What I don’t want to do, however, is look a gift horse in the mouth. Fast food and pop-in-the-microwave meals may not be best, but I am so glad to have them when I need them on occasion. It’s when these options are abused, the “cheap food is making us fat” complainers definitely get fuel added to their fire. <br />
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I recently watched a couple episodes of “Half-Ton Teen.” It was quite apparent that those children were victims of their mamas letting them eat whatever they wanted, most of which came pre-packaged or from a drive-thru. Who is to blame, here: the mamas, the kids, or the industry?<br />
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The most compelling argument blaming the industry is that unhealthy food is cheaper. While the price of whole food ingredients may seem formidable to someone trying to feed their family on a budget, I have to disagree that the frozen pizza for $5 or less is “cheaper” than the meals I can cook with a meat and a few vegetables. You have to get creative and opt for the least processed foods (because you pay for that) but it can be done. I would also encourage everyone to look beyond the cost per food volume or cost per calories; figure your cost per nutrients. <br />
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The real reason fast food is compelling to most of us moms is because it’s <strong>EASY</strong>. <br />
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I’m afraid I’m digging a big “do what I say, not what I do” hole here, because this week I needed “easy.” My daughter is loving it right now and is quick to suggest, “Let’s just go get a pizza,” when I start wondering how I’m going to get dinner made before 8 p.m. I may cave 10% of the time, but try to balance it out by allowing only one piece paired with some raw fruits and veggies, which are also easy. <br />
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The absolute best food marketing campaign of 2011 was for Cutie mandarin oranges. They didn’t try to sell the fact that their product was a better option than a cookie, but they said their product was easy for a kid to peel and eat. I was sold… I’ve bought about 3 bags of them this winter, and they don’t stay in the refrigerator long at all. <br />
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In the end, I guess I’m trying to say it’s okay to be spoiled and lazy some of the time and it’s okay to rejoice the food industry that has allowed it to become easy to do so. I also want to stress that you will never hear me complain about having access to cheap, easy food. BUT, just remember to treat it as a special gift when the going gets tough, or your kids won’t let you get back to the meals that you know are best.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-88053817146685143692011-12-22T11:12:00.000-05:002011-12-22T11:12:37.273-05:00FOOD: Holidays, Milestones and BlessingsThe winter holidays are definitely the time of the year we celebrate with food, and I am amazed at the crucial role food has played in my life during the past month:<br />
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I crafted my first successful Thanksgiving dinner. I had attempted it once before, but this time it all seemed to turn out perfectly, and my family and in-laws gave me rave reviews.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHwxO8S3fNS0blWIurOc3_TSJP1I-JTGM0pHRfa6BeBRGvtCZTC5T-NKEsivhlvZRT7h_12yL_1Q5O97HU6dlb2uUi97DpoHDiT9lw5xyXhMsNLSVmCYAhGhBQmQLp8euM_d0nw0pY7f3/s1600/myturkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHwxO8S3fNS0blWIurOc3_TSJP1I-JTGM0pHRfa6BeBRGvtCZTC5T-NKEsivhlvZRT7h_12yL_1Q5O97HU6dlb2uUi97DpoHDiT9lw5xyXhMsNLSVmCYAhGhBQmQLp8euM_d0nw0pY7f3/s320/myturkey.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy turkey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Rn7bWN-zdb3ZtPHSLrSbdXsV1FlJFoJ6guD4ZZHDStxHI-nmCJ_KP6aMDWooHAU-vdCBDqUJjo7JH6A_a_4M3FE6htnwb_fDjimnkuDyBUBytOMVur_YKFc-sV5skE9Z68zFzzJimvO/s1600/table1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-Rn7bWN-zdb3ZtPHSLrSbdXsV1FlJFoJ6guD4ZZHDStxHI-nmCJ_KP6aMDWooHAU-vdCBDqUJjo7JH6A_a_4M3FE6htnwb_fDjimnkuDyBUBytOMVur_YKFc-sV5skE9Z68zFzzJimvO/s320/table1.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table setting 1.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LP-h1qboElsCXDCo0BmuaWfB8BsZDq_Fued2JUt4ODk-1GyjIVEfY6pYCXbfs356O4PiwEV7gwUY7OfZZR9jnHymOs-UlV7D-Ab5EMAy9roG8KDXUcm6PJE2-d3In5pZ9rIg1oRKntNr/s1600/table2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LP-h1qboElsCXDCo0BmuaWfB8BsZDq_Fued2JUt4ODk-1GyjIVEfY6pYCXbfs356O4PiwEV7gwUY7OfZZR9jnHymOs-UlV7D-Ab5EMAy9roG8KDXUcm6PJE2-d3In5pZ9rIg1oRKntNr/s320/table2.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table setting 2. So thankful my in-laws gifted us their large dining room table. I had enough "good" seats for 12.</td></tr>
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I killed and processed my first chickens. A local farmer was nice enough to give me a couple of meat-type chickens, but my laying girls did not take too kindly to their new friends. With my husband’s help, I said a nice prayer and thanked God for each chicken, and I made sure it was quick. I felt such a sense of empowerment. This was also a perfect opportunity to have a great conversation with my daughter who did not like the idea of eating her new “pets.” But she was quick to realize that the other chickens were out for blood. I did not want her to watch this first attempt in case something went awry, but she was eager to get a look at what made those chickens tick. We will be having one of those chickens for dinner tonight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8keJeQPWzk8LhdSSa7GFT59nwzrtlZuVFujhVrz4Uz_JdcD4RSTvTeGdNoyryYtU8i1JeHHEe7lq5_XvK8y62Q0RWbFfWoorpXYP4HGEXYm5R31686awLOnb-bwrauTrdFjczWFS_1L5/s1600/chickenkill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8keJeQPWzk8LhdSSa7GFT59nwzrtlZuVFujhVrz4Uz_JdcD4RSTvTeGdNoyryYtU8i1JeHHEe7lq5_XvK8y62Q0RWbFfWoorpXYP4HGEXYm5R31686awLOnb-bwrauTrdFjczWFS_1L5/s320/chickenkill.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cheated... we just skinned them instead of plucking. Too much work!</td></tr>
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My nearly three-year-old son has decided that he likes bell peppers, so I get to add one more veggie to his list of food likes. That is such a blessing! I need someone else in my household to help me eat them.<br />
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And did I mention that my daughter has slimmed down? It’s amazing what will happen when you don’t allow your child to continue eating double lunches and cookies every day at school. I think she had a “eureka” moment. The pants I had to buy her in November are now too big.<br />
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My younger sister and I were passed the Reed Christmas Cookie torch. For years and years, my grandparents made holiday cookies and presented each of their kids and grandkids with a box of delight prior to Christmas: chocolate chip with walnuts, oatmeal, date nut balls (similar to wedding cookies), and Pop’s special chocolate caramel cookie bars. After my Granny passed away a few years ago, my “Pop” continued the cookie making with my sister’s help, but finally decided to give it up due to being uncomfortable with a full day on his feet. I gladly took on the role as the new cookie guru even though I had some worry that my cookies may not be as good. But they were. And I know why Kristen does not want to make the cookies at her house… they won’t be there for her to eat until they are gifted away. I may have to make a few more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq7gtcGUtwZGvo3aksEG75x8NHU8CJDgusdlc545M7gY3lCg00wCJIWH7bshYLV9g56LjYscYZCeq49PXC0SugFrDt1fOCKSHqKP8OSN0P34pqHoeTVs5NXDRA-S936DdunQiD93hw4jz/s1600/christmascookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq7gtcGUtwZGvo3aksEG75x8NHU8CJDgusdlc545M7gY3lCg00wCJIWH7bshYLV9g56LjYscYZCeq49PXC0SugFrDt1fOCKSHqKP8OSN0P34pqHoeTVs5NXDRA-S936DdunQiD93hw4jz/s320/christmascookies.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We added a new cookie this year: peppermint sugar cookie. Thank you, Pillsbury! They are fabulous!</td></tr>
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Finally, I have eggs running out of my ears. The hungry hawk has migrated, and my remaining hens miraculously starting laying the day after I “processed” the meat chickens. I laugh to think that my girls might have thought they would be next if they didn’t start earning their keep, but I honestly think they just got happier; they aren’t looking over their backs every second of the day worried about being a local critter’s dinner. Don’t laugh, but I also now feel a Godly connection with my chickens. I don’t want to call myself a chicken whisperer, but I can honestly say that I understand what is going on with them. Instead of running away when I walk by like they used to, they squat down still as can be, and allow me to pick them up with nary a fuss. They also seek me out when they need something. They even came running out to my car one day when the door on their coop closed shut. I got out, walked up to the coop with a line of anxious chickens running behind me, and they hopped in as soon as I opened the door. They were ready for some real food. And to my husband’s displeasure, they have also decided to venture to the house and get on the front porch. I don’t mind it a bit; we have formed a symbiotic partnership, and maybe they’ll keep all the bugs off the porch next summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG9RJyj2W6sx_obGxa2LVfe6KxlF2Pby0mgu1IcJvAEYRbULzNh3Xh1YiiEOqqOGRItMDKz2bOFMyKoMRSsJHXokoiTeF9Zcyet_kbs6w-LWmwL7RT6ngw0842gOKfMPt3QYeNbYBqv9z/s1600/hens2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQG9RJyj2W6sx_obGxa2LVfe6KxlF2Pby0mgu1IcJvAEYRbULzNh3Xh1YiiEOqqOGRItMDKz2bOFMyKoMRSsJHXokoiTeF9Zcyet_kbs6w-LWmwL7RT6ngw0842gOKfMPt3QYeNbYBqv9z/s320/hens2.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My peeps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lUppbF78MI0SM_glJLSDdGox67SPOryFN3TPRV7KMeJx8t1X88RzFPypjAv6z1Hp1UpEsnfx7LWr8JWixJ9zm9DS0WdwLXAbJEflrL-pxihgTm9KRUnN8bFsZduEyo9S65_QDABNA2r8/s1600/chickencoop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lUppbF78MI0SM_glJLSDdGox67SPOryFN3TPRV7KMeJx8t1X88RzFPypjAv6z1Hp1UpEsnfx7LWr8JWixJ9zm9DS0WdwLXAbJEflrL-pxihgTm9KRUnN8bFsZduEyo9S65_QDABNA2r8/s320/chickencoop.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first publicized photo of our chicken mansion. My husband is an engineer and it had to be perfect.</td></tr>
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I love my food-centered life! And my Christmas prayer to my readers is that we all learn to celebrate food as the wonderful blessing that it is. Thank you, God. Thank you, farmers. And thank you, chickens.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4016061468710162870.post-41996463912229651532011-11-16T10:26:00.002-05:002011-11-16T10:28:54.546-05:00Fury, Frustration, Failure and School Lunches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2QOtGGoZ5Ii_1mv5TxF9xgM989RduRrHhiRXTMcDBVU4CXbDpSg4TLlsRu2HI9rKDpYNZ2UV8u5e7DQxRWfXzO8RNLIbL0yCIwsvCON-SyU_FSzillzaEKMy61CVpkwx0HHI9QsGeCtv/s1600/schoollunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2QOtGGoZ5Ii_1mv5TxF9xgM989RduRrHhiRXTMcDBVU4CXbDpSg4TLlsRu2HI9rKDpYNZ2UV8u5e7DQxRWfXzO8RNLIbL0yCIwsvCON-SyU_FSzillzaEKMy61CVpkwx0HHI9QsGeCtv/s1600/schoollunch.jpg" /></a></div>While it may not have been the most horrifying thing for a parent to experience, yesterday’s family food drama was this food mommy’s worst nightmare. <br />
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I get a note from my child’s school that her meal account balance is negative, and I wonder “what the heck? I just put $50 in about a month ago.” The good thing about the new internet-based system is that I can check what my child has been purchasing. The bad thing is that I discovered where all the money went: cookies and extra entrées. I was livid. I had really been perplexed as to why the healthier choices I had been giving my child, along with regular doses of exercise, had not produced any results. Guess I can’t blame Nana on this one.<br />
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<strong>The fury came first, and it was directed at the school:</strong> Why didn’t the cashier think it was inappropriate for an 8-year-old little girl to be buying so much food. I know they want to sell the cookies, but extra pieces of pizza, corn dogs, and hamburgers? (I know, you may be wondering, “what happened to taking lunch to school every day?” I’ll get to that later.) I can’t believe they even offer that. I don’t remember being able to buy extras when I was in school, even in high school. We were given a dollar every day, and what they provided for that dollar was all we got. I never thought that there was not enough food. <br />
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So, now I have a problem with the meal account system. Our society as a whole definitely has a problem with self-control – with food and spending – and this system obviously doesn’t do us a bit of good to control either. Fortunately, I was able to have a conversation with the cafeteria manager and they put a note in the system that my daughter is not allowed to purchase anything other than the $2 meal. However, they won’t be getting more money from me for a long time.<br />
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<strong>Next came the frustration:</strong> Why can’t I make my child understand how much food is necessary to sustain us, and that too much food is a bad thing? We have this conversation over and over, and I hate that I have to talk about food and health so much to my child. I just want her to make good choices so she does not have to worry about her health her entire life. It is not fun! I regularly allow my kids treats, but under the assumption that they are making good choices most of the time. This has obviously not been the case.<br />
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<strong>Finally comes the feeling of failure:</strong> I have failed my child because I let a busy life get in the way of better habits. For the first couple months of school, I was making her lunch every day (except one – check out “<a href="http://foodmommy.blogspot.com/2011/08/great-chocolate-milk-compromise.html">The Great Chocolate Milk Compromise</a>”). Then she was accepted into the school choir which meant getting to school earlier a couple days of the week. So one day, became two, and then three. And finally she was lucky to get one lunch from home a week. I didn’t feel bad at the time because they changed the menu, and it looked pretty decent. I just had no idea that they let the kids buy as much as they want. I also stopped asking her what she was eating at school, and just assumed everything was peachy. I had a few hours of self-loathing, but finally came to realization that we just need to start anew.<br />
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Miss E now has no choice but to take her lunch to school every day. She also has to do extra chores to work off all the extra money spent on her school food extras, and no spending any nights away from home for a while. I might also be doing some hardcore research on the number of calories a young person should be getting, and show her what that looks like in terms of volume. The sheriff just got a little bit meaner.Jennifer E. Elwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17823527941460223716noreply@blogger.com2