Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Operation "Real Food"

As most people know, American consumers are bombarded with choices. We can choose our brands of cars, electronics, neighborhoods, jobs, schools, and food. I have always been the person who will go to the grocery store and grab whatever chemistry experiment in a box that looks edible and be on my way.

Over the past few years, I have put on forty pounds. I don't look really fat but I am definitely thick. This may be because I am getting older and my metabolism is no longer what is used to be. Rather than accept the fact that I am destined to be another fat American and wallow in self pity, I've decided to do something about it.

The first step I did was consult my friend, who is a food connoisseur. She can cook just about anything and loves to eat. Ironically, she is skinny. I asked her to take on the challenge of being my personal dietitian. She accepted and our project began with a trip to the grocery store.

She noticed my kitchen was full of processed foods that were not "real food", which would contribute to my weight problem. She went through the store with me and we were both surprised at how much food was not actual food. Most common foods that we buy every day are nothing but crap. Apparently the food that is optimal to eat are the ones in which you can pronounce all of the ingredients and preferably have very little ingredients.

The next challenge was to start cooking. We rearranged my kitchen and got to work. We ate poached shrimp, quinoa, and tomato and spinach soup. I had never tried quinoa, but it was very tasty. We have spent the past few days cooking and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you knew me, this is something that you would never expect to hear. My husband, as well as most of my friends do not think this will last. I must prove them wrong.

So the adventure begins...more to come.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Kam Jo,

    I saw your blog on Yum in the Tum, which I saw in Presto Pasta Nights.

    I am a bit older then you, but also on a quest to "refine" our diets. I have spent a good part of my life making everything I could and I an still finding more!

    Even though I make a good deal of what we eat...there is always room for improvement..such as making even MORE and spending less at the store an most of all wasting less. I live with my 2 grown son's, and I am determined to add more veg and fruits to our diet..and like you, learn even more about cooking!

    I look forward to following your adventure....

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  2. interesting blog. I will be checking in to see how you are doing and any recipes you might offer. I just started reading a book called "Animal, vegetable , Miracle " by Barbara Kingsolver. If you haven't read it you might be interested. Its all about eating healthy and eating local.
    Good luck!
    Have a great week!

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  3. Thanks for following and for the words of encouragement.

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