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Honey attraction.

My father in law had a saying..”you catch a lot more flies with honey, not vinegar”.  The idea behind this was that kindness goes a lot farther than bitter, sour dispositions. I never could figure out why we were trying to attract flies when my job at family reunions was to end their lives quickly with loud obnoxious slaps of a swatter. But, I got the general idea. Be nice. Mean people don’t have true friends, just lots of scared people who talk to them.

Well, if you know me, you know I think weird. I REALLY saw this saying as honey is subtle, almost sneaky but in a good way..vinegar is strong, blaring it’s flavor. Sometimes the sneaky subtle way gets more results. I’m living proof of that.

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants. ~ Michael Pollan

This made a huge impact on me, but it was very gradual. I remember reading that in his book, but I never finished the whole book then and the idea got shoved into the “time to get healthy” file in my head. Little did I know that 4 years later, my lifestyle would scarcely resemble that day I read that profound statement. But that statement is what started the ball rolling.

It’s been few days since I’ve posted and I greatly appreciate the emails and comments asking about me. I just needed a break.

Now that I’m going through the pictures I’ve been taking and food I’ve been cooking, it suddenly became clear to me how many changes I’ve made in how I view, cook, appreciate, prepare, and enjoy food. When I first read Pollan’s statement, my idea of healthy food was a v8 and some low fat cheese. I knew ramen noodles had too much salt, but other than that, it was food, right?

I grew up with the entire range of food choices from organic (before it was cool) meats and vegetables to the most processed box o’ crap ever. I came from a family that had gardens, boxed mac and cheese, beenie weenies, grass fed local cows, fresh-from-the-woods deer, local creek fish, hamburger helper and anything in between. On any week night, we would have garden fresh cream corn, red hot dogs, and the ol’ blue box of Kraft. We ate food. We ate pseudo-fake food. We ate a lot. But not mostly plants.

Do I eat 100% clean? Of course not. I would definitely say 90% and then there is bacon and ice cream. I could never give up either one and I’m blissfully happy with that decision. Do I eat ONLY organic, in my backyard meat and produce? I wish, but no. The economy stinks and the availability is still limited. I do prioritize a lot better than before.

So, I’m a work in progress. I’ve come a long way in a few short years. The benefits of clean food and clean eating far outweigh a life of health issues that will reduce my quality and quantity of years.

So, here it is, a typical week at our house.

broccolini

Broccolini! When roasted, it has the best flavor!

soup2

Black Eyed Pea Soup-recipe coming soon, all good stuff!

wf

My trip to Whole Foods-almond butter and Amazing Grass in those packets. Nothing beats real granola with only honey as a sweetener.

salmon2

Need I say more? –Chipotle salmon

salmon

Roasted broccolini, smashed red skin potatoes, chipotle salmon

protein

Grass fed free range beef.

veggies

Weeks’ worth of produce. Well, 4-5 days anyway.

leeks

Leeks

lunch

Typical day of food for school. Soup, oatmeal, fruit, hummus, granola, almond butter, cheese, veggies.

fennel

Fennel, potatoes, carrots, and other yummy goodness.

eggs

Perfect boiled eggs. No green edges. (ew)

salad

Salad—and yes the bacon is highly processed. But I looovveee it.

zucchini veggies

Random veggies

corn

The family loves corn. So do I.

Now, I”m off to eat food, not too much, and mostly plants.

patticakes205

Tuesday 8th of February 2011

Hope to "see" u later on Talkweather.... U may get SNOW!! Im ssoo happy for u and all those poor snowies south of I/20!! I feel like a "snow-pig" here in Gadsden! Enjoy and great foodie post!

Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf

Thursday 3rd of February 2011

I love this! I think you have an ideal outlook. I think it can be easy to become stuck-up or holier-than-thou when it comes to eating well and sharing one's eating habits and food philosophies with others, but I think your attitude is certainly more realistic and approachable. Thank you! :)

Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)

Wednesday 2nd of February 2011

I absolutely *love* your outlook. Healthy. Balanced. Flavorful. Fun. I think you have Michael Pollon's quote down to a "T." Everything looks so fresh and beautiful.

(And really now, what would life be without a little bacon now and then? ;) )