Day 8: Food For Thought

No one wants to be a slave to the kitchen.  But how many of us (women especially) are slaves to calories, fat, and sugar to control our weight and keep our kids healthy?  There is an easier way to

- offer healthy choices
- know what is in your food
- stop worrying about fat and sugar content

The answer lies at home.  Home made food does not have to be difficult, but it is hard to know where to start.  Kitchen Stewardship is a great place to take some baby steps, to educate yourself, and to learn a few easy recipes.  I also highly recommend these two books by Michael Pollan, if you are interested in learning more about where our food comes from and how we can make better choices:

For myself, I started small.  Very small.  With this recipe for tomato sauce:

Best Marinara Sauce Yet

Rated: Submitted By: Jackie Photo By: OkinawanPrincess Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 8

"Tomatoes, parsley, garlic and oregano go for a spin in your food processor before simmering with sauteed onion and a goodly dash of white wine. The consistency is smooth and the taste is pleasing indeed."

INGREDIENTS:

2 (14.5 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 6 tablespoons olive oil 1/3 cup finely diced onion 1/2 cup white wine

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a food processor place Italian tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped parsley, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth.
2.	In a large skillet over medium heat saute the finely chopped onion in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the blended tomato sauce and white wine.
3.	Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/8/2011

I've since started using a recipe that calls for fresh tomatoes.  But this one still works in a pinch, or in winter when tomatoes are out of season.  One batch makes enough to freeze for a few different meals.

Once I realized I can make our food, I turned my attention to other everyday items, like salad dressing.  I use this recipe for an alternative to ranch dressing.

I've never been a gourmet cook.  We eat very simple meals, but nearly everything is from scratch.  I don't spend more than 30 minutes making dinner, and another couple hours per month making sauces and mixes.  The point is that I'm not a slave to the kitchen, and I'm also not a slave to processed foods made in a laboratory.

This is a good place to start, but if you aren't ready for it yet, here are a few alternatives:

• home made applesauce read more here
• baby food read more here
• tomato soup look here

It is so satisfying being able to eat what we want, because we know what is in our food.  We cook using real butter and oil, and we eat baked goods using alternative sweeteners.  We are the healthiest we have ever been, yet we haven't fretted over our diets in a very long time.  

We will talk about more ways to make home made food in the days to come.  But if this sounds like something you would like to do for yourself and your family, please check out the resources above.  Home made food is delicious; in fact, it tastes like freedom.

If this is your first time here, welcome!  Be sure to check out my other 31 Days to Home Made posts, by clicking here or on the button at the top of this page.