Learning to Eat Well

About six months ago, I took "weight control" a class at a local Wellness Center.  It was a real eye-opener for me.  What I learned, while a serious departure from conventional nutritional wisdom, resonated deep within me.  The class was definitely 6 weeks of  "aha!" moments.

I was introduced to the Weston A. Price Foundation & to Sally Fallon Morell and her cookbook (much more that that) "Nourishing Traditions - The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats ".   As I read this book, I felt as if a weight (pun intended) had been lifted.  It all made so much sense.  Why hadn't I put it all together before?

You see, many facets of the NT (Nourishing Traditions) lifestyle were familiar to me.  I was already trying to shop & eat locally and seasonally.  I was buying organic produce, at least most of the time. I always had an inkling the nutrition was the key to health.

Now, a few of months into my conversion to the NT lifestyle, I am still learning, every day.  From pastured eggs to grass-fed meat & butter, it's been an adventure!  (raw dairy is next!)  And, I am loving it!  I posted HERE about my first batch of sauerkraut and HERE about making cream cheese.  I have really enjoyed cooking with real, traditional foods.  And spending time at the Farmer's Market, getting to know my local farmers has been a blast!

I'll be posting more about this my new way of cooking and eating and the resulting benefits I gain. That certainly is "refining life", isn't it??

Here's a link to Real Food Media.  Love their tag  line:  REAL FOOD. SMALL FARMS. GREEN LIVING.  It's a great place to learn more about traditional foods, sustainable agriculture and get a whole bunch of great recipes & health info.

Before I Stow The Fall Decor...

I have been really bad about taking photos recently!  I don't know why, but I forget until an event is over, or I've put the decorations away... Old age?

I'm posting a few pictures I took on Thanksgiving.  The photos aren't very good.  I had the camera on the wrong setting.  I didn't check that either.  My bad!  These are just a few glimpses of my Fall decor.


My Phesant Pelt Wreath - Hand made by friend Patti



Pumpkin Collection*


* Nuts!  I didn't notice that my housekeeper had moved things around to dust.  You get the idea...



Sugar & Creamer Set - Given to me by friend Nancy



Table Setting**

 ** This photo was taken just before I was ready to place the food on the table.  Some of the centerpiece items and flowers had been removed.  I never got a shot with all the food or the "after" state of things.  I'm going to try harder next year!

Now, on the Christmas!  Let's see if I can remember the camera for this!

FDA 2, Citizens 0

If you have been a faithful reader of Refining Life, I have a favor to ask.  Please read this post, all the way to the end.  Indulge me.  I believe this is really important!

This is going to be a difficult post to write.  First, I am angry.  Then, I am sad.  And last, I'm frightened.  This usually means that I write way too many words trying to not only tell my story, but somehow also convey my emotions.  I am going to try to be as succinct as I can.  But don't look for a short post here...

I had grandparents who worked a small "Truck Farm" (See note at the end.) of what was probably about 2 acres, though it seemed gigantic to me as a 5 year old kid.  My grandma had a roadside produce stand and sold the most delicious corn, tomatoes & strawberries.  It was the money she earned and the food she grew that sustained them.  Since, although my grandpa worked, he drank most of his earnings.  (He was a great, fun-loving grandpa, not a great husband, I suspect.)

There were chickens for eggs & meat and always, there was fresh milk.  Grandma must have bartered with a neighbor, since I don't remember a cow.  Pretty idyllic place for a kid, right?  Yes. yes it was.  Just think, I was 5 years old then, almost 62 now.  I ate and drank unprocessed, REAL FOOD at my grandmother's table & lived to write about it!  Imagine that?  Now, just as I am finding my way back to TRADITIONAL FOODS, I may be in danger of losing the right to purchase them?

Farmers who are committed to continuing the tradition of sustainable, family farming are being harrassed by our government!  Their livelihood is threatened, their inventory confiscated.

"Not in MY country", you say?  Sorry to burst your bubble...read on!

"Save Morningland Dairy", “Save Estrella Family Creamery”, “Stop FDA Tyranny Against Dairy Farms“, “Save Family Farms”, and “Save Farm Freedom”. 

Who ever thought we'd be seeing calls to action to save FARMERS?

1. Watch this 4 minute trailer for a Film due out next year called "Farmageddon".

Farmageddon Trailer from Kristin Canty on Vimeo.

2. Read this: Save Our Food Freedom and Right to Privacy! Stop S510

3. Then, read this: Hey, Where Did My Food Go?

4. Then go here: Wanted a Crop Mob of 50,000 to Save Artisan Dairy Farming

5. If, after reading and watching, you want learn more, check this out: REAL FOOD MEDIA  

Now, click the buttons below and contribute as your heart leads. 
 
 
 


I would love to have some of my blogging buddies along on my journey to discover health again...using traditional foods, and helping to keep these nourishing foods available for ALL OF US!
 
Note: From Wikipedia - Truck farming is the cultivation of vegetable crops for transport to local markets. It is very similar to Community Supported Agriculture in that it requires consumers to be more than simple purchasers of goods, but rather they must be engaged in the local economy as part of a healthy community.
Important truck crops include sweet corn, tomatoes, melons, onions, strawberries, potatoes, and green vegetables.  "Truck" was a Middle English word meaning bartering or the exchange of commodities.