The food post

So, I've thought about writing about food for a long time; usually I write a rant in my head that never makes it to the computer.  But this time I'm actually doing it.

I've had an interesting relationship with food.  At the tender age of 17, I was given the job of head cook at a kids' camp in the Colorado Rockies, serving 100+ people for a week at a time, all summer.  It was certainly a learning experience, although I look back now and marvel.  Later I had the same job at a different camp, and decided I really didn't want to do it again.  Both camps were great places to be, with really neat people, I just didn't like being indoors all summer.

In fact, I got so fed up (pun intended) with the whole food thing that at one point I decided that God should have really done it differently.  In my (then) opinion, we spend entirely too much time, money, and space in our lives and houses on food, cooking, and eating.  My idea was to just "plug in" at night, or just take a tablet once a day, or something easier!

My family is grateful that I no longer hold that opinion, but has suffered from my health-quest cooking.  I've tried at least a smattering of recipes from bunches of different eating styles, wondering which one was right.  I have fervent vegetarians, passionate paleos, farm fresh folk, and several die-hard junk foodies all preaching their approach whenever I open my ears.  Who's right?  It has been more than frustrating.  I'd like to be healthy; I'd like for my kids to be healthy. I'd like to be trim, energetic, and generally well-adjusted as I bid goodbye to my 30s (an event to be considered, for sure!).  I'd like to be strong and healthy enough for God to use me, long term.

So what's a girl to do? My sweet hubby gave me a new book for Mother's Day.  Actually, it's a diet book.  Hmm, that could look really bad!  But no, he only got it for me because he knew I've been really curious about it, and wanted to check it out.  I'm happy to say that I really like it, and may have found my eating style.  It doesn't throw out any of the major food groups; fats, proteins, and carbs, even dairy and meat all have their place.  I like looking at what people ate in the Bible.  Jesus cooked fish and gave it to his disciples: apparently raw-foodism wasn't big with him.  Abraham served his heavenly guests butter, milk, meat, and bread.  Food for thought.  One of the things I like is that it has helped me recognize that now that we are grown-ups we don't need to eat like children, we have different needs!

So, I'm excited.  Jumping right in; maybe just a little obsessed--just a little. Trying some cool new recipes and pleasantly surprised.  I guess time will tell if I stick with it, and if I find good results from it. I'll have to let you know! In the meantime, I'm going to go eat an "approved" snack!

Oops, just realized I forgot a few details.  The book is called Trim Healthy Mama.  The basic approach is low-glycemic, but alternates between low carb and low fat to keep the metabolism revved up.

Please comment!  I'm curious.