My Own Front Porch

I have been reading!  I have so many books to read and websites to peruse that I sometimes wonder if I’m ever going to find time to try out all the new stuff I’m learning!  lol!  Here’s a list of some of the books I’m reading currently:

• Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
• Real Food: What to Eat and Why by Nina Planck
• The Devil in the Milk by Keith Woodford
• In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
• Omnivore’s Dilemma (also) by Michael Pollan

Some websites I’ve been bookmarking (because I keep coming back over and over again):

• www.gnowfglins.com
• www.foodrenegade.com
• www.westonaprice.org
• www.nourishedkitchen.com
• www.naturalbias.com
• www.undergroundwellness.com
• www.cheeseslave.com
• www.thenourishinggourmet.com

Here’s a good movie to watch:

• Food, Inc. – be sure that you make a list of health food stores in your area before you sit down and watch this one…or better yet, look around for your own farmstead to buy.  Just sayin’…

If you take a stroll over to any of these sites or happen across any of these books, you’ll realize what I’ve been up to.  I’ve been lurking in the shadows for about a year.  REAL FOOD.  Oh…it looked so hard!  Now we are diving in!

In just over a week, I’ve lost 8 pounds (I never feel hungry) and my kids are showing signs of health improvement…REALLY!  I’m learning how to culture butter and why sprouting grains is so much healthier.  I’ve learned some new recipes and **gasp** stopped using my microwave!  I’ve quit drinking coffee and soda!  What do I drink now?  Whole, fresh REAL milk from a pasture-fed cow.  Hannah made a comment last week…”I got to MEET the cow that gives us our milk!  How cool is that?”    I’m learning how to make dairy kefir (a liquid-y yogurt like drink) and water kefir (natural soda).  So many options!

Yes folks…we have officially joined the REAL FOOD movement!  Oh hey!  I even found someone who is willing to teach me how to prepare all these nutritious yummies.  My friend Wardeh over at GNOWFGLINS (God’s Natural, Organic, Whole Foods, Grown Locally, In Season) is offering an e-course!  This week, she’s giving one away!  If you’re interested in learning how to prepare healthy meals for you and your family…Wardeh has a SIMPLE PLAN, you really should check it out.

Here’s a quick rundown of what she’s offering (just so you KNOW that you don’t want to miss out):

• Overview: eCourse Overview
• Lesson 1: The GNOWFGLINS Foundation
• Lesson 2: How to Soak Whole Grains, Nuts and Seeds
• Lesson 3: How to Make Soaked Whole-Grain Flour Baked Goods I
• Lesson 4: How to Make Soaked Whole-Grain Flour Baked Goods II
• Lesson 5: How to Soak and Cook Dry Beans
• Lesson 6: How to Sprout Beans
• Lesson 7: How to Cook a Chicken and Make Chicken Stock
• Lesson 8: How to Make Skillet Dishes: A Dinner Formula
• Lesson 9: How to Make Water Kefir
• Lesson 10: How to Make Dairy Kefir
• Lesson 11: How to Make Soft, Spreadable Cheese
• Lesson 12: How to Make Sourdough Bread
• Lesson 13: How to Sprout Whole Grains for Sprouted Grain Flour & How to Bake With Sprouted Grain Flour
• Lesson 14: How to Make Natural Pickled Foods

I’ll keep you updated on our progress…but, so far, so GOOD!