The Cooking Challenge

My children were raised on a steady diet of chocolate poptarts, microwave popcorn, fresh fruit, Little Ceaser's pizza, and filtered water. I always wanted to do better for them, but surprisingly their pediatrition thought that was a fine diet despite their obvious yeast overgrowth symptoms and the diabetes diagnosis of my oldest. Sometimes I wonder which of us is more mentally challenged. Well, now that I'm functioning better after getting most of the heavy metals out with chelation, I'm making an effort to learn to cook.



It's been very challenging.... best described as trying to read and follow a recipe with a blanket over your head. Boxed recipes are much easier...as there are fewer steps and usually fewer ingredients, but I'm concerned about all the colorings, preservatives, and such.



The other challenging aspect is that I get discouraged over my family's pickiness, and have had a tendency to give up too easily. Every once in a while they will be in a social setting where they try something new and discover they LOVE it. I jump right on it and get the recipe...and then figure out a way to sneak the healthy stuff into it.

I'm very grateful that they have always loved fresh vegetables. In the past it's been difficult for me to prepare them, but they are a staple now...served as an appetizer before lunch and dinner. When we would go out to eat, I'd pile the children's plates high with all the vegetables from the salad bar. One gentleman asked me if they were really going to eat it, or if it was just my wishful thinking. He glanced over his shoulder several times amazed that they ate every last bite...they always do. They cut their teeth on frozen carrot and celery sticks. They love fresh vegetables.

I've learned to make homemade pizza with ground flax seeds, spaghetti sauce with the children's nurtrition powder in it, Cream of Chicken noodles and macaroni and cheese with whey powder for extra protein for my vegetarian daughter. I make juice for the baby and me with cranberry juice concentrate, stevia, filtered water, and vitamin C powder. She loves it and I don't have to worry about all the carbs and tooth decay brought on by store bought juices. My other kids still prefer water. I've also learned to make garlic bread with fresh garlic, and whole wheat biscuits that are still tasty. And for myself, Ann Louise Gittleman's book "The Fat Flush Plan" has taken the mystery out of cooking with herbs. She describes the ones with properties to increase metabolism, and to help detox the body. Then she offers a wealth of simple recipes using them. I'm having a hay day trying them...and hoping at least a few will catch on with the hubby and kids.


With my brain challenges, it doesn't matter how many times I make a recipe, I cannot do it again by memory. So, I'd like this to be a place for me to keep my recipes organized as well as keep a listing of ones I'd like to try. We have a rule about new recipes. Everyone has to try it at least three times before deciding that they don't like it. It makes for comic relief at the table. The kids are so funny trying to get the most miniscule bite that would still be considered a whole atom of the substance...lol. And the facial contortions! ...even with a dish as simple as applesauce. I will try to remember to bring out the camera so I can share it. But every once in a while we stumble on to a hit, and that makes all the effort worth it.