2 weeks in

And no new blog to keep track of my vegan switch over, why? BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN COOKING! :-) Actually there is some truth in that jest. I have been cooking A LOT, but wonderful fresh food. Last week I fed my family over 90% freshly prepared food, not from a box or can. For ME, that is a miracle. I am loving the way I feel, in fact I am pleased to say that I am feeling better now than I did several years ago. The first week was hard, not in the desire to eat meat or consume dairy products, but my body was detoxing from all that meat eating. I actually feel lighter, (technically I am lighter by 6 pounds too), but I am feeling lighter in the belly and less brain fog to boot.

I have never had the desire to learn to cook before, in fact I'd go as far to say that I despised cooking. Part of that hate was my anger at food for making my baby sick or rashy. It was my way to detach from food. Besides, food was making me feel ill and disconnected from the Earth. Most of our family meals consisted of brown rice (pre-cooked and frozen, then microwaved), a boring veggie with little to no seasoning, and a meat (mostly turkey, fish, occasional bison, or lamb). zzzzzzzzzzz. boring I know. I was feeling trapped by Orion's food sensitivities, and my lack of desire to do more.

I don't know what struck me to change the way I was viewing food. All I know is that I actually look forward to buying whole foods and preparing yummy meals and snacks for my family. I am excited to learn new recipes I can try, the kids have LOVED all the muffins I've made.

Leilani is in a phase where she doesn't want to try anything I make (I am sure its just the age talking) and Orion has been game for almost everything, and so far his digestive system is tolerating everything we've given him, and we've tried a lot of new food with him. Russell, sweet Russell has been a good sport so far. I told him that if he wanted junk food or meat he'd have to buy it himself, and so far he's ok with that arrangement. I think he's having a harder time adjusting to life with far less meat. He even requested the Sunflower Seed Burgers again. :-)

Doing this much food prep and cooking has made me re-evaluate my family priorities as well. I am a big fan of "slow parenting" please visit http://slowfamilyliving.com/ , which puts family above social agenda. I want even more time with my kids, better time, more connection. Somehow by making the time to be home to cook, I have chosen to be with my family more than before, and I love it. I even woke up at 5:30am on Sunday morning to make my kids from- scratch pancakes, and it felt way better than our usual waffles in the toaster routine. I am even considering taking Orion out of school for a year so I can have some one on one time with him when Leilani is at school.

Things, they are a shifting.. and I am loving the ride!

I want to add, I have been cooking almost soley by my new favorite cookbook and healthy eating guide http://www.wholelifenutrition.net/ the Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook. Her blog always has great recipes and tips too.

I know this is boring for those of you who already cook like this.. but I am an excited newbie, so I took pics of my new cooking skills ;-)

purple cauliflower, who knew?

Curry cauliflower and carrot soup, with coconut milk, and some kale, rice, and chickpea "salad"

Orion devouring his banana and apple muffin for his half birthday celebration!