What does a 'real food' pantry look like?

Okay, so you hear all this good stuff about eating healthy, wholesome 'real food', but what does it look like?
Here is an awesome little video from Naturally Knocked Up. She takes us on a tour through her fridge/freezer and pantry. Her cupboards resemble pretty close to mine, lots of ingredients to make yummy things from scratch!




Did you notice what ISN'T in there? Did you see any frosted cereals? Or any boxed cereals for that matter! Did you see any processed boxed foods?
Making the switch is hard, I won't lie to you. We have done a complete full circle and it's been hard at times and other times it's been easy! Giving up the flavours that processed foods offer is hard, they taste sooo good. But, the truth is, it's not REAL flavour. It's sodium and artificial flavours, a chemical soup of preservatives and additives. Not to mention the sugar content. A good rule of thumb, if it's advertised on TV, STAY AWAY!!!
You can virtually make everything you can buy at the store, trust me! It does take some time for your body and taste buds to adjust to REAL FOOD flavour, but when it does, let me tell you, the processed stuff tastes AWFUL! I promise you.
We are just in the final stages of clearing out the last few things (ketchup, mayo and whole wheat crackers) we just limit the use, eventually we will either make our own or buy a different brand.......baby steps! We do on occasion buy organic mac n cheese(ANNIES) as a treat, but prefer the homemade version made with brown rice pasta.

We also use our pantry items in the bathroom too!!lol I use a coconut oil/arrowroot powder/baking soda/teatree oil deodorant. Baking soda/Apple cider vinegar, for shampoo/conditioner, EVOO/sea salt body scrub and olive oil soap for washing, olive oil and coconut oil mix for body lotion, and baking soda for toothpaste! For cleaning, baking soda/sea salt/vinegar is all we use (I did have some pink solution for awhile, which is awesome stuff, but we've run out now).  Laundry, we use a seventh generation type soap and fabric softener. I was happily using my cloth diapers until I discovered that my much loved front loading washer/dryer does not clean my diapers properly no matter how many times I strip them...grrrrrr...I have tried a gazillion different things and combinations and nothing has worked to get them from stopping to smell like ammonia every time she pees, it was so bad it was burning her!* So, as much as it breaks my heart, I am using 'sposies. ICK! I hate them! Hate, hate, hate them!!lol I do however try to use the most earth friendly ones I can, but still. I'm looking into maybe trying G-Diapers as an alternative. But I can't help it, I miss my hemp/wool combos.
Also, the one other area that I am about to change is my make-up. Right now, I use mascara, eyeliner and some blush/bronzer. All of them are your basic run-of-the-mill stuff......loaded with all kinds of garbage.....I know!::groan:: I try to only wear when I am going out instead of a daily basis. I'm hoping to slowly replace my brands with a more natural/eco friendly product, I'm just in the process of researching the best brand to fit my budget. Obviously I can replace my $5 Maybelline with a $45 natural brand!!lol I'll keep you posted on my quest! :o) And although I have completely let my natural hair color grow out completely (oh yes, I did! first time since I was 12!!) I do plan on adding some highlights after my haircut in a few weeks.
Lastly, minimal sunscreen. This is a touchy subject with some I have learned (okay, maybe not as touchy as not vaccinating my kids...lol) we do not use sunscreen UNLESS we are going to be in direct sunlight for a really long time or if my kids or myself already has a bit of pink. We use coconut oil for regular use! I am in the process of making my own combo with some other oils that have known low SPF levels. For the most part though, we are relying on a healthy tan to provide our SPF! Next on the list is bug spray, no DEET here. Citronella oil is pretty good alternative. We use a product called All Terrain Herbal Armour with really good results. I have also noticed though, that with our diet change, the pesky mosquitoes don't seem to have much taste for us anymore. Increasing Bananas in your diet also works good!

Blessings!
Penny

Ummm, so it's May now

Okay, so please accept my apologies for my lack of posting.  We have been so busy lately! It has been pretty beautiful here lately and even most of April. (well minus the snow storm the last week of April) We have been outside so much. Going for walks and just hanging out in the backyard when we can. I've also been super busy organizing my homeschool shelves and putting together some stuff for selling, as well as trimming out some of the activities we didn't use this year. Next comes planning 'next year', although we actually homeschool year-round because learning never stops!!

As for right now we are getting ready for summer holidays!! True holidays! I cannot wait to get on the highway and see family!
Although it's a major undertaking with this many people to pack for!lol I start good and early.
Need to make all kinds of stuff to take (sunscreen, deodorant, body scrubs, dehydrated crackers and granola bars. GF bread for Breanna and I and the gazillion other things we need)

Mariah's 6th birthday is coming up (can you believe I have been blogging for over 6years now!) I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. We are celebrating her birthday this weekend and it's a long weekend too!
Breanna is doing awesome! Both her and I are still on a GF/CF diet. I may try her with dairy close to her birthday and see what happens. I, myself, will not be going back to a diet with gluten even after Breanna is done nursing. I have never felt so amazing as I do right now. Compared to a couple of years ago, I do not take any medication for my Fibro AT ALL! Nothing, nada! I sleep better, I have more energy, it's incredible how much better one can feel when your body isn't bogged down with junk. Our diets as a family have completely changed as well and I notice a significant difference in everyone. I do yoga every night and it feels awesome!!!
Breanna still isn't walking totally yet. She is such a turkey! If no one is watching she will walk around the living room but as soon as she knows someone is looking, she drops to her knees and starts crawling!!lol
She says quite a bit and understands a ton! She loves to play outside and especially loves to play in the rocks at the playground!
Kayla is doing really good too! She just lost another tooth, so we keep teasing her that she looks like a jack-o-lantern!lol She is doing super awesome with her reading and writing and really enjoys hanging out with her big sister doing 'big kid' stuff since she is going to be 8 this fall!
Robbie is doing really good as well, he has been loving the fact that his brother has been handing down some much coveted Star Wars Lego! He builds things just from his head, it amazes me!I can see him being a Professional Lego builder (oh yes they do exist!! google Robin Sather) or an architect.
Alyssa is embarking on breaking into teenagedom, she is really geared up for babysitting coming up this fall. At least she can say she has a ton of experience!lol She has also been loving collecting Bratz dolls, she has over 50 now! (the baby sitting will help support that hobby)
Alex is doing good, enjoying time spent on world of warcraft..lol....he has his sights set on becoming a Web/game graphic designer! He is now quite a bit taller than me, which is really helpful in the kitchen when I need something from the very top shelves....lol! It's pretty cool having a teenager so far, I love their ideas and being able to have almost adult conversations with him.
Matthew is growing like crazy! He has quite the personality and always makes us laugh with his antics (and sometimes frustrates me to no end with the same antics!!lol) He has an amazing smile and the best giggle! He has just learned that he can use his fingers to count and always comes up to me holding his fingers up asking me what number is it! He loves Toy Story 1 and 2 and especially loves Wall-E!
Whew!
Bill is doing awesome! He's totally changed his eating and has been exercising as well. He's dropped almost 30lbs! He looks awesome and feels really good!

Well, there's a brief little catch up on the family! :o) Now I need to get snacks going and dinner on the go!

Blessings!
Penny