Wait, what? Or...why am I kind of crunchy-granola?

I need to hit the rewind button to address that question—

Twenty years ago in Missouri, I was surrounded by a genuinely kind friend group who pointed me to approaching food in a new way. During that period, I considered myself a healthy adult, a mother of three, diligently ensuring everyone ate well—sneaking in as many vegetables as possible—and maintaining a tidy home. In the early years of parenting, I faced challenges with asthma and frequent allergic reactions. An allergist revealed I had severe environmental and food allergies, necessitating an EpiPen. Wait, what? Dairy, tree nuts, beef, and oatmeal were off the table. I was definitely in a state of mourning.

One of my friends inquired about my diet and food preparation. I relied on quick, easy meals with shortcuts. She kindly introduced me to her kitchen, demonstrating her grain mill, sourdough starter, and other ferments, sharing how these changes improved her family's health.

She recommended "Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats" by Sally Fallon. She and another friend connected me with local Amish and Mennonite families for grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chickens and eggs. As I read and learned about food sources and processing, my journey into a more natural lifestyle began.

Over the years, I've researched and experimented to understand my food allergies and overall well-being. Embracing an ingredient-driven kitchen and knowing the source of our food opened new avenues and questions about everyday products like deodorants and cleaning supplies. Yep, I definitely found my way into the rabbit hole and have yet to emerge...

Occasionally, new information frustrates me, such as microplastics, hormone disruptors, and farming practices. Wait, what? Yet, I choose to learn and make informed decisions that honor God and support my family. Frustration is part of the journey, but fear is not.

Consider yourself a cup. Daily, we add various inputs into our lives that fill our cup. Some are positive—sunshine, fresh air, water, garden berries. Others, based on personal biology and environment, are negative—greasy foods, sugary sodas, excessive screen time, and allergens. Some inputs we can control, some we cannot. I have no sway in deciding how much pollen is swirling about in the air on any given day. However, I can make good or bad choices at the grocery store any day I like. I believe in enjoying occasional treats, even from the negative list, as long as they aren't harmful to me. Balance is key.

When I'm hit with too many negative inputs, especially during spring and fall allergy seasons, my cup runneth over, and I end up feeling inflamed all the time or not sleeping as well. For me, these seasons turn things that aren't always bad, like gluten, into full-on negatives. I've discovered that cutting back on sugar and gluten during these times of the year helps immensely, so I don't feel quite as bad, and my cup is restored to a more balanced level.

In my ingredient-focused kitchen, I value nourishing my family with the best! Growing our own food on the homestead has become an important part of this journey. We embrace permaculture practices and go chemical-free in cultivating our garden and raising our animals. I've swapped out plastic containers and coated cookware for glass, stainless steel, and cast iron, and I opt for natural cleaning products and personal care items made with simple ingredients as much as possible. Yet, when dining out, I sometimes treat myself to a cold Diet Coke (definitely from the negative input list). It's a little indulgence, but I truly savor it as a special treat! It's all about managing the inputs and knowing how our bodies respond.

We've experienced seasons of significant change, and the outcomes have been nothing short of amazing. For me, this meant diving into the GAPS diet (read more about it HERE) with my family to rejuvenate our gut biomes. This diet is essentially an elimination process where you gradually simplify your food intake, starting with the basics like bone broths, organic meats, and veggies. And guess what? My beef and oat food allergies disappeared! Wait, what? This was confirmed by an allergist, and I couldn't be more grateful for this wonderful change.

So, the answer to the "wait, what?" question has guided me to a place where I call myself kind of "crunchy-granola." Learning leads to decision making opportunities.

Consider your inputs with thoughtfulness. Dive into learning about them. Embrace them without fear. Please hear me on this, there is no saving grace in one approach to food and our inputs over another. As the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth, we are but tents that ache for our eternal home with the Lord. Paul also reminds the church that our bodies are not our own. We are stewards of a precious gift for sure.

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Choose what's best for you and your family, bringing glory to God and honoring the bodies and provision we've been given!

Overwhelmed? Start small. Learn about where and how one thing is made and how it impacts YOU and YOUR FAMILY. What works for me, may not for you, and the reverse can also be true! Let learning be an opportunity to make a new decision!

Helpful resources:

• For women, Fast Like a Girl, by Dr. Mindy Pelz - Want to try fasting and understand how the timing of what and when we eat impacts you? Dr. Pelz also digs into the impacts of microplastics and hormone disruptors as well. Get ready for a rabbit hole...

• Want to understand about microplastics? Read this article from US News & World Report as an overview and offering of steps to take to limit the impact.

• Bulk Natural Food Distributor (there are drops all over the country), they have grains and cheese and cleaning products and a little bit of everything: Azure Standard

• Go to for natural deodorant and oil to use as moisturizer - Encompass Farming