Homemade

     As I just put my homemade lasagna with my homemade pasta sauce in the oven, I started thinking that this isn't normal in every home.

       I choose to make 90% of my meals myself. I don’t like not knowing what exactly is in my food. Yes, it takes more time to make a meal from scratch. However knowing what exactly I am eating and putting into the bodies of my children and husband is a wonderful feeling. Besides it tastes so much better. I am not saying that I made the noodles and processed the cheese. I would like to learn how to make my own noodles maybe when the kiddos are older.  

      Before I got pregnant my husband and I ate six things, Tacos with a bag mix of seasoning, pizza which was frozen, stir fry from a bag, some type of pasta, chicken and broccoli casserole, some type of baked chicken and mac and cheese.  Things got very bland and we were gaining weight faster than I would have liked. I changed things up and instead of going to the freezer selections I did a little research and learned that I can make my own “freezer meals”, pizza crust, even  taco seasonings. This changed my life and waist line. I have always enjoyed cooking and why not make things fresh; I was confused as to why I NEVER thought of doing this before I got pregnant. Maybe it was because I was “baking” a new life or that I could barely eat anything, either way I’m glad I did.

      So I started cooking homemade meals and the hubs and I both started to feel better and enjoyed eating our meals, they weren’t loaded with salt, or sugar, or foods that we would pick around. They were tailored to what we liked to eat, not the masses. It’s nice to know that NO food is gone to waste, unless our eyes are bigger than our stomachs.  I also found that with a little practice that foods don’t have to take longer than what “convenient boxed/bags” foods do, at least not much longer. I make an amazing, (yes I feel confident to say amazing) bacon mac and cheese. Made with fresh cheeses, (three) bacon, green onions, and some noodles. Guess what it takes 30 minutes and ONE pot. No draining needed.

      When it was time to think about food for Lime, okay I will be real. When I was pregnant with Lime and thought about his first foods, it only made sense that I would make his food too. One of the simplest things I have EVER made. Steam, puree, done, I could make him meals for an entire month in less than two hours including clean up. I did eventually get a nifty baby food cooker from my Mother-in-law who witnessed the process of cooking for him. This baby does EVERYTHING! I was able to make food fresh a few times a week in less than 30 minutes and spend less than jarred baby food. I did get lazy one day and thought I’ll just go get him some food. When I tried to feed him he wanted nothing to do with it. He ended up eating rice cereal because of the nastiness. He is also (or was) a great eater. He is getting back on track with eating everything; the poor guy had a rough time and only wanted foods he knew. My son will eat sushi, any type of veggie, and the “fancy” cheeses. Try to give him a hot dog or a chicken nugget he wants nothing to do with it. I credit that to introducing him to “non-kid” foods early. He was about a year old eating sushi and loved it. (Think more of a veggie roll, or chicken teriyaki)

      Now that we are thinking of Baby Girl eating “real” foods in the coming months I am getting a jump start,  so when she is ready so are we. I already have some sweet potatoes in the freezer, and I am thinking of what seasonings she will like once she has had her taste of different foods. That’s another thing with homemade baby foods. You won’t find any with seasoning in store bought jarred baby foods, they are plain and bland. Even with the benefits of different seasonings, such as Ginger, GREAT for digestion.  And who doesn’t love cinnamon with apples? Or who wants to eat something out of a jar that could be made simply at home?  

      I love that I am able to make healthy flavorful meals for my family and know that I am not loading them up on sodium or things I can’t pronounce even sound out in my head. Yes, I am one of “those” people, the ones that cook mostly healthy fresh meals. In the past three years, I have completely changed my way of cooking. I now make our " six meals" homemade not from a bag or box, and other than veggies and fruits for smoothies, okay Ice cream too ( we all have our weaknesses) I can skip over the frozen section at the grocery store. 

      I am proud to say that the last time I cooked a frozen meal was when I first moved into my house and didn’t have pots or pans.  As I smell my lasagna cooking (smelling amazing) I am so glad that I take the time to do this and I am able to do this.  As the hubs says I take the time to keep him winterized and I wouldn’t have it any other way.