Wouldn't you agree that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong?


I have a simple philosophy when it comes to eating...I think eating should be joyful, a time to celebrate and be grateful!  Food connects families, friends and generations, nourishes our bodies, gives us strength and keeps us alive!  Food is wonderful! 

So why have we made mealtimes stressful and worrisome, full of anxious calorie counting or deprivation?  Why has it become confusing, argumentative, frustrating and aggravating?  The act of eating should be enjoyable, peaceful and nurturing; a happy moment to appreciate the gift of food to nourish not just our bodies, but our hearts, minds and spirits as well....Ahhh, am I dreaming again?   After all, this is not Little House on the Prairie, right?  I understand, however think about these points...

Our quickly changing world and the discoveries, technologies and abundance that has come with it has brought vast amounts of knowledge and power.  Unfortunately, somewhere along the way mankind has seemingly come to believe we can improve upon Mother Nature in nearly every way, shape or form.  However, time and time again we've been reminded that this is often not the case, and seems to be especially true with something as fundamental to our health and well-being as the food we eat!


    


So why do we, the general population, keep buying into massive advertising campaigns by mega-corporate giants based on the latest double blind study that just contradicted the last one?  Why do we feel the need to join one foodie group or another, depending upon the latest trend or armed with only bits and pieces of knowledge?  Are we vegetarian, vegan, omni-vegetarian, raw, paleo, or macrobiotic?  Do we follow South Beach, Atkins, Blood Type, Jenny Craig or any number of celebrities with deep pockets who somehow keep looking younger everyday...you know, I could go on and on!  Why do we defend our food choices as hotly as our religious beliefs?  I'll tell you why:  Because we don't really know who or what to believe and we're confused and frustrated and feel helpless and completely out of control!  Adding insult to injury, the natural food isles, with their dizzying amount of choices, or well educated authors all with different ideas and perspectives just confuse us even more!


    


Innately, we know there's something wrong.  We know that when the Center for Disease Control reports that 60% of Americans are obese (or over-weight) and we have 'modern' diseases in epidemic proportions that something, somewhere has gone terribly wrong!

Our slightly longer lifespan is due to improved sanitation and medical advancements, not to improved food supplies that should keep us healthy, vital and balanced, that's for sure!  And it's likely not the polluted air or chemically treated water that's making us fat or giving us diabetes or gluten sensitivities!  We are addicted to fake foods that make us feel good because many not only contain addictive compounds but when we are eating something our taste buds enjoy, our brain releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin and it becomes logged into our memory bank.  If we like what we're eating and it's readily accessible we will eat it again and again! 

Well, what if I told you I have a simple answer to these ugly issues?  One that will balance your weight, bring back your vibrancy and keep your children healthy?  Here it is:  You must seek out or grow your own local, organic produce, meat, dairy, eggs and drink fresh, unchlorinated water.  You can't be afraid or too lazy to prepare and consume your food in different ways, be it raw, slow cooked, cultured or fermented!  Simply put, if man (or woman!) cannot grow it, pluck it or spear it, don't eat it!  (I can't remember who said that)  Don't your 'gut instincts' tell you that anyway?  Living by this motto takes the confusion out of, and loosens most of the rules of the many stringent ways of eating, such as calorie counting, proteins versus carbs, or the complete elimination of animal products.  So, if the food we're eating is not only enjoyable but benefits our body as well, the joy returns to mealtime and eating!


    


This also means NOT DEPRIVING YOURSELF or your family from thoroughly enjoying old-fashioned, Comfort Foods and Desserts!  It's easier than you think to use and prepare Real Whole Foods with just a few tricks to create all the delicious tastes and textures our modern taste buds have grown so accustomed to.  With the addition of the Food Processor and Blender we've had the ability to use more diverse ingredients for many years, yet sadly, many of us just make smoothies or grate cheese!  These underused, small appliances offer us the ability to obtain more nutrition from our foods by pureeing (rather than over-cooking) and turning Real Foods into Delicious Baked Goods.  It's not difficult or that time-consuming to make our own 'flours', nut butters and mayonnaise in minutes instead of purchasing denatured processed items full of 'non-foods' and additives!

Look around you and get angry!  Our weight and health struggles are not normal!   Nothing motivates quite like anger.  Once you get over the shock of how simple the path really is, you'll be ecstatic! 


   


What if ALL plant foods cultivated in optimal conditions and consumed at their peak of freshness are really Super Foods?  (Omitting grains from this list because I believe birds are true grain-eaters, not humans)  Just because we've recently discovered that a potent antioxidant and is found in high quantities in blueberries or acai doesn't necessarily mean the latest age-defying discovery won't be found tomorrow in the sun-kissed, fuzzy peach (or another unassuming fruit or vegetable) right in our own backyard!

Point being that I've just found it to be far too difficult to even begin to retain the knowledge of all that goes along with the intricate workings of the human body and mind in relation to what the last diet or nutrition book said or what the newest in the ever-changing field of science has found.  Keepin up with the newest 'super foods' and attempting to incorporate all of this into my daily life is not just impossible, but much of it seems to defy common sense, my pocketbook, and/or practicality anyway.

Because I didn't just fall off the turnip truck, this has brought me to the lifestyle I keep today...I haven't owned a bathroom scale in over two decades and my favorite pair of old (and I mean old) blue jeans that I use to remind me when I've over-indulged too many times, still fit.  I have a healthy weight constitution, a feeling of abundance and not of denial, with no horrid calorie or carb counting!  I use logical and simple guidelines to enjoy very fullfilling meals in my busy life and hectic world.  It has truly put the 'joy' back in mealtime for me and my family!  And this is my hope for you too!

California Country Gal is designed to share with you what I've learned through my years of seeking a simple, satisfying way to enjoy the foods we eat while knowing we're getting the proper nourishment to keep us out of the doctor's offices and living a long, happy life!  A few shopping changes to your pantry and a simple learning curve and soon you'll be enjoying a lifestyle of fulfillment and satisfaction that will last you FOREVER!

Just use Real Foods instead of fractionized, genetically modified, fake 'foods' promoted and pushed by profit-seeking conglomerates.  I don't mean just the obvious Twinkies or canned soups.  I'm also talking about flours, starches and refined oils!  And, of course, sugar.

Get off this brain-washing merry-go-round and make it simple:
  • Omit Grains (birds are designed to eat grains. It's easy by using my recipes:)
  • Omit 90% processed, refined 'foods' (learn to read your labels)
  • Omit Extracted Starches (and anything that contains them)
  • Omit Sugar (substitute Erythritol/Stevia/Monk fruit)
  • and Just EAT REAL FOOD!