Confessions from a new "Label Reader"

Good Morning my lovelies! I went almost a week without posting. I am sorry. Its been a little crazy around here, and I hope I can tell you what is going on really soon. Until then. Thank you for being understanding and forgive my tardiness.

Last night, before bed, a friend of mine told me she was stalking my blog. It made my night. I went to bed thinking about things I wanted to write about. I literally went to sleep thinking about food labels. Wait. Hear me out. Before you click the EXIT button. Just hear me out. Please.

Last Saturday my husband and I went to my mother-in-laws for my husband's and his father's special "Father's Day Dinner". Going to their house is always a good time. This particular time we had a lesson in food. It always amazes me that although the definition of "good food" seems to change...our bodies don't. Doesn't that seem odd to you? Children are becoming more and more overweight. Their health is declining. Yet we don't seem to understand why...Maybe it should start with teaching parents to read labels. Yes exercise is a big issue, however, if you eat potato chips and drink soda all day it doesn't matter how many miles you run on a treadmill those "food items" aren't fuel.

 Just throwing that out there.

After watching Food INC (or  you can watch it on Netflix's) I have become a little obsessed with reading labels. It was eye opening, but also it just affirmed a lot of things I had already thought about for awhile. Like: Why are girls going through puberty so early? Why doesn't food taste the same any more? Why is obesity at an all time high?

Back to my mother-in-laws. We were talking about "food" and talking about my family going on to the Whole 30. My MIL thought I was crazy. I don't blame her I think I am crazy. Then we started discussion why I think America is so unhealthy. (My personal opinion...I am not a nutritionist) She pipes up and says "well I only use margarine its better for you than butter". Then his uncle pipes in and says "I only use Velveeta...its so much better for you than "real" cheese.

Say whaaaat?

ok. Lets read that food label shall we?

Note: While trying to google "Ingredients for Margarine" it literally took me 4 minutes to find someone who was willing to give me their ingredient list. Sounds a little odd.

Here is Land O lakes sticks: 

"Pure and Creamy" ?

Pure?? I am so confused.

Keep in mind this stuff ISNT cheap!





Ingredients: Liquid and Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Water, Buttermilk, Contains less than 2% of Salt, Soy Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Mono and Diglycerides (Emulsifier), Lactic Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Vitamin A Palmitate, Beta Carotene (Color).
CONTAINS: Milk and Soy .

*At one time we thought "Soybeans" were the next best veggie. I am sure they used to be a good source of vitamins until a company turned them into a science experiment. Now they are so genetically altered that they resist all forms of pesticides and herbicides.
How is that possible in real life???

Sorry...Lets continue.... :

Soybean--Toxic

What in the HECK is a Soy Lecithin. Anyone pronounce that right?

--Preservative? Which means its like eating a mothball. Got a good visual in your mouth?

Mono and Diglycerides- Did you just swear at me?

Lactic Acid

Does it scare you that it doesn't tell you the "Natural and Artificial Flavors". That "Natural" flavor could be some guys dandruff --that's natural. Just saying.

Vitamin A Palmitate--an engineered vitamin because it has been all removed and must be added again. Odd. Why did we remove it in the first place?

Why should one have to google the ingredients to find out what is in it?

I love the Marketing--Pure. Sounds a bit to much.

Now to Velveeta....

First let me just say that is NOT cheese. Not even in the same Food group.

Melts better than cheddar cheese? lol That is so funny.

Prepared cheese product....see its not "cheese"

Ok. Google Can't find it. I will have to take a picture of this at the grocery store myself. That may have to be part II ...and my other favorite is the "No preservative" Ketchup. That will be in part II also.

Call me crazy. I really believe we are overweight because of the things we eat, or lack of real food, I should say. We eat food because it is fast and easy but it doesn't fill us up so we eat more of it. High caloric food with no nutritional value what so ever.

How I have changed over the last 6 months:

I have stopped coupon shopping.

Although you can get things FREE... are they things you should be feeding your family? Someone else's trash is free...does that mean you want it?

I have started making my own cleaners.

We have been TOLD certain chemicals cause cancers and yet we continue to use those items in our house.

 I am still trying to find a good reliable website for things like shampoo and toothpaste. That is next.

I still have a small amount of laundry detergent to use up and then I am making my own.

In the next few weeks I will be out of dryer sheets and will be making my own dryer balls.

Condiments I can make myself I am.

Ketchup

Mayo

For the record. I am not a tree hugger. There is nothing wrong with people who are...I am just not one. Although I do enjoy a good shade tree. Yes I do shave my arm pits...that wont change. I don't believe in Global warming. (Sorry. Not a subject I choose to argue about.) I do not drive a Prius. Although I did think they were pretty AWESOME when they first came out...Cars now are just as gas efficient.

I am just a normal. Everyday mom. Who wants to feed my son good nutritional foods. I want to teach him that there are "good" choices and choices that aren't "good". 

Before I watched Food INC I was clueless. Living is about learning right? What good is knowledge if you don't share it? We aren't "free" if we are struggle to live. I want all of us to not just LIVE but THRIVE.

Sharing is Caring.

As always. Thank you for reading. I hoped you learned a few things.
Tell me what you think.

xoxo.