So while it has been nerve wracking and awful at times, trying to figure out what to feed everyone (Todd doesn’t like coconut, Seth doesn’t like anything), I have to admit it is quite gratifying to see my children gobbling up lentil soup for breakfast. Reaching for apples rather than cereal bars for snacks. Seth is eating so much more than he ever would before, now that his options are narrowed and sugar and grains aren’t in the picture.
And I am working hard! But I’m finding my way. In another month it will be easier, once I’ve got my system down.
This week I was reading through some of Riley’s writing for a class she’s taking and she was asked to list some of our family traditions. One of them was Thanksgiving and it went like this:
“We watch the parade, and then go over to someone’s house to eat.”
“Someone’s” house. Certainly not our house!
Isn’t that hilarious? At 43 I have never hosted a big holiday meal. I get hives just thinking about it. I’m not a natural in the kitchen. Timing is hard for me. Getting everything to be done at the same time. I am a mess, sweating. Harried. I can hardly handle just the four of us, sitting down to a typical evening meal.
It’d be a lot more fun and sexy if I were paid for all this cooking. Then again, this morning, my sweet Riley took a bite of a Paleo bread I made. It was just out of the oven, slathered in butter. She sighed, and kissed me on the cheek and said, “You are a great cook Mom!”
This girl never kissed me ’til she was seven or eight.
There ain’t money enough for that.
*Thanks to Melinda who not only had us over for Thanksgiving last year, but also gave me the recipe for the kiss-provoking bread. xo
Bravo! It is so hard to make a sea-change like this and it takes so much energy. I love that you are all embracing it and that you are getting good feedback from the family. But I am intensely curious – no grains at all? What the heck do you put in that bread?
A combo of almond flour and coconut flour and lots of eggs.
Are you going to share the recipe? What a huge compliment from Riley!
Mothers day is coming. My mother will get a card. An obligatory one.
When it becomes my turn to become a mother, I will look to you – not her as an example of what selfless, unconditional and relentless love for your children looks like. This diet alone gives me hives just reading it. The daily consciousness you call yourself to and model for Seth and Riley is exquisite. You should be celebrated EVERY day. Just sayin.
“The daily consciousness you call yourself to and model for Seth and Riley is exquisite.”
Yes, Dawn nailed it right there!
Also, as the host of many holiday meals that everyone flocks to, I will share the secret- choose a combination of dishes that can be cooked in advance and things good at room temperature. Holding warm is a cinch, and the stress of timing, well, it melts away like butter on hot paleo bread.
Yes, dawn. WELL said. Here here!
🙂
Wow! You all are so very sweet to me. Thank you so much for the vote of confidence in my mothering. In my mind I’m always teetering….wondering if I’m doing the right things.
Can you all move to Cleveland please?
Here’s the bread recipe:
http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-bread/
I skipped the flax seeds so as not to scare Seth off. I might add them in the future.
Dawn said it best, but I’ll say it again: the way you mother is an inspiration to us all, even those of us whose kids are grown.
Dear Michelle, . . . as Sheri said in her comment, “Are you going to share this recipe?” We get hints in your responses, but I’d so like the whole recipe and the instructions for what to do.
As to your cooking skills . . . just remember that at the end all that matters is love.
Peace.
YAMH, and I need the recipe for kiss-inducing bread, which I assume is GF.