I Have Become Like My Mom

It’s the extremes that make up my childhood memories—the special things and the bad things, but not a lot of the in between stuff.  There are many special memories of my mom, like the special birthday cakes and flannel night gowns she made.  Among the bad things are foods like lima beans and peas.  And then there were the foods that Mom tried to make healthier.

imageShe would add buckwheat flour to pancakes, which for some reason I thought was horrible.  I don’t think so now, and my kids don’t either.  Maybe she added something else with it.  She added wheat germ, nuts, and raisins to baked goods, which totally ruined them for me.

I can remember thinking that I wish she wouldn’t ruin perfectly good foods by trying to make them healthier.  When I became a mother, I vowed that I wouldn’t do that to my kids.

But guess what?  Recently one of my kids asked me to make chocolate chip cookies.  He said he wanted them the normal way without anything different done to them.  That’s when I realized I had become like my mom.

I try using sugar substitutes for at least part of the sugar.  I try using better oils, such as coconut oil, which, until I recently bought Tropical Traditions brand, made foods that shouldn’t taste like coconut taste like coconut.  I try using healthier flours, and I add things like chia seeds.

I guess that’s what moms do, and I can’t say that I’m going to stop doing it.  However, I did make my son a batch of perfectly normal chocolate chip cookies, and I loved his response.

chocolate chip cookies

He ate a cookie and said, “Mmmmmm.  Thank you.”

I’m going to keep trying to use healthier ingredients, but I also want to make food they enjoy.  Desserts aren’t really expected to be healthy, and an indulgent treat once in a while is okay.  I hope I can keep a balance, and along the way, teach my kids to enjoy healthier options.

Are you that kind of mom?

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Gluten-Free Wednesdays 1-25-12

Gluten-Free Wednesdays

Hello everybody.  I can’t wait to see what you all have cooked up for this carnival. Last week we had over 50 submissions so go back and take a look if you missed it. If you get this post by email or RSS subscription, remember to click over to the site later in the day [...]

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Put Items Away–Kitchen Tip

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This week’s kitchen tip is from Shannon of Enjoying Gluten-Free Life.  Shannon says, “I learned in 7th grade home ec to always use an item then put it away. (This was a long time ago when all girls were required to take home ec). I take out baking soda, measure, put back in the cupboard. [...]

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Italian Sausage and Pasta

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This stovetop meal is relatively quick and easy to prepare, and it has plenty of flavor.  My family enjoyed it, especially since broccoli is our favorite vegetable. This would typically be a summer time meal for us, but this winter has been much warmer than usual.  I’ve prepared fewer soups, stews, and casseroles than I [...]

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Ziplist Recipe Box and Shopping List

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Recently you may have noticed a blue “save recipe” button showing up under a recipe on my blog.  That button is courtesy of Ziplist, and they offer a free personal recipe box and shopping list that I think many of you will enjoy. After you create a free account, when you click the “save recipe” [...]

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Surfing Saturday 1-21-12

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    This is a heron who stopped by our little backyard pond recently.  Between herons and hawks, our fish are all gone. We’ll get more in the spring along with better ways to help them hide. The Gluten-Free Homemaker a Year (or Two) Ago Biscuits Pressure Cooker Pea Soup Managing Gluten in Your Kitchen [...]

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