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Saturday, August 28, 2010

Feeling inspired

I know I keep promising recipes, and I keep not delivering.
I just don't feel inspired, and inspiration is important when it comes to creativity.

Are you wondering just how much creativity is needed to write out a recipe?
Well, I am not inspired to explain it.
I want to get all sassy here and say..."hey, this is my blog and I am gonna write about what I want to write about and you can come here or not, and you will get your stinkin' recipe when I am good and ready to write it."
But, the truth is I have an insecurity issue and haven't gotten past that to share yet.

I start looking at recipes and then changing them to better suit what I want for my healthy eating goals and start thinking that maybe I am way more strict on those things than many other people and will anyone really even take the time to make this altered recipe, so why am I wasting my time creatively writing things out?
And then I also think....it is a cookie, why does it even need to be healthier??
Does it really need wheat flour in it, since it is a treat?
We just really love sweets around here and I know how my little family will consume them, so it makes me want to make it healthier.

I really want that for you too....is that so wrong of me?
I know everyone is not at the same place in their life and I hate to be the crazy lecture lady who people whisper about and don't want to spend time with because they think I pick apart their choices and condemn them.
I don't do that. I truly make an effort not to be that kind of girl.
Now I may try to give you some info to hopefully sway you toward what may seem a better choice....oh yes, I will definitely do that!!!
But condemn?
No way, because I have been where I used to be, and now I am not.
As I know more, I am gonna grow more.

That said, knowledge is power and part of the reason I started this blog was to help impart knowledge in a gentle, easy to manage way.
And one of the main ways I set out to accomplish that, is to make good food and recipe choices to share.

Then I go and start doubting myself and get all defensive and feel like I have to explain my position and say things like...
Do I always, 100% of the time choose the best options for myself and my family???
No, of course not!
In fact I will tell ya right now, on my birthday I fixed chicken nuggets and fries for my family for supper.
Yes I did.
I do this so rarely and therefore have few regrets about it.
I thoughtfully read the labels on the products I bought, carefully checking to be sure that they did not contain anything from my naughty list.
I didn't take the time to think ahead about my family this day and fell short on dinner prep.

I am not gonna beat myself up for this...it was my birthday after all.

Now back to the other hand again, I do have my absolutes.
For instance...
I was so angry last night when that "full of hope" little McDonald's commercial came on. The one about how they donate a portion of the sale of every happy meal to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
The tiny little fine print at the bottom which flashes quickly lets you know that it is 1 cent per meal.
Ok, fine...they sell a lot of meals and that will surely add up to contribute to a very good cause, that is not what I have a problem with.

Here is my issue.
The ingredients in those meals!
Here is a really concise blog article on this particular topic.

I just have to wonder how much of what is in there is contributing toward hospital stays, and how much less would we need hospitals should we make better food choices??

Better food choices MOST of the time.
Thoughtful food choices.
Gaining knowledge and changing our habits food choices.
Knowing better and choosing to do something about it, choices.

Oh GOOD GRIEF!!!!
I came here today to write about a particular plant in my back yard and got all soap box on you.

I don't apologize for it though.

I was inspired by that commercial.

And ya know what???
I am gonna stop apologizing for trying to do better and in turn sharing that with you.
I am gonna be okay with healthifying my recipes and realize that there are plenty of places for you to go for the alternative to that.
I am not really sure why I suffer such grief about this anyway.
Yes, I do!
It is because it is important to me.
It is because I hope that someone who accidentally stumbles across my words will find something good there whether it be a cookie or a main dish.

And ya know what???
Right here I am gonna put a link to the recipe which also helped to inspire this post.
The recipe which is totally killer in its own right.
The recipe which I have now made 5 times changing and altering to give it a healthy twist that still delivers a cookie worth drooling over.

And on Monday, inspired or not, should time allow it...I am gonna share the version I have been working on despite my insecurities and doubts.