The Kitchen Table: March 2016

As I near a “milestone” age … I am trying to eat healthier. And, as my body rejects more and more types of food that I have been eating most of my life … I’m trying to find things it likes.

As a result … I’m slowly introducing new things into the household and cycling old things (and ways) out. Just like the cleaning and personal care products we use.

In May 2015 I became a customer of The Honest Company. I decided to do this because of our health. There are some products we just can’t use due to Asthma and sensitivities – that makes cleaning the house difficult.

That was one of the best ideas I ever had – choosing The Honest Company! I slowly started adding personal care items into the mix. That worked out better than I thought. There were a few bad experiences, but … I kept going.

Not only was it good for us, but better on the environment as well. So it was a two-for-one bonus.

And, I also took the same approach with food: slow and steady. I started weaning off McDonald’s and Taco Bell – those kinds of places. I would go to Panera Bread Bakery/Cafés and choose healthier options at Starbucks. I would choose wheat bread over white at sub shops, the best result being at Firehouse Subs. I’d choose healthier sides where I could.

At home, we’d opt for healthier versions of certain foods as well. The result? I was feeling better and not always sick after eating. I chose better ground beef for enchiladas, tacos, spaghetti … those kinds of things.

This past weekend (March 4^th to the 6^th) at the NASCAR race (Las Vegas Motor Speedway), Nature’s Bakery (Danica Patrick’s sponsor) was handing out “samples” of their FIG bars and their BROWNIE bars. The “samples” were actually “full size” twin packs.

Not wanting to pass up freebies, I took a few the first day and each person that handed something out … I took them up on it. Unless it was the blueberry varieties as I’m allergic to blueberries (among other things that are “good” for me). Each day: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday … I’d grab the goodies. And, we got coupons for the items too!

So we bought a few varieties that we didn’t get at the track. And, each night, we’d try them out. They were SO good! Not only just yummy, but GOOD for us.

** Cholesterol Free

** NON-GMO

** Dairy Free

** Kosher

** 0 Trans Fat

So, on Monday (3/7/2016) … looking for better eats, and never finding a decent Mac & Cheese outside of Kraft’s blue box, I bought one: MOM MADE.

It looked (according to the outside picture on the box) just like Kraft’s blue box, but it was PRICEY! It was part of a “buy 5 save $5 promotion” so that was part of the appeal. And, it was Gluten Free. Not that I need to go Gluten Free, but when and where I can – I’m going to try.

Eager to try it, as I was putting my groceries away, I warmed it up in the microwave.

Now, it wasn’t just the taste I couldn’t “stomach”, it smelled bad too. Then again, just because something smells bad – doesn’t mean it is bad. But, the texture was less than appealing also. It was MUSHY. Almost like someone had put it through a food processor. Three bites and in the trash it went. Yeah, I sure hated to see that money go in the trash can. I couldn’t taste any cheese whatsoever, and the macaroni? Yuck! It didn’t have a taste at all.

The product looked NOTHING like the outside picture. I get the pictures are “dressed up”, but this was grossly misrepresented! Look at my pictures to get the idea:

[This was the finished "cooked" product. Looks NOTHING like the photo on the package. The noodles are different, there is no "cheese" sauce or taste to it. Very mushy. Photo: ©2016 Marie Edwards. Please do not use without permission.]

And, I don’t think it was because it was “Gluten Free” either. I read some Amazon reviews for the regular product:

“I saw how this was made and packaged on the Food Channel last night and it looked pretty good. Organic. Check. Healthy. Check. Yummy ingredients. Check. So I picked up a box on the way home. The taste? YUCK! It was so vile tasting that I ended up drowning it in honey bbq sauce just to get it down. I would have just thrown it out but for $4.00 for a small portion I didn't want to do that.

No thanks. In the future I'll just stick with Kraft Shells 'N Cheese. It may not be as healthy or preservative free but it sure tastes good.” [from a one-star rating]

“But it does not taste like Mac ‘n Cheese at all but rather Macaroni in a vegetable/butternut squash sauce with cheese. As long as you are aware of this then you will be fine. The flavor, for me, was good but texture was mushy for a frozen entree.” [excerpt from a two-star rating – “Just don't think of it as Mac and Cheese”]

Link to product: http://smile.amazon.com/Mom-Made-Foods-Cheesy-7-Ounce/dp/B001M54X0A/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457482474&sr=8-1&keywords=mom+made+foods

From the descriptions, I am guessing that there isn’t much difference between the gluten free and the regular version.

Today (3/8) I went to my local Smith’s (Kroger for some), and as I was in the “HEALTHIER EATING” aisle picking up some Horizon Organics milk (single packs were on sale) – I spotted Simple Truth Organic Deluxe Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese.

Okay, I’m a sucker … I had to get it. The price was right, so … why not?

After Smith’s, I went to my local iHop for their “free” short stack to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (one of my many favorite charities). After a late breakfast – I headed home.

For a late lunch, I decided I’d fix up the new Mac & Cheese I got. And, it was simple to fix: I didn’t have to measure any milk or butter/margarine as it had a cheese packet much like Kraft’s deluxe version. That was another part of the appeal.

After cooking the macaroni and draining it, I put the cheese packet in. Stirred it up, and that stuff was “creamy”. But … was it good? Looks aren’t just everything:

Not wanting to dirty a bowl for something that might go in the trash or drain, I took a small nibble. That wasn’t enough … I took a bigger bite.

WOW! And, that isn’t even an accurate reaction! That stuff was awesome! Not as “cheddar” cheesy as I’d like – but it was good, especially for less than $2 and it being “ORGANIC”. I put some in a bowl and had a wonderful late lunch.

There’s still some left, so I’ll save that for my mom. Hopefully she’ll take it to work and let me know how well it re-heats, then I’ll update on that. That’s another thing to consider – how well does it re-heat in case of leftovers?

Would I buy this again? Yup! Absolutely would.

I do understand there is going to be a difference between microwave foods and stove cooked foods. But, should there be that much difference? And, shouldn’t the food at least resemble the package?

In the case of “MOM MADE” it doesn’t even resemble the package (look back at both pictures of that product). In the Simple Truth Organic case? It looks closer to the package than MOM MADE does, that’s for sure.

Anyway …

I don’t mind buying an “organic” product as long as it is “yummy”. After all, it doesn’t do my body (or my wallet) any good if it goes in the trash.

The Kitchen Table

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Better Eating