Things are changing at the Zeck house. Well at least they're changing in the kitchen. It’s actually my neurologist’s fault. I remember the first thing he said after confirming my MS diagnosis.
“I highly recommend you change your diet.”
What? The nerve of that guy. What’s wrong with my diet?
I only ate fast food when the kids had activities and there was no time for dinner. And it’s not my fault that concession stand food is limited to hot dogs and nachos or walking tacos. But you can’t mess with my sweets, mister. Afternoon cookies were a necessity. How else would I stay awake?
The look on my face must’ve said it all.
“You need to eat real food,” he said. “Eat like it’s the 1800’s.”
So what did people eat in the 1800’s? Nuts and berries? Molasses from an old tree in the backyard?
I only knew one family from that time period and I hadn’t heard from them in years. As a kid, I loved the Little House on the Prairie books. One Christmas I got the entire box set.
I tried to remember. What did Ma make for dinner? Sadly, the only foods that came to mind were a pig’s bladder (which made a great balloon for Laura) and a hearty bowl of rabbit stew.
“I highly recommend you change your diet.”
What? The nerve of that guy. What’s wrong with my diet?
I only ate fast food when the kids had activities and there was no time for dinner. And it’s not my fault that concession stand food is limited to hot dogs and nachos or walking tacos. But you can’t mess with my sweets, mister. Afternoon cookies were a necessity. How else would I stay awake?
The look on my face must’ve said it all.
“You need to eat real food,” he said. “Eat like it’s the 1800’s.”
So what did people eat in the 1800’s? Nuts and berries? Molasses from an old tree in the backyard?
I only knew one family from that time period and I hadn’t heard from them in years. As a kid, I loved the Little House on the Prairie books. One Christmas I got the entire box set.
I tried to remember. What did Ma make for dinner? Sadly, the only foods that came to mind were a pig’s bladder (which made a great balloon for Laura) and a hearty bowl of rabbit stew.
Unlike Ma, I do have an advantage. Google. Over the past few weeks I’ve been trying lots of healthy new recipes. But it's been a learning experience. Like one day at the grocery store.
“Um, excuse me. Where is your kale?”
Now don’t judge me, but I honestly didn’t know what kale looked like.
“Right over here, ma’am.” The kid walked with me to the organic aisle.
“Oh it kind of looks like lettuce!” I said, intrigued.
At one time, my pantry was full of chips, Mac ‘n cheese and fruit snacks. Today, the pantry is empty, but my fridge is full. And I have hope for a healthy future.
Now don’t worry. I allow myself a little treat every once in awhile. After all, I remember one Christmas when Mr. Edwards crossed a raging creek in the bitter cold, just to give Laura and Mary a peppermint stick and some store-bought sugar for Ma.
I mean, let’s be realistic. If it was good enough for the Ingalls, then it’s good enough for me.
“Um, excuse me. Where is your kale?”
Now don’t judge me, but I honestly didn’t know what kale looked like.
“Right over here, ma’am.” The kid walked with me to the organic aisle.
“Oh it kind of looks like lettuce!” I said, intrigued.
At one time, my pantry was full of chips, Mac ‘n cheese and fruit snacks. Today, the pantry is empty, but my fridge is full. And I have hope for a healthy future.
Now don’t worry. I allow myself a little treat every once in awhile. After all, I remember one Christmas when Mr. Edwards crossed a raging creek in the bitter cold, just to give Laura and Mary a peppermint stick and some store-bought sugar for Ma.
I mean, let’s be realistic. If it was good enough for the Ingalls, then it’s good enough for me.
