Ditching the Drive-Thru: Down to earth family food advice from J. Natalie Winch.

Advice about feeding our families in a healthy and nutritious way bombards us these days. It’s hard not to know that the typical American diet is bad for us and also for our children. Despite this knowledge, many of us still rely on processed foods and those from fast food outlets.

In this excellent book, the author not only explains why we do this but in addition gives us a good common sense way of achieving a healthy way of life for ourselves and our kids.

Declare your independence!

This book will show you that it’s easier than you think to become independent of supermarket processed foods and the dreaded drive-thru. As the author so rightly points out, why do we allow ourselves to be controlled in such a way? And we are controlled — by clever advertising, marketing and the media. The food industry is a huge one and it’s making today’s Americans unhealthy. We shouldn’t allow this to happen. Why are we letting this industry dictate our eating habits?

“It’s fine for you but what about the rest of us?”

Ms Winch explains that the comment above was said to her when she was telling someone that she gets her family’s fresh, pesticide-free produce from a local farm. But as she says, what’s the difference between driving to the farm and driving to a supermarket? None, except that the former has better, healthier, fresher food.

The authors is an average American mother. She has a husband and two children. She teaches school. She’s a busy lady with a normal family. Yet the reason many people give for not feeding their families properly is that they don’t have the time. Ms Winch argues that if she does, most of us do too. And that’s especially valid when you consider that the difference between good food and processed food is actually a matter of life or death.

Does that seem harsh? Well, let’s take obesity as an example. We know that this has been a problem in our society for many years but we also know that child obesity is becoming a serious problem. Quite rightly, we are appalled at any sort of cruelty to children but we are bringing up kids who will become obese adults with all the health problems that causes.

But how can we change?

Are you thinking that your family would rise in revolt if you suddenly started changing their regular foods? You’re probably correct. That’s why Natalie has explained in her book how she and her family made the gradual change and how much it has benefited them. There is even a thorough but simple thirty month plan to follow. Yes, she is not suggesting an overnight change but a series of improvements to your diet that you’ll make gradually over years.

For instance, during month one you could restrict eating fast food to one meal a day. That’s not too tricky. During month two, you might declare that there will be no fast food burger or fries at lunchtime. In month three, the goal might be to cook dinner at home, from scratch, three evenings a week.

Because every family is different, Natalie suggests that you draw up your own plan tailored to your own needs by following the many suggestions she gives in the book. There is lots of practical advice within the book — and recipes too.

Read reviews on Amazon.

“Healing the planet one bite at a time”

This phrase (which I love) is written in the foreword of this book by Joel Salatin, best-selling author. He often speaks to groups throughout the country on the subject. He explains that he usually receives applause and then — the questions begin. This audience tell him that they love the concepts and ideas he speaksabout but that they won’t be able to follow them because:

• “I don’t have the time”
• “I don’t have the money”
• “I don’t know how to cook”
• “I don’t have a freezer”
• “My kids are picky eaters”

And more. No matter what your excuse might be, the answers are to be found in Ditching the Drive-Thru

Author’s Bio:

J. Natalie Winch lives in southern New Jersey, not far from where she grew up, with her husband, two children, and dogs. When she isn’t mothering, teaching, grading, or making lesson plans, Natalie runs the Hebrew School at her synagogue, coaches soccer, teaches lacto-fermentation classes, writes the occasional entry for her blog Food Empowerment (tradsnotfads.com), and fights the dust bunnies that threaten to take over her family room.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackie Jackson, also known online as BritFlorida, is a highly experienced designer and writer. British born and now living in the USA, she specialises in lifestyle issues, design and quirky stories. You can see a wide range of articles here, or visit her website Tastes Magazine. See The Writer’s Door for more information.