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Monday, June 30, 2014
What Eating Out Does To Us
It makes us really sick, well kinda sick. You know, when you feel real yucky and just want to sit on the couch and say, "Uugghh. I don't feel good." Over the past five or six years we have noticed a growing trend in our stomachs, or maybe a growing trend in the prepared food supply. There are very few places we will eat out anymore. Not that many establishments don't serve good tasting food, it's just that there is something about the food that doesn't set well with our digestive systems. Something to ponder.
We noticed it first with fast food burger places, which we really like, we always have. Over time, it got to where we just couldn't stop there anymore without feeling bad for the rest of the day. That narrowed down the places we eat quite a bit. We have never been the kind that go to expensive restaurants just to say we did, and we seldom ate out anyway. We would rather eat at home or just grab something to tide us over until we get home. Every so often we would get something to eat just because we didn't feel like cooking, but not often. Some of this routine came from living in remote, bush Alaska where there were no places to eat at all. You fed yourself or didn't eat. Even if there were days we didn't feel like cooking, too bad. Fix it yourself or don't eat. That's when we discovered Banquet fried chicken. We could still have it flown in from the store 25 miles away. It was already frozen so it didn't matter that it was 30 degrees below zero outside. Otherwise we would just cook extra whatever - pizza, lasagna, green bean casserole - and freeze the extras in meal size portions.
What we have discovered, or our theory on it anyway, is that the additives like MSG on top of the GMO quality of most prepared foods, just don't set well with us anymore. We think one of the reasons for this is that we have very consciously tried to eliminate these items from our own food preparations. I guess we have been successful to the point that when we do consume some of these products, it upsets our
systems. That is a good thing and a bag thing. Good that we have been able to eliminate so many things from our diets, bad that when we do need to eat somewhere else, it makes us sick. All the more reason to eat at home.
From left to right: Winter squash pie with frozen Cushaw from last summer; fresh ground wheat bread; wild cherries picked yesterday, kefir in the making; eggs for the dog; mozzarella thawing out; and a lunch of fresh picked squash, onions, carrots and potatoes. Now that the garden is producing pretty well, we tend to have meals like this. For breakfast we had scrambled eggs, a glass of goat milk with peaches and pears we canned last summer. We've gotten to the point where we seldom go to a grocery store, and that's really nice. We have plenty to eat here in season, and plenty canned on the shelf for out of season. I guess it just surprises me at the difference homegrown food can make in your overall health and well-being. We long dreamed of being able to produce our own food, and are now finally able to reap the benefits of that dream. One of the unexpected side effects of dreams come true, is finding out that the food we used to eat all of the time, now makes us sick. Interesting. Very interesting.
Two years ago we went out to eat with a group of friends to a high-end burger place. I ordered a burger smothered with sauteed onions that sounded so good. When I got it I was so disappointed. The beef tasted "off", kind of an "old" taste. The next night I made the same meal at home, using the ground beef from our steer, and it was SO much better - delicious! That opened my eyes. As you said, it's both a good thing and a bad thing... our home-cooked food is so much better both in taste and in health, but it has limited the places we can go out to eat.
Thank you for the example, Kathi. I really think the limitations of not eating out are a good thing. When we eat at home, we have more control over what we ingest. That is a great benefit to this life.
The last fast food joint we visited was McDonald's 27 years ago. After biting into a cold, partially cooked burger and hearing the manager's explanation for it we vowed never again. Apparently at that time the burgers were only partially cooked at a central location and sent to the "restaurant" where they were heated in a juice solution to finish cook them. They were transitioning from breakfast to lunch and the burgers needed more time to finish. If we're going out for the day we bring our own food to eat now. We don't eat at restaurants with one exception, when we travel and will be gone for more than 3-4 days we seek out the local Mom and Pop joint's and eat there. As for grocery stores, we avoid them as well. For the time being we live in a small town in northern Maryland and are not permitted to raise livestock by our Dear Leaders but we do grow a nice sized garden. We've forged friendships and learned to purchase from the PA Amish at their farms, not at the tourist traps from the people dressed as Amish. We've located several Amish General Stores and purchase in bulk from them and our beef, pork and chicken come from Amish butchers in season. No hormones, antibiotics or chemicals! You can see, smell and taste the difference while enjoying the saving$! Fruits and vegetables are enjoyed fresh in season and we can/preserve from our own garden bounty as well as what we find from the Amish for those months when it's not available. Store what your eat and eat what you store!
Thank you for sharing your choices in life style, Ken. It may take more work and planning, but the benefits are endless. We have always gone by the motto, "store what you eat and eat what you store." If you don't eat what you store, why store it? Thank you again.
HI Fern! It is so true, home cooked food taste so much better than restaurant food! We have a pretty good selection of restaurants in this town and we have tried them all! My food is ALWAYS better, at least in our opinion! The only place we eat out is the local Mexican restaurant and on special occasions, Red Lobster. I just like a break from cooking and washing dishes sometimes! My guys really appreciate my home-cooking since they have to eat lunch out everyday. They don't want to eat sandwiches from home or they could take lunch. Plus, they're on the road a lot and never know where or when they might eat. I guess their stomachs are used to that kind of eating, but I don't want to EVER have to eat like that! Home-grown and home-cookedi is the way to go! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
When we do eat out, Felecia, we get a sandwich at Subway. We always get the same thing. Whole wheat, roast beef, with spinach. Sometimes Frank gets olives and a little mayo and I get onions, bell peppers and mustard. We always carry some water and crackers wherever we go. Then, if we aren't around a Subway, or don't want to stop, the crackers will tide us over until we get home. It's not like I'm the world's greatest cook or anything, we just like our food so much better. And, it doesn't make us feel sick. Thanks for sharing.
We have the same problem! For us it is at least partly the quality of the meat. The food from many restaurants does not sit well, as you said, and even my kids, who are all teenagers, will pass on eating out in favour of eating at home. And they refuse to eat meat from the grocery store. They comment often on how much they prefer "our" food to eating elsewhere. The downside of being so careful about our food sources!
It's very interesting that your teenagers would rather eat at home, Karin. That says something for the quality of food you provide for your family. Good for you. Thank you for the comment.
And I thought it was just us. I really enjoyed finding out that other people have this issue with "town" food. We used to enjoy Sonic Burgers...but the last time we ate there, the burgers were just the same and they smelled so rich and good, but when we got home we both felt...ukky. We noted that was the second time we felt that way after a "delicious" burger. I have started to pay attention to how I feel after I eat something, as often as not something from a commercial kitchen leaves us with a less than good feeling. I have worked very hard and weaned myself from High Fructose corn syrup. It was hard to do as it is in everything! I feel so much better for it! I smile at restaurants that say Home cooked meals, it is not cooked in a home kitchen in small amounts from stove right to table and they buy their supplies form restaurant food sources. I think people would really be surprised if they cooked more at home and grew more of their own food...look what we are all learning!
You know, Fiona, I am surprised that there are other people that feel the same way we do. I guess I shouldn't be, but it gives me even more to think about. Now I really wonder what it is that makes us feel bad when we eat 'normal food' from a restaurant or grocery store. It will take me a while to 'digest' this one (sorry, I just couldn't resist!). (-:
Thank you for sharing your experiences. This is turning into a more interesting post the more comments we get.
My husband and I eat out occasionally, mostly fast food, occasionally, a 'nice' restaurant. After our last trip to a Taco Bell, I commented that actually, the food we are eating (I had a taco and he had a rice, black bean, and shredded beef bowl), I could easily make at home with closer scrutiny on ingredients and for far less money. So why not eat at home? Well as Felecia said, sometimes you just want a break from the cooking and cleaning up. Still, I told my husband, I'm going to make more of our 'fast food choices' at home. After my husband contracting food poisoning a few months back from a local restaurant, we've become more cautious of eating out. At least I know what level my 'quality control' is at.
You're right, Joy, it is much less expensive to eat at home, whether you grow or buy your ingredients. It also allows you to experiment with lots of different options and recipes on your own. Thank you for sharing.
We are right there with you! I wondered if it was additives or my age effecting our digestion.... also our homegrown stuff is such high quality. Do you guys have any plum trees? I have used ours over the years to make some great plum jam, (sweet-tart). Yesterday I followed an online tip and canned some. 20 minutes in a water-bath for pints. Easy & quick. I will be doing more of these for sure, as they will add some more variety to our winter diet. As granddad said, Beats a snowball! Beth in Ky.
We continue to be surprised at how many people have this same experience, Beth. Thank you for sharing.
No, we don't have any plum trees, but a neighbor shared some of her plums with us a couple of years ago. We canned them in a light syrup and ate them just like that. They were great! That was the first time we had canned, or really had much to do with plums besides buying a few at the store on occasion. And it definitely beats a snowball!
Hubby and I have always been "eater outers". It's just what what we did. But..... lately we have been getting sick when we eat out. We also have been noticing that the food's not as good as it use to be. We would rather eat at home. And since I got a new dishwasher, I don't mind. The hard part now is trying to find out WHAT to eat.
Two years ago we went out to eat with a group of friends to a high-end burger place. I ordered a burger smothered with sauteed onions that sounded so good. When I got it I was so disappointed. The beef tasted "off", kind of an "old" taste. The next night I made the same meal at home, using the ground beef from our steer, and it was SO much better - delicious! That opened my eyes. As you said, it's both a good thing and a bad thing... our home-cooked food is so much better both in taste and in health, but it has limited the places we can go out to eat.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the example, Kathi. I really think the limitations of not eating out are a good thing. When we eat at home, we have more control over what we ingest. That is a great benefit to this life.
DeleteFern
The last fast food joint we visited was McDonald's 27 years ago. After biting into a cold, partially cooked burger and hearing the manager's explanation for it we vowed never again. Apparently at that time the burgers were only partially cooked at a central location and sent to the "restaurant" where they were heated in a juice solution to finish cook them. They were transitioning from breakfast to lunch and the burgers needed more time to finish. If we're going out for the day we bring our own food to eat now. We don't eat at restaurants with one exception, when we travel and will be gone for more than 3-4 days we seek out the local Mom and Pop joint's and eat there. As for grocery stores, we avoid them as well. For the time being we live in a small town in northern Maryland and are not permitted to raise livestock by our Dear Leaders but we do grow a nice sized garden. We've forged friendships and learned to purchase from the PA Amish at their farms, not at the tourist traps from the people dressed as Amish. We've located several Amish General Stores and purchase in bulk from them and our beef, pork and chicken come from Amish butchers in season. No hormones, antibiotics or chemicals! You can see, smell and taste the difference while enjoying the saving$! Fruits and vegetables are enjoyed fresh in season and we can/preserve from our own garden bounty as well as what we find from the Amish for those months when it's not available. Store what your eat and eat what you store!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your choices in life style, Ken. It may take more work and planning, but the benefits are endless. We have always gone by the motto, "store what you eat and eat what you store." If you don't eat what you store, why store it? Thank you again.
DeleteFern
HI Fern! It is so true, home cooked food taste so much better than restaurant food! We have a pretty good selection of restaurants in this town and we have tried them all! My food is ALWAYS better, at least in our opinion! The only place we eat out is the local Mexican restaurant and on special occasions, Red Lobster. I just like a break from cooking and washing dishes sometimes! My guys really appreciate my home-cooking since they have to eat lunch out everyday. They don't want to eat sandwiches from home or they could take lunch. Plus, they're on the road a lot and never know where or when they might eat. I guess their stomachs are used to that kind of eating, but I don't want to EVER have to eat like that! Home-grown and home-cookedi is the way to go! Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteWhen we do eat out, Felecia, we get a sandwich at Subway. We always get the same thing. Whole wheat, roast beef, with spinach. Sometimes Frank gets olives and a little mayo and I get onions, bell peppers and mustard. We always carry some water and crackers wherever we go. Then, if we aren't around a Subway, or don't want to stop, the crackers will tide us over until we get home. It's not like I'm the world's greatest cook or anything, we just like our food so much better. And, it doesn't make us feel sick. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteFern
Home grown food is much better tasting :)
ReplyDeleteand easier on the pocketbook.
It surprises me sometimes how different the flavor is in some foods. We are very blessed to be able to raise some of our own. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteFern
We have the same problem! For us it is at least partly the quality of the meat. The food from many restaurants does not sit well, as you said, and even my kids, who are all teenagers, will pass on eating out in favour of eating at home. And they refuse to eat meat from the grocery store. They comment often on how much they prefer "our" food to eating elsewhere. The downside of being so careful about our food sources!
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting that your teenagers would rather eat at home, Karin. That says something for the quality of food you provide for your family. Good for you. Thank you for the comment.
DeleteFern
And I thought it was just us. I really enjoyed finding out that other people have this issue with "town" food. We used to enjoy Sonic Burgers...but the last time we ate there, the burgers were just the same and they smelled so rich and good, but when we got home we both felt...ukky. We noted that was the second time we felt that way after a "delicious" burger. I have started to pay attention to how I feel after I eat something, as often as not something from a commercial kitchen leaves us with a less than good feeling. I have worked very hard and weaned myself from High Fructose corn syrup. It was hard to do as it is in everything! I feel so much better for it!
ReplyDeleteI smile at restaurants that say Home cooked meals, it is not cooked in a home kitchen in small amounts from stove right to table and they buy their supplies form restaurant food sources. I think people would really be surprised if they cooked more at home and grew more of their own food...look what we are all learning!
You know, Fiona, I am surprised that there are other people that feel the same way we do. I guess I shouldn't be, but it gives me even more to think about. Now I really wonder what it is that makes us feel bad when we eat 'normal food' from a restaurant or grocery store. It will take me a while to 'digest' this one (sorry, I just couldn't resist!). (-:
DeleteThank you for sharing your experiences. This is turning into a more interesting post the more comments we get.
Fern
My husband and I eat out occasionally, mostly fast food, occasionally, a 'nice' restaurant. After our last trip to a Taco Bell, I commented that actually, the food we are eating (I had a taco and he had a rice, black bean, and shredded beef bowl), I could easily make at home with closer scrutiny on ingredients and for far less money. So why not eat at home? Well as Felecia said, sometimes you just want a break from the cooking and cleaning up. Still, I told my husband, I'm going to make more of our 'fast food choices' at home. After my husband contracting food poisoning a few months back from a local restaurant, we've become more cautious of eating out. At least I know what level my 'quality control' is at.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Joy, it is much less expensive to eat at home, whether you grow or buy your ingredients. It also allows you to experiment with lots of different options and recipes on your own. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteFern
We are right there with you! I wondered if it was additives or my age effecting our digestion.... also our homegrown stuff is such high quality. Do you guys have any plum trees? I have used ours over the years to make some great plum jam, (sweet-tart). Yesterday I followed an online tip and canned some. 20 minutes in a water-bath for pints. Easy & quick. I will be doing more of these for sure, as they will add some more variety to our winter diet. As granddad said, Beats a snowball! Beth in Ky.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to be surprised at how many people have this same experience, Beth. Thank you for sharing.
DeleteNo, we don't have any plum trees, but a neighbor shared some of her plums with us a couple of years ago. We canned them in a light syrup and ate them just like that. They were great! That was the first time we had canned, or really had much to do with plums besides buying a few at the store on occasion. And it definitely beats a snowball!
Fern
Hubby and I have always been "eater outers". It's just what what we did. But..... lately we have been getting sick when we eat out. We also have been noticing that the food's not as good as it use to be. We would rather eat at home. And since I got a new dishwasher, I don't mind. The hard part now is trying to find out WHAT to eat.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input, SFG. This gets more curious all the time.
DeleteFern