My pantry pretty much looks like a “don’t” list for a family trying to eat a healthy, whole food diet.  It’s a bit embarrassing, actually.  It normally doesn’t look like that.

My pantry currently houses several boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese.  It’s not even the healthier organic version with less additives and coloring.  Shocking.  I know.

And there are goldfish crackers, spaghetti o’s, nutrigrain bars, and hershey’s chocolate syrup.

There’s a kind of fruit and nut bar I bought without reading the label.  After looking at the package, I was horrified to find the second ingredient is corn syrup.  They must have to practicallysoak the oatmeal in corn syrup to boost it that high on the list.

Basically, I might as well have a vat of high fructose corn syrup in my pantry.

Oh… and I have a big bag of white granulated sugar, because I can’t bring myself to can certain fruits in rapadura.  It just looks kind of dirty when I do that.  I guess I have food vanity issues?

Left: Rainier Cherries in rapadura.  Dirty much? Right: Bing Cherries in rapadura.  Lovely!

It’s not all processed stuff.  There are plenty of organic fruits and veggies in my garden and fridge.  There is good cheese and organic yogurt.  There is sprouted organic and whole wheat bread.  There are almonds, which are a favorite of Gilbert’s.  Check out these radishes from our garden… I may never grow another variety:

Heirloom variety for the win!

Let’s be clear: I DO NOT feel guilty about the state of my pantry.  The state of my pantry was a choice.  I just feel like it’s important to be honest.  Every family has choices to make and does their best for their children.  And sometimes the best looks like a bag of goldfish crackers.

I decided while I am busy getting Charlie on a schedule and spending stretches of time immobile (nursing), Gilbert needs to have easily opened/no prep snacks to grab without assistance.  I decided that quick to prepare and non-perishable food was a must, since I wasn’t sure if I would make it to the store every week.

Any sense of guilt aside, I have felt the toll of this diet on our energy levels and moods.  A few nights ago we had a really good salad.  It was full of nuts, seeds, cabbage, and kale.  My husband texted me the next day and told me that we should have salad more often.  He told me he could “feel” the nutrition.  I was thinking the exact same thing.  I had more energy and felt less lethargic.

This did not stop me from drinking another cup of coffee.  I just didn’t feel like I really needed to have it.  But I always want it.  Delicious, bitter, strong coffee.  I love you, Coffee.

Eating less processed food and striving for a diet full of nutrient rich food makes us feel better.  So, back to better habits we go.

But I’m still not canning Rainier cherries in rapadura.  I just. can’t. do. it.