I enjoyed reading every word, Tara! You are an inspiration to many I am sure. You have given your family so much love in every bite of the food you not only prepared.. but raised as well. I love reading your essays.💕
This was so encouraging! I bought a dairy cow 5 years ago and that was the plunge into whole food for us. Every year I get further and further away from the standard norm. It’s so hard sometimes. I have 18 m twins and a 3.5 year old and man do I wish I would have Introduced organ meats to my toddler when she was a babe… but I do wonder- did you have any issues with your kids obsessing over treats and things? My daughter sees me as the treat nazi and always wants to go places with dad where she’s more likely to get snacks that mom won’t give her (still working on dad). But I was worried I was creating her obsession by not ever allowing it. How did you manage this In a world where it’s everywhere and handing a kid a bag of cheez-its or fruit snacks WITHOUT ASKING PARENTS is common place. “But they are real fruit” Ughhhh. I do try and send her with snacks I’ve made for her but somehow she comes home more times than not saying she had something else instead. I need the breaks so I don’t prevent her from going with dad. I hope I can do better with my twins.
Hi Amanda, that would be frustrating. I handled that by being upfront with everyone in our circle. They knew to ask me before they handed my kids food and my kids, when old enough, knew that there were foods that were bad for their bodies and so we didn't eat them. I think that goes back to the education piece. I don't understand a husband or wife that thwarts the attempts of the other parent. I would be having some serious conversations with my spouse about that. I see that as a matter of respect and in providing a united front to the children.
Yes it’s mostly his clients when he is busy (he’s a general contractor) or a lady at the builders supply shop. But I think as he learns more and gets more on board he will start to stick up for the kids more. He’s already come a long way. At this point he sees me as a bit strict, yet understands and respects what I’m doing. So a store bought something here and there he doesn’t think is a big deal. My hope is that as we grow in this journey he will hold the same values and not just do it for my sake. I am guilty for being more concerned about others feelings and making them feel bad about what they feed their kids. I need to be more upfront with my inner circle. I loved what you said about that- causing parents insecurities. That’s my biggest struggle. I always wonder if they think I’m judging them or something. And sometimes it’s just awkward.
I loved seeing someone else write about how *it's okay to leave food out for a bit*. We don't need refrigeration at all times. I do this with leftovers all the time, especially if I know I'm going to want some in the morning.
Anyway, now that I have a partner I've had the joy of getting to cook for someone else regularly and this has inspired me to take responsibility for even more of his meals. I also really liked the mention of how you label everything; it's very true that others don't see it as micro-managing, they're just grateful for the good meal that's easily laid out.
This is how we travel! Though not quite as organized just yet, so this is such a beautiful piece for me to learn and refine my practice even more. Thank you. Also, I have to share that some of your writing is used here for our “homeschool,” where I play the audio for my girls and they get to absorb the depth and breadth of your teachings and offerings. They particularly enjoyed hearing about Ursula and making butter. This one warmed their hearts in a “there are others who have similar life values and who eat like we do” way. They dream of living on a small farmstead and until we can do that, listening to you has been such a gift. So much inspiration and information and just down-to-earth goodness. Thank you, thank you.
Ashley, your comment made me cry. What a beautiful, generous gift to give me. Thank you for sharing that. I would never have even thought about children listening to what I share. This means so much to me. Now I want to tell them all the stories about Reign the Mighty Bull, our cow Daisy who lost her moo (I'm writing a book on that one), and the snake that visited me every day in the garden. Thank you. xo
Oh, I’m so happy I shared! We really enjoy listening together when the topics are a fit. I shared your comment with my girls (6 & 9) and they are very much looking forward to hearing the stories you mentioned above - no pressure ;)
My 4 year old has just started to notice that other people do not eat “healthy” like us. I explain to him why we eat what we eat and he knows the farmers who raise our food. Even when we eat the very occasional “fast food”, he eats some but quickly gets distracted. When I make liver pâté and him and his brother devour it without question. Thank you for the essay. It is a nice reminder that it’s okay to be the “weird” ones and that it is a privilege to have these beautiful little humans to nourish.
What a coincidence, it just happens to be Rock Awareness Day in my little town...thanks for reminding me...and thanks for managing to stay out of prison (so far, at least!)...
Though I am 100% "on board" with virtually everything you write, I am honestly quite far away, in terms of my actual lifestyle & how I "do it". For me, this just makes it all the more enticing to read about, and slowly strive toward...thanks!!!
Oh, how grand! Rock Awareness Day there too, you say?! Hurray! Did you pull out the customary pebble encrusted cowboy hat whilst starting at rocks through your binoculars or do you guys do it differently there?
I'm so glad there's still something in there for you, or anyone, regardless of where you're at.
Well...this is the USA, after all, so we have thrown all traditions & customs to the wind (yes, even in women's college swimming!)...nothing is sacred any more. Not even Rock Awareness Day!
It used to be so grand, similar to your, it sounds like...BUT, these days, 5 groups of 11 souls each, go down by the in-town lake shore. We each gather 3 suitable rocks (official specs yet to be determined), so that's 165 total rocks! Each of the 5 groups forms a circle, and then each person stares at their own rocks for 30 seconds (sort of like navel-gazing). Then we rotate counter-clockwise, stare at the next person's rocks for another 30, until all 11 people are now back at their own "home rocks" (and feeling good about it, eh!)...
What we do thereafter has been a secret, since day one of Rock Awareness Day, back in the 60's. I am not at liberty to divulge any of it. Just know that we all end up with a whole new sense of appreciation for rocks, geology in general, and rotating counter-clockwise...
Off-topic...a few weeks back, I had reached out to you to see if I can avoid using a credit card, to support your Substack writings. Please let me know if that's possible.
Tara, I love all that you write and this kind of practical information is so helpful to me. I love your attitude about the whole process of feeding those you love...with love, not considering it a negative or a cost to yourself. I'm curious about the "electrolytes" that you mention. Can you give more information on them, please. Thank you!
Hi Karen, thanks so much, that's really good to hear. Electrolytes: hubs uses the LMNT ones or we make our own. I don't like flavoured drinks so to 2 litres of water I add 1/2 teaspoon good salt (I only use the Giddy YoYo or Redmond but Redmond has a lot of sediment in it so for electrolytes I stick with Giddy YoYo mountain salt), 1/4 tsp potassium, and a bit of magnesium. The potassium need be potassium chloride, not citrate. I prefer the magnesium l-threonate version, but do what's best for you. Also, that's a "starting out" recipe you may find you like yours saltier/less salty or if you're not on a lower carbohydrate diet, you might skip the potassium altogether. 🙂
Tara, this message just showed up for me today....not the first time. But I realize I never thanked you for the details of the electrolytes. I have since tried LMNT and Redmond ReLyte and, and like you, I don't do well with the flavored stuff. I will now be ordering Giddy YoYo and adding all the other ingredients. Seems like with electrolytes its too much or too little for me. Your formula gives some tweaking room. Thanks!
Loved reading your wisdom on this subject! I have got to learn to make those rillettes, they look divine. Ok just paused to look up a recipe…that’s unbelievably easy. Can’t believe I never heard of it before reading your posts!
I would love a brief "how to" on rilettes. I made them once when we had to butcher a bunch of going roos, and results were OK. But now we have rabbits, and while I love them from the sustainably aspect they are not my favorite to cook with. Would love to hear how you do this!
Hi Anna, I might do that. Recipes really are not something I like writing or figuring out at all. I always hope to encourage people but beyond that, I trust in everyone's capacity to try any old recipe and then branch out from there. I will see what I can do but measurements and all that are not going to happen because it's just not what I do and not how I think cooking should be done. :)
Tara, I have come back to this post several time, and each time I feel that I learn something. Thank you for sharing. I have a quick question: when you use raw eggs in a quick drink with raw milk in the vitamix, do you use the whole egg or just the yolk? I have seen this recent "trend" where people are mixing raw eggs and milk into their coffee in the morning, but they only use the yolk. I wonder why? Do you use the whole egg? Thank you!
I use the yolk only when raw. The egg white has avidin which binds biotin. It's not a big deal to eat it once in awhile, but not something to do regularly.
I very much enjoyed this essay! Like you I was also raised on "hippy" food and I sometimes resented being different from the other kids but I now appreciate the love and effort my mom put into feeding me good food.
Love this so much! This is def something I need to get better about. Sometimes I just get lazy. My kiddos have each had their share of comments about their lunches. It’s sad, but then they tell me about the lunchables, take out, full size chocolate bars, etc that kids have every single day! It’s amazing! My kids know how food makes them feel. I try not to demonize food, but also point out what is FOOD and what is not food. It’s a struggle.
Tara, any time you have the hankering to write informative essays like this, please do! This was great information and inspiring. Very cool 😎
Okay, will do!🙂
I enjoyed reading every word, Tara! You are an inspiration to many I am sure. You have given your family so much love in every bite of the food you not only prepared.. but raised as well. I love reading your essays.💕
Thanks so much, Charlotte 🙂💕
Tara, just one question.. will you share the electrolyte you use. I use them every day but I’m wondering if you make yours.. thank you!!
Hi Charlotte, I did share what I do. It's in these comments. :)
Thank you!
"Rock Awareness Day"... I'm howling 🤣😂
Thank you so much for this essay Tara. It's come at exactly the right time for me.
It's immediately getting saved into my "Tara's Wisdom" folder and we'll be trying your "milkshake" ASAP 🙏✨❤️
Thank you for fluffing my feathers, Biba 🙂💕😉
That was one of my favorite lines. 😂
This was so encouraging! I bought a dairy cow 5 years ago and that was the plunge into whole food for us. Every year I get further and further away from the standard norm. It’s so hard sometimes. I have 18 m twins and a 3.5 year old and man do I wish I would have Introduced organ meats to my toddler when she was a babe… but I do wonder- did you have any issues with your kids obsessing over treats and things? My daughter sees me as the treat nazi and always wants to go places with dad where she’s more likely to get snacks that mom won’t give her (still working on dad). But I was worried I was creating her obsession by not ever allowing it. How did you manage this In a world where it’s everywhere and handing a kid a bag of cheez-its or fruit snacks WITHOUT ASKING PARENTS is common place. “But they are real fruit” Ughhhh. I do try and send her with snacks I’ve made for her but somehow she comes home more times than not saying she had something else instead. I need the breaks so I don’t prevent her from going with dad. I hope I can do better with my twins.
Hi Amanda, that would be frustrating. I handled that by being upfront with everyone in our circle. They knew to ask me before they handed my kids food and my kids, when old enough, knew that there were foods that were bad for their bodies and so we didn't eat them. I think that goes back to the education piece. I don't understand a husband or wife that thwarts the attempts of the other parent. I would be having some serious conversations with my spouse about that. I see that as a matter of respect and in providing a united front to the children.
Yes it’s mostly his clients when he is busy (he’s a general contractor) or a lady at the builders supply shop. But I think as he learns more and gets more on board he will start to stick up for the kids more. He’s already come a long way. At this point he sees me as a bit strict, yet understands and respects what I’m doing. So a store bought something here and there he doesn’t think is a big deal. My hope is that as we grow in this journey he will hold the same values and not just do it for my sake. I am guilty for being more concerned about others feelings and making them feel bad about what they feed their kids. I need to be more upfront with my inner circle. I loved what you said about that- causing parents insecurities. That’s my biggest struggle. I always wonder if they think I’m judging them or something. And sometimes it’s just awkward.
Thank you!
I loved seeing someone else write about how *it's okay to leave food out for a bit*. We don't need refrigeration at all times. I do this with leftovers all the time, especially if I know I'm going to want some in the morning.
Anyway, now that I have a partner I've had the joy of getting to cook for someone else regularly and this has inspired me to take responsibility for even more of his meals. I also really liked the mention of how you label everything; it's very true that others don't see it as micro-managing, they're just grateful for the good meal that's easily laid out.
Yes, exactly! Thanks Rebecca :)
This is how we travel! Though not quite as organized just yet, so this is such a beautiful piece for me to learn and refine my practice even more. Thank you. Also, I have to share that some of your writing is used here for our “homeschool,” where I play the audio for my girls and they get to absorb the depth and breadth of your teachings and offerings. They particularly enjoyed hearing about Ursula and making butter. This one warmed their hearts in a “there are others who have similar life values and who eat like we do” way. They dream of living on a small farmstead and until we can do that, listening to you has been such a gift. So much inspiration and information and just down-to-earth goodness. Thank you, thank you.
Ashley, your comment made me cry. What a beautiful, generous gift to give me. Thank you for sharing that. I would never have even thought about children listening to what I share. This means so much to me. Now I want to tell them all the stories about Reign the Mighty Bull, our cow Daisy who lost her moo (I'm writing a book on that one), and the snake that visited me every day in the garden. Thank you. xo
Oh, I’m so happy I shared! We really enjoy listening together when the topics are a fit. I shared your comment with my girls (6 & 9) and they are very much looking forward to hearing the stories you mentioned above - no pressure ;)
What a great idea, Ashley! Can't wait to play these recordings for my kids as well. Thanks for the inspiration.
My 4 year old has just started to notice that other people do not eat “healthy” like us. I explain to him why we eat what we eat and he knows the farmers who raise our food. Even when we eat the very occasional “fast food”, he eats some but quickly gets distracted. When I make liver pâté and him and his brother devour it without question. Thank you for the essay. It is a nice reminder that it’s okay to be the “weird” ones and that it is a privilege to have these beautiful little humans to nourish.
That's lovely, Tonya. If what's on offer is "normal", I'm happy with weird :)
Rock Awareness Days!!!! 😂
What a coincidence, it just happens to be Rock Awareness Day in my little town...thanks for reminding me...and thanks for managing to stay out of prison (so far, at least!)...
Though I am 100% "on board" with virtually everything you write, I am honestly quite far away, in terms of my actual lifestyle & how I "do it". For me, this just makes it all the more enticing to read about, and slowly strive toward...thanks!!!
Oh, how grand! Rock Awareness Day there too, you say?! Hurray! Did you pull out the customary pebble encrusted cowboy hat whilst starting at rocks through your binoculars or do you guys do it differently there?
I'm so glad there's still something in there for you, or anyone, regardless of where you're at.
Well...this is the USA, after all, so we have thrown all traditions & customs to the wind (yes, even in women's college swimming!)...nothing is sacred any more. Not even Rock Awareness Day!
It used to be so grand, similar to your, it sounds like...BUT, these days, 5 groups of 11 souls each, go down by the in-town lake shore. We each gather 3 suitable rocks (official specs yet to be determined), so that's 165 total rocks! Each of the 5 groups forms a circle, and then each person stares at their own rocks for 30 seconds (sort of like navel-gazing). Then we rotate counter-clockwise, stare at the next person's rocks for another 30, until all 11 people are now back at their own "home rocks" (and feeling good about it, eh!)...
What we do thereafter has been a secret, since day one of Rock Awareness Day, back in the 60's. I am not at liberty to divulge any of it. Just know that we all end up with a whole new sense of appreciation for rocks, geology in general, and rotating counter-clockwise...
Peace out, for now...
Haha, love it! Maybe someone can combine Rock Awareness Day with women's competitive college swimming. All sorts of possibilities there. :)
Well, there's a joke there SOMEWHERE, I'm certain! But I won't go there...
Off-topic...a few weeks back, I had reached out to you to see if I can avoid using a credit card, to support your Substack writings. Please let me know if that's possible.
Steve@SteveLaMont.com, by email...or DM me on IG, at MusicalQi...thanks!
Tara, I love all that you write and this kind of practical information is so helpful to me. I love your attitude about the whole process of feeding those you love...with love, not considering it a negative or a cost to yourself. I'm curious about the "electrolytes" that you mention. Can you give more information on them, please. Thank you!
Hi Karen, thanks so much, that's really good to hear. Electrolytes: hubs uses the LMNT ones or we make our own. I don't like flavoured drinks so to 2 litres of water I add 1/2 teaspoon good salt (I only use the Giddy YoYo or Redmond but Redmond has a lot of sediment in it so for electrolytes I stick with Giddy YoYo mountain salt), 1/4 tsp potassium, and a bit of magnesium. The potassium need be potassium chloride, not citrate. I prefer the magnesium l-threonate version, but do what's best for you. Also, that's a "starting out" recipe you may find you like yours saltier/less salty or if you're not on a lower carbohydrate diet, you might skip the potassium altogether. 🙂
Tara, this message just showed up for me today....not the first time. But I realize I never thanked you for the details of the electrolytes. I have since tried LMNT and Redmond ReLyte and, and like you, I don't do well with the flavored stuff. I will now be ordering Giddy YoYo and adding all the other ingredients. Seems like with electrolytes its too much or too little for me. Your formula gives some tweaking room. Thanks!
And this is what bought me to you! Love it!
Great, good to hear 🙂
Practical and entertaining. thank you!
Loved reading your wisdom on this subject! I have got to learn to make those rillettes, they look divine. Ok just paused to look up a recipe…that’s unbelievably easy. Can’t believe I never heard of it before reading your posts!
See! So easy! Please report back on the results which are sure to be delicious and life changing 😉🙂
I would love a brief "how to" on rilettes. I made them once when we had to butcher a bunch of going roos, and results were OK. But now we have rabbits, and while I love them from the sustainably aspect they are not my favorite to cook with. Would love to hear how you do this!
Hi Anna, I might do that. Recipes really are not something I like writing or figuring out at all. I always hope to encourage people but beyond that, I trust in everyone's capacity to try any old recipe and then branch out from there. I will see what I can do but measurements and all that are not going to happen because it's just not what I do and not how I think cooking should be done. :)
I'm the same way! Much more of a "tip" person....people hate it when I give them my sourdough instructions :)
Tara, I have come back to this post several time, and each time I feel that I learn something. Thank you for sharing. I have a quick question: when you use raw eggs in a quick drink with raw milk in the vitamix, do you use the whole egg or just the yolk? I have seen this recent "trend" where people are mixing raw eggs and milk into their coffee in the morning, but they only use the yolk. I wonder why? Do you use the whole egg? Thank you!
I use the yolk only when raw. The egg white has avidin which binds biotin. It's not a big deal to eat it once in awhile, but not something to do regularly.
Thanks!
I very much enjoyed this essay! Like you I was also raised on "hippy" food and I sometimes resented being different from the other kids but I now appreciate the love and effort my mom put into feeding me good food.
Me, too :)
Love this so much! This is def something I need to get better about. Sometimes I just get lazy. My kiddos have each had their share of comments about their lunches. It’s sad, but then they tell me about the lunchables, take out, full size chocolate bars, etc that kids have every single day! It’s amazing! My kids know how food makes them feel. I try not to demonize food, but also point out what is FOOD and what is not food. It’s a struggle.