Connect to your roots with food!

I've been in love with food for as long as I can remember and I believe if we eat according to our cultural backgrounds it is the most beneficial physically, psychologically and emotionally. I think this is why Mexican food is the most popular food in our country. I have tried to go back as far a four generations by quizzing the elders in my family about their eating habits and there are two themes; 1. they have always considered themselves poor with very little to eat. 2. They always grew their own food.
Although my family has always been poor with not much food I think they had everything they needed but comparatively to our current, over consumerized state it must appear like they were doing without so much when in fact they were eating smaller portions, preparing the meals themselves and sat together to eat, they had a much healthier lifestyle. Adding to that lifestyle was the physical work they did to gather their food. This isn't that difficult but in general we are forgetting how to grow our own food. I'm so happy that it is becoming more common to have mini-gardens, everything helps!
This eating lifestyle seems almost impossible now with so many single parent homes and families no longer living in the same communities but in different states. This separation for us tribal peoples can be emotionally draining and overwhelming. One of the ways I cope is preparing food. It helps me feel good by honoring my roots and it also eliminates the nasty guilt that comes with not being able to mother the way I truly would love given the time and resources.
Here are a few tips to help you transition into a more "homemade" eating lifestyle that isn't so stressful and will help you feel better about yourself AND better food means a happier you!

1. Beans and rice are the foundation of our diet. 1 cup of dry beans = 3 cups cooked beans (the same is for rice). Clean and soak them overnight and they will cook in less than an hour for your meals.

2. List of spices and ingredients you should keep in your kitchen. onions, garlic or garlic powder, comino (cumin), salt, chili powder, tomatoe sauce, stewed tomatoes, flour.

3. Keep frozen veggies because we all know how difficult it is to eat fresh ones before they go bad and if your kids are like mine it's really hard to convince them to eat veggies. I like keeping green beans, squash, spinach, corn, and peas.

4. If you love bacon as much as we do SAVE THE BACON GREASE!! You can add it to your beans as they cook and when they done they taste so good. Add fresh onion, cilantro and heat yourself a corn tortilla or two and you have a complete and delicious meal for very little money. My dad loves adding a bit of mustard into his. ;)

I know you're probably thinking, "Fine! but what the heck I'm I gong to do with all of this once it's in my kitchen?" I will be happy to help, send me a note. Work on staying away from fast food and box dinners. Choose organic and non GMO foods as often as you can and go to your local farmer's market. Happy relaxing and remembering your roots in the kitchen!