I’ve decided that April is going to be "Make It Instead" month in the kitchen. Currently, I need bread (for example) but will not be buying any. I will be making it instead. The same goes for anything else I may need food-wise that can be made within reason. (I’m not sure what the process is for making cheese but I probably won’t be making any this month, other than ricotta if I need it.) I will use up what I already have but once the granola bars run out for B’s lunches, I will be making some. Homemade crackers, bread, snacks, and yogurt will be a few of the several things that I expect to whip up over the next few weeks.

My inspiration sadly does not come completely from myself. Yes, it is the best thing for B, who cannot handle food additives (being artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives) but it is an article in the latest issue of the Clean Eating magazine that is giving me the rest of the motivation. Everything the family in the article buys is in as natural a state as possible. I loved the quote that, "I’m always struck when I finish unloading all the shopping that there’s nothing to eat." The father of the family (as he’s home during the day) goes each weekend to the farmer’s market (and the grocery store for the rest) to pick up the week’s groceries and then spends Sunday cooking for the entire week. I don’t expect to cook for a day and eat for a week but I am hoping to spend a bit more time on my days off at least prepping future meals and also hope to use my crock pot more often.

Likely items on the menu include:

• sweet potato burritos
• beef ravioli
• brown rice patties
• rotisserie-style chicken
• yogurt
• whole wheat bread
• graham crackers