Crazy Homemade.

I have a new obsession. Homemade everything. I have been going crazy reading blogs, reading food labels and have learned that a lot of what we eat is totally foreign - meaning you can't even read most of the words on the labels. I decided I'm not going to buy that stuff anymore - or at least not much. I have been making all my own bread, my own sweet treats (including brownies today which were awesome. I will never buy another box) and I have even been making my own crackers! The crackers seem to be taking a few tries to get the hang of, but my last batch tasted just like cheezits, even had the right texture and crunch. The only thing that was lacking was the fluorescent orange coloring. I had to explain to the kids that those crackers aren't really orange from the cheese....all the kids enjoyed them and so did I. And what really goes in cheezeits? Let me tell you - whole wheat flour, butter, cheddar cheese and water. Yes, that's it. Now, go read your cheezit box and see what's in theirs...yikes...I just want to feed my family good, wholesome food - yes, it takes some extra time, but it is so much cheaper and SO worth it. I love that I know exactly what I am giving my kids, especially with Lucas who has the peanut allergy - I never have to worry about it. Does that mean we'll never have another ritz cracker? Doubtful, but I will do what I can to feed my family right - that's my job.
So, I made my first school lunch tonight - and for some reason it brought a little tear to my eye. Just another reminder of the fact that my kids are growing up. Tomorrow will be Austin's first full day at school - he'll be gone from 7:30 until 3:15 - wow! What a long day. Here's what I put together for lunch #1....homemade oatmeal bread with nothing on it (that's how he likes it and it is sooooo yummy), some colby jack cut into sticks, blueberries, yogurt stick, handful of nuts and a homemade brownie and water to drink (or plain milk if he chooses to get one at school). That is one good lunch if you ask me. And I feel good about what I am sending him to eat and he's excited about it too - he helped me pack it. So that's it for day one lunch. I have been following several blogs that show healthy fun things to pack in kids lunches so they won't eat the processed junk at school everyday. Very inspiring people out there that have great ideas. And now it's off to bed so we can roll out early - it's a school night you know!