As I look over my list of recipes shared here, I am cracking up a bit about all I used to make back when I made everything from scratch.
There was (mostly) nothing wrong with what I did. But I will say that my focus was a little more on doing than being. I felt so accomplished when I made all these foods. But what was I missing out on by taking so much time on what wasn’t actually necessary??
Peace. Calm. Joy. Time. Energy. Love.
I became known as the mom who made all her food from scratch. I found that the title stung just a little. I didn’t want to be known for that. I wanted to be known for how I loved and cared for people. Thank God He continues to show me better ways and lean me more toward focusing on what is more important.
Is it ok to make everything from scratch?
Of course, if that is what God has called you to do. If food allergies make it necessary for your family. If you serve people because of it. There are all kinds of good and healthy reasons to make food from scratch.
But I don’t believe that I had healthy reasons. I think my reasons were prideful, and that’s the truth. Here’s part of a former “make it from scratch” list that now has me in shock:
- Tater Tots
- Whole Wheat Crackers
- Onion Rings
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Ricotta Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Cream Cheese
- Honey Whole Wheat Bagels
- Hashbrowns
- Cracklin’ Oat Bran Cereal
- Grape Nuts Cereal
- Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
- Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns
- Homemade Peanut Butter Captain Crunch
- Ketchup
You really should click on some of those and see what goes into making these. Some aren’t hard, and I actually might make some of them again, someday. But Tater Tots?? No. (They weren’t worth the effort.) Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns and Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns? No. (They weren’t that good, ha.) And Homemade Peanut Butter Captain Crunch?? Why did I actually try that one?
What we miss
Our older boys talk about our homemade tortilla days. Now those were worth making and I hope I can make them again someday!
These Pretzels are amazing and I WILL make them again when my hands aren’t so full.
We love this Ranch Dressing and it isn’t even hard to make. But I can’t keep up with it right now. Maybe again in a few years.
This Peanut Butter!!! Wow it is hard to beat!
It’ll be interesting to see, won’t it? What God will do a few years from now. What He has planned. What will matter and what will go by the wayside.
How grateful I am that we can all grow and change and that God stays the same while He grows and changes us!
Laura, Don’t be so hard on yourself… I don’t think all your reasons were prideful… I remember reading about a sweet little baby boy covered in a rash that his mother desperately wanted to clear as naturally as possible. Wasn’t that a prompt into this journey? I can’t think of a better motive. If it got a little fun and challenging to continue with new ideas, oh well… I’ve been reading your posts for years and although I don’t do all you do, it’s always interesting. Best Wishes to you & yours!
I’m so blessed by your posts – you are my favorite blogger in the whole world! I don’t know if you were really prideful or not with your food prep, but I do know that I LOVE that you recognize that and don’t want that in your life. I also remember your nose ring story and smile.
The legalism and pride are sometimes the most difficult things for long time conservative believers to break. They like being like that, unfortunately. I’m praying desperately for that type of bondage breaking for someone in my life.
Have a great day!
Amy
I have been blessed by your many from-scratch recipes! We are a family with food allergies and many of your recipes we have been able to adapt. Plus… sometimes I just don’t want my kids eating the processed foods with all of the preservatives, etc. It may take a little extra work (like to make your own tater tots), but I love the simple ingredients!
Wanting to give someone the absolute best isn’t prideful. It IS loving people. It is also being an example of a mom who takes her job very seriously and pours her whole soul into it. It is very possible that the unflattering label of “the mom who makes everything from scratch” has given you a complex about it. People’s attitude toward this kind of lifestyle can make you feel guilty, like you are doing something wrong. I am struggling with this very thing. Don’t let it get you down, this is what we are called to do as nurturers.
Granted, I wholeheartedly agree that you are currently in a stage of life with all of your littles, that you have been forced to go into survival mode and don’t have time to make everything from scratch. And that’s ok too. Sometimes life throws us curveballs and we have to temporarily adjust our game-plan to get through it. Please don’t beat yourself up about it. May God continue to bless you richly for all you do!
We are a family who *had* to do as scratch as possible for many years and for the most part, still do. I think of it as honoring those of times past while also caring for our bodies God gave us. It is less expensive and tastier (because there are not those nasty chemicals in it, and less sugar). Long ago, I discovered a fantastic recipe for homemade fresh milled whole grain, or whole wheat, or white hamburger or hotdog buns. It works extremely well for all 3 flours, and it is fast. Even young kids can execute the recipe. I’ll gladly share it with you if you are interested. Just ask!
I’d love the recipe, Laurie!
I have followed you for a very long time. I used your onion ring, ranch, tortilla, and other recipes quite a bit way back when I was a SAHM with 4 hungry boys and a very hungry husband. These recipes were easy and economical. Onion rings we’re quite the treat at that time.
I’m grateful for all you did and all you continue to do.
I completely understand the pride thing, and have battled it myself frequently enough, however I would like to still thank you, because I have lived in China for many years now, and it was always so helpful to be able to learn how to make from scratch things that are common in the U.S. but unavailable here. So, thank you for all the work you put in over the years!
Laura, Your posts & e-mails never cease to bless me. God uses you’re honesty & perspective to push me in the right direction & convict my heart about things I need to change in my own life. I love how simple many of your recipes are. Because I enjoy the creative aspects of trying new recipes & cooking, I sometimes spend more time “working” on food than I really should. My focus & my ministry should be my family more than fancy meals. Thanks for all you put into this site. It’s truly a blessing to many of us!