Realfoodology: Food Wisdom from My Mom – Nutrition, Seed Oils & Healing After Loss
Host: Courtney Swan
Guest: Courtney’s Mom
Date: September 30, 2025
Episode Theme
Courtney Swan welcomes her mom for an intimate and revealing conversation about the legacy of home-cooked, whole food nutrition, the insidious shifts in America’s food landscape, navigating parenting in a processed food world, and moving through immense personal loss. The episode weaves practical food philosophy with deep wisdom on healing, forgiveness, and resilience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Generational Shifts in Food Culture
How Processed Foods Changed America’s Eating Habits
- Courtney grew up in the 80s among Dunkaroos, Pop-Tarts, and Toaster Strudels, but her home life was different thanks to her mom’s food philosophy.
- Insight: Past generations ate home-cooked, less processed meals, but gradual ingredient changes flew under the radar.
Quote:
“People just fell into the rhythm and the flow of what was happening in our society, thinking that the food they ate when they were 10 years old was the same that they’re eating now when they’re 25 or 30—and not realizing it had changed.”
— Courtney's Mom (00:02, 14:46)
Notable Observations:
- Introduction of high-fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils happened with little public attention.
- Before, ingredient lists were short; now they're "three and four inch long."
- Food quantity and form shifted (smaller Coke bottles, real sugar vs. HFCS).
2. The Roots of Courtney’s Mom’s Food Wisdom
Upbringing and Innate Skepticism
- Influence from her own mother—soda was a rare treat, not a daily occurrence.
- Key moments living in Boulder and Italy shaped her thoughtful approach to food.
- Questioned new ingredients (like canola oil) intuitively.
Quote:
“When canola oil came out...I thought, I know what olive oil is. Comes from olives. What is canola oil? Where is it from? If I don’t know what it is, I’m not gonna use it.”
— Courtney’s Mom (15:32)
Cultural Influence:
- Time in Boulder introduced her to macrobiotic, vegetarian, and organic eating—ahead of mainstream trends.
- Living in Italy taught her the joy and community around fresh, communal meals.
3. Changing Family Dynamics & Eating Patterns
From Home-cooked to Convenience
- Shift towards women working outside the home diminished time for scratch-cooked meals.
- Eating out shifted from special occasion to routine, with many people now eating out for most or all meals.
- Processed convenience foods filled the gap, but at a cost to health.
Quote:
“We just didn’t have the restaurant options out there…to pick up food. We didn’t have those options.”
— Courtney’s Mom (12:49)
4. Parenting & Food Boundaries
Standing Firm Against Processed Food Culture
- Courtney’s mom resisted allowing frequent fast food despite pressure and tantrums.
- She stood her ground, believing she was saving future health (31:34).
Advice for Parents:
- Don’t fear accusations of “deprivation”; nourishing home-cooked food is a gift.
- Set boundaries like any area of safety—children eventually understand.
Quote:
“I just stood firm on it...I knew I was saving you in a way. Saving you from bad health or from—does that make sense?”
— Courtney’s Mom (32:14)
Courtney’s Reflection:
- She admits she didn’t appreciate it then, but now recognizes the foundational lessons.
5. Reading Labels & Navigating Misinformation
Not All “Healthy” is Healthy
- ‘No Fat/Low Fat’ diet craze (90s) caused more sugar to be added for flavor.
- Critical thinking about food trends is crucial; trusting reputation isn’t enough—periodically check for sneaky ingredient switches.
Quote:
“For some reason…again, an innate reason, I don’t know, a gifting from God, it didn’t make sense to me to remove all the fat out of food…And I started realizing, ‘Well, what are they replacing it with? Why does it taste so good?’ And it was sugar. I mean, beyond sugar...”
— Courtney’s Mom (24:30)
6. Community, Celebration, and Slow Eating
Bringing Back the Joy of the Table
- Food is a celebration and social ritual, not just fuel.
- European and Mexican cultures eat slowly and in company, supporting mindful eating, digestion, and smaller portions.
Quote:
“For the Italians, food was a real celebration. It wasn’t just you go pick up fast food and come sit and eat, and then you’re done…It was a celebration.”
— Courtney’s Mom (19:15)
7. Healing After Loss: Choosing Forgiveness and Gratitude
Moving Through Unimaginable Grief
- Courtney and her mom discuss losing Courtney’s two younger siblings.
- The family consciously chose forgiveness over bitterness—both for themselves and each other.
Quote (on Forgiveness):
“You have a choice to make…You either forgive or you become—you either get better or you get bitter.”
— Courtney’s Mom (41:42)
Courtney’s Reflection:
“You looked me straight in my face and you said, ‘You have a choice and you can either get better or get bitter. And you, you are the only one that can make that choice.’”
— Courtney (50:57)
Practical Advice for Coping with Loss:
- Rely on faith and community support.
- Practice gratitude for even the basics—it lifts pain and keeps perspective.
- Boundaries and clear communication with children are a form of love, not deprivation.
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
On Ingredient Creep:
“I remember you went through my grandma’s pantry and you had to show her the ingredients…you had to show her the ingredients and say, ‘They’ve changed the ingredients. This is not the same ingredient list that you and I grew up with. And you’ve got to stop buying these, mom, because it’s not good for you.’”
— Courtney (08:17)
On Parents & Boundaries:
“It’s almost like child abuse [not giving children wholesome food].”
— Courtney’s Mom (34:09)
On Community:
“…It’s all about being in community and socializing with other people.”
— Courtney (21:58)
On Practicing Gratitude:
“What helped me a lot was just getting down to real basic thankfulness. Thank you, Lord, that I have money for groceries, I have a car, I have a house…It really did help.”
— Courtney’s Mom (61:12)
On Navigating Family Crisis vs. Dysfunction:
“We were not a dysfunctional family. We were a family in crisis. And it’s a huge difference between those two things.”
— Courtney’s Mom (67:19)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Generational Food Differences: 05:03 – 14:46
- Label Changes and Ingredient Swaps: 08:17 – 09:41
- Learning in Boulder and Italy: 11:29 – 16:47
- Changing Family Eating Patterns: 13:03 – 14:29
- Parenting Through Processed Food Culture: 31:34 – 35:13
- No Fat/Low Fat Fads: 24:04 – 25:14
- Celebration & Community at the Table: 17:15 – 23:13
- Grief, Forgiveness, and Strength After Loss: 37:45 – 66:24
- Practical Advice for Healing: 61:12 – 66:24
Final Reflections
Courtney’s Mom’s philosophy and resilience:
- Food choices are about more than nutrition—they’re about tradition, intuition, community, and deliberate discernment.
- Parenting requires boundaries, sometimes in the face of societal pushback.
- Life’s tragedies don't have to dictate bitterness; intentional choices, forgiveness, and gratitude are the keys to making it through.
A universal message:
Learning to pause, question, celebrate together, and choose better—both on the plate and in life’s greatest challenges—can make all the difference.
End of Summary