By Laura McAlister
Journal Editor
Think your grandma’s green bean casserole won’t taste the same if you don’t use those canned green beans and the condensed soup that’s packed with sodium and preservatives?
Well, Allie Black is challenging you to think again.
Allie is founder and owner of Wholesome.byallie, a service for families that helps them make cleaner and healthier eating and lifestyle choices.
Eating organic isn’t as challenging or expensive as many think, said the Mountain Brook mom and former TV reporter. And it can even be done during the holidays with a few simple changes to existing family favorites.
“If you love that green bean casserole, don’t cut it out,” she said. “Just use organic soup and replace the canned beans with fresh ones.”
Allie said making changes like those are small steps that will lead to a much healthier lifestyle.
She should know. It was a health issue of her own — and later one that affected her son — that convinced her to eat cleaner and fresher.
“There are two reasons I started Wholesome,” she said. “I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that really affected my thyroid. I was already eating pretty clean and exercising, but I just hit a roadblock.”
If that didn’t convince her to change her diet, her son did. He is allergic to milk and artificial coloring, prevalent in most foods geared toward kids.
Since Allie’s father was a nutritionist, he helped her “clean up” her eating habits and her son’s with healthier options.
Allie said she and her family now eat fresh and local produce and choose organic options that have not been artificially flavored or pumped with chemicals. She’s also found it’s affordable and said she can find the items at most stores, even the “big box” ones.
The changes in her diet are helping her manage her weight. Allie’s even found that there are fun, healthy, and yes, tasty, items for kids out there.
“I’ve found cupcakes, a different option for Lunchables, gummies,” she said. “There’s all sorts of kids’ food out there.”
At Wholesome, Allie serves somewhat as a coach. She started with two services – the kitchen, where she would come in and rid clients of unhealthy foods and teach them to understand food labels, and shopping, where she helps them shop for healthier, cleaner options. She also keeps it affordable and accessible.
In the year since Allie started the business, she expanded the services to include menu planning, grocery delivery, cooking demonstrations and something called the Wholesome Way, where she helps clients find the best natural cleaning products, pet supplies, cosmetics and more.
As for making this holiday season a little healthier, Allie said simply opting for fresh ingredients as opposed to canned is a good start.
“I tell my clients I live 80/20,” she said. “That means 80 percent of the time I do awesome, and 20 percent of the time I let go. Don’t try to change too much too soon, or it won’t stick.”
For those who are looking for cleaner, healthier options this holiday but don’t want to skimp on taste, click here for some of Allie’s “Wholesome” recipies.She said guests will love them, and they won’t miss the extra sodium and preservatives.
For more information on Wholesome by Allie, visit wholesomebyallie.com.
