Homemade Rebellion: How I Took Back Control, One Ingredient at a Time

They say necessity is the mother of invention. For me, it was a mix of laziness, defiance, and an unexpected obsession with making my own chili seasoning.

Chili Seasoning Ingredients Are, In Fact, Found In Nature

It was around 2010, I had novice cooking skills and heavily relied on pre-made items so I was surprised when I opened my spice cabinet and found zero packets of chili seasoning. I wasn’t about to leave the comfort of my after-work pants for a $1 packet of seasoning. The thought of getting dressed and driving to the store seemed far too much for something so simple. Plus, I had a whole cabinet full of spices—how hard could it be? My partner at the time believed chili seasoning only came in packets—but I was set on proving otherwise.

As most questions are answered, Google quickly showed me countless homemade chili spice recipes. Before long, I was making everything—chili seasoning, taco mix, dressings—from scratch in my kitchen.

Rebelling Against Society–In The Kitchen

At first, it wasn't about saving money or eliminating toxins—it was about proving I didn’t need pre-packaged solutions. I could make my own choices and be in control of what I allowed in my body and home. I soon realized I was saving money and removing toxins as I began to experience positive unintended consequences; more energy, clearer skin, better workouts, more mental focus, and fewer allergies. 

I had cracked the code to a toxin-free, allergy-friendly lifestyle, all my problems were solved. That was, until motherhood turned everything on its head.

The Kids Ruined Everything

Motherhood was like stepping into a completely different world, one where everything I thought I knew was turned upside down. As I struggled with shifting hormones and the demands of a new routine, my body rebelled in ways I didn’t expect.

Amidst the chaos of sleepless nights and hormonal shifts, I realized I had to take back control. And once again, my kitchen became my starting point.

Chili Seasoning Reinvented

Here I was again, starting from scratch. Back to square one, just like when I was a kid forced to do a 7th grade science project I loathed. But this time, the stakes were higher. Desperate for motivation, I began scrutinizing every label, wondering how one peanut butter brand could list 14 ingredients while another had only two. The absurdity of it all ignited my frustration—and that frustration fueled my drive to take control. Every homemade product, from bread to laundry detergent, was a small but powerful act of rebellion. It wasn’t just about saving money—it was about reclaiming my independence and feeling empowered again.

While navigating hormonal fluctuations, I found clarity in one of my favorite podcast episodes, Jay Shetty's Interview with Dr. Mindy Pelz. Dr. Pelz discussed how hidden chemicals in store-bought food impact our bodies, and her insights gave me the final push I needed to make healthier choices. With each new discovery, my energy, confidence, and health continued to improve.

What began as a rebellion against a $1 seasoning packet transformed into a complete reinvention of my life. Small, intentional changes—like checking ingredients or making something from scratch—have had a profound impact on my health, confidence, and overall well-being. I learned that even the tiniest acts of rebellion can lead to massive transformations.

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Molly Ancel and Jerry Anderson are Minnesota-based real estate investors helping homeowners overcome financial challenges with flexible solutions. Former business professionals, they now focus on empowering families and strengthening communities. Learn about how they help at peerpointmn.com.