This is kind of a different post for me, but I wanted to share my thoughts!! Nutrition is a big topic these days with everyone trying to lose weight and stay healthy. I just wanted to share some things that I have found helpful along the way. In no way do I have all the answers to health. I wish I did!! However, with turning 30, I have had a lot of changes that have directed me back to the basics. Part of my diet includes having rules. You may have these and you just don't know it. If you pull up to the fast food drive through and make it a point not to order fries because you have decided no fries for awhile, or if you skip the caffeine because you've already had caffeine, these are rules!! A book I have found helpful, without boring you with all of my rules, is FOOD RULES, by Michael Pollan. In this book, he lists 64 rules that one could follow to make healthier food choices. Some of my favorites are about eating food instead of food-like substances, avoiding low-fat, nonfat foods, not buying foods that are pretending to be the real thing, eating only foods that rot, allowing junk food as long as you cook it yourself, and not skipping meals. There are so many more good ones, you MUST buy this book.
Now, several months ago I realized while watching a recorded episode of Dr. OZ, that I was feeding my kids all wrong. Now don't get me wrong, I have always been one to make sure my kids eat well every day. I don't believe in making kids clean up a plate, but I do believe in making them clean up some protein and make sure they know where their nutrient rich foods are on their plate. We are training them to make good decisions for the rest of their life!! BIG DEAL to me! My problem was that I would feed them and then they would keep running back for snacks. Now the meal was chosen with me, but the snacks were not. I have some big eaters too. They would grab one bag of chips, then fruit snacks, then a pop tart, etc. Oh, and don't forget the juice boxes. So, I had a sort of come to Jesus meeting with myself. I thought, how is it that this mom on Dr. OZ, who is broke, who has no groceries in her cabinet, still makes sure her kids are getting their food groups, when I, who am always blessed with a pantry full, have a difficult time deciding what to make my kids. It hit me hard! After this, I was determined to get back to the basics, get my foodie book out, and rethink how I feed my kiddos. I went grocery shopping with a whole new perspective. Now, we still enjoy our treats, (some processed, shhh!!) But mostly ones we make. I wanted to share these plates I found. Now these are paper, (we use paper plates, shhh!) However, I'm sure Munchkin or Ikea, or someone makes these in a plastic for those who are appalled at our wastefulness! As a momma of three, I have tons of dishes! My dishwasher is down, so while it is, I'm using paper. Anyway, I love these plates because the separate compartments remind me to put separate food groups on there. They also keep the food from mixing, which my kids love! For each meal I try to give them protein, dairy, fruit, veggies, and grains!! Now protein, dairy, fruits, and grains are easy. Veggies, not so much! Some tricks I've developed are letting them have a dip for their veggies, snipping a variety of veggies in tiny peices(with food sheers) and throwing them in a salad(my kids love salad), and letting them put their own peanut butter or salt on celery or a cucumber. We are far from perfect in these areas, but I guess since I had this revelation, I thought I'd share!! Maybe to inspire others to make better choices for our babies!!
This is a funny picture that I found of Gavin enjoying his fruit! This little man can eat a whole banana, and an entire package of strawberries all by himself! HE LOVES FRUIT!
