A little about our way of eating
I call my family's diet, "nutritious, natural, healthy eating." I use a ton of vegan recipes, however I won't say I'm 100% vegan, or vegetarian, or a total meat eater, I'd say I'm just a "True Health Eater" I do have meat and other animal products from time to time. We typically eat 4-5 vegan/vegetarian meals a week, and the other few days I'll probably add some white meat chicken or turkey. Our diet is rich in nuts, seeds, TONS of fruits and veggies, whole grains and beans. And I love it!
When I first decided to eat this way and make it a whole family lifestyle change I was nervous. My husband was a meat and potatoes kinda guy, I had a barely three year old and a 6 month old...hmmm our society told me that I should just accept the fact that my kids will need to eat "kid food" aka chicken nuggets, corn dogs, and pizza, with a side of veggies or fruit, because what kid would eat quinoa with green veggies, or ask for a salad instead of pizza? Well despite all this we dove right into it, my husband went along with my diet shake up to "help me" meet my goals. My daughter turned up her nose at most of the leafy greans, my son, well he was barely eating solids so he was on a veggie diet anyway.
I didn't quit that is what is most important in feeding young kids. Studies say it takes 5-8 times of trying a new food to actually get a kid to like it. Well nearly a year later my daughter now asks for salad, broccoli, carrots, apples, whole grains etc. (The other day she turned down cotton candy and asked for cashews! BEAMING WITH JOY) My son, still eats good, avacodos, bananas, strawberries, and almond butter are his favorite things to eat, although he is kind of in the throw my food stage, and my husband now eats this way voluntarally since he "can always feel the difference of eating right vs. not eating right." And as for me, I've lost nearly 20 lbs and feel so passionate about this that it has turned into my delight to create something with no "bad" ingredients and watch my family gobble it up! I still get my loves, aka pasta, and creamy sauces, and I don't feel bad getting seconds.
It is very possible to feed families great tasting, healthy balanced meals. There is no rule saying we can't have HUGE portions of veggies, fruit, and grains and smaller portions of cheese and meat. Every recipe that I post has been tested on an almost four year old and 1 1/2 year old, and a husband!
I hope this blog can bring as much health and happiness into your life as it has brought into ours!
Pride
I had to say how happy I am, these healthy habits are truly sticking with our kids. Today we went to a street art fair and we splurged and got some cotton candy to bring home. Well I offered some to my little girl and she just looked at me and said no, so I said okay would you like a cookie? (see cookie recipe here) she said no, I think I just want some nuts!!!! I just couldn't help but smile from ear to ear while I gave her a little bowl of cashews. It makes me happy to think that if my three year old can make that choice now, when her MOM is offering sweets to her hopefully as she gets older she'll be able to continue to make healthy choices!
