Over the past few months we've slowly been trying to eat more healthy. Some changes have been really easy to make, others, well, not so much.
For example:
Instead of the majority of the household drinking whole milk, we now all drink 1%.
Instead of koolaid and sugary drinks, the entire household has switched over to crystal light.
I stopped buying butter spreads full of trans fats (after taking my Bio classes this past year, I just could not in good conscience allow my family to partake in so many saturated fats...knowing exactly what these do to the body on the molecular level opened my eyes a bit) and now we only use Smart Balance or the like. For baking, I do use a half butter/half smart blend mix and that seems to work well.
And the big one, we've made the switch almost completely to only whole wheat and whole grain foods--from cereal to bread to pastas, it's whole grain all the way. There really hasn't been a complaint either, which I did not expect. Actually, for the last couple of weeks, I've been baking 2 loaves a bread per day and using my food storage whole wheat for that. (yes, I have a wheat grinder) Something very fulfilling in grinding my own wheat and then making and baking my own bread. I could almost be a pioneer, aside from the pesky fact that I need my Kitchen Aid and oven. :)
The down side of all this though, is the cost. Non-butter butter and whole grain products all cost more than their predecessors so that's a bummer. And it's harder to find to be frank. {at least at The Wal Marts where I shop--and maybe that is the push that I need to finally get me to shop at Sprouts or Trader Joe's or the like} I've also been trying to make more home-made meals rather than prepared meals. They're cheaper even though they're a bit more work. However, I love cooking and baking and trying new recipes, so this isn't really a down side for me.
So I'd love some tips. What switches have you made to be more healthy? What suggestions or tricks do you use that I could incorporate into a diet for a family of five--3 of which are very picky children under the age of 10?
Friday, July 31, 2009
what we eat
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13 comments:
I switched to all diet sodas. I drink so much water during the day that I get sick of it and want something else. So I have a soda or a Powerade Zero.
B
We incorporated more veggies into our meals. The veggies are the feature, the meat is a side dish. That is healthier (and the D&C says to eat meat ONLY in times of famine... we as a people eat too darn much of it.)
When the kids want a snack we have apples and bananas which they are free to eat whenever they want.
We switched to using only Olive Oil as our oil. I buy Extra Light (in flavor) for cooking, baking, frying...pretty much everything. It's very mild and doesn't flavor the food. I only use the Extra Virgin when I want an olive-y flavor - like in salad dressings or to dip bread (YUM!).
I used to think Canola was a good oil too, apparently it's not.
I'm proud of you for incorporating such a healthy lifestyle. We do all the same things you do - except I don't bake bread or grind my own wheat :)
Smart Balance is my FAVORITE. it has great flavor.I don't really have anything else to add to what you're already doing.
One thing I'm trying with Cyrena is that is she's hungry after dinner she can pick a fruit, vegetable or piece of bread (the good kind like you have) for a snack. That's it.
I've also just watcher her snack portions more closely and tried to teach her what a 'good snack' is.
Lots of fruits and veggies. I have one really picky eater, so I let her have raw veggies instead of cooked. It works much better! (or I grind them up and put them IN the pizza sauce, things like that).
Also, I try not to buy things with high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and MSG. (except Oreos...;D But those are a rare treat!)
It takes a lot of label reading, but other than that isn't too hard. I have also started adding beans in different forms to the menu. A good way to get protein without eating as much meat. I LOVE meat and could eat it for every meal, so I am trying to be more 'sparing' with it. Plus other proteins are cheaper.
Oh, one more thing. I try to avoid diet sodas and drinks that have aspartame. We drink a lot of water in our house, but also a lot of juice. Sparkling Water and Fruit Juice is a really fun drink. Sort of like an Izze if you have ever had one.
Oh, and can I just say you are a stud for grinding your own wheat and making your own bread!
We used to do Crystal Light as well but I cut out all aspartame for the kids. I also don't do frozen dinners or packaged "junk" foods. It doesn't have to be more expensive to eat better all the time. Adding beans can stretch recipes, frozen veggies and fruit are good too. We have always done whole wheat and brown rice and it's good you switched and got the kids too as well. 2 of my boys have sensory issues so pickiness is a common thing here. Good luck
Awesome changes! I think you're doing great! I'm pretty careful also with balancing meals and make sure to serve at least one fruit and veggie at every meal.
You are a total rockstar for grinding your own wheat!
My family eats meat about once a week, and chicken also about once a week. We eat a lot of veggies. I don't eat meat at all, but will eat some chicken from time to time. I also make all our meals from scratch which like you said takes more time, but is fun to do and more healthy. We don't drink any soda or other sugary drinks, and we also eat wholegrain rice, pasta, bread etc. I only use real butter, but in very small amounts, and we drink low fat milk. Well done for making the changes!
Also, where do you get your wheat to grind it, and do you make 100% wholewheat bread, or mix wholegrain flour with white? My 100% wholewheat bread always comes out like a brick! :)
WOw, I have absolutely no advice. But I think it is a fantastic idea and I hope you get alot of new tips. Tammi
No more mayonnaise,,,,and lots of diet Mountain Dew,,,,add a little Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the mix and you will see a huge difference. NO BIG DEAL!!!!!!
Ive always said that eating good doesnt come cheap.. hence my fata$$.. anyway.. I think the subtle changes over time will definitely make a difference.. and it will also teach your boys how to chose when they get older. I know that Todd and I need to get to doing this and like real quick.. we are slowly dying due to the stupid food we consume! ;(
ps: I applaud you!!!
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