What Inspires you?

For me, it would be food and wellness.  It all started about 9 years ago when my first born started getting reoccurring ear infections, allergies, and eczema.  We tried all kinds of medications, creams, and Doctors.  I thought I was feeding him correctly from all the magazines, books, and mom shows.  I was doing everything I should be, according to media.

As I was watching my favorite mom show on the Discovery channel a new show caught my eye, "Living Green" with Sara Snow.  As I watched it I started thinking there might be more to healthier eating.  She opened my understanding of how processed our foods are and the amount of chemicals and additives some contain.  She opened me up to a new way of thinking about food in its natural state, which is more ideal for the body to absorb and nourish.  Everything from our hair, eyes, skin, emotions all play as identifiers of what is going on inside the body.

Once I changed our food choices Micheal's eczema cleared up, he no longer got ear infections, and the allergies went away.  Does he still get these every now and then?  Yes, when his diet gets junked up with foods we should not be eating.  I believe everything in moderation, but sometimes the kids get more of the processed foods at certain times of the year.  Birthday parties, school functions, sporting events, and celebrations are going to happen and you can't always eat clean.  So we enjoy occasionally while trying to keep the foods clean for the majority of the time.

The kids are really good at balancing their choices.  Whenever there are events like mentioned above we bring healthier choices.  This allows some party foods balanced with the healthier ones.  When the kids notice they are not feeling right they understand its probably because they over indulged in junk foods.  Some of the signs can dry skin, tired, constipation, or colds starting.  It was a hard lesson for them to learn and still learning to watch our body for signs of being out of balance. 

Healthy eating is all done in steps.  Don't try and do it all in one week.  Start with breakfast, move on to lunches, and gradually move through your menu.  It has been 9 years and we are still making changes.  I look back to the past 2 years alone, and see how my children have come so far.  Nutritional eating is a life long process.  There is balance of making it fun, tasteful, and exciting.  I look at our foods as an inheritance of good health.  Even just 4 years ago I changed foods again.  More research came out on the side effects of additives, like nitrates.  My son was struggling at times in his grades and handling emotions specifically frustrations and anger.  When substituted to no additive foods and in a few short months he was making A's and not easily frustrated.  With him being the oldest I see a huge difference in my girls because he set the bar for healthier eating.  They have always done great in school and health because they eat the same as him.

Now the Challenge is keeping food fun and interesting.  I love Garden burritos and tried making my favorite restaurant burro this weekend.  It happens to have almost every vegetable received in this weekends produce pick up.  So here was my successful attempt.  The kids loved it!

G- Burro

1 zucchini, sliced and 1/4                                                                        
1 yellow squash, sliced and 1/4    
1 bell pepper, chopped
12 baby carrots, chopped
5 green beans, chopped
1/4 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup chopped and roasted potatoes
3 yellow/red peppers, chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1 tbsp canola oil

In a medium pan drizzle oil and add all vegetables.  I cooked veggies over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, veggies should still have some crispness.  Then add cheese stir and wrap in a tortilla.  


                                                                        

                                                                                

Super Simple with Great taste!

Kids Corner

The trick with picky eaters is to start the theme, "Try everything once"  Give them a small portion to taste and tell you what they think.  Make a "test and review night".  You can have a sore card and pencils set up for them to give the say on the dish.  This has been a fun way of introducing something new for us.