Why did you switch the way you eat?
The short answer is...it's better for us.
The long answer is how we got to that. It was a combonation of 4 things:
1. I read In Defense Of Food by Michael Pollan (one of my new heros) The theme of the book is Eat Food-Not Too Much-Mostly Plants. He had 3 ideas that really struck me. (he has more, these just got my attention...)
a) He says that most people don't have any idea what they are eating (this is the first time in the history of man that we have had this problem) If you don't know what an ingrediant is, and can't pronounce it...it's probably not good for you. He believes that we have been tricked into eating "edible food-like substances"- they are not products of nature, but of food science. Food should come from the land, not a lab!
b) Good food costs money. That's why a steak house costs more than MickeyD's. Pay more now for food, or pay more later for healthcare. I really believe this. If I can teach my kids healthy habits now, it will be easier to maintain throughout life.
c) Chronic illness can be linked to the garbage that we put in our bodies. For example high cholesterol and heart disease could be caused by all the chemicals and non-food crap that we eat, not from eating too much fat. There are eskimos that have a diet of 80% fat and have no history of heart disease. This is important to me because of points 2 & 3!
2. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol few months ago. I am not overweight, I exercise regularly and I rarely eat fast food. I believe my body is trying to tell me something. Something needs to change. And it's not about the easy way out...popping a pill. That doesn't fix the problem.
3. Ellie was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes - then they took it back. We have no idea what is going on with her. One day she is normal, the next her blood glucose is super high. We are playing a waiting game to figure out what is wrong...meanwhile though, I think a change in diet, and snacks could only help her.
4. I watched Food Inc. If I could watch this documentary and continue to eat the way we had in the past, then I am not human. Bottom line...once you know where your food comes from, it makes it A LOT easier to do the right thing. My kids are worth more to me than cheap chicken nuggets. (or that new shirt I want to buy instead of real food)
Isn't it expensive?
Yep. There is no way around it. Our food bill is $30-$50 more per week. But, you put your money where your priorities are. We stock up on sales. We buy less meat (which isn't a bad thing). We eat out less (We easily spend $30-$50 a meal going out to eat with a family of 5). I can't go to Target and Costco in the same week anymore...I just can't afford both trips. So I have to plan my shopping a little better, but it hasn't been an issue to far.
Where do you buy your food?
Mostly at Whole Foods (which isn't anywhere near my house!) I get my grass fed organic meat there (it's hard to find.) We hope to get a freezer by the end of summer, so we can buy 1/4 cow. It brings the cost down by about $4 per pound! Sometimes I go to Sunflower Market, but usually only when there is a super good sale and I need to stock up. I also get Winder Farms delivered evey week. I started it bacuse of the milk. It was cheaper than the grocery stores...now Whole Foods has organic milk for the same price. I really like their bread too...its hard to find whole grain bread without high fructose corn syrup. (and without seeds - my kids wont eat it if they can see the seeds!)
How does the family feel about it?
B would probably go either way. He LOVES that we are eating healthier real foods, but if I went back, he wouldn't leave me ;o) He thinks the food tastes better and he likes all the new recipes we are trying for dinners. I cook dinner 7 nights a week, which makes him happy. He hates going out to dinner!
The kids don't notice that much - except the snacks.
What has been the hardest part?
For me personally, cutting back on meat is hard. I'm just used to having it - and I'm not a big veggie eater. (except raw - I love raw veggies) Also, lunches are EXTREMELY hard for me. I hate hate hate fixing lunch. What is there to fix for lunch when I
For the kids, snacks have been the hardest part. I try to have them eat healthy snacks - that's not what they want! Our solution is to change this slowly.
Brian doesn't really have a hardest part. Except maybe when I go over budget once in a while and need more money ;o)
How well have you stuck to this plan?
Let's be real...we don't have ONLY organic in this house. If you look in my pantry you will find lots of not-so-healthy things. Candy, fruit snacks, cereal etc. (although we don't buy sugary cereal - except for special occasions ;o) BUT there is WAY less of it than before. I'm not a crazy freak - we still order pizza once in a while, we still eat out - just not weekly, and when served something we don't question it's origins, we are thankful for the meal. Once in a while Mama needs a burger and fries...In N Out to be exact! That being said, I know that most of the meals that I serve my family are healthy and good for them.
How did you start?
i started with the items my family eats the most, then slowly shifted to more and more organic. So, we switched our milk, chicken, & cheese first. Then beef (after I watched the movie), then everything else.
so there you have it...although most of the people who asked me about all of this won't comment...it's here now ;o) I don't think Im better than anyone else for switching, and I don't think it's for everyone. I feel better knowing that it's good for my family. We are lucky enough to be able to afford it - I realize this, believe me I do! A few years ago, we wouldn't have been able to do it, maybe that's whay I was so resistant to it then. Anyway, if you have any other questions, let me know! (BTW - my other new hero is Jamie Oliver - he is amazing)
madi's second grade teacher told me once that she tried and tried to get pregnant and couldn't. eventually, she made a big change in the foods she ate and was able to get pregnant. twice.
ReplyDeleteso i totally believe in all of this.
good job getting started. that's the hard part. :)
what about pb&j sandwiches for lunch, dried apples for snacks or apples & peanut butter? trader joe's has really good peanut butter and jelly.
Mandi you know me better than most, and you know of all the health issues I have undergone. I am on a high fiber diet for 2 years now and 2 more years to come, and I feel better than ever. i also have given up red meat and everything fast food and processed. I truly believe in the statement "you are what you eat" So with you, I choose a healthier way of eating, because I'd rather be a prime rib than a beef patty = ) However for me because of no red meat I'd rather be a yummy veggie burger than a plastic looking one.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a gradual process at least for us. We are slowly trying out new things and have ben buying organic meat as much as possible and try to find the grass fed as well. Vons actually has some grass fed organic ground beef but it is WAY more expensive than the regular stuff. I still get it if I find it. I like the idea of buying bulk meat.
ReplyDeleteI decided to start w/ one little problem at a time because looking at the big picture can be overwhelming. Right now we are working (well the family doesn't know, I guess I have been working) on making less meat. To us meat is just a part of every meal you eat. So I've been trying to find vegetable dishes/ vegetarian dishes that we like and that we don't finish dinner wishing there was some meat.
A good one was the black bean tostadas I made the other night, you should try it. They were tasty and the beans replace meat just fine. Oh and I'm trying to use real food too so I made the beans myself rather than getting canned beans that probably had preservatives etc. in them.
I think it is great! I am one of the "middle" people in that I grew up when there was no fast food, there was also less "chemestry" to food in general. It's easy to slide over to "junk". I no longer by the pre-cut lettuce, they put someting on it to make it stay fresh. We sometimes don't get salad but when we do it is better. I do have issues with the cost, I wonder how much of the added cost is really necessary? Buying in bulk is the best value and that certainly does require a freezer. I'm glad you are not nuts about it, that would mean you can't eat when you come home!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love that little book, too, by Michael Pollan. Everything he says makes perfect sense. AND it is a really quick read...
Love you all,
Mom
I think it's great that your thinking of your family and health and doing what is best for them. I know i'm not ready to do it, but hope to get there someday!
ReplyDelete