A Smoothie-- could this be the answer to our picky eating problems???? I mentioned in the last post that I am evaluating some of the variables that may be leading to our family's frequent illnesses over the past year. One variable that is currently under the microscope is the way we eat. I personally LOVE all veggies, fruits, water, etc. -- however, over the years, I began to cater to my three picky eaters. I will say that Jonathan's taste buds have evolved since we have been married-- sometimes they have been forced to expand-- nevertheless, he will now eat tomatoes, peppers, spinach and other leafy greens, zucchini, squash, asparagus, and green beans (all unheard of prior to taking our wedding vows). Over the past couple of years, I have done some light reading/studying on holistic diets, raw foods, etc. but I have never really tried to implement any of these principals into our current diets. Well, thanks to my friend Kristi's recent post about the Live Lightly Tour, I spent some time reading up on Sara's blogs and decided to try a few things from the Happy Foody site. My children drank banana-berry-zucchini (didn't have any leafy greens) smoothies (with no sugar added) yesterday! Maybe this is the answer to getting in those raw veggies?!?!!? I must add that my husband has been an incredible sport, as he has cleaned his vegetarian plate two nights in a row. Wednesday I served Tuscan Vegetable Ragout, and last night we experimented with Lentil Dahl on flat bread. While I do not plan on eradicating meat entirely from our diet (we are grilling out steak tonight), or going entirely raw, I definitely want to learn what I can and implement many of these principals into our diets and change our eating habits and hopefully our physical well being. I have struggled with the desire to change my eating habits for reasons of vanity for years; but, God has finally brought me under conviction for how I care for the body He has given me for reasons of stewardship -- it is His temple (1 Cor. 6:19). I think this means eating more of the foods that He created for us to enjoy and less of the foods that a factory processed for us to enjoy. Unfortunately, a healthier menu comes with a loftier price tag-- so if you have any tips for a budget minded shopper please send them my way. I am also looking for some new (tried and true) recipes.
Friday, March 07, 2008
A Smoothie
A Smoothie-- could this be the answer to our picky eating problems???? I mentioned in the last post that I am evaluating some of the variables that may be leading to our family's frequent illnesses over the past year. One variable that is currently under the microscope is the way we eat. I personally LOVE all veggies, fruits, water, etc. -- however, over the years, I began to cater to my three picky eaters. I will say that Jonathan's taste buds have evolved since we have been married-- sometimes they have been forced to expand-- nevertheless, he will now eat tomatoes, peppers, spinach and other leafy greens, zucchini, squash, asparagus, and green beans (all unheard of prior to taking our wedding vows). Over the past couple of years, I have done some light reading/studying on holistic diets, raw foods, etc. but I have never really tried to implement any of these principals into our current diets. Well, thanks to my friend Kristi's recent post about the Live Lightly Tour, I spent some time reading up on Sara's blogs and decided to try a few things from the Happy Foody site. My children drank banana-berry-zucchini (didn't have any leafy greens) smoothies (with no sugar added) yesterday! Maybe this is the answer to getting in those raw veggies?!?!!? I must add that my husband has been an incredible sport, as he has cleaned his vegetarian plate two nights in a row. Wednesday I served Tuscan Vegetable Ragout, and last night we experimented with Lentil Dahl on flat bread. While I do not plan on eradicating meat entirely from our diet (we are grilling out steak tonight), or going entirely raw, I definitely want to learn what I can and implement many of these principals into our diets and change our eating habits and hopefully our physical well being. I have struggled with the desire to change my eating habits for reasons of vanity for years; but, God has finally brought me under conviction for how I care for the body He has given me for reasons of stewardship -- it is His temple (1 Cor. 6:19). I think this means eating more of the foods that He created for us to enjoy and less of the foods that a factory processed for us to enjoy. Unfortunately, a healthier menu comes with a loftier price tag-- so if you have any tips for a budget minded shopper please send them my way. I am also looking for some new (tried and true) recipes.
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Smoothies are a great way to add vegies for the girls. I've been using the "Silver Bullet" to make smoothies for over year and sometimes that's my lunch or the bigger part of my dinner. I just read The Seven Pillars of Health (the natural way to better health) by Don Colbert, MD...also his book Get Healthy (how to revitalize your body through detox and fasting) both of these from a Christian perspective and for the purpose of good nutrition, good health, more energy. He offers some recipes as well. What I've been learning went by the wayside with traveling and eating out BUT the plan is to get on track and make wise choices (fewer processed foods from the middle of the grocery store) and live healthier. I'm excited to read that you're thinking along these lines as well...and yes, the fresh foods are more expensive. Don't have a solution for that!~Mom
Krisy's dad had pretty good success in growing his own vegetables in a 'patch' in the back yard. He grew fresh squash, okra, spring onions, radishes and tomatoes. These seemed to be pretty low in terms of 'fuss'.
I think you guys would like it. You could give Jonathan the challenge and watch him excel, which is his wont.
Tim
Mom-
I'm definitely not into the detox/ fasting aspect of things-- just want to eat some more of God's naturally grown goodies.
Tim-
We've grown our own herbs, tomatoes, and peppers before, but I would LOVE to have a full blown veggie garden, blueberry bush, and apple tree (I've given this much thought!). I need to read up before we just go planting though. Were there any helpful resources your father in-law used Tim?
lori- may i suggest The Sneaky Chef cookbook? i am loving the cookbook- not exactly liking the "sneaky" word, however. after the girls try their new foods, i gently tell them what they have been eating (russ too)
maybe look for a copy at the bookstore/library
Lori, I also am inspired by Sara's little world :). I tried a green smoothie the other day, but you must need a great blender b/c my cheap one left the texture a little "leafy" for me. Along with the cloth diaper avenue I am also going to try to better our diet and try to cut back on waste, etc. I also find that the cost of eating healthy is more. So if you find anything or run across some good advice, please share. I plan to post about these things on my blog as well to generate some good "talk" (when I find the time). Thanks for sharing and I love the idea of planting some of our own veggies!
Danielle
Danielle-- there was definitely still some texture there for us too, but I am ok with that. I was just surprised that Madeline drank it. Hannah ended up passing today-- maybe because it was a very green smoothie, but Madeline downed about 8 ounces of mango-banana-romaine-celery smoothie.
I tried out pitted dates and raisins on Madeline today as well. She liked both.
I like your description...God's naturally grown goodies:) ...that's what this MD refers to as "living foods". I've enjoyed learning about just how the natural foods protect and energize our bodies (all God's plan of course)so now I'm primed to eat better, drink more water, get more sleep and some exercise. Sounds good...now to take action! Apparently, periodic cleansing with juices and fruits (never total fasting)can give "restorative rest to an overloaded digestive tract". I've never thought much about fasting either but now that I've read more about the benefits I may give it a try.
Oops! correction...I must need a lot more good brain food...the machine for smoothies that I use is the "Magic Bullet"...not silver, Ha!!Ha!!
Lori,
I think Krisy's dad just sort of planted what he liked and hoped for the best:) But he has a keen sense for these things, which I do not.
I'm sure you know this already, but Krisy told me that Home Depot's garden staff will tell you what vegetables can grow well in your area as well as when to plant. I also bet there is a wikipedia article on just about any vegetable you can imagine.
We pray for good health!!!
Tim 'Good at giving useless tips' Bridges
Yeah, I just hecked Wikipedia. No joy, unless you are not sure what celery is, then it may not help you:)
Sorry
Hey Lori! I am drinking a green smoothie as I type this - haha - I will hopefully have some great tips to pass on to you later this week after Sara and her family leaves.. she has been amazing and so helpful! She even made my first smoothie and got me out of the bed with it the other morning - can't turn that down, huh?! haha :) And it was great! I am hooked...
Lori, I'm glad you are interested in getting your family to eat healthier as I am on that track too. Seeing all my mom has gone through with having colon cancer, I definitely don't want that to be me (Lord-willing). Eating good must be connected to better health as God didn't leave boxes of Hamburger Helper sitting around in Eden! I'm reading all ingredients lists these days and staying away from as much processed items as possible (it's a small amount but it's a start). Also, you'll be proud that I wrote out a list of meals we eat in hopes to get started on an actual monthly meal plan! I want to homemake (a.k.a. no box meals) as much as I can. Matthew's getting to be quite the chef himself so that makes it fun!
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