about 5 years ago my whole relationship with food changed. we were having some really serious health issues and began to research like mad dogs. we devoured every book, article, and opinion from those we trusted and respected. it was like a health revival in the littlejohn house. the book that effected us the most was called, "health and nutrition secrets that will save your life," by dr. russell blaylock. our health and wellness journey did not happen over night. and it will not be over until we are in our grave. but the last five years we have made some bite size, and important changes for better living. i could literally write for WEEKS about the information we have learned. but i won't. i'll neatly organize our experience in three categories and tackle one a day for the next 3ish days.
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
2. you don't need obama care, you need YOU care
3. it's ALL connected
1. more of the real, less of the fake.
i love food. i love GOOD food. i love BAD foods. i love food when i am happy, and unfortunately, i love food when i am sad. so A LOT of our learning has been about food. the balance. the importance. and the hazards.
this first step, i think is the most important and most basic, and this is where we have made the most strides in our journey. basically, we try to consume the majority of all of our food in it's most natural state. if there is more then 3 or 4 things under the ingredient list we keep on moving. when we grocery shop, the majority of what we buy is on the outer edge of the store. we spend very little time in the aisles. lots and lots of fresh fruit and veggies. how do you get small children to eat fresh fruits and veggies??... well, there are only a million books and websites that can teach you how. one of our favorites is "super baby foods," by ruth yaron (warning, she is a bit extreme for me, so i pick what i like and leave the rest!). our other favorite method is the one bite rule. katie learned the rule at 9 months, julia learned the rule at 18 months, lucy learned the rule at 12 months, and anderson learned the rule last week (ok, ok, so i was totally a sucker with him!).. i don't like making food a battle. i don't want my kids to grow up and have a bad and emotional relationship with food. but the one bite rule is an expectation not a choice. it's not, "eat everything on your plate!" it's" try one of everything.. today might be the day your taste buds like it." the kids LOVE that. so it's like an experiment every night at the dinner table,
"julia, did your taste buds like salad tonight?"
"no mama, they didn't!"
"ok, well,we will try again the next time!"
"lucy, i see you have not tried your sweet potatoes yet. i think your taste buds are awfully curious to see if tonight is the night they'll love them!"
it's not about the message and the expectation, as much as it is about HOW you deliver the message and the expectation. oh, we have had some "sit ins" until the one bite was had, but it wasn't a yelling, threatening environment.. it was a clear request that needed to be heeded like any other request we make of our children. you would be shocked at the amount of taste bud turn arounds we have had at our house b/c of the one bite rule!
you don't have to start with organic this and organic that. start with a simple apple over apple sauce with high fructose sugar added. start with a real chicken over canned chicken. grab corn chips instead of potato chips. grab 100% juice instead of juices mixed with over things. grab fresh or frozen over canned. little steps that really do make a huge difference :)
see it wasn't so bad was it?
here is a list of books that i highly recommend:
Little Sugar Addicts By Kathleen DesMaisons
Food and Love by Dr. Gary Smalley
Health and Nutrition Secrets that Will Save Your Life by Dr. Russell Blaylock
The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears
Blood Types, Body Types, and You by Joseph Christiano
Super Baby Foods by Ruth Yaron
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: by Dr. Kenneth Bock
ok, ok, i am off to eat some
here is to health and wellness!
~s
i think it has been pretty well established that good, dark chocolate is practically a health food for women...so here's too it! :-D
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