This post is about my nutritional lifestyle for myself and my family. Everything I believe in I am in the minority and it really makes things harder. Things I do are "hippie" or "new age" or too "radial." I guess people who don't feed their kids junk, and play baby mozart and sing songs, use natural medicine, and teach their children about christ, co-sleep, breastfeed exclusively are super radical and out there. And I'll take it because that is what I do and it works for me.
Something that bothers me is when I tell people I feed my kids "healthy," They are like "Oh, so you don't eat meat and only eat organic vegetables?"......The word "Healthy" means different things to different people and I don't like it when people assume they know what my diet is like and what I feed my kids. If anyone cared then I would tell them what we do, but no one has even bothered to ask.
In case you were wondering I will tell you what goes on at my house.
Everything we eat has to be a REAL food. Fruits, vegetables, nuts/legumes, whole grains, meat and dairy are in moderation and avoid processed meat. (There are many other herbs/ingredients that we use)
Things we avoid are anything processed or use artificial flavors or in boxes. I try to make everything fresh as possible. I know it is more convenient to buy boxed things when we are so busy but I have made it a priority in my life. There is a reason why we eat so much during the day, it is our fuel and our energy and it is very important what we put in our bodies.
I am not as strict as some people think. I wish I was even stricter! My mom has a hard time with my lifestyle and I have tried to compromise so I will tell you some alternatives that I have seen that works.
Annie's Brand Organic foods
Kraft has to have a label on the back that says "May cause hyperactivity in some children." This is because of the food dyes they use because their "cheese culture" does not look like cheese. They also use illegal GMO wheat for their noodles. There is very little nutritional value in this food.
if your kids love mac and cheese there are very easy recipes to make your own but if you want a box I let my mom use Annie's brand. I like her because all of the ingredients you can pronounce, there is no preservatives, and they use wheat noodles. It does have processed cheese but it doesn't have the food dyes that cause hyperactivity. (its not sugar that causes it it is toxic chemicals in food) it is also pennies more and not expensive. It tastes very similar to regular mac and cheese too.
Annie's brand fruit snacks are another good grab and go but they are more expensive. They are made from juice and not all the other ingredients in other brands. Sometimes for church or day trips it is easy to have some snacks. Sage also loves the "bunnies."
Meat/Dairy products have to be "organic/hormone free" or alternatives. We typically use almond milk. Some alternative dairy products aren't good so you have to do some research. I like silk so far. my kids also love Rice Dream (ice cream). It is made from rice and I love it too!
If you choose other brands I strongly suggest that you look at the ingredients with everything that is in a box.
The reason why I do this is because small children under 5 are developing radically and they need nutrients for their development and growth. Processed, preservatives, and artificial ingredients can hurt their cell tissue and cause long term problems. I've heard before, "I feed my kids junk in moderation and they aren't obese and they seem to be fine." That may be true but the fact remains that you could slowly be clogging arteries, killing brain cells, and slowing their digestive system. Even if you kids aren't overweight there could still be damage. so why risk it?
My rule is if there is a question as to what vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients are in the drink or food then it is not good for you. Also if you could not make it at home then you definitely shouldn't be eating it. (fruit drinks, cheetos, oreos, M&Ms)
I realize that there are times where the American culture has required that children eat candy. My kids can participate in Halloween, Easter, Birthdays and Christmas but that is about it. I do not give candy to my kids regularly and it is not because of sugar. I love to bake and I make cookies with either stevia or raw sugar. Sugar is only bad if it is in excess and can cause weight gain and faster aging. But we eat ONLY raw sugar or other natural sweeteners. Candy has processed sugar that has no nutritional value as well as all the other horrible ingredients for your kids.
There has been times where people have given my kids candy after I told them no. I have also had issues with parents that tell me that they don't want to tell my children no so they give in.
Well, its NOT your children.
When it is me that is telling them no I have NEVER had my kids fit or cry. I know that day will come and I will deal with it when that comes. People assume my kids will cry if they can't have candy because they know their kids would. Zion has always asked me if he can have something. As he gets older he is going to be places where I can not monitor what he eats. My goal is to teach my children healthy eating habits and when they are in the world they can make those decisions for themselves. but when their complete nutrition is dependent on me I will always make sure they get what they need.
I have had issues with the nursery at church. they have not been willing to talk to me or work things out with their diet. but what do they do with kids with allergies? well I provided snacks for Zion EVERY Sunday that we attended and every time they would return his snacks full in his bag and he would just eat them on the car ride home. I totally gave up and thought it was very unfair. Until one person talked to me about it and it was Zion's last week in nursery. They actually gave Zion his snacks and guess what? All the other kids wanted what Zion had and he shared with the whole class. It wasn't as traumatic as they thought it would be. but now I am hesitating putting Sage in.
I have heard this before, "The kids that don't get junk food go to other people houses and just pig out." Well either those parents aren't doing it right or it isn't true. Kids who are raised with healthy foods crave those healthy foods. My kids are more comfortable with foods that they know. If they ate junk food somewhere it is probably because that is what is available.
And it sounds ridiculous to me because you can teach your children not to drink and drive or do drugs, or go to church and be helpful to others. If you taught them that then that means that they are going to be out harassing people and won't go to church and do drugs? Maybe. but I don't think so.
The only reason my kids ever want something it is because someone else has it and not the actual food itself. Just like with toys or anything else. If we teach our children that we can have our own things and be grateful for them, that stage of life of wanting what others want will disappear. I certainly don't want my kids to feel "left out" so that is why I try hard to make healthy alternatives for them.
I do not care what other people do with their children because it is every mothers right to do what want with their kids. I feel like I am always defending myself and making people understand me. And I will tell you that it is very stressful and hard. Nothing that we are supposed to be doing is easy. but I know that my children will thank me later and appreciate what I do for them everyday.
Here are a few things we eat throughout the day.
Breakfast
Whole wheat pancakes with bananas/apples/chocolate chips 100% syrup
Oatmeal with raisins/cranberries/almonds/peanuts
granola cereal
scrambled eggs and turkey bacon
Whole wheat bread with peanut butter and honey and many others......
Snacks and sides
banana
apple slices
granola
carrots
cucumbers
strawberries
tomatoes
Blue corn chips
annie's brand cookies/ snacks
corn
smoothies and more......
Lunch
turkey sandwich/wrap
soup
PB and J (fresh peanut butter no other stuff and home made jelly)
leftover dinner
salad and many others..........
Dinner
sweet n sour chicken and rice
shepherds pie
bean and rice casserole
potato curry and rice
chili or soup
spinach quiche
corn tomato pie
chicken quesadilla and many others....
these are not the only things we eat but a few ideas. If you still think we are radical then so be it. but we aren't crazy or feed our children weird tofu crackers and kale chips. I am also not claiming to be a perfect mom. I am just trying the best I can with the knowledge that I have and doing what makes me happy.
I could write a lot more things but I will end with anyone who has a desire to feed their kids healthy and don't know where to start I can help! it has been a long process to find a diet that works for us, and I have gathered recipes over 10 years and have a good selection. I wrote a cookbook that I need to update but if you want it just ask and I can email it to you.
my next venture is to learn how to make homemade deodorant and toothpaste. I will also be sharing those as well soon. I am officially a DOTERRA essential oils distributor so let me know if you are interested!
love you all! PEACE, LOVE, LIGHT I'm a hippie
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