Food has become quite an issue in the house. Junk is winning over fresh food and I've struggled (and am failing) to feed my son nutricious food that he enjoys.
Packing his lunch has become a worry that starts with me the night before he goes to school.
1. Will he eat an apple if I take the skins off (I resist doing this as the peel is rich in nutients, as we all know)?
2. Does a wheat bagel with cream cheese make a worse choice than deli meat and cheese (sandwiches are another thing he won't eat)?
3. There are never veggies packed. (He claims he is allergic to them all.)
Dinner at home is no different. Even when I make him go without dinner if he doesn't eat what's on his plate, he gladly starves (especially when we're talking about veggies).
He lives on Cheez-its (I allow them as a snack once a day).
I feed him vitamins and HOPE they are doing some good.
But we all know vitamins can't make up for lack of good nutrition the majority of the time.
I was so relieved to be watching Jamie Oliver's new show on TV: Food Revolution.
He talks about what we all worry about as parents - our children. How their generation is the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than us. That is so wrong on so many levels - it makes me sick and sad.
So, this long winded entry today does get to my point:
I got reacquainted with two classmates from High School this weekend. Jessica and Kacie and I sat around talking about how to make our lives better - whether it is food, skincare, the importance of empowering each other, and the strength of community.
Jessica introduced me to Door to Door Organics.
It's an organic food service that delivers fresh produce to your door every week. (It's in Colorado, Kansas City, and other places.)
I could smell the oranges in her kitchen as soon as I walked into her front door. That should tell you something about the caliber of food they deliver.
Wayne and I talked a lot tonight about what we need to do to change the food environment of our home. One of the first things we are doing is ordering from this company. The second is we will start juicing the produce that we don't know how to disguise (Caeden can sniff out vegetables a mile away but will drink the juice made from fresh veggies willingly - a bit of apple or some grapes mixed in makes a huge difference.)
Will it be horrible to plead and negotiate with him at first? Yes. But after awhile, I have to believe he will forget the crap he was eating and get used to healthy, fresh choices. (One of my biggest accomplishments in the food arena is that he chooses ice water over juice and has never had a soda.)
I'm tired of taking the easy way out and/or being manipulated by a 5 year old. He's such a good kid - this mess is not his fault. It's mine.
I'm tired of taking the easy way out and/or being manipulated by a 5 year old. He's such a good kid - this mess is not his fault. It's mine.
But I can change all of that. (I can get clever at the very least.) And I KNOW our family will be better for it.
Posts
Transitions are always challenging, but I have to tell you that I have worked hard for the past year to eliminate junk and incorporate healthy options. Recently, Kade commented..."Cool, you went to Costco...we have more fruit, again!" Finally...we went from "there is nothing to eat" to "yum." My kids also like the soybeans (Costco has frozen ones that are individualized servings packets) with a bit of coarse salt (small compromise, right?). However, I am wondering if I "need" a juicer...especially in my new location...
ReplyDeleteforget the juicer- get the vitamix. I am not kidding. I credit Graces desire to want fruit and veggies over anything else (yes, I am incredibly, incredibly lucky and I know it.)to the Vitamix. She has never had soda and has always chosen water when tehre is an option. My probelm is that I think she is underweight. I can't get her to eat much of anything else BUT fruit and veggies. Every bite of meat is a battle, even trying to get her to eat beans is very difficult. Edemame- nope. I have gone the other way and said eat whatever you want as long as you eat. A second jucie box- sure go ahead, just brush your teeth afterwards. Brownie bites? Absolutely! Just eat SOMETHING that has a little bit of fat and protein in it.
ReplyDeleteI hope you win your battle! It is tough no matter what the food issue is.
Carisa
Calories during growth years is huge. Log the calories to make sure they get enough to promote growth. I was amazed to find out an 8 to 10 year old boy should eat a minimum of 2000 per day 2300 is preferred. I thought this was an adult day. I have seen specialists for growth this past year and they cared much more about calories than what food they ate to acheive enough calories. They said to suppliment with vitamins. I do watch natural sugar vs the bad sugars. Costcos organic chocolate milks are 190 each and do not have to be refrigerated great for lunch and with snacks, nutella and wheat toast has been a favorite and juices for the fruits/vegies organic work for me too.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Mama! You are teaching Caden & Claire invaluable lessons on the importance of eating healthy, good for you foods...they are what determines how we feel for the day. After watching the documentary, Food Inc., it had reaffirming, life changing affects for our family...all organic! In MT we have what are known as Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) it is a great way to buy local, organic produce and grass-feed meats. I checked and Denver has them, too. Here is their web address: http://coloradocsas.mooreds.com
ReplyDeleteHappy Eating!
xox, Cat
As a nurse practitioner, I often tell parents, "your child eats what you give them/what's in the house..it's not like they're shopping for their own groceries at this age". You've done the BEST thing you can at this stage of their life, taking control of and responsibility for their well-being! You won't have many more years of childhood dependence, take advantage of it! This time in their life is when routine "sticks" for years to come! If you only have carrots, apples and peanut butter in the house, that's what they'll eat. Less healthy foods have pretty packaging for a reason! It takes extra time and money to give them the very best, but isn't that what our children deserve? Congrats on taking charge!! ;)
ReplyDeleteOH...and if you're looking for extra calories/protein, try protein (whey) powder in smoothies and juices. Or...add a breakfast powder to their milk. Or...add cheese or peanut butter to a fav fruit or veggie. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for all this information! I have received many emails today informing me of other organic food co-ops and of the goodness of Door to Door. It seems I am most certainly not alone in my quest to feed my family better food.
ReplyDeleteThank you!