Convincing the masses

One thing I need to learn while eating Paleo is that we don't have to convince anyone that this is a healthy choice for our family.  My husband and I are both intelligent adults who have been given charge of raising these beautiful children and don't need to justify our decisions to friends and family.  Phew...now that I've stated that I need to learn to live it.  I mean seriously, why do I feel the need to be in agreement with everyone.

I have had several well intending friends and family members ask if I think this is a good idea for the kids.  I can't believe we think that people think the way we've been eating is a better idea than eating a diet filled with fruits, vegetables and meat.  What we are eating is natural and vitamin packed.  It is the food God created and intended for us to eat.  God didn't create us to consume chemicals and high fructose corn syrups with every meal.  Does it really make sense to think that we are better off eating man made foods compared to food grown naturally in nature?  Ironically the majority of people don't see this, or maybe they are blinded by their sugar addictions.  :)

We have completed 3 full days of Paleo.  Tannin tells me that for the first time since he can remember his stomach doesn't hurt, Andy hasn't used hardly any insulin, I've lost a few pounds and most importantly we have spent a lot of time together in the kitchen.

Time Consumption

Eating Paleo is time consuming...meal planning, shopping, cooking and washing dishes.  I feel like the last couple days I've lived and breathed food.  I guess I didn't realize how often we used take out and pizza as a go to.  We have eaten unhealthy for so long and have truly enjoyed the convenience of processed junk.  I'll admit there was a part of me last night longing to pull out some noodles or hamburger helper and make a quick meal.  And it struck me that this is only day 2.  If we are truly making a lifestyle change I can't be longing for the days of convenience, I need to learn how to make this new lifestyle convenient.

Most likely this means taking a Saturday or Sunday and prep cooking pancakes, egg muffins, meats and chopping veggies.  Learning to make some staple dishes that my family enjoys and I can whip out in 15 minutes.  It's ironic that I was thinking we'll get bored of eating like this yet we could eat pizza 5 nights a week and never tire of it.  *sigh*

Yesterday we experimented with banana pancakes.  The kids weren't too sure that just mixing some bananas, almond butter, eggs and cinnamon in the blender would really make a pancake.  To everyone's surprise and delight it was delicious!  Tannin cooked them for everyone.  I have to say that it is wonderful seeing Tannin take on a more active role in the kitchen.

For lunch we had tacos.  Kat was not convinced that she could eat a taco without a taco shell.  She cried and refused to eat, Tannin discovered that tomatoes aren't as bad as he imagined and Drew ate everything in front of him with joy.  Funny how they are all so different.

Dinner for the kidos was easy...bacon, eggs and melon.  I have to admit it seemed strange to not serve bread with this meal as it has been a staple with bacon and eggs as long as I can remember, but they didn't even ask for any.  While the kids were at church Andy and I enjoyed steaks cooked in bacon grease, mushrooms & onions with a sweet potato.

As I finish up yesterday's blog Tannin is at the stove trying another go of his banana pancakes and Kat is anxiously waiting to enjoy them.

Did you really just say that?

Day 1 of our Paleo lifestyle.  Kat decided to start her protest early and refused to drink her breakfast smoothie.  This is going to be a long month is all I could think.  I was encouraged when I read another blog that talked about the Try 3 Times rule.  The idea behind it is that it takes trying something on 3 separate occasions before they become accustomed to it and like it.  So I won't give up and I won't give in.  I survived the terrible 2's, how hard can this be?

Yesterday the kids helped me pick 5 buckets of apples so we decided to make some applesauce for lunch.  It was fun, Tannin loved it and was very impressed with what he made.  He picked, cut, cooked and then put the apples in the food mill.  Not only are we eating something healthy, it was free and we had fun as a family making it!

For lunch we had  baked chicken breast topped with onions and mushrooms, asparagus and freshly made applesauce.   Tannin ate the asparagus and said it wasn't too bad.  Wait, did I hear you right?  Did you really just say that?  Big surprise Kat didn't like hers.  

Why Paleo??

This seems to be a pretty standard question I get when I tell people that we are going to try a Paleo lifestyle for the month of October.  I mean besides the obvious health reasons I think?  Andy has Type 1 Diabetes, Tannin has a milk allergy and all 6 of struggle with stomach issues and achy bodies too often.  We as a nation are obese and sick and I'm tired of being tired.  I want to feel good and I want my family to enjoy health.

I mean it's pretty obvious that we weren't made for the processed junk we consume daily.  How often do we really stop and read the ingredients.  And if we do stop and read the ingredients how many of those ingredients would you say you recognize as a food or even know what they are?  Better yet would your Grandma or Grandpa recognize them as a food?  My former Dr. advised me to follow 2 simple guidelines when it comes to what we put in our bodies:

1. If your Grandparents wouldn't recognize it as food don't consume it.
2. If it has more than 5 ingredients don't consume it.

That seems simple enough right?  So why don't we follow these rules?  I know for my family it has come down to convenience.  Convenience both in ease of buying & cooking and convenience in not listening to whiney kids who prefer pizza over stuffed green peppers.  It takes more time to meal plan and shop and cook.  I think I'll be living in the kitchen but I'm hopeful I'll learn ways to prep and save time.

I know my kids will whine and complain...but my hope is that after 30 days they will feel better and if not they can't complain forever right?  Tomorrow the journey begins.  Here's to tears and complaints over how I am going to kill them!  =)

Kids we are going to be like Cavemen

Kat asks like The Flintstones?? Kinda I tell her and she smiles and says she needs a club.  This could be fun I think and then as I clean out the cabinets and the refrigerator to remove all the food we won't be eating for the next 30 days the excitement wears off her face.

No noodles she asks?  Nope

No oatmeal?  Nope

No milk?  Nope

No ice cream?  Nope

No bread?  Nope

No peanut butter?  Nope I say. 

What will we eat?  Her poor face says she is getting worried.  

I have a feeling the excitement of living like The Flintstones just lost its appeal.  I have a feeling my kids are going to revolt when their pizza and macaroni and cheese are replaced with bok choy soup and mahi mahi with roasted vegetables.  

I'm excited and nervous all at the same time.  Excited at eliminating so much processed food from their precious little bodies.  Excited at the thought of feeling better and having more energy.  Excited at years of good health I'm giving my children if they learn these eating habits now.  I know that we weren't created to feel this way.  I know that the zingers and muffins and Doritos we put in our bodies aren't good for us.  Having been a vegetarian for 4 years I know I can feel great and look great if I treat my body the way God created me to treat it.  

However, I'm nervous because I know that my children (and my husband) are not fans of vegetables unless you count corn.  Did I mention that corn isn't allowed in our Paleo lifestyle?  And all that pasta we LOVE, no more pasta either.  And potatoes, we will miss you in your various forms.  I'm holding onto the words of my Pediatrician many years ago...A hungry child will eat raw broccoli he told me, they won't starve themselves.  

Here's to better health both physically and emotionally.