Arming My Family For Battle

Each day we are bombarded by good marketing.  Billboards, magazines, TV commercials, TV shows, movies, commercials on the radio, in the schools, in our workplaces....everywhere you turn you are being told what you need to eat, how happy it will make you, how good it tastes. There is a war taking place that most people aren't aware of.  Most of us are losing the battle.  Americans are getting larger and larger, sicker and sicker, and aren't sure where to turn.  


So how do we fight?  How do we take our health back from those who are trying to make money off us? Anyone in the military will tell you the first step of battle is preparation.  When we find ourselves tired, hungry, emotional - we turn to food.  If we don't have anything premade - we turn to what is inexpensive and quick to satisfy our immediate needs. So we need to be prepared...equipped properly to fight our own weaknesses that others prey on. 


What are our weapons that will equip us?  We have food in our houses that we can turn to when we are hungry that are nutritious and life-giving.  We do NOT have food in our house that will perpetuate our weigh gain or our illnesses. 


How do we become that muscle-bound warrior? We build our strength of saying no to tempting food that only makes us larger and sicker. We build our self-control only one way...we practice it over and over.  We make mistakes, but they don't stop us...we press forward and continue to say no.


Haley, this all sound well and good, but what does this look like?  I'll share with you how I equip my own family.


1. I educate them on what is in their food, what it does to their bodies, why it's being sold to us, why others eat it but why we do not.  No "because I said so"...I want my kids to be able to make their own choices when they are not with me because they have the knowledge to do so. It's also amazing to hear them tell their friends or each other why certain foods are better than others and what they need to eat when they don't feel well. I didn't have to do as much educating with my husband, in fact he asks questions that make me do more and more research and verify if what I'm spouting is fact.


2. I don't allow certain foods in the house.  It's not a hard and fast rule - you don't get a lashing if you bring cheetos into the house.  But "snacky" type food - chips, pretzels, etc...I'll only purchase healthier ones with fewer ingredients and they are rationed out for treats. You won't find desserts in my house, unless they are raw vegan.  Those are the trickiest - you will eat an entire gallon of ice cream and still want more - it's designed to enable you to do so. If you bring candy into the house...keep a close eye on it as it will make its way to the trash can very quickly and sneakily.



3.  I make sure that everyone has food available to them.  I make 128 ounces of Green Smoothie for my husband every morning to take with him to work.  That's all he drinks (most of the time) until evening. Ask him sometime how his health has improved.  I pack my children lunches for school every day.  There are three components to every meal they eat: 1. Fruit 2. Vegetable. 3. Other.  For example, today's lunch was 1. Orange slices and Bananas 2. Cherry tomatoes 3. Dry Cereal (one got a healthy form of honey nut cheerios, the other got cracklin' oat bran)...I try to buy ones that mimic what's out there, but healthier versions.  After school they will get home and I'll make them Raw Vegan Ice Cream for snack.  It's my oldest's turn to pick the flavor. ;) The third category is usually smaller than the first two and I try to find things my children look forward to - which empowers them to eat their fruits and vegetables.  Oh yes, you must eat them in order. Vegetables, Fruits, and THEN other. Fill up on the good stuff first.  As with many patterns, we do what we dislike first and then move to what we like.  Chores first, play second.  Vegetables first, pasta second.  Homework first, socializing second. 


4.  When we are out and about (birthday party, Disney on Ice, Ball game, etc.), nothing is forbidden, nothing is taboo - they can choose what they want (within reason of cost and availability). If they ask, I'll educate them, but I won't lecture them on their food choices.  I do gently remind them when they are hyperactive, can't sleep, can't go to the bathroom, can't focus, or other lovely side effects...why we don't eat those foods on a regular basis.  The choice must be theirs in the long run, not mine. You need to give your kids room to stretch their wings and make their own choices sometimes (but just like chores and homework...they need guidance at home).  Likewise, I don't nag my husband, I don't tell him what he should and shouldn't eat, it is his choice as an adult. I try to provide options for him as well - although he's a little more entrenched in the snack foods that he turns to. Start young - it will pay off! ;)


Needless to say, it's a life-long war.  Some battles you win, some you don't...don't beat yourself up, just get back up and fight another day. When all else fails...call me. :)  I'll be your drill sergeant, your coach, your muse. Contact me if you need a battle plan.

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