a lifestyle change

Charlie has decided that she doesn't like processed foods.

Normally I don't let her call the shots 

but when she's right,

she's right.

I can't argue with reason Charlie.

I made most of Charlie's baby food when she was little.

If I didn't make it,

then it was organic with no added stuff.

I waited a long time to introduce a lot of wheat to her because it has been so genetically modified these days that our bodies can't even recognize it as wheat and our bodies attack it causing gluten allergies...

BTW,

that is just what felt right with me-

I'm not preachin' to you.

This is just information I am sharing with you.

What you do with it?

Totally up to you.

No judgements here...

Any time I feel lazy or crunched for time and I cave and I buy one of those Gerber microwave meals-

it ends up being a complete waste of time and money.

Cause Chuck won't eat crap.

She turns her little foodie nose to it.

And can you blame her?

I don't want to eat those mushy pale veggies

and the taste is so bland

there is nothing to get baby excited about food.

I want Charlie to grow up with a good relationship with food.

I think food is a source of comfort and nourishment

but there has to be balance.

It is our job to teach our children how to eat responsibly.

How can I do that when I myself am eating

so irresponsibly?

I eat junk by the ton.

Poptarts,

donuts,

chocolate,

candy,

sugar,

sugar,

more sugar

did I mention

SUGAR?!?!

I am a dentist's worst nightmare,

I know this because I worked for one

and he would cringe every time 

I took a swig of Mountain Dew : )

He would hide my candy

and snacks.

True story.

So if I was going to feed Charlie right,

I had to start with myself.

I am a big believer in do as I do.

I hate the parenting phrase

"do what I say, not what I do"

hate it.

We are the example our children look to.

I am starting to educate myself

on food.

Lemme tell you,

there is TONS of information

out there about the food
we are putting in our bodies.

And as I watch documentary after documentary on Netflix

I felt convicted.

If you know me,

then you know I am not a hippie!
I'm not crunchy.
I buy processed food and eat at Taco Bell.

I love products with all kinds of chemicals and artificial ingredients
I shop at large stores like Walmart and Target.

I love pre- packaged food

and I hate eating fresh fruit and drinking water.
I don't read labels.
I don't think about where my meat comes from.
I drink milk with hormones added
and eggs that come from...
well a chicken is all I know.

But now this information sits in my head

and it won't get out.

It lingers there

making red meat seem icky because

I don't know if it was grass fed.

Chicken tastes bitter

because all I can think about it the chicken inhaling so much of it's own poo

that they have to inject it with antibiotics to make sure 

it doesn't get an infected abscess. 

GROSS!

I know,

but it is true.

I like eating chicken. I do.

But I don't like it so much that I think a chicken's quality of life should be

living and breathing in it's own fecal matter.

When I think of chickens

I think of a little pack running free 

around a farm yard.

Eating good things

and having a jolly time

just being a chicken.

They are giving us something

shouldn't we be kind in return?

The result?

We have eaten a lot of fruit this week.

We drank more water.

Then we had hamburger helper.

So it's an uphill battle.

But I think knowledge is power.

So I am going to keep learning.

Keep adjusting

and pointing my family in a more healthful direction.

One small decision at a time.

Here are some of the Food Industry Documentaries I have recently enjoyed:

Hungry For Change

This documentary exposes secrets the diet, weight loss and food industries don't want consumers to know about: deceptive strategies designed to keep you coming back for more. Find out what's keeping people from having the body and health they want.

Food Matters

With a staggering number of Americans suffering from obesity and other food-related maladies, this film takes a timely and hard-hitting look at how the food we eat is helping or hurting our health, and what we can do to live (and eat) better.

The Gerson Miracle

Sharing the stories of nine longtime cancer survivors, this program explores the principles and effectiveness of Gerson Therapy, a holistic method of treating cancer and other degenerative diseases developed by Dr. Max Gerson in 1928. Gerson's daughter, Charlotte -- founder of the Gerson Institute -- also discusses her fight to keep the controversial therapy going despite objections from those who question its effectiveness.

Farmageddon

Americans' right to access fresh, healthy foods of their choice is under attack. This documentary tells the story of farms that were providing safe, nutritional foods to their communities but were forced to stop, sometimes through violent action.

Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

Focusing on two men whose bodies have been trashed by steroids, obesity and illness, this documentary chronicles the rigorous healing path -- including a two-month diet of fruits and vegetables -- that both attempt in a bid to rescue their health.

Have you already watched any of these?  What are your thoughts and what are you feeding your kids? I wanna know!!!

***also here are three great blogs I love to read about healthy living- your welcome : )

Tales of Me and The Husband

awesome blog about a mom of 5, fashionista, and great natural living tips like stocking your natural first aid kit. She's crunchy and I love her.

The Little Red House

Beautiful food pictures, she proves that healthy can be tasty.   Her posts about running and gardening are so inspiring you will be aching to get your hands in some dirt and have your feet pound a local trail.

Feeding the Soil
Great on breaking down the process of a more simple, clean, and fulfilling life.  I love her monthly Reflections and Rejuvenation. She really stretches me to think about what I am consuming, what Charlie is playing with, and having discipline with money. I don't always agree with her but I appreciate her view point.