Food Revolution

I have had a crush on Jamie Olive since I discovered his very first cookbook at the library many years ago. Admittedly, I only checked it out because I thought he was adorable. Since then, my fondness for him has blossomed into something much more mature, as I have watched him grow into an amazing husband, father, and health food advocate. What I love most about him is that he is not just talking the talk, but actually practices what he preaches, getting himself involved first hand in the lives of others. So, of course I was overjoyed to find out recently that he was getting his very own television show! With that being said, I got caught up in a "What not to Wear" Marathon while browsing Etsy for Wedding dresses last night and completely missed it this week! (I'm kicking myself right now. What kind of fan am I anyhow?! Lol.) Anyway, have any of you watched it yet? The reason I am so excited is that Jamie has been speaking out about these issues forever, but has only been able to reach a certain audience, so I am hoping this will open more eyes and ears to his incredibly important message, and that many lives will be changed in the process. If you are not familiar with him and/or are interested in checking out his website and show, you can find out more about Jamie Oliver here and here. Also, you can sigh his Food Revolution petition here. Thank you! :)

In my opinion, I think that a lot of people consume and feed their children unhealthy food because they don't know what the alternatives are, or they are afraid it will be too time consuming and costly. But, making healthy meals for yourself and your family does not have to be. You can still make nutritious food on a tight budget. There are a few initial costs involved though. I would highly suggest investing in a juicer, a rice cooker, and a wok or stir-fry pan. Most parents have a difficult time getting their children to eat enough veggies, and I do not agree with covering up the taste. It is so important that your children learn to love the taste of them, but there are some good ways to help ease them into the process. One way is through juicing....

There is a reason V8 splash and fusion are so popular... it is a way to get veggies in your diet with out actually eating them. But you can save money and get even more vitamins and nutrients through juicing, plus there are endless combinations! I started off first with apple, celery, and carrots. Once I got the boys drinking that on a regular basis, I started testing the waters a bit more. Now they are drinking kale, pineapple, spinach, lemon, etc. It is also so important to make it fun! I let the boys help me name the juice. So far we have had "Ninja Turtle Juice", "Jabba Slime" and "Incredible Hulk juice". (Can you tell I have 2 boys?)

It's also good to get your children into the habit of eating fruit as snacks and dessert instead of other unhealthy fillers. Often we have apple and carrot slices, celery and peanut butter, and bananas for snacks. Orange slices make a sweet dessert treat. :)

As for food... rice is so inexpensive and there are so many varieties.(My kids love Jasmine the best.)Having a rice cooker saves so much time and it always comes out perfectly! There are so many different things you can stir-fry up to top it with. I do mostly veggies, but you obviously also add tofu, veggie "chicken" strips, or even occasionally organic chicken, beef, or shrimp. I also love to add pineapple, agave, organic soy sauce, and freshly squeezed orange juice to stir-fry!

Another way to incorporate veggies into your child's meals is to make a dish that they love, such as mac-n-cheese ("Annie's" is a good brand) and throw in some peas, carrots, broccoli, red peppers, etc. My boys also love sweet potatoes with smart balance olive oil butter and agave. There are so many other things you can top it with... organic yogurt or shredded cheese, avocado, broccoli, etc. Let your imagination run wild and try different combination you may not have thought of before!

The best way though to get your kids to eat healthier is to get them involved in the process! My oldest loves making peanut butter, banana, and honey or agave sandwiches for himself and his younger brother. I also let them help me decide what goes into their juice and stir-fry creations. If they are allowed to give their input and feel included in the process, they are more likely to eat the end result. :)

The same goes for grocery food shopping. I know it's difficult as a busy parent to not rush through the grocery store. But make extra time once in awhile to let your children browse the produce section and ask questions about fruit and veggies they are unfamiliar with. You might learn something new as well. :)Farmers markets are also a fun afternoon outing for children and a good way to help them learn more about the importance of supporting local farmers. It is also good to take your kids to visit local farms, so they can understand the process of how much work goes into producing the food we consume. If you are blessed to have your own outdoor space and have room for a garden, they can get involved on a daily basic, and as a result will hopefully gain an amazing appreciation for the food on their plate. If you live in the suburbs or city and have a patio or balcony, you can still start a small potted garden or grow your own herbs. Or, if you're like me... I have a large yard now but will soon be moving into a place without ANY private outdoor space... I am hoping to get myself and my children involved in urban community gardening. So... no matter where you live there are always options! :)

I think the most important thing is having an AWARENESS of what you are buying and consuming. Don't just eat to fill your body. Take a moment and ask yourself if you feel you are being a good healthy example for your children and if there are any changes you can make in your life. One of the best ways we can show our children how much we love them is to take care of them and ourselves, so that we have more energy and life to share with one another!

Also, please remember that God gave us these magnificent bodies, and it is our responsibility to care for them. He also placed HIS children in OUR hands, and it is our responsibility to teach them to care for their little Holy temples as well. :)

1 Corinthians 6:19 ~ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Eat, laugh, play, and enjoy!

Love and blessings,

Erin