I am sure you are as busy as me! Working, cleaning, running errands, balancing a social life, family, guitar lessons, doctor appointments and so much more.
We don’t need to go to the top of a mountain these days to attain enlightenment; we have a great opportunity right here with raising kids and keeping a balanced life.
Recent studies show that at a very young age children’s taste buds are formed and we can actually influence their food choices and dietary habits for life starting in infancy. We have a responsibility to make sure we don’t create “sugar addicts” in the process of rushing to get meals done. Sugar is packed in most foods that come in a box, bag or can so quick wise choices should be thought out before hand. By having our “go to” items in stock we will be more successful at maintaining health food choices and blood sugar levels for our little ones.
I can’t always “make” the perfect healthy organic non-genetically modified meal, sometimes I cheat and I don’t feel guilty about it.
Here are some cheat suggestions for you.
Instead of regular juice, packed with sugar try “Honest Juice” It is 10% organic juice, comes in those cute “juicy juice” look alike containers and won’t raise and crash your little ones blood sugar levels like a roller coaster. Or, you can just cut your juice with water.
Annie’s Organic orange bunny crackers instead of those orange fish crackers that contain ingredients I dare not mention here. They also make jamming chocolate chip, sour cream and wheat bunnies.
Annie’s Organic mac and cheese instead of regular mac and cheese. I also love the “in store” brands many grocery stores are putting out now that have the words “organic or organics” put in the brand name. They are more cost effective at times.
Horizon organic cheese instead of regular cheese. If I provide it, it has to be organic from free range cows.
Organic frozen peas, corn, edamame. I buy bags of this stuff when it is on sale. I add it to meals, including organic mac and cheese.
Organic crunchy carrots! Love these and they are great to eat with sandwiches instead of chips.
Speaking of chips, I go baked and organic, mostly apple or kale chips.
Tofurky instead of cold cuts. Made from Seitan (wheat meat), a nice trade out for meat.
Seitan Roasts. I warm these up and serve with pea’s corn and brown rice, a quick perfect dinner. You can use seitan in loads of recipes.
Ezekiel sprouted bread, almond or cashew nut butter and organic jam is a great replacement for peanut butter and jelly. Ezekiel makes great tortilla wraps too.
Dehydrate to save time. If you have not tried dehydrating foods yet, you must give it a try. Click here to read all about it. It is easy to do and a really fun project for the kids.
Stock up on healthy snacks in your pantry. Click here for some suggestions.
More children are type 2 diabetic (adult onset) then in any other time in history. Sodas, sugary juices, candies and fast food all play a role in this. We also have kids that come home and watch television or play video games instead of being out in nature. It’s a delicate balance of healthy dietary habits and exercise. Together we can make a difference.
Organically Yours,
Renay Matthews
Renay Matthews is a Certified Clinical Homeopath &, Nutritionist practicing in Southern California. You can reach her at www.elitewellnesspath.com
Thank You Good Sister,
I am sure I am not as busy as you and we have very different ideas about balance. Your point about infancy being formative months is well taken. Evidence I've read says first 4 years are critical and when most of the serious damage is done. With the typical parent knowing little more than their own parents did, it is quite easy to see how damage is passed to successive generations. One might think parenting would be taught in the schools from junior high up, but it is not difficult to see how parents would object loudly. "We will not have our Bobby coming home and telling us how he ought to be raised." Maybe this is a perfect opportunity for low cost after school, interactive tutoring where some of that early damage can be undone and nurturing can be done with pets.
Of course we know your dietary recommendations threaten the long term profits of the medical mass murder industry. I was just reading they want to get pre schoolers on statins to reduce heart disease in their 40's. Preventive medicine at last!
"We don't know where that cancer came from but the kid has low cholesterol and isn't that what really matters?" We can hardly call it medicine until we have doctor assisted suicides for children. The great issue of course, is whether it should be paid for by private or public insurance. Cast your vote below – nobody's counting.
Seriously sister.
I live in the country and have never heard of Seitan roasts. Is it pronounced SATAN? Ooooh. Will definitely have to try it.
Let us daily increase in: wisdom, love, gratitude, reverence, healing, peace, joy, happiness, laughter and prosperity.
Love and Blessings X 10,
Ed