8/24/12

Potluck Friday


edition 8
 
How ya doing?  It's Friday people.  You're doing great.  After work today, I headed to Costco to stock up on some bulk items and a few buys I can only get there.  Love that place!  Seriously.  It just makes me happy to stock up on whole, healthy foods that I know will nourish my family.  My loot~
  • 16 chicken breasts
  • 3 pack (15) of apple chicken sausages (I cannot WAIT to try these!)
  • applewood smoked deli ham
  • colby jack cheese *that I plan to grate* for the hubster. I usually buy the pre-shredded.
  • 6 pack of "adocados!!!"
  • large tub of medjool dates
  • large tub of almond butter
  • sliced almonds
  • 2 dozen hard boiled eggs + 18 regular eggs
  • humongous sack of triple-washed romaine lettuce leaves. These things rock my world.
  • 20 fruit/nut bars for Ryan to take to work...hope you like these babe.
  • 1 rotisserie chicken for weekend eating
  • 2 bunches of bananas
= $104.00.  Not bad?

I want to talk for a minute about feeding your kiddos.  Here's the thing.  As I'm sure you can guess, I am super passionate about healthy eating.  And that obviously means I'm going to care a whole lot about what my offspring eat too.  (I should use that word more often.)  Kids are going to be kids.  There are going to be birthday parties and holidays and school festivities. <--Another good word.  Those things usually mean cake.  Sugar.  Processed stuff.  I'm not dumb enough to think that my child is never going to eat some birthday cake.
 
But.  I think it's extremely important that we set the example early and at home when it comes to healthy eating on a regular basis.  Heads Up:  Your kid is going to eat what they see you eat.  AND what you give them to eat...which will depend on what you BUY.  I hate to be the one to break this news but toaster pastry strudel does not a wholesome breakfast make.  Sorry.  Neither are donuts and cocoa crispies.  And I just can't buy the money thing either.  Bananas are not expensive.  Neither are eggs. 
 
Let's take a look and see what we get with a Strawberry Toaster Strudel.  <--I even hate the name.


Mmmm, enriched flour.  Vegetable oil.  High Fructose Corn Syrup.  Corn Syrup Solids.  Artificial colors.  Sucralose <--Artificial sweetener.  Doesn't that sound YUMMY?! 

I used to eat these. 
 
You know why?  Because my mom bought them.  And I was probably 10.  And I wasn't the geeky nutrition hawk that I am today.  I'm not blaming my mother.  But I am trying to make a point. 
 
Our kids are going to eat what we buy.  What they are used to.  What they grow up eating.
 
I'm all for good beginnings.  And even new beginnings!  It is never too late to change the food choices you are making.  It's never too late to teach your family that food matters and health matters.  I can't explain to Karlyn why the monounsaturated fat in avocado is better for her that the trans fat in a donut but I can cut one open and give it to her.  I can sit down with her and eat our breakfast together where she sees me eating my eggs and saying, "mmm, so good!" 
 
A little article from Paleoista.
 
You just never know what your baby or kiddo might like!  Try feeding them sweet potato fries.  Or green beans.  Or spaghetti squash.  Or beans.  Ha.  Beans are not "paleo" as they're a legume.  I still give Karlyn some beans every now and then.  This morning she asked for them!  It was pretty funny.  But heck yes, I would much rather her have some beans than fruit loops to start the day with.  It's all about trying.  As parents, we have to put forth the effort and be the example.  It's our job and our responsibility and we owe it to our kids.
 
I want a treat to be exactly that.  A treat.  Let's go out for ice cream.  Let's have some birthday cake.  Unless you decide it makes you feel like poo and you no longer want it. <--Starting to get there.
 
But you get my point.  Healthy habits at home.   Let's start there.

Comments?  Thoughts?  I'd love to hear em!
 

2 comments:

Heather said...

Hold the phone. You can buy eggs already hard boiled?!? How did I not know this?!? Sounds like you did great at Costco! Gosh, I love that place. I'm so glad that payday is Tuesday. :)

I totally agree with your post. Kids eat a lot more types of food than we give them credit for.

Kati said...

Yes, they come in 2 dozen packages and they. are. AWESOME. So easy for snacks or salads or pretty much anything. Only about $5 too! They're back with the meat and hummus and all that stuff.