Healthy food for my family (and myself)

I try really hard to teach my daughter better eating habits than my own. She does not drink soda, in fact she is disgusted that I drink it and will not let me give her kisses with "Soda Breath." When she wants a snack she gets to pick between different kinds of fruit (except for the occasional treat). And although I crave greasy hamburgers and fries for my comfort food, I have tried to set it up so that her comfort foods are apples, broccoli, green beans, salad, and berries.

So far, so good.

Last week I was invited to hear Dr. Jim Sears (from "The Doctors" on CBS) speak about healthy eating habits for families. I expected to go and learn about better ways to feed Sage; instead I came away with a better understanding of how badly I allow MYSELF to eat.

I was excited to note that I do the great majority of his suggestions when it comes to feeding my daughter.  But as I turned my inquiry toward myself and thought about my "food loves" I was reminded (OK I should say struck on the head with a 2X4) with how much my own food choices really reflect convenience over health, comfort over nutrition, and desire over actual need.

This is not to say that I don't eat very healthful foods...AT HOME...it is the choices I make when eating out that now disturb me. It is much easier, when cooking a meal to eat healthy, because I am committed to feeding Sage in as healthy a way as possible - and I cook for us together. So our home meals are full of organic veggies and fruit, contain little grease, include very few processed foods, and are usually made with nutrition as the primary motivation. But when I am out and I can have something different without risking her meal....well let's just remember that I already said how much I love greasy food. I told myself that I could afford the bad food out because I eat so well at home...but maybe I won't rely on that any more - and I will allow my choices to become cleaner and more wholesome all around so that they can have their full effect. Besides after hearing (again) what that grease and processed food really does to you - I am really grossed out.

I have recommitted myself to eating healthful foods, I am working to leave my caffeine addiction behind, I have said a sad, but fervent see-ya to fast food (or at least, initially, to drastically reduce it to say - 1-2 times a month), I am looking more than ever before at the labels on my food before I decide to pop it in my mouth, and when eating out I am looking more at healthier choices.

You might wonder how this fits into my blog about parenting...Mary, the nice woman who invited me to the seminar said something that, while not a new thought for me, was intriguing nonetheless. She asked me how feeding myself garbage was being a good mom. She asked if I thought that I could be a better mom with more longevity if I stopped eating harmful food. I couldn't find a way out of it the way she stated it. I heard the shattering of my internal denial that I could eat bad food without consequence to Sage. First of all, I know that modeling is the best form of teaching, and even if she loves healthy choices today, her observing me go for a Burger time and again over the next few years COULD lead her to bad food choices later. Also, though I finally understood that, by making better food choices I could start reversing the bad consequences of my food choices from the past and be healthier overall - which could lead to more years to be her mom.

I am going to purchase Dr. Sears' book: "The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood: Ten Ways to Get Your Family on the Right Nutritional Track" and try to get myself on track.

Wish me luck on my life change!

Emily A. Filmore
blog.withmychildseries.com
http://www.withmychildseries.com/