Amazon…Amazon Prime…Amazon Mom; Everything AMAZON! I’ve been sucked in! One of the perks of Amazon Prime is that I have access to “free” instant videos (Movies, TV and Documentaries).
In the last few days DH and I have watched an array of documentaries about food, lots and lots of food. Vegucated (focuses on the Vegan lifestyle), Food, Inc. (gives the low-down on the food industry in America), Fat Sick & Nearly Dead (follows a man across the country while juice fasting for 60 days) and Forks Over Knives (reveals how and why a plant based diet has proven to be healthier).
Just let me say I’m sure some of my interest in the above is a part of my nesting… I’ve also been going around the house with a glass of bleach and tooth brush looking for any crevice that needs a scrub.
Now where was I?
Needless to say I’m in shock, anytime I get a look behind the scenes of the food industry, shock is expected. What we unknowingly and often knowingly put into our bodies is crazy! Being pregnant and a soon to be breast feeding mom, what I put into my body, my sons and husbands body is more important to me than ever. It will ultimately be my responsibility to shop for and nurture my family, (I am fortunate enough to have a husband who isn’t afraid of the kitchen, so all the weight doesn’t fall on my shoulders); but its a responsibility that I welcome. This is one of my “Vain” areas for sure! So where do I begin???
There are SO many issues in this country when it comes to food. It’s hard not to want to be a super hero and try to do ALL I can right away to help the situation, but I’ve learned that it is best to start slowly and work my way up.
My top concern and first priority is the health of myself and my family: The foods we eat that will ultimately have a direct affect on us.
Simply put I want to provide my family with REAL food.
So to answer the question, What is real food?…
To me real food is not genetically altered or chemically treated and doesn’t contain hormones, antibiotics and pesticides. Foods that haven’t been overly processed and stripped of nutrients.
So, where to begin…What can I do right now?
- Reduce our intake of Meat and Animal Products
-Buy organic (meat, eggs, dairy etc)
-Grass fed Beef
-No PorkBy reducing our intake we are able to afford healthier yet more expensive organic meats
- Increase intake of Veggies
-Buying organic when able especially the Dirty Dozen
After watching Fat Sick & Nearly Dead
DH surprisingly became very interested in juicing. After extensively researching juicers (until 1am) he decided that it would be a good idea to “replace” a meal a day with fresh veggie-fruit juice. He picked the Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juice Extractor (It should be here Friday, thanks to Amazon Prime free two day shipping!)
During my pregnancy we learned that we were not getting nearly enough green leafy vegetables (spinach, Kale, Collards etc) . Every time…at every appointment my midwife would ask about diet and I’d often cringe when she asked about those darn green-leafies!;
- Eliminate processed foods (as much as possible)
This is where we will start for now… I’ll admit I was getting a little overwhelmed at first about where to start. I’m an all or nothing type of girl, it helps tremendously to have DH involved…Him being a one step at a time type of guy makes this process much easier. I would typically go straight to the fridge and pantry and throw everything out immediately BUT hes talked me into using what we have and replacing with healthier alternatives as needed. Such a wise fellow 🙂
I can try all I want in my own power to do what I think is best for my family BUT I believe aside from everything else, the most effective thing we can do is simply ask The Lord to bless our food and have the food nourish our bodies as He intends.
Stay tuned for our juicing journey and next steps to becoming a Real Food Family!
What’s your plan to provide your families with healthier meals and lifestyle?
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