I have been wanting to write this blog for a couple of weeks now and finally have the chance to do it...
First, thanks for the compliments on my hair! You will never guess where I get it cut at...Cost Cutters. The hairdresser there is wonderful and she actually cuts Kevin and Logan's hair too. She does a great job and I have been going to her for almost a year. Thanks again for the compliments...
Now for the reason why I am writing this blog...my headaches/migraines are a thing of the past right now. I do really believe it was cutting the "fake" sugar out of my diet. I would have done that a long time ago if I would have known how bad it was for me.
In the meantime, we have changed our entire diet here at the Watson household. I started to some research on Organic food and meats that are not filled with hormones and antibiotics. I know many of you also eat natural foods and I would like your input on this topic.
Over the past month we have cleaned all the cabinets out and all of the sugar and sweets are GONE!! I changed my eating habits back in October. So I don't mind. Those of you who know my husband know that he is one that does not like change...he is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. Well that has changed too! I am so proud of him. He works out every morning and I pack him a healthy lunch everyday for work...consisting of a sandwich and fruits and veggies.
So my questions is this...this is uncharted territory for us. I want to continue to have my family eat healthy so I want to be able to offer variety. What different things would you suggest for a packed lunch. (no microwaves...just a cooler)
Also here are a few other things:
1. Soy or milk?
2. Veggies or organic veggies?
3. Meat or Antibiotic/Hormone Free Meat?
4. Are any of you Vegetarians?? I have considered this only because of how unhealthy red meat seems...
Let me know how you feel about these things. I am still in the early stage of all of this and want to continue to research it but I value all of your opinions....
Thanks!!!
3 comments:
Hey, I think it's fantastic that your family is making healthy choices! I know you'll be glad for it.
Here's my 2 cents:
We're not vegetarians... as compliant as Nate has been about eating better, I could NEVER talk him into making that switch! I wouldn't want to, anyway! But you're right--red meat is not a great choice.
I wouldn't recommend soymilk, just hormone-free/ antibiotic-free milk.
There's a list of produce items that are the most contaminated--the "dirty dozen"--and I try to buy those organic, when possible.
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries
Hormone-free meat & poultry are best, too, but that's no surprise. It can be super-expensive, and I used to feel overwhelmed at the choice I had to make: our budget or our health?!! Doesn't seem fair! But you just have to do what you can, and keep educating yourself. Good luck!
Great questions, Heather! I look forward to seeing how everyone responds.
We are severely limited by budget so we don't buy organic anything. I buy all fresh produce and wash everything very well.
I WISH we could afford hormone free milk! That's something I'll definitely switch to when Matt finishes school and gets a job. The hormones in milk are causing girls to develop at a much younger age than they used to!
I would advise you not to be so down on red meat. It's a great carrier of iron and protein - especially for women. In moderation of course; eating red meat 6 times a week wouldn't be wise.
I try to make a lot of things from scratch so I can avoid buying cheap processed foods. I never buy cans of anything except for diced tomatoes and kidney or black beans. We've also switched from buying our bread to making it at home. That way we can avoid the high fructose corn syrup and over strange ingredients found in most store-bought breads.
I'd suggest putting fish into your weekly dinner menu too. It's a wonderfully healthy choice and can be made in lots of tasty ways!
Good luck to you all!
Karen & Alicia have great advice!
We still eat too much junk around here, but we are making progress! :-) My policy is that when organic is just a tiny bit different in price, I buy it. Otherwise, I simply cannot afford it and thorough washing has to do it for me.
I would like to add that our Meijer sells milk that is not organic, but is hormone free and antibiotic free. It's not as pricey as organic milk - just about 30 cents more per gallon, which is worth it for sure.
I'd also be careful of soy, or at least of excessive soy. It's used as a natural hormone replacement in post-menopausal women, and also has been shown to cause girls to develop more early. I'd stay away from that unless there is an allergy of some sort, or adults only are drinking it in moderation. If you're looking for an alternative to milk, almond milk is quite tasty when very cold.
As far as lunches go, when Michael doesn't have microwave access, he takes wraps in his lunch - sandwich fillings in a whole wheat tortilla. - which can be enough of a change from bread to make him happy. We also invested in a soup thermos so he can take leftover heated soups. I also pack leftovers that don't need to be heated up, like leftover chicken nuggets, etc.
I would also try to add beans and lentils to your diet - I stretch meat with them all the time, and they are so full of healthy fiber. They also help stretch the $! I cook them in a big batch from dried with salt, onions and garlic, and freeze in small portions once cooked.
If you are looking for a natural no calorie sweetener, I'd give stevia a try. It's available in health food stores and has very little aftertaste.
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