Doing a Body Good

Total food make-over.

It was gradual. It is necessary. It isn't difficult.


Several years ago, we started with the whole wheat, no white, enriched flour. Then, what started as a healthy supplement for Isabela when she lost her feeding tube, I started grinding our flax seed. Soon after, fish oil supplements and fish for all (sometimes sushi!)


Then came the avoidance of trans-fat. Absolutely no packaged food that is made with the intention of letting them sit on shelves for a long period of time. Poor Isabela, she had to give up a favorite - Oreos, until we found just the right organic ones. I guess I have put the fear in her. She will not eat something she knows has trans-fat - unless we are in a place where there is no other option and we will not be rude to anyone about it. We are not aiming for 100%, but pretty close. Quite easy. Even get to avoid many grocery store aisles containing the "un-natural" foods ( there are a lot of them).



Now, the kicker. High fructose syrup, or as Isabela calls it, "fake sugar". Have you realized just how many food items contain it?! Even most "lite" yogurts host the culprit. Wow.

No real short-term goal, it's all about longevity. I have lived the past (almost) six years in and out of hospitals. I see what heart disease does. How dumb would I be if I didn't do everything I could to nourish our bodies. When Isabela is asked for her list of medications at any and every doctor's visit, she easily intermingles her flax seed, multiple-vitamin and cod liver oil to the list of 6 drugs. When she sees the nurse almost giggle at it, because they almost always do, it's funny to see her reaction, wondering what the heck had just happened in their conversation.

Don't get me wrong, there will be times that I won't want to avoid it. But, I just absolutely can not knowingly store it in my pantry, knowing Isabela will be exploring in there, as usual.



Just please don't ask me about beef. I think we are sticking with it. Just maybe less? Like I said, not 100%, but pretty darn close.

Oooh, then there's the Classic Coca-Cola...


-- Posted from my iPhone

Never Know What You're Going to Get

Busy, busy, busy these days. Lots going on. Big things going on. Changes happening. Good stuff.

Although, there is this one thing. It's not a lot, It's not big, And it's not anything new, but it sure is good stuff.

Thanks Sweetie for making my breakfast and lunch every day, even on my days off.

I know Isabela is going to flip when she opens her lunch tomorrow. I know I love that moment, at lunch time, when I get to unzip my bag and find out just what you packed for me. Never know what's in store, but always a pleasant surprise!

Here's a peek of Isabela's lunch for tomorrow:













I bet she'll wonder why there's no edemame with that. :-)




Today, our surprise family dinner for Sammy- sushi hapy hour!

-- Posted from my iPhone

My Little Food Junkie

"Mami, I like to try new things. I want to try eating an egg, please!"

As we are at the local Starbucks for a special morning treat minutes before Isabela's first day of school, she is relentless about selecting a new breakfast item. I am hesitant to let her choose the pre-packaged assortment of grapes, cheese, apple slices, bagel, peanut butter WITH a hard-boiled egg because of the egg. She eats everything in the world, but eggs. I was afraid the egg alone would discourage her from eating the rest of the price-y breakfast. But, she said what I quoted above. How could I steer away from that. The verdict? With her teeth, she shaved off slices of the egg white and looked at me with a fake smile, not wanting to advertise that she may have been wrong in her quest. I then asked Crystal to split it and introduce her to the yolk. She clearly lost the battle at that point. She said, "Ok, never mind. I really don't like eggs." But, thankfully, it didn't stop her to proceed with her cheese, bagel and everything else on that plate. I will say, I admire her willingness to try all things and especially food. I do appreciate her fondness for the food experiences in her life. I don't think she could survive this family of ours if she didn't!

For now, the only food item she will not eat is an egg. Gosh, all those delicious omelettes she will miss out on!

OH!! After meeting Isabela's teacher yesterday, she was very firm about what she expected the kids to bring in for snacks. She emphasized "healthy, no less." I love that! So, Isabela's choice today: pretzels, edemame and a small vegetable juice. For lunch, she has started making the following suggestions for the list on our next market trip:

tuna fish sandwich

sardines

veggie chips

hummus with wheat crackers

tomatoes

veggie patty

apple slices

popcorn

black beans with feta cheese

raisins

turkey meat with alfalfa sprouts

tomatoes, again

chicken noodle, tomato and lentil soup

AND "as a treat" she tells me, "Oreo Cookies!"

However, we highly encourage some serious splurging around here in moderation and so does her school, the school serves Chick-fil-a every Wednesday for lunch. What a treat Isabela thought that was!

A Spin on Cheerios

In this pic, she was saying " I rock!"

Isabela came up with this breakfast today. She asked me "Oooh, can we add M&M's and flaxseed to my cereal???!!" My response went like this, " Sure, why not?!"

Why does life have to be so regimented for 4 year olds? I hope Isabela one day appreciates my appreciation for believing that rules is not 'one size fits all'.