Colorful

I'm tired of it...all of it. I'm exhausted with the battle of making myself something wholesome, and watching my child night after night feast on quesadillas and apple slices. Any mother will understand - the whole "adult" food and "kid" food has become a nightmare.When Brayden was little, I enforced that he eat everything on his plate... that didn't always go over so hot. Let me rephrase....it NEVER went over. I tell the story often of a time he kept food in his mouth for three hours...me sitting next to him with my arms crossed...either I was going to win or he was. His bedtime came...and I finally succumbed and had him spit out his food, not wanting him to choke on it in his sleep. I know, I know...poor little boy - ignorant, heartless mom. I didn't know better at the time...I thought I was teaching him to be polite and grateful. Unfortunately I was doing the complete opposite...I was teaching him that food was a battle, not a pleasure. I also didn't know that he had Aspergers....yah, that little piece of info could have been pretty beneficial.

I've become a vegetarian. This has taken much thought and research...but I definitely know that this is the path that I want to take. I do not think that meat is bad for you....if you have the privilege of having buying meat that is antibiotic free and doesn't come from a huge feed lot...cheers. I don't have that privilege...and I've come to terms that I don't need it - I can do without.

I expressed to Zac the guilt that I feeling making this decision...to live my life mostly eating plant based food (I do still eat fish and eggs.) As the primary grocery shopper and meal maker - how can I push my lifestyle on my kids...on him? At at the same time, I also feel lousy watching my kids turn up their noses to good foods...always embarrassed to go over to other peoples houses for meals because my kids won't try new things. Then I remembered how any time I would serve my kids "quality" meat (chicken, beef) they HATE it. No sir...give them a nice chicken breast seasoned with lemon pepper and garlic and they'll grit their teeth...and then it's like pulling teeth (big ones) to get them to eat it. Give them a hot dog...a piece of sandwich meat..and it's "down the hatch." Very bothersome. What have they liked? Surprisingly....fish. Fruit...go figure. Oh, and they are nuts about almonds...tumbling over for rolled oats, hip hollering high for honey....cinnamon makes them happy. Getting the picture?
So, we decided that we're all in. The kids no longer get to be unhealthy while mommy pumps her body full of veggie goodness. I'm responsible for their health, and I believe with all of my heart that God is the one who has put a passion for nutrition and herbs and earth's goodness in me...I'm just a little earth mama through and through. My parents use to call me their "flower child." Well, I'm embracing it....heck, it's true. ~*

I've been living this way now for about 3 weeks...and I feel so good. I've been juicing for about 10 days now and it's been so fun to experiment with different fruits and veggies...learning which ones compliment each other. Trinity adores carrot juice....that makes this little mama smile SO big.
And look at that color?! When I'm in the produce department it's like "open season" for me...seriously, if I could snatch up fruits and veggies as quick as a hunter can pull a trigger I'd be a mean green machine...a force to reckon with. Alyssa...aka "Jolly Green Giant." All of the things that God has put into plants amaze me...all of the vitamins and chlorophyll and phytochemical goodness.. right there for me to eat and to nourish me perfectly, the way God first intended....there weren't no ground beef in the Garden of Eden folks. And if there was...it definitely didn't come from a feedlot.
The first REAL test came tonight. I bought two things I had never imagined I would place into my cart...two things I didn't even really know existed. Ready? Swiss Chard and Shitake mushrooms. Yes...that's right - never had either.

I got the kids involved...Trinity helped me saute minced garlic in some olive oil....we added the sliced up mushrooms and then a sprinkle of salt and cayenne pepper. Next came the shredded up chard...and we just let it steam for a bit. Done. Simple, easy...colorful - and MOST nutritious.

Before the kids ate Zac and I had a talk. We decided that our approach was going to be this :

"Kids, this is what we are having for supper. We will give you all a little bit on your plates...a little of everything. If you don't want it, you're free to get down and go play. If you eat it ... all of it...you can have a happy supper and a small piece of dark chocolate for dessert."

Hold you breath............okay - let it out. They ATE it. ALL of it. The chard, the chard's stem...the swiss in the chard. They ate the mushrooms and the bits of garlic...they ate all of their nutty brown rice and watermelon that I served on the side. They all got a bite of chocolate.
Trin took a picture of my pleased expression - it felt like Christmas.
I feel really alive. My juice detox went great...did what it was suppose to do. I feel energized and my cravings for fat and salt and sugar are gone. I don't even crave coffee - I decided that two cups a day is good (i use to drink 6.) I'm taking B Complex, Bee Propolis and Evening Primrose Oil....but that's another post - I know you're all stoked.

So...here's to more colorful meals, a new HAPPY approach to food - here's to KNOWLEDGE and being PROACTIVE in caring for my body...and all of my littles. We only have one life to live, and I personally think the "you gotta die of something" as a right of passage to destroy yourself is the lamest most selfish approach you can take. Life is a gift....I want to live it fully. Guess I'm going to need to stock up on dark chocolate.....

Swiss Chard and Mushroom Goodness

3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 cloves fresh garlic, minced

1 bunch of Swiss Chard, cut inch thick strips (I used 3 big leaves)

1/2 pack of sliced shitake mushrooms (about 1 cup)

Cayenne pepper

Salt

Saute garlic in olive oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms...sprinkle with cayenne pepper to taste. Salt to taste (i used himalayan sea salt.) Add chard and let cook until wilted...about 2-3 minutes. Serve over brown rice. Simple easy goodness.