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Because of the way that we eat and the habits we practice, I often get asked if I was raised this way. The answer is- no. I wasn’t raised on the “SAD” (Standard American Diet); we ate just a little bit healthier than that. But, this was probably mostly due to my being raised overseas. Americans eat a lot more processed foods than the rest of the world. And, Jim Bob was raised on the typical west Texas diet of meat and potatoes. Actually, our parents have now changed a lot of how they cook and eat too off of what we have learned over the years through school and practice. And that last phrase, “Over the years” is what this post is all about. JB and I do not take for granted that this healthy lifestyle, we attempt to live, did not happen overnight. In fact, even during graduate school, we lived quite an unhealthy lifestyle. However, over the years, as we learned new ways, we slowly began to change.
From time to time, I would like to share that change with you. Realize please, we are NOT perfect! We are definitely still growing and changing our ways to become healthier. I know it is overwhelming to change your life- especially in an area where food is involved. If there is one thing I know from the cleanse: Food is a very touchy, emotional subject. And, as with anything, the key to permanent change is to change slowly over a period of time. Be encouraged by your small moves towards health and wellness. We all have set backs, it’s okay, just keep moving forward!
Hopefully, this post will help you get started and implement some small changes to help you and your family. I will tell you one thing, Harper is being raised eating a lot differently than either of us ever did growing up. That is something we are so very proud of! He is reaping the benefits of all of our efforts to change our eating habits; and, every time he eats something healthy that the typical American kid wouldn’t touch (or many adults for that matter), we just smile. He is our proof that our hard efforts are paying off in a big way. After all, shouldn’t each generation be and do better than the last? That is what this is all about: Changing slowly so you can not only be healthier, but you can teach those after you how to do it right.
Here are some small steps:
1) Drink clean water. We buy reverse osmosis water (this is really cheap), and we don’t really keep other drinks in the house. If there aren’t other options, what to drink is a really easy decision! Make it fun by adding fresh orange, lemon or lime slices- even try some fresh mint sprigs from time to time. Most people walk around dehydrated and don’t even realize it; the more water you give your body, the more your body will crave water (trust me on this one!).
This one can be hard, especially if you (or your kids) are used to drinking a lot of juices or teas or sodas. An easy way to transition, start by drinking as much water as you plan to drink of the other beverage before you drink the other beverage. You won’t drink as much of the other liquid if you start with water first. Then, especially with juices/teas (doesn’t work so well with sodas), start diluting the other beverage with water until over time all you are drinking is water. This last step is a wonderful way to transition kids.
2) Add a little raw vegetables to lunch, dinner and most snacks. Why? Raw foods contain enzymes which help you break down and digest your other foods. Also, you will absorb nutrients better from raw than cooked because these foods are living. And, just like with adding water, when you add vegetables to your body, your undernourished body will eventually realize it needs this, and you will start craving them! I know some of you think you could never crave something as healthy as a veggie, again, trust me on this.
3) Replace all of your salt with sea salt. We use Real Sea Salt, which is sold in many stores and very easy to find. Real Sea Salt is very different from the salt most people are used to. Why? First of all, it looks different, it is not bleach white and is quite colorful. This is a great sign because it lets you know it hasn’t been bleached and processed and it tells you all of the minerals have been left in it. This salt has so many wonderful nutrients in it, which are healthy for you. Yes, now you can use salt without worrying about the harmful side effects. Even if you are pregnant, because of all the essential nutrients this salt contains, you can salt to taste and not worry about the side effects. You may be surprised, but this salt tastes so much better than the salt you’ve been used to all of your life. And, it takes a lot less of it to bring out wonderful flavors in your food. This company sells many flavored salts and seasonings, start trying them out. I’d love to hear what you think.
4) Join an organic food co-op. We belong to Monica Brown’s Healthsource Group. I know I have said a lot about how much I love this in previous post. This is such an easy way to transition, try it! You can buy a member’s share when they are out of town, you can split a share with someone until you decide you want a full one, and/or you can try the co-op for a few weeks to see what you think. Why is this so essential? Several reasons: It forces you to try different types of organic produce that you may not usually buy. Do you know how many ”weird” things we eat/do because we first found out about them through the co-op. And, don’t let this scare you. First, you choose how “weird” you want to be 
. No, seriously, in the co-op you will find most of the produce are normal things you would eat (salad, tomatoes, potatoes, oranges, apples, onions). You get a lot of the usual things you pick up at the store, but at first, there are usually a couple of things which you have never seen before. What a great opportunity! And, everyone on the co-op board shares their ideas/recipes. Google is a great recipe tool too. Many things we now love to eat, and “have to have” on a weekly basis got their start in our co-op bin, as we would question, “What is that?!”. Try it!
5) Find one new, healthy recipe to try every other week. Again, many of these have become our staple meals. And, what’s the worse that can happen? None of your family, including you, thinks the recipe is edible so you get to enjoy a meal out after cooking. See, it’s worth the try just for the possibility of getting to dine out. Pick a recipe from my blog, or from the Nourishing Traditions book or from any of the other cooking sites I have mentioned. Have fun!
There you have it, some tips to get you started. One more thing, notice how every trick I have offered mentions adding something in or replacing it? If you start with taking everything out and thinking, “I can’t do or have this.”, you will never stick with it. It is human nature to run away from pain and towards pleasure. Don’t make this a painful process! Start slow and have a worthy goal!
Any ideas you wish to share on how you transitioned? I would love to hear them! And, check back often, I will try to share lots more ideas.
