About a year ago, my brother in law recommended I watch the documentary "Forks Over Knives". I did. It was not one of those documentaries that would gross you out about how are food is made or animal cruelty. Those are important and disturbing topics that deserve a lot of attention as well, but this documentary focused on the health benefits of a plant based diet. I don't know anyone that would argue that fruits and veggies aren't good for you. We all know that. The research discussed was awesome and inspiring. I had to try it. Could I really become a vegetarian? Well the answer is yes and no - haha! I got a juicer and it was game on! I juiced everything in sight. My kids had fun picking oranges off our tree and making fresh OJ. There were definitely some hits and a lot of misses. Not everything tasted good juiced:) So, I made my personal challenge to try not to eat any meat. I still ate dairy and eggs. I felt good and really proud of myself. I added a Vitamix to my world and opened even more possibilities. After sometime I realized that some of my choices as a vegetarian (mainly at social gatherings) consisted of cheese and bread. Yummy yes, but healthy?? Slowly (after about 4 months) meat sneaked back into my diet. I have to admit in part to In N Out - haha! My kids love that place and if I wanted to eat there with them I had to order a grilled cheese sandwich and I think I was better off ordering a lettuce wrapped hamburger. I know, the best thing would be just not to order anything at all. I was weak and "fell of the wagon". I felt bad that I had somehow let myself down. Then I realized, I am a REAL person. I am not trying to fit into a mold of perfection. Never have. That's just not me. So, I am proud of myself for not eating meat for 4 months. Way to go me!
What does this mean for me today? I am very conscious and aware of how much meat we eat as a nation, our culture and in my family. I try to make a variety of recipes that include meat and don't. I have decreased our families consumption of meat. My husband is a hard sell on that. He just doesn't think it is a meal unless there is meat in it. He enjoys all the vegetarian food I prepared, but did not join me in the challenge.
As a mom, my children's health and nutrition on the forefront of my mind. In the ideal world, we would eat beautifully prepared organic meals at home together at the table consisting of fruits, veggies and no processed food. I live in the "real world" and think of myself as someone "in the middle". I feel that my nature is not to be an extremist. My kids went to McDonalds for the very first time this year. I was very proud that my eldest was 8 years old having McDonalds for the first time. The kids at school talk about all the fast food joints. So we tried them hoping that they wouldn't like it. That was not the case. They liked it. Oh no, the peer pressure overcame all the brainwashing I had been doing about the chemicals in the food and how bad it it! Yes, we took them to In N Out prior to this. Come on, we have standards - haha! In N Out has real beef without chemicals, the fries made right there from real potatoes and the shakes made from actual dairy products. Hey, I am in no way saying it's good for you but at least it a far cry from other fast food joints!
Truth be told, I don't like many vegetables. My kids eat a better variety of veggies than I do. I get most of my veggies in my diet eating salads. I have to disguise it in smoothies and add it to things for me. So be it.
Almost a year ago, my dear friend invited me to her house for wine and conversation with friends about nutrition and today's world. It was there I was introduced to Juice Plus. It was an easy "sell" for me. I had been juicing and trying to make good choices. Some days and some weeks better than others. The whole family started taking Juice Plus. The kids LOVE the gummies and ask for them everyday. I take the capsules and my husband takes them infrequently. He can't seem to jump on board entirely and that's OK. In no way does he think it is bad for you. He believes that it is good, but he is not one to take a supplement. Oh well. That's his choice.
It has been a good year. The kids have hardly been sick and overall we feel good. Juice Plus, for me, is not magic or a cure for anything. I embrace it as a reminder to eat fresh food, cook more, eat out less and embrace a healthy lifestyle. Again being a "real person" I eat dessert, socially drink and will enjoy a hamburger and french fries on occasion with my kids. On the other side, we have a garden and enjoy eating what we have grown and fresh eggs straight from the chickens in our backyard. I am an Urban Country girl:) I am staying in the middle, moderate and open minded.
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