Resolutions
A friend of mine posted about how she's been doing with her new year's resolutions and I thought I'd do the same (thanks for the idea, Krista!)
We made some personal resolutions, but we also made a couple of family ones. The biggest (and probably hardest of all) was for us to stop eating meat that has any hormones, antibiotics or preservatives in it. We're going, not only organic, but also nothing chemically treated. We knew this would be a hard goal to live up to, since most of the meat/dairy out there has been treated in one way or another, but thankfully, its been way easier than we thought! I think the best thing for us has been, eating less meat altogether. I read an article where it talked about Americans and the enormous amounts of food we eat (probably why we're typically the most over weight country) and then the amount of meat we're eating tips the scale in a very bad direction. Lamb is apparently the best meat for us to eat (unfortunately I cannot stomach it) and fish is up there as the best as well. Just make sure your fish is free of Mercury.
Biggest thing for us was to quit eating at fast food restaurants. I never thought we'd be able to stick with this, mostly because I'm on the go a lot with our kids and we often would go through the drive-thru on our way from here to there.
We mainly made this decision for our girls. I was shocked when I found out what types of hormones are going into meat and milk products. Terribly shocked. We might as well be pumping them full of birth control pills! I think its the main reason we have girls reaching puberty at such shocking ages and facing a lot of other issues, including the rise of certain cancers in both men and women.
We started doing this February 1st and I am proud to announce that since then, our kids have not had fast food or chemically treated meat/dairy and we've seen great improvements in their overall eating habits! I'm just learning to plan ahead for day trips and keep the cupboards and fridge stocked for last minute trips, so we'll always be able to grab healthy food to take with us. We pack things ahead of time, if we can and then if we ever decide to run out the door last minute, I keep a small cooler on hand with food easy to grab and go.
Yes, I understand this means we have to avoid places other than just fast food, but we do our homework and ask ahead of time. So now we're learning what restaurants we can eat meat at and which ones we can't. If we "slip-up" every now and again, our attitude is "it won't kill us." :)
This is just something we're trying for our family, due to some concerns Jason and I have had and we've been pleased with the results, but we most certainly don't think its something everyone else has to or needs to try. Just wanted to share!
My new resolution is for me to stop eating so much processed sugar. This is probably terrible for me to admit, but I see myself failing very soon. My Mom is helping me try new ways of avoiding my typical pit falls, but I have to be honest and say, I don't see myself being too successful at it. Maybe if I'd change my attitude and think positively it would actually work! I'll keep you posted. :)
We made some personal resolutions, but we also made a couple of family ones. The biggest (and probably hardest of all) was for us to stop eating meat that has any hormones, antibiotics or preservatives in it. We're going, not only organic, but also nothing chemically treated. We knew this would be a hard goal to live up to, since most of the meat/dairy out there has been treated in one way or another, but thankfully, its been way easier than we thought! I think the best thing for us has been, eating less meat altogether. I read an article where it talked about Americans and the enormous amounts of food we eat (probably why we're typically the most over weight country) and then the amount of meat we're eating tips the scale in a very bad direction. Lamb is apparently the best meat for us to eat (unfortunately I cannot stomach it) and fish is up there as the best as well. Just make sure your fish is free of Mercury.
Biggest thing for us was to quit eating at fast food restaurants. I never thought we'd be able to stick with this, mostly because I'm on the go a lot with our kids and we often would go through the drive-thru on our way from here to there.
We mainly made this decision for our girls. I was shocked when I found out what types of hormones are going into meat and milk products. Terribly shocked. We might as well be pumping them full of birth control pills! I think its the main reason we have girls reaching puberty at such shocking ages and facing a lot of other issues, including the rise of certain cancers in both men and women.
We started doing this February 1st and I am proud to announce that since then, our kids have not had fast food or chemically treated meat/dairy and we've seen great improvements in their overall eating habits! I'm just learning to plan ahead for day trips and keep the cupboards and fridge stocked for last minute trips, so we'll always be able to grab healthy food to take with us. We pack things ahead of time, if we can and then if we ever decide to run out the door last minute, I keep a small cooler on hand with food easy to grab and go.
Yes, I understand this means we have to avoid places other than just fast food, but we do our homework and ask ahead of time. So now we're learning what restaurants we can eat meat at and which ones we can't. If we "slip-up" every now and again, our attitude is "it won't kill us." :)
This is just something we're trying for our family, due to some concerns Jason and I have had and we've been pleased with the results, but we most certainly don't think its something everyone else has to or needs to try. Just wanted to share!
My new resolution is for me to stop eating so much processed sugar. This is probably terrible for me to admit, but I see myself failing very soon. My Mom is helping me try new ways of avoiding my typical pit falls, but I have to be honest and say, I don't see myself being too successful at it. Maybe if I'd change my attitude and think positively it would actually work! I'll keep you posted. :)
Comments
I would imagine it does... seems like common sense.
Now you've got my brain turning....
As you know :), I, too am shocked about what is in most meat, dairy, vegetables (pesticides, etc.) and in hair and skin care that is so toxic for our bodies and what they were not created to process. I've been trying to eat the same meat options for a while in our family. It has been very hard, mostly because of the high cost. I'd love to hear any great tips or cost saving things you've found. Also, what restaurants you've found to eat and where you buy most of your meat.
Thanks! Glad that Jason is on board, too and that you're all being healthy! :)
Brooke: I don't have a lot of time right now, but I'll do my best to answer your questions.
Jason and I are still in the process of figuring this all out. We know for sure where we don't eat and what types of meat we won't buy.
We've been very pleased to find lots of different all natural (not processed at all or at least minimally processed) food at Costco. They now carry hormone/antibiotic free ground beef and lunch meat as well. It is a little more pricey, but we've said goodbye to things like ice cream and cookies, we rarely eat out anymore to save money so that we can afford the healthy food for our homes.
Kara eats lamb and the kids have started eating quite a bit of fish and we only feed them things like beef once a week. Better on their digestive systems.
OK: restaurants... this one is hard, because everyone will say "we buy good meat here!" you have to get very specific when you ask and really figure out what kind of meat they're serving.
PF Changs, In and Out, Vick's Stewarts Steak House and Rubios are a few places where we live that I've checked out and they have good meat. Most other fast food places, Panda Express, Togos and Subway are a few that have said they get their meat wherever; no place special.
Places I've been purchasing meat/dairy:
I'm in the process of finding local organic farms out here, since I know we have plenty. I use Costco, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Raley's for the most part. Our monthly food bill has gone up from $50-80 bucks a month, which to me isn't bad at all.
hope that helps
I get organic chicken from Costco and recently saw their organic ground beef, but I like to get organic grass fed beef, which I order in bulk from Planet Organics or my food co-op when they have it. I get frozen wild fish (farm raised is bad unless it's from Whole Foods) and lamb from TJs and Costco is from Australia, so I assume it's more natural without antibiotics and hormones, but I'm not certain. I do use it from both, though. We've cut back on meat, too, because it is expensive to get the good stuff. It's been hard to get Doug not to think he needs meat in every meal, though :).
There is a ranch in Lafayette that sells sides of organic grass-fed beef if you're ever interested in going in on a split (I'm sure I can find others to join in the split from my food co-op). I also don't get meat that has sodium nitrates or nitrites or other preservatives. That also cuts out a bunch of stuff.
Thanks for sharing what you've learned. If you learn anymore tips and ways to get good meat affordably, I'd love to hear those, too! I'll do the same.
I'm also very interested in the grass fed beef you talked about! Let me know more... you have my email address :)
I did not know there's organic chicken at Costco. Now I must go check this out.
The cold cuts at Costco have NO nitrates! Its why we buy them. They're *all* natural and you get a pretty large tub of it anywhere from $10-13 bucks. I think the brand has the name Columbus in it... but I'd need to go check and I'm feeling lazy.
Andrea, we're actually planning to do the farm co-op but I'm not sure when. I wanted to wait until both Ethan and Rachel are old enough to really learn and get a lot out of it. I think this year is fine, but maybe next year would be best? I need to talk to Jenny and find out about dates and times. Or you could just tell me :)
I'm also very interested in the grass fed beef you talked about! Let me know more... you have my email address :)
I did not know there's organic chicken at Costco. Now I must go check this out.
The cold cuts at Costco have NO nitrates! Its why we buy them. They're *all* natural and you get a pretty large tub of it anywhere from $10-13 bucks. I think the brand has the name Columbus in it... but I'd need to go check and I'm feeling lazy.
Andrea, we're actually planning to do the farm co-op but I'm not sure when. I wanted to wait until both Ethan and Rachel are old enough to really learn and get a lot out of it. I think this year is fine, but maybe next year would be best? I need to talk to Jenny and find out about dates and times. Or you could just tell me :)
Brooke: I don't have a lot of time right now, but I'll do my best to answer your questions.
Jason and I are still in the process of figuring this all out. We know for sure where we don't eat and what types of meat we won't buy.
We've been very pleased to find lots of different all natural (not processed at all or at least minimally processed) food at Costco. They now carry hormone/antibiotic free ground beef and lunch meat as well. It is a little more pricey, but we've said goodbye to things like ice cream and cookies, we rarely eat out anymore to save money so that we can afford the healthy food for our homes.
Kara eats lamb and the kids have started eating quite a bit of fish and we only feed them things like beef once a week. Better on their digestive systems.
OK: restaurants... this one is hard, because everyone will say "we buy good meat here!" you have to get very specific when you ask and really figure out what kind of meat they're serving.
PF Changs, In and Out, Vick's Stewarts Steak House and Rubios are a few places where we live that I've checked out and they have good meat. Most other fast food places, Panda Express, Togos and Subway are a few that have said they get their meat wherever; no place special.
Places I've been purchasing meat/dairy:
I'm in the process of finding local organic farms out here, since I know we have plenty. I use Costco, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods and Raley's for the most part. Our monthly food bill has gone up from $50-80 bucks a month, which to me isn't bad at all.
hope that helps