We're into day 11 of our 4-week raw experiment, and I'm really happy so far. Yes, I definitely feel better having cut out the processed stuff and sugar, but what I'm enjoying the most is the simplicity of eating lately.
For the most part, I do not absolutely love baking and cooking and spending hours in the kitchen. I do enjoy high-quality, rich-tasting food, but I find that there are many other things that I would rather spend my time doing than being in the kitchen all afternoon. Therefore, I usually look for ways to make healthy, yummy meals in about 30 minutes or less. Normally this looks like pan-searing some fish or baking chicken and sauteing some veggies on the side. During this time, we're still making the fish or chicken but adding a salad with like dried cranberries and sliced almonds or diced fruits and veggies. Easy. And that's what I like... easy, healthy meals that I don't have to think too much about.
I'll admit that we deviated from the plan and went out for pizza with our kids and some friends a few nights ago, and I don't feel guilty at all. :) Honestly, this experiment is for Stephen and I to test, for ourselves, the benefits of eating more natural foods and less processed, junky stuff and we're truly enjoying it. However, we still value good family time and good friends and are not going to pass up opportunities to enjoy them over a meal just so we can stick to "the plan". haha
By the way, I'd like to add that my kids, though they are not fully in this thing with us, have been absolute troopers! They have been drinking green smoothies and snacking on fruits and veggies almost exclusively. Although at dinner the other night, Kinsey noticed that the lettuce in the salad was baby spinach (which admittedly we've had quite a bit of) and her eyes filled with tears and she said, "Mom, after you're done with this new lifestyle thing can you please buy some romaine lettuce again??" Haha Stephen and I tried not to laugh at that statement, but it was so sweet and a bit amazing that she was only asking for romaine lettuce! I made sure to pick some up while at the store last night. :)
Love reading about what you're doing. We've been trying so hard lately to really eat a lot healthier! I'm loving it and I'm so proud of Nathan for doing this. Our's isn't as strict but we're also trying to do it indefinitely so we'll see how it goes. I wish my kiddos would eat salad but I'm hoping that will come with age. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Jennifer! Yeah, we're definitely seeing things that we will be able to keep long-term that work for our family and things that won't. Cutting back on certain foods that we didn't realize just how unhealthy they were is one thing, but mainly we're going to just keep focusing on getting a lot of fruits and veggies in our diets, and making the smoothies regularly too. It's good to see how some smaller, simple changes can make a big difference, ya know? :)
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