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The LUNCH Conundrum

The LUNCH Conundrum

Until recently I thought my method of packing school lunches was working well and was efficient. Before I went to the store every Sunday I would ask the boys what fruit they wanted what lunch meat they felt like. I was pretty confident in the choices that I was making for them like...wheat bread, non sugary drink and so on. But what I thought was going all too smoothy soon game to a screeching halt!

Problem:
An e-mail arrived in my in box! (From my sons teacher to me!) She nicely informed me that my son was not eating all his lunch he said the grapes smelled like broccoli and he hated his sandwich! My heart was broken I was a deer caught in head lights of the LUNCH Conundrum! Always Healthy Mom, how could this have happened? You are packing a healthy lunch but the kids are not eating it, this is a problem, and I was very anxious to find a solution!

Take home message:
I don't think there is one way to raise  a healthy family! It has to be the way that works for your family! What I do might work some days and I might need to be open to new ways as well!
So of course you are asking what did Always Healthy Mom do?

My solution....
First the kids and I agree on everything that I pack, the meat, the bread, the fruit then I have decided to let the kids pick out one thing that I might not approve of for their lunch! This way 80% of the lunch is healthy and I know they are going to eat it and 20% is what they wanted within reason and appropriate portion size, of course!
My thought is  that children need to have positive encouragement but they also need some freedom to make descions on their own. raising a healthy family is a work in progress and I realize it is not going to happenn over night! My kids are learning what the healthy foods are and that they have a say in the foods they choose to eat. My goal is to raise healthy eaters and help guide them to live a heathy lifestyle!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Full Plate - Feb. 12 - Valentine's Mixes

Check out my guest visit on Rebecca Regnier's Full Plate!
Full Plate - Feb. 12 - Valentine's Mixes

Know the facts!

Fact:
About 12,000 new food items are introduced each year! (WOW)




Q: How many of those items do you think are healthy ?
A: Not very many! Yikes!

Here are a few of my favorite not so healthy items from 2011...




Taco Bell Triple Steak Stack

KFC Cheesy Bacon Bowl

Burger King Triple Whopper
These new food items could scare anyone to eat healthier!
Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Ideas for your valentine

Cute and fun ideas for your Valentine...


A chex-mix for your lovely friend!


Shapes make any food fun!




A candy goes a long way!


A fun kids treat has many uses!


Your gift does not have to be food!


A fun personal picture!


My fav heart shaped fruit!


A great breakfast for your valentine!


Love this!





Not so healthy but fun and cute!


Pink risotto! I am in heaven!


Strawberry Bruschetta! Yummy!


And last but not least Pink lemonade!

XOXO,
Always Healthy Mom

Defending your waisteline for the BIG game!

More Action

Love these motivating ideas!

51 positive things to do instead of eating!

51 positive things you can do instead of eating...

1. Take a walk
2. Ride your bike
3. Read
4. Read to you kids
5. Rake
6. Swim
7. Garden
8. Meditate
9. Decorate
10. Volunteer
11. Study
12. Crossword
13. Sew
14. Knit
15. Yoga
16. Jog
17. zumba
18. Play with your kids
19. Blog
20. Write
21. Shop
22. Mani
23. Pedi
24. Treadmill
25. Draw
26. Wii
27. Call a friend
28. Sweep
29. Dust
30. Clean
31. Pluck eye brows
32. Shave your legs
33. Organize your closet
34. Weed
35. Mow the lawn
36. Get the mail
37. Take pictures
38. Get your hair done
39. Get a message
40. Listen to music
41. Dance
42. Jump rope
43. Laugh
44. Lift weights
45. Journal
46. Shower
47. Scrapbook
48. Watch a movie
49. Tai chi
50. Do laundry
51. LIVE!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

My idea of ~SOMETIMES FOODS

"SOMETIMES FOODS"


I love this term ( SOMETIMES FOODS) and I learned it from a kindergarden teacher (a  wise one at that). These are foods that we don't eat all the time ( for obvious reasons). These are not foods that are nessisarily good for you. But it's important not to put foods into good and bad categories for children.

Here is how I like to explain it...

We have All the time foods like apples, bananas, carrots, healthy snacks like struing cheese and yogurt, dinner foods like grilled chicken or fish and we have foods that we eat sometimes like...



Chips



Fruit Snacks


Ice Cream

Now~ you see what I mean?
We most definitly can't eat these foods all the time, but it's probably unrealistic to say we will never eat them. I do spend most of my time buying fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads and lean protiens but when the occasional ( and I mean occassional) Bag of chips makes a mad dash for my pantry I take comfort in knowing, that in moderation my kids can enjoys sometimes foods!
I know I did when I was younger!

**** It's important not to reward kids with SOMETIMES FOODS!
The only thing this does is create dislike for the healthy foods they are encouraged  to eat before they get a treat!

Love,
 Always Healthy Mom

Not Your Mama's Pancakes

Warning: These are not your Mama's Pancakes!


Root Vegetable panckes


Feta Zuccini pancake from Taste of Home

Summer Veggie pancake from Eggs on Sunday

Vegetable pancake from taste.com

Corn Pancake from Food Thumbs

  Quinoa cakes from Annies-eats.com

Pumpkin spice pancakes

There are so many ways to make a healthy pancake!
Don't get stuck in the same routine, break out of your mold and try something NEW and Exciting!

Try this recipe http://weelicious.com/2012/01/17/green-veggie-pancakes/#_

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

My dream pantry

My Dream Pantry

OK I admit I am a foodie! I love finding new healthy foods and sharing them with others! But a close second is an organized sexy pantry! SEXY, you ask? Yes, any pantry can be Sexy & Healthy with a little make over!
Here is where I would begin...


First these are the creme de la creme of all pantries, I will keep dreaming!
Maybe someday!

O'la la! It gets better! This sends goose bumps down my spine!


OK a little more realistic! I still love this!

What's not to like?

Notice the use of clear containers for organizing!


I would most definitely use oxo containers like these!

They would be filled with...

• Rice
• Barley
• Whole Wheat noodles
• more Whole Wheat noodles ( my family loves)
• Whole Wheat Flour
• couscous
• dried beans
• coconut
• nuts and seeds
• dried fruit
• oatmeal
• popcorn
• pancake mix
• brown sugar

Challenge today:
Get rid of 2 expired items in your pantry and add 3 healthy items from the list!
*I double dare you to spend 10 minutes organizing it!
Have Fun!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

Thought of the day!

Any questions?

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

If only...

If only my healthy energy could be more creative energy---think of what my kids lunches would look like! Hmmmm...

I  would definitely pack these lunches that totally ROCK!
Yes, I admit I am totally jealous!

Just look, you will be too!

Yes! This would make me the COOLEST mom ever!


Too funny, but kind of gross!


A colorful creation with veggies!


My morning routine!


They would definitely take a bite out of lunch!


Don't be a chicken, try it!


TeHe
La-la-la-la-la-la-la~ Barnicle!

I would make this for my princess! But with Whole Wheat bread! Of course!


This would be music to my ears! Yummy!


A dangerously cute creation!


The kids would have a roaring good time with this!


This is more like what my lunchbox love loos like!
Not as creative but definitely packed with love and nutrition!

Love,
Always Healthy Mom

P.S. check out theses sites for fun lunch ideas
http://www.laptoplunches.com/photo-gallery.php
http://www.funkylunch.com/gallery.htm
http://www.bentonbetterlunches.com/