A week ago, I would have done backflips to get my paws on the naughtylicious crepe in the pic above. My kids would have been right there with me, too. Now a few short days later, it actually does not look that appealing to me. Even though it has only been a few days, no one in the world is more stunned about this change in approach than I.
But my kids aren’t riding the low carb / no sugar train with me. They continue to eat the prepackaged sugar-ridden everythings that have adorned the shelves of our fridge and pantry for years.
So over the last week, I have started to include a few better options along with their standard selections (a.k.a. the normal crapola). I’m doing this gradually to avoid being met with miniature yet effective torches and pitchforks.
The part that makes me feel extremely
guilty is that whenever I have offered healthy additions, they have gobbled those up, too. No complaints (other than the squash dry heaving incident). No significant gripes. They have just eaten them and asked for more. I didn’t even have to push.
I’m not telling you that my kids are raising their voices to the angels in praise for kale. No one in my house is going to have that religious experience. But baked chicken, almond flour pancakes, avocado chocolate mousse (sounds gross but it’s actually fantastic), and other grilled veggies are being polished off as they lift their plates and ask for more.
They have been getting chicken nuggets when they would have been just as happy with baked chicken. And they would have been exponentially healthier for it. For years.
It’s one of those heavy “feel like a terrible mom” kind of moments. I wasn’t intentionally cheating them of nutrition. I simply didn’t try many alternatives.
It’s spilt almond milk at this point, but it does make me feel sad. All I can do is do better tomorrow. And the day after that. But the day after that I plan to regress so additional better days will have to follow that one.
For me, true self-improvement initiatives are always coupled with epiphanies about the positive changes I can implement as I continue along my human journey. I can handle that it takes me years to stumble into some of these epiphanies. My only wish is that my children’s well-being is not left hanging in the balance in the meantime.
Oh well. A little better each day will turn into lots of wonderful in the long-run. I just have to keep trying. ❤️
Momentum of Joy 
May 25, 2018 @ 23:27:46
You are just being a Mom! Somedays it IS chicken nuggets or nothing… some days it’s that crepe you posted and, I’m sorry, that crepe looks delish! (Did it offend you somehow? LOL) I get the low carb thing, I really do! But if you are going to make it work… its lifestyle and moderation, not OMG NO CARBS! EVER!!! Kids burn off carbs anyway … they are still in one piece and you can jump off the guilt train. It is not your turn to ride over this! xo~Kim
May 26, 2018 @ 00:04:44
Part of being a mom is winging it-you’ve kept them alive this long! You’re doing great!
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:21:36
Girl my poor kids live in the land of “mom is winging it again.” I don’t think that they would recognize me if that wasn’t happening. 😉 Maybe one day I will get it together, but then again, maybe we shouldn’t hold our breath waiting for that day either.
I miss you sweet girl! Big hugs to you and your crew. ❤️ Jo
May 26, 2018 @ 01:27:39
I enjoyed reading this post. Please don’t be hard on yourself. The majority of us growing up have experienced pre-packed and sugar ridden meals. In Schools for dinner it is provided and most restaurants serve meals of high: calorie, sugar, salt, and fat content.
Balance in everything we do is required and options are required. I think the adjustments you are bringing and giving to your family are a winner. The manner in which you have incorporated new changes has been met more with openness and welcome than hostility.
Enjoy life, experience new and an array of taste, balance everything you do, make a hobby your fitness or look for a hobby that will challenge your body.
Bless your heart.
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:19:37
I can’t even begin to start talking about the garbage they feed our kids in school. Seriously. If I began, the post would never end. I think I am extra mad at myself because I know this. I am not subjected to state-mandated fried carb crapfest options yet voila! You get them anyway kids!
With thay said, I’m really making an effort to change that pattern within myself and for my family in general. You are absolutely right. It’s all about balance in what we eat and really how we live overall.
How amazing are you? (Answer: Pretty freaking amazing) 😉
Big hugs to you darling. Jo ❤️
May 26, 2018 @ 05:16:31
That’s great! No reason to feel guilty!!!
I wish my kid would be like that! He will take ONE bite of something healthy and that’s it!
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:15:24
One of my is so good about at least trying it, but the other two run screaming from vegetables like I offered them a spoonful of worms. Annoying but I’m going to keep trying. It’s all I can do!
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:21:51
Mine hates vegetables so I make them into a paste and mix them in with the food so he has no idea he’s having them. He actually likes the taste too
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:26:03
Vegetable paste… I feel like your sales technique needs work Julie. (Lol – I’m so teasing you!)
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:38:10
😂
May 27, 2018 @ 02:22:01
I have an autistic son who is uber picky with food and OH is a carnivore. I try and slide in a few veggie options a week, but I think he’s onto me lol. I’m also trying to eradicate sugar, but it’s hard when you see your family tucking into puddings. It makes me want to cry. ‘Sugar free’ options taste awful. I hate that saccharine after taste. I can’t win. *weep* X
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:14:14
I have found a naughty alternative that has overcome my former disdain for stevia! Are you a cream cheese eater?
Jun 26, 2018 @ 00:49:51
Anything with cheese gives me migraines. My body hates me. 😦
Jun 26, 2018 @ 00:50:42
Noooo noooo don’t say that! It feeds the ugh. Your body loves you. It’s just letting you know that it hates cheese. 🙂
Jun 26, 2018 @ 00:53:48
I love cheese. I was vegetarian for fourteen years (before Linda Mac started making edible food for veggies) and I think I overdosed on cheese. It was cheese with EVERYTHING. So now my body says, No more!’ It says that about chocolate, caffeine, gluten and alcohol too. *weeps*
Jun 26, 2018 @ 07:42:43
I’m there with you on caffeine and alcohol, but I must have cheese!!!!
Jun 26, 2018 @ 11:33:19
I crave cheese. I hold it in my hands. I sniff it. I taunt myself with chunks of cheddar. Then I assume fetal position and weep. What’s life without cheese?
Jun 26, 2018 @ 11:46:04
Lol
May 27, 2018 @ 18:20:36
Most of the stuff I ate as a kid would’ve survived a nuclear holocaust… yet here I am at 42, happy & healthy. Not to say I don’t feed my kid good, nutritious stuff… but I’ve also learned not to sweat it too much. They will remember how much you love them WAY more than they’ll remember what you fed them. ❤
Jun 25, 2018 @ 14:11:21
This still makes me laugh. It’s true. We ate mega crapola growing up, but I do also believe that our food wasn’t so riddled with preservatives and GMOs and who knows what else. Regardless, I just have to do better with feeding my monkeys now! 🙂
Jun 04, 2018 @ 16:31:36
we are all on this earth to learn, to teach, to inspire – to uplift our fellow man (and woman!)… yours is a normal process for one who is awakening day by day… when we walk in many types of shoes and evolve out of not-so -healthy choices, we can look back with loving patience – for ourselves and for others.. you’re teaching your children much – and they would feel like oddballs if they didn’t eat chicken nuggets, etc, but they are learning – through your, why the switch to healthier options is an important ones.
my neighbor handed me a very sugar-rich food yesterday, and one bite made me feel sick… she understands about my sensitivity to sugar, and with as much respect as possible, i slowly shook myhead ‘no’ — a jolt of almost pure sugar was giving my entire body a negative reaction….
using stevia for a very long time, i no longer need or crave the sugar.. well, in the coffee, i enjoy milk, pure cocao powder (pacari) and a stevia/brown sugar mix…. rewards are ok – never guilt attached!
Jun 05, 2018 @ 05:09:57
I have been so surprised at how quickly my incessant cravings for sweet anythings has decreased. So far I can’t handle the taste of stevia, but I need to get my taste buds accustomed to it. I’ve been using Splenda instead, and while it’s better than sugar, it definitely is not better than the natural alternatives.
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:18:14
yes, the powdered stevia or any processed form is pretty caustic – almost metallic in taste… using the dried leaves and adding lemon or – here i use maracuya/passion fruit… it’s strong in flavor and aroma.. i use that base to blend frozen drinks – someimtes with milk as well and it makes a nice milkyshake!!!
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:23:35
I need to see how I can grow that here. Fresh is always so much better! 🙂
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:36:30
i buy it dried in the farmer’s market – same place to buy ‘cola de caballo’ and guayusa!!! we are so lucky to have so much for fair prices! a bag of stevia costs a dollar and lasts me about three days… i brew at least a gallon of ‘aguita’ a day! there might be a grower that can supply it to you…
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:40:18
You make me think of my middle daughter. She’s my artist and a true human fairy. It’s how I imagine you in my mind, too. 😊
Jun 06, 2018 @ 16:40:29
it would be fun to dote on youru dear daughter! a friends from nyc spends a lot of time here w/her 12-year old, and that young gal is highly evolved.. i suspect that your daughter is as well – intuitive? sensitive to nature, etc? i’m about to be offline til next week, so no need to reply! give her a hug from tia lisa!
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:18:37
and congats on the progress you’re making! yayyyyy!
Jun 06, 2018 @ 14:23:43
😘
Jun 08, 2018 @ 09:01:39
it is truly one day at a time. Nice post!
You can check my article that relates to this as well https://wordpress.com/post/emmanuellove356165818.wordpress.com/12
Jul 03, 2018 @ 03:40:41
Hi! I have a free printable calendar of healthy food for kids. Like 24 days of meal plans – breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack! I think you’d like it! And maybe you can share with your readers? Let me know if you’d like to see 🙂 Message me at kelly.ertheo@gmail.com
Jul 03, 2018 @ 07:24:06
That’s awesome Kelly! Did you write a post about that? I would be very happy to share that. 🙂