The Journey Continues...Join us!

Once again, the wellness speaker, visited Mike's workplace right before Christmas!  We have been eating well and have made a lot of choices toward health in the last three years, but we were ready to celebrate Christmas.  I had cookies baked, gifts of sugary pumpkin bread, and processed cheese balls ready to give out.  The pork and kielbasa for our polish celebration were in the fridge.  The ham was ready for Christmas day.  Then the wellness speaker, Jimmy Page came and reminded us of the importance of eating right.  The new thing for us was that we should cut back on milk and meat.  My mind spins...What are we going to be able to eat now?!  I am a dairy farmer's daughter.  How can I stop buying the three gallons of milk each week?  What about the three deer and the 20 chickens in the freezer?  That night I didn't sleep well.
   
I looked at the list of healthy food Jimmy Page handed out.  It was confirmed once again, mostly plants are the way to go healthy.  I know this and want to make the best choices for our family.  So, I spent the time during piano lessons planning meals and listing food I may still buy.  That weekend we watched a DVD called Planeat.  It is similar to Forks Over Knives,  about how animal products effect our bodies and the world.  Both DVDs are interesting and worth watching.  We were convinced once again, that what we eat is important.

Then, we celebrated... with candy, cookies, meat, and eggnog.   We had our special polish meal and Christmas dinner, and we celebrated!  In my stocking, Mike got me three bags of chocolates, and I gave him two bars (at least they were dark chocolate!)  We ate so much, that now we know... it is time to change.

Our plan is to fill our house with only healthy food, so it is easier to make healthy choices.  We are going to commit to "eating clean" for 21 days.  We will officially begin on January 2nd.  That gives me some time to shop and plan.  I will update you as we find recipes and ideas that work.

Will you join us?  It will be a journey toward health.  We won't be perfect, but together we will be healthier.

1.  Commit to 21 days of healthy eating
2.  Choose organic, plant-based diet
3.  Control your portions
4.  Cut the added sugar
5.  Cheat daily
6.  Choose your attitude toward food
7.  Chemical free
8.  Keep a simple menu (3-5 breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to start, so it is not too complicated)
(These are from Jimmy Page's handout)

Here are some books to read, if you are just learning about eating healthy.  

(also see my list on the right side of the blog)

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

Food Matters Cookbook by Mark Bittman