2 Weeks of Real Food

We have officially finished 2 weeks on this new plan.  I must say that 2 weeks seems like a big "milestone" to me.  When we started, we promised the kids a reward if they would comply peacefully for 2 weeks as we adjusted.  Their reward is that tomorrow they each have an hour to pick what we do as a family.  It can mean choosing a board game, watching a movie, doing a craft, choosing a snack (within our plan), etc.  They have done really well considering their ages and being in school where the pressure is on the whole day!

Notes from this week:

• Some people really give you flack for this.  But that is okay!  They are not responsible for the livelihood of your children.  You are.  Trust yourself.  You CAN do this.  Ask for help, read everything you can, jump in feet first, do the best you can, don't worry about making mistakes, and realize there is a learning curve and every change you make is better than where you where before! 

• My husband has been so good about this, even though I know it is SO hard for him.  I offered to give him a list of "can haves" and "can't haves," and he said he would prefer I just buy what we can have and tell him when we're out what he can have.  I love this man!

• My daughter "let it slip" to Daddy that:  "This eating plan really isn't so bad, and I might be getting a little bit used to it."  Granted, she is NOT going to let Mommy know that, but at least Daddy shares secrets!  :)  I consider this a HUGE victory, although we played it cool.

• School is a hard place to be on this kind of plan!  And, as we go along, I am more concerned about the VAST AMOUNTS OF JUNK FOOD our kids are offered during 8 hours of school each day.  I never really paid attention to it before, but now that they are coming home and telling me all the times they didn't get to have the snack the kids did, it is OUTRAGEOUS!  That is another battle for another day...but one that I am seriously considering battling after we get settled on this plan.

• There will be unavoidable times where an infraction on the plan occurs, and I must not be panicked about that.   We can and will move on to the next day.

• Keeping a balance between informing my kids about this and not making it an every-second issue is difficult!  

• If I fix something they don't like, it is OKAY.  They will not starve before their next meal, and, if they are hungry enough, they will eat healthy food even if it's not the best ever.

• For my sanity, I need to do a "cook ahead" day and freeze some reheatable meals and snacks for those days when I just need something quick and easy.

• My daughter asked for seconds on a real-food muffin this morning, and even my husband said it was "pretty good."  High praise from the pickies!

• Letting the kids help in the kitchen increases their compliance and good attitudes about it tremendously.  I am trying to figure out how to do that at least once a week.  Maybe a "kids in the kitchen" Friday or something.

• Naturally dyed sprinkles make everything better. :)

• Potlucks are HARD!  Bring a full meal  (Meat, sides, dessert, etc.) your family can eat! And warn them ahead of time that they can only eat what you brought unless it is raw fruits or veggies or is in the package.  And get your "safe" dessert before you sit down to eat, just in case!