Set the Stakes a Little High

So, I was a little ambitious when planning out our menu this weekend.
Monday hit and I remembered how I can't always get done what I have planned.

Monday night I had a bowl of ice cream before bed.  Not good for weight loss and really not good when trying to follow a clean diet.  Fail.

Today, Matthew and I ate out for lunch, I had some chocolate at work and didn't get a chance to make any prep items for the rest of the week besides some taco seasoning and HealthTrim balls.  Then when I was shopping last night I bought Clover Honey,apparently it's not normal honey?  It smells and tastes gross and ruined my Healthballs.  Boy do I have a lot to learn!   Day 2 Fail again!

I also got to thinking how we still have some items in our house like store bought wheat tortillas and other pizza sauce, therefore  I realized we just need to use what we have first.  I don't want to waste it, that doesn't make sense either.  This will just be a mixed up week and some clean meals and some not.

This is a journey, right?  Most people don't do this overnight so I'm not giving up!

Takes time

Wow,  I have spent so much time researching and trying to plan out a menu for  this week.  I usually plan on Sundays, grocery shop on Monday morning.  After last week's Wal-Mart trip I decided I maybe should go without the boys for a little bit. Carson sits in the little front seat and Noah stands in the big cart part.  Carson won't stay sitting (buckle doesn't really help) and Noah throws all the food out that I put in. Needless to say it's been a little stressful lately.  I decided to wait until after the kids go to bed tonight and plus it will take me a little longer than normal.

This week we are really going to try for a clean eating week.  I have looked and looked and have finally decided on some starter meals and going to try making a few new things on my own.  Since I will be making some new things I also need some things I've never really bought before so  I figured this week would really be better if I go on my own.  I never realized how much stuff there is to know when it comes to clean eating.  There are so many things  I would consider fine and natural but aren't at all.

Here is what I have so far for  this week

Breakfasts/ Snacks    (I will be doing my Genesis Pure shakes for Breakfast but this will be for Matthew and maybe the boys, and then snacks for myself)
Yogurt/ Fruit
Homemade Granola Cereal
Strawberry Muffins

Lunches
Salad
Quesadillas  (with Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas)
Leftovers

Dinners
Grilled Chicken, baked potato, green beans
Homemade Pizza with Homemade pizza dough and homemade pizza sauce
Tacos with Homemade Tortillas again and taco seasoning and mexican rice
Chicken Stir fry with brown rice


And a treat to have around the house
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie

This is definitely going to take more time in planning and also in preparation but we are going to try.  I know we aren't going to be able to be clean when we aren't at home or when eating out but the times we are at home I want to try!  I don't want to put too much pressure on the idea and then feel like I failed because I know there is always going to be some days when it's just not possible!  

Food

I've wanted to change the way my family eats for quite some time now.
I've wanted to, I have thought about it alot, but there hasn't actually been much action.    Why no action?

It's overwhelming, I don't even know where to start!  Does anyone have this feeling when making food choices for their family?  I feel guilty when buying processed foods but it's what I feel our society today has ever known.  We know how to make food quickly but not necessarily healthy.  Well I'm ready now, ready to make a change.

The turning point was a few weekends ago, we watched (well I watched part and fell asleep during both) Food Inc and Knives over Forks.  They both have different spins to them and to what areas of food they focus on.  Now after watching  them I have Matthew on board too!  We were watching one which basically kind of pushes a vegan diet, (which wouldn't bother me, I've never been a big meat person)  and  I turned to Matthew and said "so are we going to become vegans after this?" His response, "um no not completely"  in a voice that knew he couldn't give up all meat.

I know it's not going to happen overnight, it's hard changing a lifestyle but I do know some places we are going to start.

-Eat less meat  (especially red meat) and more fruits and veggies

-Cut down on white rice and pasta, I bought brown rice and whole wheat pasta this week.   I saw on pinterest how to make a bunch of brown rice and freeze it so you have it ready and it just needs heated up instead of taking so long each time you make it.  Super excited about that find!

-No more cream soups.   I have so many recipes that I have always used that use cream of something or another and  I know this winter will be challenging but I really want to ban those from our house

-Make more homemade healthy snacks, thanks to pinterest this shouldn't be too hard.  Instead of store bought I want to make more of my own cookies, granola bars and similar snacks with healthier, more natural ingredients.  Matthew is a snacker especially at night so I'm still going to have to have something for him to munch on and of course I'm going to need some on occasion as well.

-Buy organic when possible, living in Effingham we don't have as many options as other places and also the budget may not always allow for it !  Want to have a mega garden next year if we can figure out a place to put one.

I would truly love to live a completely clean diet, but  I know it takes time, money, and big steps.  I'm hoping over the next few months we can make some big strides to be a healthier eating family.   I want to do it for my kids, for us, our health, and our futures!  Wish us luck!

If anyone has meal ideas or suggestions we would love to know what other families are doing to eat healthy!