Food Revolution Thoughts
Joshua and I watched Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution the other night, and it is really impacting me. Paying attention to proper nutrition and changing my food habits has made such a huge difference in my health (I have been infection free for a year!). But I certainly wasn’t passionate about this until I became sick. So I want to ask: what does “living a healthy life” mean to you? And more specifically, what do you want to know about [your] health, food, nutrition, etc.?
5 Responses to “Food Revolution Thoughts”
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chrisrivers
WOW! We were just watching this last night. I think that the “paying attention” can really be an art in itself! I struggle too as I feel like I eat healthy, but I find my weekend eating habits can be much different than my weekday eating habits. Planning makes all the difference for our family, and I think without Rachel, we would not eat right.
I like Jamie’s show because he really is educating while cooking. So for me, its all about the schedule and having a good system. So for me, eating healthy is all about accountability. Thank goodness I got a good partner!
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mandy
I am loving that show. I actually made my kids watch some of the previous episodes. I really have tried to focus on the whole “food is fuel for your body” concept. It seems to make a difference. The other day I ate a piece of chocolate and Jake said, “Mom, is that a good choice?” Love it. The other thing that goes with that is, I need to walk the walk if I am going to talk the talk. If I am on my kids about eating and I pull out the cheetos (or even BUY them which is the first problem) then why on earth would they want to make good choices. All that to say, totally agree on the menu plan and a good system.
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Mama Dalton
Yea, and yea again for children being our teachers!! Since we are sans TV, I am not familiar with the show, but I am all for planning weekly menus, getting back to the ‘green grocer’ mentality, which originally was buying what one needed the day it was needed (not always practical, but I love the idea), and only buying in bulk the things that can be efficiently stored (without carry home bugs, or the kind that take up residence shortly thereafter!).
I just want someone else to do the planning…my brain has yet to recover enough to do that part yet. I have the desire, understand, but this time the body is willing and the mind is juuuuuusssst not quite there.
I want simple ‘thoughtless’ but though-filled and nutritionally balanced meals that tired people can make and enjoy. So, how about some help!!
Example…have a lovely sirloin tip roast that I was going to surprise hubby with today…forgot he was not only NOT going to be home for supper…forgot I had sprayed the oven with oven cleaner last night…forgot to clean it out. Ah the joys of forgetfulness….I had a left-over 1/2 of a grilled cheese sandwich and 5 olives.
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Joyce Ting
I would say my definition of living a healthy life, especially around the subject of food, is much different than the everyday person’s idea of what “healthy food” is…. However, I’d also say that the biggest obstacle for me walking the walk (of what I believe is healthy) is feeling socially obligated by the environment to conform to everyone else’s idea of healthiness and convenience.
If at the moment, I don’t have a kitchen to cook for guests, the only way for me to connect with folks over a meal is going out to eat, can I really insist that we always go to a place that adheres to my definition of “healthy?” There is like one restaurant that does that here in Taipei and they are priiiiicey!
I’ve been struggling over this walk the walk issue…..whether it is food health, sustainability, being “green”, buying fair trade, etc etc etc…. how much can you actually follow what you truly believe is right?
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Mandy
Meal planning has totally saved us too. I’ll ask Joshua if he’s craving something in particular before I go to the store, but in general I make the food decisions now. So with my gluten-intolerance in mind and not so sweet tooth (except for CHOCOLATE), I’m able to keep us on track. It’s become a bit of a game too, trying to fit meal ideas into our monthly grocery budget, buying certain items online, seeking out locally grown food…
My newest thing is starting to plan meals for the whole month. So Mama Dalton, if you want me to forward on meal plans and grocery items, I’d be happy to!
Joyce, I think you do what you CAN do. In each situation you find yourself in, what’s the best choice you can make? Suggest the healthy restaurant to friends, but if they don’t go for it, eat the best option for you at another restaurant. Like for me, I’m not going to eat all the biscuits at O’Charleys because of the gluten. But I can get a tasty salad there. In terms of living sustainably, take reusable bags with you to shop, bring your own travel mug to coffee shops, compost your food waste at home, use cloth napkins, recycle… Broken systems and entropy make it impossible to do EVERYTHING that is right, but you can do many things.