New Motivation for a Healthy Life

While on a visit to Sophie's Pediatrician I was informed of something great. Sophie can now eat whatever we eat. If it is too big or is something she can't gum then we just put it in the blender. This for me has become a new form of motivation to live a healthy life. If my daughter is eating what I am eating I better make sure that what I am putting into my body is natural and healthy.

Interestingly enough, Sophie's favorite food is surprisingly Mexican food. She loves rice and black bean and especially refiried beans. this has encouraged us to make more rice bowls, healthy casseroles and burritos, all of which we are incorporating more and more veggies into our recipes. I am not saying you need to plan your meals around you baby but take their health into consideration. If you wouldn't put it into their body why would you put it into yours? The mentality of breast feeding mothers have of putting good things into their bodies so baby gets good things shouldn't end just because they no longer breast feed or never could (This was the situation in my case, I was unable to breast feed beyond 2 1/2 months). Our children learn from us so lets teach them that their body is something to be cherished, because in this life we only get one. We should take care of our bodies and only put things in it that build it up. We need to cherish these bodies that carry our children in the womb and in our arms.
That being said, I am no saint nor am I perfect in denying my daughter of treats.

This cookie was a welcome home gift from Sophie's grandpa. And NO, she DID NOT eat that whole cookie.

This is how my daughter eats usually: baby formula with iron, and lots of organic fruits and veggies.

We all want what is best for our children and want them to live great healthy lives. To me this can include treats from grandparents and cakes on their birthdays, Teach your children a healthy lifestyle but also teach them to live and make good choices on their own. If you deny them treats they will never learn to make the healthy choices.

Seeing the benefits of a natural life

So Before my trip I took this picture. It had been 2 months since Kelsie and I began our transition into a healthy lifestyle. I have lost 9 lbs in total and have 11 to go. I didn't do the best at following my new lifestyle while visiting my parents, especially when it comes to exercise. However, I am happy to report that while I may not have lost any weight I didn't gain any either. 

I am quite excited and proud of the effect a natural lifestyle has had on me. I have found not only am I more confident and have found that my body has begun to resemble it's old self but I have found that I am happier and have more energy. I am able to keep up with my very active husband and daughter. I am also a ton more positive. 

I truly believe that my new lifestyle has effected my relationships. I was so much happier and more positive during my visit with my family. The memories we made this last trip alone have made my new change totally worth it. I look forward to sharing my progress with all of you as well as a few posts for advise on traveling with a little one and how to help them be comfortable in a new place. :)

Nutrients in Food Fall Into 3 Categories: Proteins, Fats, and Carbohydrates.

The foods that we eat contain nutrients that provide energy and other substances that the body needs. Most of the nutrients in food fall into three major groups: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Crazy enough most of us have been taught wrong from the world about what category some of the food we eat really falls under.

For example, I have always thought that nuts were a protein..right? Anyone else think that? Now nuts DO have protein in them, but they are actually a fat. WHY? Because there is actually more fat in nuts then protein which therefore makes them fall into the fats category.

So lets dive in and let me share the information that I have learned from Veo Clinic.

What is a Carbohydrate?
Starches/breads, fruits, vegetables, fruit juices and milk products/dairy are all carbs. There is a difference between simple and complex carbohydrates.  Complex means they contain fiber (100% whole wheat pasta, 100% whole wheat bread, oats and brown rice). An exception to this rule is lactose found in milk, cottage cheese, yogurt are complex carbs. Complex carbs last in your body as energy for up to 30 minutes. Simple carbs such as fruit, white breads, white rice and white potatoes only last as energy for a maximum time of 15 minutes.

What is a Protein?
Protein is part of every cell, tissue and organ in our bodies.  These body proteins are constantly being broken down and replaced.  The protein in the foods we eat is digested into amino acids that are later used to replace these proteins in our bodies.  Protein is found in the following foods: meats, poultry, fish, legumes (dry beans and peas), tofu, eggs, raw nuts and seeds, milk and milk products, grains, some vegetables and some fruits.

What is a Fat?
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water.  GOOD FATS- (yes there are such thing:) ) Good sources of fatty acids are found mostly in fish, nuts, oils, seeds, dark leafy greens, flaxseed oils and some vegetable oils.  At the end of the day, a good fat is still a fat in terms of calories.  BAD FATS- These are artery-clogging saturated fats from meat and dairy products and are solid at room temperature.  Saturated fats have been shown to directly raise total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.  Any labels on cooking oil that describe the oil as "light" are referring to the taste or color, not the fat or calorie content.  All oils are 100% fat and are worth around 120 calories per tablespoon.

Hopefully you guys learned as much from this as I did. I think it is incredibly important to know the difference between these three so we can get eat the right portion of eat when we are making our meals.

**FYI all fresh seasonings are "free" zero calories. Such as, cilantro, parsley, ginger, chives, garlic, hot sauce, mustard etc. Any food item with 0 calories is a free food.