Ingredient Lists and tidbit or two

I watched an excellent documentary last night called "Hungry for Change." It made me excited about healthy eating again. Sometimes watching documentaries like that can be overwhelming, feeling like you have to reach the ideal diet all at once. But for me, they're almost always motivational as well.

Also, sometimes it's frustrating to get the end of a documentary and find out they're just trying to sell you a juicer. Nonetheless, I believe that this documentary contained a lot of truth. One of the things that this movie inspired me to do was to begin looking at the ingredients lists on my food items.

There are a few simple rules. First, the fewer ingredients on the list, the better the food is for you. Second, you want to be able to recognize all of the ingredients. If there is a big long list of scientific sounding ingredients, stay away!

I wanted to share a couple of our favorite healthy breakfast foods. The first, is a great alternative to regular yogurt. We always have on hand a great big tub of plain nonfat Greek yogurt. We also try to have a variety of berries in the freezer and some honey in the pantry. Defrost the berries, break them up a little, and mix in some Greek yogurt and honey. It's delicious, and you know exactly what's in it. Greek yogurt is said to be better than normal yogurt. (I won't pretend to know why... But I do know that it tastes a lot better!) And honey is supposed to be a very healthy sugar. Plus, you get to control how sweet you want it to be.

One last idea, is for when you need a quick snack. We toast up a little whole-wheat bread, spread on some peanut butter, and sprinkle on the raisins. Healthy, filling, and delicious!

Soup and Salad

So here's a tidbit of an idea that I'm trying right now for the first time: put down a layer of salad in your bowl before you serve up your soup, stir it in, and enjoy! This adds low- calorie, high nutrition bulk to your meal, helping you to eat less of the higher calorie soup. I think this is a brilliant idea, (I can say that because its not my own,) because if you have a salad on the side you feel the need to add dressing. If you have salad alone it can be dissatisfying. And let's be honest: more often than not we skip the salad and go straight for the more appetizing soup. Anyway... Just a thought!

The Science and Statistics Back It Up

I really liked this article, because it supports ideas that I was already entertaining, but it originates from an LDS source.  Tell me what you think!

Cancer, Nutrition, and the Word of Wisdom

What is the truth?

My goals in meal planning and preparation are to provide healthy, delicious meals.  (It would be great if they weren't too expensive or labor intensive either, but those desires are secondary.)  The problem is defining "healthy."  It seems that what constitutes a "healthy" meal depends largely on who you talk to, the latest studies, as well as recent popular trends.

Who are you supposed to believe?  What is the truth?

I have decided that the best solution for my family is to follow as best we can the guidance we have received from Heavenly Father through modern revelation.  This is contained in the Word of Wisdom, (see tab above.)  Some parts are very clear and not difficult for my family to follow.  Other sections are more confusing, and I struggle to apply them as well as I think I should.

To summarize its contents (in terms of my own personal interpretation and understanding):

1)  No Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, or Liquor
2)  Plenty of Vegetables
3)  Plenty of Grains
4)  Plenty of Fruit
5)  Eat Meat sparingly

That is what it says explicitly.  In addition, I believe some other wise principles are:

6)  Eat a VARIETY of fruits, veggies, and grains
7)  Use MODERATION in your food consumption
8)  Avoid anything ADDICTING
9)  Get enough SLEEP (early to bed, early to rise)
10)  Drink enough WATER
11)  EXERCISE daily

I am doing my best to follow these guidelines and I hope to get better over the coming months and years.  I am hoping that this blog will help keep me accountable and on track.  I intend to share my little tips on how to gradually adjust into a healthier diet and lifestyle, especially if you are a busy stay-at-home mom like me.  I also hope to include my favorite healthy recipes as I come across them.  :)

Sugar-aholic

Hi, my name is (not important), and I'm a sugar-aholic.  I know it's bad for me, I know I should stop, but like many others I struggle with self-control.

I start out this way to hopefully make it as clear as possible that although I have many exciting ideas and plans, I sometimes -- often -- don't live up to my standards.  I'm not perfect.  The point is I'm trying.  And I'm writing this blog to help gather all of my ideas, experiences, recipes, motivations, etc, into one place.  If it helps someone else in the process, great!  If not, hopefully it will at least help me to stay on track with my goals.

I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as LDS or Mormons.  We have a chapter of scripture called the Word of Wisdom that explains God's law of health.  I'm striving to better follow it including eating better food, avoiding harmful or addictive foods and substances, and exercising regularly.  I'm not trying to lose weight, just to become more fit and generally well.

I am going to attempt to follow certain dietary guidelines that are not specified in the Word of Wisdom, but they are not conflicting with it either.  I am interested in cutting back my sugar intake, if not cutting candy and desserts out entirely.  I would eventually like to eat very similarly to a vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian.  (I haven't yet decided which.)

Please feel free to share your own ideas, experiences, and advice.  I'd love to hear from you!