Changing Paths

My Green Smoothie Girl!!!

(check out Robin's new children's book. It's great for reinforcing good eating habits.)

I know I have blogged about green smoothies a couple of times, but this post is not just about that. It is about a lifestyle change that I'm after. And not just for me, but for my family. I have really had the impression that things need to change and that I am in charge of what my family consumes and it is my responsibility to teach them good habits. That being said, I do think we are already far ahead of the typical American family. My kids do eat vegetables and will go out to the garden and nibble on lettuce as they play in the backyard, but there is still so much to do and teach.
I went to an actual class by the Green Smoothie Girl herself last week and picked up her manual that I'd been eyeing on her website for quite a while. It's called the 12 Steps to Whole Foods. and the site is : http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/12-step-blog/12-step-program/ . After hearing her tell her story I just felt really good about the decision I had made to change our eating habits to make us more energetic and healthy people. I have already seen great changes in the way I feel after being on the smoothies for a good solid two weeks, despite the fact that I can't breathe from asthma and the cold I've had!!!)

But here is the reality of it all. Once you've decided to change your eating habits and avoid those things that aren't good for you, they seem to be EVERYWHERE!!! You sort of box yourself into a corner and everywhere you look is SUGAR. I went to the grocery store the other day and thought I was going to have an anxiety attack as I walked through the boxed macaronni and cheese, the white bread, the soft serve ice cream, and everything else in that darn place. I just wanted to close my eyes until I got to the produce department. Then I noticed  how much dairy and processed meat are in there. It's like a whole store of stuff that can eventually make you sick.

Don't put the healthy food eye glasses on until you are ready, because it will flip your world upside down. My biggest challenge will be coming up with what to eat. Right now I don't know very many recipes that include more healthy options. I've grown up on the typical American diet that dominated by meat centric meals. I've got to move to meals centered around raw produce with a tiny side of meat, if I choose to include it at all. I believe in this stuff, but it is a lot harder than it seems. And trying to get your family on the bandwagon is going to be tough. But the good new is that the 12 steps coincide with the 12 months of the year, so for now, we will switch over to drinking green smoothies for breakfast everyday. One change at a time and eventually we will get there. If you want to join our family on this adventure, feel free. It would be great to have a support group and to exchange ideas.

What do you do to keep your family healthy?