Operation Eat Clean Blog Day 2
Today was the first day I *had* to leave home. It was my one month check up with the neurologist. This morning, I told the boys to eat their breakfast at an earlier time. We took a few of the whole wheat zucchini banana muffins for a snack on the go, and we made it home by about 12:15pm. Everything went just as I planned for the morning. Any other day, we would have picked up lunch, but not today. I centered my life around making sure we were home in time to eat. My college roommate suggested packing lunches on days we go to the doctor just in case something happens, or if we want to have more freedom. I love this idea, and next time, I’ll do that.
Lunch was leftover chicken nuggets from a couple of days ago for the boys, an apple, and Jonah had strawberry milk. I’m on the fence about the strawberry mix. It’s definitely got additives. But Jonah’s drinking milk for lunch! And I hate to lose the nutrition from the dairy by not adding the flavoring. I’m on a mission tonight to see if I can find an alternative that is cleaner. Jonah was eating multiple sugar free popsicles a day. My theory was they were better than crackers. Jonah hasn’t had one since Saturday. Not a single one. And the child who was always munching on crackers or cereal isn’t anymore. I’m proud of him. Really proud.
Not sure if you noticed I mentioned my morning went as planned instead of my day. My afternoon didn’t go as planned. The original goal was to drop a crock pot meal after we finished cleaning up lunch so it would be ready when Chad got home. That was the great part of the plan. The not so smart part was buying instant rice instead of the bag of just plain brown rice.
This week has been a week of lessons, and while I’ve kicked myself several times, I’m thankful to be learning from them, and persisting despite them.
This Sunday, I will not go to the grocery store without a list or a meal plan. Period. I’ll buy more than two bags of apples. And I’m going to try to overcome my recent aversion to salads post stomach illness because I’m not getting enough veggies. I’ll be cooking some chicken to keep in the fridge at all times, and I’ll also have some steamed veggies that stay. Next week, I’m going to be smarter. I’m feeling more confident and less overwhelmed.
Chad called tonight on his way home, and instead of asking where we were meeting, or being frustrated to pick a fast food joint for take out, he asked what was on the menu (with excitement). It felt good to hear him ask...for his support. Have I mentioned how much easier this is to do when the entire family is doing the same thing? I thought my kids were going to be the biggest struggle, but Chad and I are setting examples, and we’re being parents, not their buddies. We are doing what’s best for them, even if they don’t like it – even if it’s hard and inconvenient. It’s not like I thought we were bad parents before. We do so much to take exceptional care of our children -- stuff most parents can’t even contemplate. But this is definitely an area we had where we could improve.
Anyway, instead of a crockpot meal, I cooked it in two pans. One for my rice and brussel sprouts and one for my chicken that was tossed in some EVOO and Ms. Dash’s Herb and Garlic seasoning.
Earlier, instead of the boys being excited about dinner like the past couple of days, they were dreading it. Jonah had tried to ask, very nicely, if he could have something else tonight. I stuck to my guns. When I was cooking, he reiterated how disgusting he thought it looked and smelled. At some point, he said, “You can just put formula through my tube tonight. I’ll just go play while y’all eat.”
He was surprised by my response. “I’ll put formula through your tube if you skip dinner because you can’t fast, but you will still sit at the table during dinner with an empty plate, and you won’t get up until we’re all finished.”
That was met with, “But why?”
“Because we eat dinner as a family. And even if you aren’t eating, you’re a part of the family.”
And now it was Jonah’s turn to surprise me. “Would you make some of that chicken in the pan by itself and not mix it with the rice and brussel sprouts?”
I had already planned to do that, so I didn’t feel like I was giving into him. I love my sweet boy decided to try some of our food. He liked the chicken, and he cleaned his plate. In fact, he ate more than Noah because Noah also wasn’t a fan of dinner, either. He was less vocal, though. We took Noah off IV fluids day before yesterday, and I can already tell he’s wilting like a flower. He napped today, and he’s been very quiet. Without saying a word, he turned that nose to the ceiling as he brushed the one brussel sprout on his plate to the side.
Even though dinner wasn’t as big of a hit as it had been the past few days, I still see small successes. That coupled with some other good news and potentially answered prayers, I’m calling today a win. It wasn’t an overwhelming blow out. It was more like kicking a field goal in the last possible second to win by one. But my husband always says, A “W” is a “W” is a “W” no matter how many points there are in between.
I’m not getting a lot of work done, but right now, I’m enjoying being a mom and a wife. Everything else can wait. I can write books anytime. I can do graphic design whenever. I have 8 years left with Noah and 10 with Jonah until they are adults. The procrastinator in me knows that time is running out to do these things. And once again, my priorities are in check.
Do you have any alternatives to strawberry flavoring for milk that are cleaner than Nestle?