A writer friend and I were talking about cool perks of the job the other day, and there's one in particular that we both just love. As a writer, when you're curious about something or thinking of making a change in your life, you can often find a way to work that into research for a story. A two-birds-with-one-phone kind of thing.
And while most of us don't want to talk about the school bell just yet, that's what I'm immersed in right now -- preparing our Back-to-School section on MilwaukeeMoms.com.
I'm knee-deep in what's hot in backpacks, and how to get your kids back into reading if they've slacked this summer, and how to make sure your kids are getting a great night's sleep.
Last Friday was my day to talk to local dietitians and food coaches about what families should be eating and what should go into a great bag lunch.
The perk of the business kicked in as I started to ask questions straight from my own cupboards, but I think they're pretty universal for other families as well.
The hard facts: My family doesn't eat so healthy and it is all my fault. As the primary shopper/food preparer, I've often relied on convenience over substance and wanting to minimize complaining over pushing for better nutritional value.
I buy white bread for my family because that's what I had growing up and some wheat breads are just too heavy. I buy kid-friendly cereal like Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and Peanut Butter Crunch. My kids drink juice -- some that's 100 percent juice, and some only a pitiful 10 percent. My kids eat fruit, but the vegetables are lacking -- seriously lacking.
After talking to the experts, I was a little depressed about the sad state of my cupboards and freezer. I know I need to do better, but with kids now old enough to complain -- a lot and loudly -- it's daunting to think about making so many changes.
The experts were great in suggesting how to do it in steps: Replace the Peanut Butter Crunch with Kashi Mighty Bites. Substitute a whole-wheat bread (even if it is a softer kind) for the white bread. Try one of the newer flavored waters that doesn't contain artificial sweeteners instead of the sugary fruit juices. Put out cheese and whole-grain crackers for snacks and, my weakness, look for appealing ways to get those vegetables in there -- even if it means adding a dip for the red pepper slices.
I headed out to the grocery store Saturday morning with new eyes. I bought the Kashi cereal, the whole-wheat bread and new crackers. I picked up some vegetables my kids would normally turn their noses up at with a new resolve to find ways to make them work.
I'm happy to report that even this little step into healthier eating has been well received. I found my daughter with a big bowl of Mighty Bites at breakfast Monday morning. "They're good," she said.
I presented my son with a sandwich on the whole-wheat bread on Sunday.
"That bread is brown," he said, as the nose started to turn up ever so slightly.
"Just try it," I said. "It tastes good. Trust me."
He ate the whole thing without another peep.
In the end, I was so surprised at how uneventful it was. I expected griping, balking, complaining. What I got was kids peacefully eating things that are just a touch better for them.
More changes are on the way, so I'll keep you posted. I'd also love to hear how you keep your family on the healthy track, or how you're trying to make some modifications too.
And be sure to keep an eye out for our Back-to-School section at the end of this month. We'll have many more tips and ideas to help you whip your family into shape before that dreaded bell rings again this fall.
