Oops I said…

Ok, so I made a colossal slip and inserted my foot right into my mouth. Those of you who know me, know this is not the first time, and most likely not my last. But I am so upset about it, mostly because it is something I try really hard to be intentional about doing well. I was in the middle of a “discussion” with my eight year old sugar bug when right then and there I said… Ok, first I think I need to give you a little background so you know what was really going on in my head at the time of the before said slip up.

My eight year old daughter A looooooooves all things sugar and carby (yes, “carby” is a real word. Don’t bother looking it up). It is a difficult battle to get her to eat a balanced diet with enough protein and veggies to go along with the carboliciousness she so desires. Anyway, every week she goes to an event that requires the kids to bring a snack and drinks to share with the group. So, every week I watch as parents bring sugary processed crap food and a couple of bottles of death by chemicals pop to share with the group. Did I mention that this is a group for 3rd-5th grade children that meet right after school? Anyway, EVERY week just like clockwork my child is given a sugary snack and a salty snack. We have come to a compromise in which she is allowed these snacks but must always drink water. No caffeinated cancer pop, ever.

Now here is my disclaimer: I am by no means a complete nazi food police when it comes to fun snacks. I enjoy and indulge in a sweet dessert or salty treat, especially on special occasions, celebrations, and occasionally just for fun. I do, however want to make sure that the majority of food that my family eats is good for them. I am crazy intentional about making sure that we understand that those are treats and that we don’t fall into bad habits. Been there. Done that. Threw out the T-shirt.

Ok, so this coming week is A’s turn to bring a snack. We pour over the cookbooks searching for just the right “sweet and salty” mix that is our guideline. I am bound and determined to be able to bring something that fits that description while being somewhat good for you. A is as stubborn as her mother set on bringing the epitome of sugar heaven. I’m trying to redirect her without hurting her feelings. My husband walks in as we’ve been “discussing” and asks what is going on. Fire and smoke coming from my ears, I explain that A and I have completely different ideas of what a good snack is and then I said… Oh, man I really said it… Did I mention that Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States – triple the rate from just one generation ago (CDC.gov)? I turned to my husband and said “we’re just trying to find something to make that doesn’t make you… (ugh) fat. WHAT!!!???? I NEVER say the F-word! I try really hard to always talk about eating healthy food and being strong and healthy girls. I don’t want to use the F-word because our culture is super saturated with it and the lengths that girls go to avoid it is scary. I try to always talk about getting healthier or stronger not losing weight. I even talked about it in a post earlier on this blog. Ugh, the instant I said those words I wanted to reach out and gobble them up!

So, what did we learn today? First, A and I came to an agreement of what to bring that includes a little sweet and salty without pushing them into carb comas. Second, make sure to always pick your words intentionally. Then, if you have to eat them they will be sweet!

 

Oops I said…

Ok, so I made a colossal slip and inserted my foot right into my mouth. Those of you who know me, know this is not the first time, and most likely not my last. But I am so upset about it, mostly because it is something I try really hard to be intentional about doing well. I was in the middle of a “discussion” with my eight year old sugar bug when right then and there I said… Ok, first I think I need to give you a little background so you know what was really going on in my head at the time of the before said slip up.

My eight year old daughter A looooooooves all things sugar and carby (yes, “carby” is a real word. Don’t bother looking it up). It is a difficult battle to get her to eat a balanced diet with enough protein and veggies to go along with the carboliciousness she so desires. Anyway, every week she goes to an event that requires the kids to bring a snack and drinks to share with the group. So, every week I watch as parents bring sugary processed crap food and a couple of bottles of death by chemicals pop to share with the group. Did I mention that this is a group for 3rd-5th grade children that meet right after school? Anyway, EVERY week just like clockwork my child is given a sugary snack and a salty snack. We have come to a compromise in which she is allowed these snacks but must always drink water. No caffeinated cancer pop, ever.

Now here is my disclaimer: I am by no means a complete nazi food police when it comes to fun snacks. I enjoy and indulge in a sweet dessert or salty treat, especially on special occasions, celebrations, and occasionally just for fun. I do, however want to make sure that the majority of food that my family eats is good for them. I am crazy intentional about making sure that we understand that those are treats and that we don’t fall into bad habits. Been there. Done that. Threw out the T-shirt.

Ok, so this coming week is A’s turn to bring a snack. We pour over the cookbooks searching for just the right “sweet and salty” mix that is our guideline. I am bound and determined to be able to bring something that fits that description while being somewhat good for you. A is as stubborn as her mother set on bringing the epitome of sugar heaven. I’m trying to redirect her without hurting her feelings. My husband walks in as we’ve been “discussing” and asks what is going on. Fire and smoke coming from my ears, I explain that A and I have completely different ideas of what a good snack is and then I said… Oh, man I really said it… Did I mention that Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States – triple the rate from just one generation ago (CDC.gov)? I turned to my husband and said “we’re just trying to find something to make that doesn’t make you… (ugh) fat. WHAT!!!???? I NEVER say the F-word! I try really hard to always talk about eating healthy food and being strong and healthy girls. I don’t want to use the F-word because our culture is super saturated with it and the lengths that girls go to avoid it is scary. I try to always talk about getting healthier or stronger not losing weight. I even talked about it in a post earlier on this blog. Ugh, the instant I said those words I wanted to reach out and gobble them up!

So, what did we learn today? First, A and I came to an agreement of what to bring that includes a little sweet and salty without pushing them into carb comas. Second, make sure to always pick your words intentionally. Then, if you have to eat them they will be sweet!