Honoring Your Hunger

Today's post is for some of the most important people in our lives...our teachers and school staff.

When we posted and asked for topics regarding back to school this topic was suggested a few times, so we wanted to address it since it involves our beloved teachers! The requests were for tips on how to navigate workrooms that are typically filled with foods that tend to be not as nutrient-dense.

Food is one of the main ways we show our love and gratefulness so it is natural that we would shower them with the gift of food! So how do these teachers enjoy these gifts!? Or should they abstain totally? Where is the balance?

It is a tricky one for me to navigate in just one post(it could easily be 100). And as always, we are only ever just scratching the surface on these topics. But, we want to try and give a little more attention to this topic because it really involves the overall behaviors of mindful/balanced eating. These behaviors could be practiced by everyone at any time--not just teachers navigating workrooms full of back-to-school fun foods!

If the answer is 'yes' to any of these questions- we need to look at our relationship with food. Building a healthy relationship with food takes a lot of work and most likely someone to guide you through the process. And if you suspect a medical condition, such as an eating disorder, we would encourage you to seek medical attention through clinical eating disorder specialists.

Check out our slides for ways to begin finding a balance that makes you feel well and satisfied!

When faced with workrooms filled with these foods of pleasure and fun, take note of how they make you feel. Honor your body's needs, health, AND joy. And a few reminders....one meal, one food, one day will not throw your health into a tailspin, and remember that we practice for progress, not for perfection, and that we are here to help!

For more individualized ways on how to build a healthier relationship with food, guided practice, and meeting your nutritional needs, sign-up for a FREE discovery call with our link in bio.

It's Time For.... Snacks!

It didn't take me long to get back to my favorite subject...SNACKS!!!

Snacks are a CRITICAL part of our kiddos' days and usually commence the moment that bell rings, they get into your car, or step off that bus. So what can we feed them so they can ingest a few solid nutrients, make it through after-school care or practice, or just make it to dinner without a meltdown or hanger attack?!

Again, let me paint a realistic picture here at our abode...we snack on PLENTY of goldfish, cheez-its, and other not as nutrient-dense foods. So we are not looking down on you from our vegetable, fruit, and protein-only tower! :-) Those snacks can be great and 100% incorporated into a balanced diet. Our goal is to have them as the sideshow and not on the main stage at all times.

Most of us and our kids are BUSY and snacks need to be convenient and quick.

@Kids.eat.in.color just did a very thorough post on how to choose snack/protein bars for your kiddos. She highlights the top ingredients (and amounts) to look for-- protein, sugar content, and fiber, and the WHYs. Check out her post and follow her for some excellent tips and tricks on feeding a healthy family!

If you have time to prep, homemade smoothies can be a crowd pleaser! A general template could look something like this...

Other great on-the-go snacks could include...

Head out this weekend and stock those pantries, freezers, purses, backpacks, car consoles, and any other place you can stash a snack!

Packing Lunch with a nutrient-dense PUNCH!

Perfect timing for this post as August is Kids Eat Right Month!

Packing lunch is not for the faint of heart....esp if you have multiple kiddos, dietary restrictions, etc. BUT, it is an excellent way to set your student up to have a great afternoon filled with stable energy. AND, packing does NOT have to be an elaborate chore!

Below are a few quick and easy lunches that are jammed with flavor-filled foods that can supply growing bodies and brains with the nutrients they need.

Also, a few things to note...

These are STAGED and Camera-ready. Remember--Instagram is a highlight reel. Usually, they are thrown into the LunchBots, not sliced, fluffed, or fanned! :-) That being said, sometimes presentations can help kiddos try new things and eat their fruit and veg. So, play around with it and see what happens! These LunchBot lunch containers are pricey but have lasted for YEARS and are well worth the cost if you are avid lunch packers!

My kids are big kids and may eat and need more or less than your kiddos. Please use this post for WHAT foods to offer and not how much to offer.

Also, these examples have tons of fruit and veg - maybe more than you have offered before. That's okay!! Start small! When you are introducing new foods...offer a very little amount--a bite to a few bites--so it's not overwhelming or intimidating! :-)

Lastly, remember a few posts back, when we talked about meeting yourself where you are at?! That rule applies HERE! Maybe you need to offer small amounts of new foods. Maybe packing lunch once a week is where you start. Maybe you introduce some of the new foods at dinner and see how they go over in that setting first. Maybe you have your older kiddos help pack lunches so you can just handle the littles. Start at a realistic spot and do what you can!

We are here to cheer you on and hold your hand if you need us! Let us know how we can help!