Eating Well

“We are what we eat,” or so the saying goes.  But how many of us really hold ourselves accountable for what we put into our bodies?  How many consciously link our aches, pains, moods and energy levels to what we ate for lunch yesterday?   According to his Yoga Sutras, Patanjali lists “Ahimsa” first among the five yamas, and it is widely believed to be the most important on one’s path to enlightenment.  Ahimsa is the sanskrit term for “non-harming,” and it applies to any and all physical harm of self and others, as well as emotional or spiritual harm.  In order to practice Ahimsa, one must be mindful of what will properly nourish the body, doing ourselves and others no harm.

Moms have an even bigger challenge.  Not only do we need to practice Ahimsa in relation to ourselves and our own diets, but we are constantly seeking ways of keeping our families in check.  Many moms face picky eaters at the dinner table, or go to battle over sugar-laden snacks and beverages.  While our intentions are good, we too often give up on fresh, nutritious food for the old standbys that we know our kids and partners will eat.

My friends look at me in awe, and tell me I am lucky.  They can’t believe my daughter calls asparagus “green french fries” or that my husband willingly eats vegetarian meals more often than not.  They don’t understand how I could have made homemade baby food while working full-time, or how my kids can eat most of what is served to them at any given meal.

Is it luck?  Perhaps.  Is it in the genes?  Maybe.  Am I Super-Mom?  I wish!  Most likely, the reason for my success at the dinner table relates to the fact that my family doesn’t know anything different.   I have worked hard to expose them to many different foods at an early age.   We eat the same meal each night, and each meal has a variety of flavors, textures and food groups.   Most importantly, we eat our evening meal together, every night.  While this will probably not be possible as the kids get older and more involved with school and activities, it works for us right now, and I hope it will always be a priority.

I’m not here to brag – really!  I’m here to help.  (It is not too late for your kids to eat asparagus!)  Whether you are trying to change your family’s eating habits, looking for some new ideas to beat your boring repertoire of recipes, or trying to figure out how to fit a healthy, budget-friendly meal into your already overscheduled, stressful day, you’ve found a resource, and I’d love to hear your questions and comments.  As always, a community of moms will have countless tips, recipes, and experiences to share.  So don’t just take my word for it!

For all of The PranaMama’s posts on Food for Thought, including recipes and idea for eating well, click HERE!

Resources:

Local Harvest:  The best organic food is what’s grown closest to you. Use our website to find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

Pick Your Own:  A nationwide directory of PYOs, searchable by zip code.

The Eat Well Guide:  A nationwide directory of farms offering sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs.

Edible Communities:  A publishing and information services company that creates editorially rich, community-based, local-foods publications in distinct culinary regions throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Through our publications, supporting websites, and events, we connect consumers with family farmers, growers, chefs, and food artisans of all kinds.

The 100-mile diet: Local Eating for Global Change.

Seacoast Eat Local:  Seacoast NH guide to eating local.

Seacoast Harvest:  A directory of farmers markets in York County, ME, Strafford and Rockingham Counties, NH.

Seacoast Growers Association:  Seacoast NH and Southern ME farm directory and calendar of events.

Slow Food Seacoast:  A non-profit organization bringing together people who enjoy and respect food.

Great Books on Nutrition, Health and Feeding your Family

STAY TUNED FOR THE EXPANSION OF THIS PAGE TO INCLUDE TIPS, ADVICE, RESOURCES, REFERENCES AND LINKS TO MY FAVORITE NUTRITION AND COOKING SITES.