When I Grow Up

As you can tell my the many pages on this blog-I have a lot of things I love. On my list of things I want to be is a nutritionist, a doula, a lactation consultant, and a financial adviser. Random huh? Most of all, I want to be a stay at home mom. I'm hoping one of those jobs listed above will help me do that. The problem is choosing one, at least to start with. Whose to say I can't be a doula and a nutritionist? So I'm concentrating on real food and nutrition. I'm the most passionate about those.

On my search for knowledge on my other passions, I checked the DONA website (for certified doulas) and they said a good first step is to read a book about being a doula. Smart right? I think this is a great way to see if I want to continue down this path. So I ordered The Doula Book from Amazon (along with Christine Avanti's Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food, and Annabel Karmel's Superfood For Babies).

I'm excited to crack it open. Now my problem how does a mom of a 5.5 month old have time to read multiple books?

My Real Food Charter

I'm on a Real Food journey. I begun learning about nutrition a few years now, but it's been a slow process. To be honest, my first motivation is probably weight loss. In a very close second place is a healthy body and lifestyle. I want to be active and have energy. I want great skin and a good figure. I want to be happy in my body. I want to teach my kids good nutrition and give them the best step forward in their health.

 

What I love about a Real Food journey is that you can start right away. You don't have to know EVERYTHING before making changes in your diet. I'm still learning and deciding what is best for my family. This is also new to us, so I'm taking it easy at first, then will hopefully tighten the strings a little as time goes on. My first step is to create My Real Food Charter for myself and my family. This will most likely change over the next few months as I learn more and try things out. So here goes:

Real Food

• Is as close to it's natural state as possible.
• Is not overly processed and does not contain more than 5 ingredients.
• Has no added sugar in the first 3 ingredients listed.
• Contains no artificial coloring, caramel coloring, MSG, Acesulfame-K, BHA, BHT, Olestra, Potassium Bromate, Propyl Gallate, Saccharin, Aspartame, Sodium Nitrate, and TBHQ.
• Contains no refined carbs, such as white flour or high-fructose corn syrup.
• Contains no factory processed polyunsaturated or hydrogenated vegetable oils.
• Contains zero trans fats.
• Is 100 percent whole wheat and whole grain.
• Is organic, antibiotic-free chicken & eggs, preferably free range/pasture fed. 
• Is grass fed, antibiotic-free, hormone-free beef.
• Is local and organic milk. Antibiotic and hormone free. Grass fed preferred.
• Includes organic produce off the 'Dirty Dozen' list. 
• Is wild caught fish.
• Contains vegetables and fruit at every meal.

If possible, buy:

• Produce and animal products that are locally grown and raised
• Organic & local cheese and yogurt products.

Now I know some of this will be hard to get used to, especially identifying the additives and preservatives listed above. I may not be able to do it all at first, I'll do my best though.

Christine Avanti's Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food gave me a lot of the definitions listed above. I highly suggest reading this book as a starting point. I also think Lisa Leake's 100 days of mini-pledges sounds like a great way to incorporate Real Food into your every day life. Feel free to join me on the journey to Real Food with the help of these lovely ladies.

About Me

Thanks for visiting my blog. So you want to know a little about The Author. I'm a full-time working 27 year old wife and new mother. My husband is wonderful and we have a beautiful baby boy who's almost 6 months. We live in an older home in Utah and enjoy(ed) fixing it up.

I have recently begin to acquire A LOT of topics I'm passionate about. I've never been one to give unsolicited advice; I hate the stuff. However with so many things on my mind I've just wanted to talk about it all to whoever will listen. Thus, the blog. I will try my best to make sure everything is well researched and as accurate as possible. Remember, I'm new to this too.

Most of my passions have leaned more towards the natural side of life. I've become a little crunchy over the years. It's been a process. The food I was raised on was probably much like the food you grew up with. Processed foods, a limited selection of veggies, sugars, additives, chemicals and more food that I no longer want to put in my body.

I also grew up with a high medical influence. My family went through trials that led us to hospitals and doctors quite frequently. My mother then became a nurse. I didn't know there was a more 'natural' way to deal with some medical issues. I sadly didn't see any connection between what we ate and how we felt.

As I've grown and found my own path and I've discovered that I like being a little crunchy. I love that I tried a natural birth, used a midwife & doula, & have my little guy on an alternative vaccine schedule. I'm a baby-wearing, baby-wise using, breastfeeding, real food eating, Jesus loving, budget crazy and emotional health promoting woman. I'm A Little Granola, and I'm beginning to really like it.

Contact Me