My month-long challenge

The goal to eat healthy meals has been a long-standing one for my family. Both my husband and I are aware of the extra calories, chemicals, salt, sugar and preservatives added to some of the foods served at restaurants. This month however, I’m putting my foot down and actually making myself accountable, to you all, to commit to a long-term, full month of healthy, home-cooked meals. We typically eat pretty healthy, but there’s always the desire to eat better. Especially, after we’ve eaten cheeseburgers and fries followed by a full-size milk shake. Or, after eating chocolate chip cookies.

The rule is that I will cook breakfast, lunch and dinner at home. The kids of course, will have their packed lunches, with the exception of the princess who still considers it a treat to eat a cafeteria lunch once a week. Hubby will take leftovers, fruits and chopped up veggies, the exception will be mandatory work lunches—which believe it or not, are mandatory in his particular job. Peanut and I will eat at home. Chic Fil-A, Sonic and Starbucks are banned from our eating lists, as well as any other restaurant and fast-food place.  The only exception will be dinner invitations to friends’ homes. When we do eat at friends’, we will stick to whole foods rather than pre-packed meals, etc.

I will be incorporating a few more veggies into dinners than I typically do in order to boost nutrition. I will also try to have one meatless meal and one with fish or other type of seafood. With the exception of the occasional frozen or canned vegetable or fruit, frozen foods are not allowed. Sorry DiGiornio pizzas—not that I am used to eating these—I will not be purchasing you. I do buy some canned artichokes and sometimes beets to add to my salads so these types of foods will be part of the meals. Pastas and uncooked, whole-grain rice will also be allowed.

Now here’s the accountability part. I will be posting a picture of dinner every day on Facebook and on the blog. I’m very excited about the prospect of eliminating all fast-food for a month. We don’t do it often, but going to Chic Fil-A is considered a treat by the kids. I would like them to understand that fast-food is not necessary and that there are other ways to treat yourself that don’t involve a milk shake and French fries.