Now that our daughter is eating table food (well, when she is willing), my husband and I are much more conscious of what we are eating as well. We are both very particular about what we give her, yet not at all about what we eat ourselves. With our second child around the corner, I know I am not going to be willing to make two dinners each night -- a healthy one for our daughter and whatever else for us. Plus, that is dumb. Why should we not be making every effort to eat healthy both for ourselves and as an example for our kids?
About two weeks after we were beginning to think hard about all of this, that Jamie Oliver Food Revolution show aired and motivated us to get more serious about the whole thing. We were discussing it today and I had that old nagging feeling that I was about to overwhelm myself with an entirely new way of menu planning, couponing, shopping and cooking, like I always do. I jump into stuff 110% and within two weeks I am burned out. My husband suggested we try two meals a week cooked from scratch (i.e. no prepared foods, no overly processed foods), and once that becomes easy and I have a few recipes under my belt, then try for three a week, etc. This makes the whole thing seem much less daunting.
You might think I am a big sissy. Many of you probably cook this way all the time and are wondering what I am so freaked about. But I have been pregnant more or less for the last year and a half and had such powerful food aversion issues that I really couldn't do much cooking. Before that, my husband and I ate out at restaurants quite a bit or made easy meals like frozen pizzas or prepared foods. Though I know my way around an oven, I really do feel like I am starting over, especially when you consider the fact that we will be trying new foods and new cooking methods, with two babies hanging out, probably laying there pointing and laughing at me.
So, starting this week, we will be trying two reasonably healthy meals a week where I cook from scratch. I realize that 7 months pregnant might be kind of a dumb time to undertake a new endeavor such as this one. But as long as I plan ahead, I think it will work out.
If anyone has any recipes or tips, they would be much appreciated!! Feel free to leave a comment to that effect... I know my husband will appreciate it, too! Wish us luck!
