Eating out well — on the road

 

Road trips can be difficult for families that are concerned with eating real, nutritious, and delicious food while traveling. I have always dreamed of a day when an organic chain would open up and be right there at the travel plaza next to the Bob Evans and McDonalds. Yes, we pack our food – bring healthy snacks, etc. – but even I get tired of this. Crumbs everywhere, my legs surrounded with coolers and bags and every few hours having to dig through the bag so someone can eat. Then, once we land in some small town to visit family, my dinner choices out are often TGI Fridays or Applebees. Fortunately I am finding out that you can find some chain restaurants that are taking some care to what goes into their foods. Not only that, but the desire to eat well is spreading… fast. You can find ways to accommodate your passion for nourishing food, even on the road.

Sardines from Jen in Brooklyn

Jen, a mom from Brooklyn, shares her story about sardines and how they have made there way into snack time.

How you feel about this “success story” depends on how you feel about sardines. I never ate them myself, though I’ve always liked fish in general. Then in 2006, just one year after the birth of my son, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. An acupuncturist I saw for treatment was the first of several people who recommended sardines as a good dietary brain strengthener. I started an almost daily lunchtime habit, and really got to enjoy and even crave them.

Father’s Day

Around Mother’s Day I remember reading articles in several magazines on the subject of “what a Mom really wants on Mother’s Day” — time to herself! I thought about this a lot and how much time means to us when we are new parents. Time to our self and time with our partners. We often do not get time to connect with ourselves or each other because our lives are so caught up in work, nap schedules, eating routines, family outings, tantrums, teething, illness, meal planning, errands — well, you know what I am talking about!

So, for Father’s Day weekend my 3 year old went to my parents and I “gave” my husband time- time to sleep in, time to go out and explore D.C., take pictures and play music. For actual Father’s Day I had a nice lunch with the whole family, grandparents included, but surprised my husband with a babysitter for us to go out. We had a BLAST! Somewhere I was wondering if this way of spending a “family” holiday was selfish- but my answer was no, it is not. In this season of our life it is so important to do what feels best, what is needed, and what will ultimately refuel our beings for this amazing job we have decided to take on- parenting.

For Mother’s Day, I went to NYC for continuing education in prenatal Pilates- not exactly time to sit back but an appropriate and generous gift none the less. Next year, I think all I want is “time”. When the kids are in high school and we are the last people they want to be around, a family dinner will be appropriate and desired. But for every Mother and Father’s Day until then I think we will start the tradition of being “free” of our family obligations- and direct them to the who the holiday was created for- OURSELVES.

Happy Birthday Jasper

We celebrated my son’s 3rd birthday by having a painting party for a few of his friends at our house and the parents came along for the ride in form of a cocktail party. I am not against mixing the two occasions as it seems to be the only way we can see friends sometimes! Last year, I did a bit of the same, and hand made every bit of food with my nutritional flare, down to a carrot cake with all organic ingredients, no refined sugar, just agave nectar and a bit of honey and frosting sweetened with stevia. Even the food coloring I used was made from vegetables. That was when Jasper was my only child. This year, as I was holding Dakota, my 6 1/2 month old, someone asked me if I made the guacamole. The answer at every party before this would surely have been yes. After all- how difficult is it to make guacamole? “NO,” I replied. “And I bought the hummus too, the cupcakes are from a conventional bakery and the party favors were made in China.” People laughed, and some could not believe it. The bottom line is convenience is out there. We are not always able to deny ourselves that, no matter how healthy or mindful we try to be. It is unfair to ask any busy mom to do this- to look convenience in the eye and walk the other way. However, I do know that I will continue to fight against it, to find easier ways of preparing whole food and to walk my talk. I also know that these are not the only things that keep us balanced. Sometime, to keep calm and enjoy the ride, to make your day just a bit more relaxed, to take the stress off yourself and in turn your family, you just have to take the easy road. Tomorrow is always a new beginning- today we have to love ourselves, and respect all of our choices.

Peaceful Beginnings

I am sitting here at 6:22 a.m. and the house is silent except for the heater that runs on a 10 minute interval. My husband had to go to NYC this a.m. and was up at 5, so I decided to get up with him. Now, before you gasp, I am a morning person. So, although these days with a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old it is much harder to do this, when I do, I am always better for it. The cold mornings of winter coupled w/ nighttime feedings and a seemingly overscheduled life make this one of the hardest commitments I can make to myself. Laying in that warm bed.. AHHH, nothing like it. Until – the pitterpatter of my sons feet come in. He is ON. Chatting away, or crying about something, as he often does in the morning if things are not just right. He want us to get up now, get breakfast, do things the way he wants.. OH, and there is the baby. “Don’t feed him Mommy, NO!” my son cries and tantrums. On a good day, he will oblige, and come downstairs without protest and sit while I nurse the baby. However, he will ask for breakfast, Tv, water, vitamins, fishoil, etc etc. all the while – knowing full well I cannot do any of these things at that time. Another tantrum is brewing. Once the baby is finished, I empty the dishwasher, make snack for school if it is a school day, make my husband lunch, make myself coffee (remarkable I get this in, but not because I am taking care of myself, but only because I need this to help everyone else), tea for my husband, breakfast for Jasper, on and on – you get the picture. (My husband is not non-existent in this, but is busy getting ready for work, making beds, walking the dog, anwering the flood of emails streaming in on the blackberry) So, I get back to how this ramble began! When I “force” myself out of bed, even 1/2 hour early the day seems better. I can get a few things organized before tending to my family. I am calm, and have time to meditate on the day. The sun gently comes up over the horizon, and I can enjoy a cup of coffee and check my email, look through a magazine, or write a blog entry! It is now 6:35 – everyone is still sleeping and I will probably have 20 more full minutes to myself. Now that is the way to begin a day.

Being Present

I’ve been listening to “A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”, by Eckhart Tolle.  Got it on audio book so I could take it with me when I go for walks with my dog. And I didn’t get it because it’s on Oprah’s book club — kudos to her for putting a book like this on her book list — but because I had read his previous book “The Power of Now” and it had made an impact on me.

“A New Earth” is so far just as great as his previous book.  It’s the kind of message that I, in my judgmental have-been-in-NY-for-too-long point of view, did not think the majority of the population would be ready to digest.  But as the author points out right from the get go, humanity is just now opening itself to awakening.  I certainly need some of that!

On chapter two of the book he shares some thoughts on parenting that really hit home for me today.  It reminded me of the fact that from a “being” point of view my kids are my equals and I’m here to allow them to be who they are, without playing into society’s role of what a parent is supposed to be.

Easier said than done, I know!  But reminding ourselves to be present at each moment with our kids can only result in a more mindful experience of parenting.

This morning (after my walk with the dog listening to all the wonderful insights from Eckhart Tolle) my son was having a real hard time getting ready for school.  And I was having an even harder time trying at keep my cool as I worked HARD at getting him to eat his breakfast and get dressed fast enough so not to be late for school.  Towards the end I found myself yelling at him as he stared at me totally unaware of what was going on.  After he left I was FINALLY able to put some thought into what had happened.  It was as if my son was not even present as I yelled at him.  Because he wasn’t!!  It was I reacting on MY OWN expectations of him and of what needed to happen at that moment.  To be present is, in many ways, to allow yourself to step back and see the situation as an exchange between two EQUAL beings, playing different roles.

I’m sure I’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice being present with my kids… there are plenty of buttons to push!!  In the meantime I’ll keep listening to the book.

I would certainly recommend ECKHART TOLLE’s books. And would love to hear about your experiences with trying to stay present in your interactions with your kids.

More Than a Cleaning

Going to the denstist is never fun. Fun aside, it becomes almost impossible to go to a dentist or any other doctor once you become a mother. It is just one more thing to schedule into your day — AND, what to do with the kids? My son (who is 2 1/2) is in daycare 2 days a week, so I decided to bring my infant son with me to the dentist. He fortunately is an easy going baby (I would have never attempted this with my other son when he was a baby!) and the receptionist at the office said he was welcome. This, I thought, was amazing. She told me there would be many people there to hold him if he was fussy. WOW! SO, I bring my easy going baby to the dentist, and he is great…. for 1/2 hour. Then, as I should have known would happen, a frantic wail. This wail did not stop. As promised, a hygenist came in to hold him, and he would not stop. “I can come back,” I said to the woman cleaning my teeth. “The last thing anyone needs in a dentist office is more stress, and I am sure a crying baby is not helping!,” I continued. Just then, a shout from the room next door. “Don’t worry, we are all moms here. All we are feeling is that we want to come over and help.”

Imagine if moms had this support everywhere. Wouldn’t some elements of motherhood seem easier? Do you have any stories to share about how you were helped or made to feel at ease in a stressful situation? It truly can make your day.