As the mother of 4 young children, I’ll be honest with you… this is hard!  I remember when I first got married and my mother-in-law asked me what my favorite cereal was so she could buy it for me while we were visiting.  She was not only (I’m sure) horrified, but had no idea what I was talking about when I said “Cocoa Pebbles.” Let’s face it, I love sugar!  I love all baked items- breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, desserts- love them!  And I love to bake.  I come from a family of cooks, so this new way of eating has been a bit difficult for me, to say the least.  And I’d maybe be able to handle it better myself if I didn’t have those previously mentioned 4 young children.  They’ve grown up eating all of this processed, sugar-laden food that I’ve been only too happy to buy and bake for them (sadly because I’d eat at least half of it myself).    So, it has been a long, slow process for us as we’ve tried to change the tide on them.

It really started about a year ago.  We had a health food store right down the street from us and my mom was starting to go alkaline.  We also had a neighbor who was a homeopathic doctor and a great resource.  All of these foods and supplements sounded like a different language at first.  I had no clue what any of them were and wanted to cry out of frustration and because I was completely overwhelmed when I was at the store.  But, slowly, we started to try some things.  The green drink was first.  It took me a while before I could drink it.  While on vacation with my parents, I watched them drink it every day.   I had to taste it multiple times before I could actually drink half a glass.  But my husband and I persisted and soon half a glass turned into a whole glass.  And now, I can’t imagine my mornings without it.  I just don’t feel right if I don’t have at least 1 green drink a day (sometimes it’s for lunch when I don’t feel like making it in the morning.)  My 10 year old son will even drink a small glass of it.  The girls- not quite yet.  Maybe a few sips if we’re lucky.

Next, I made some other changes around the house.  I stopped going to fast food restaurants almost completely- everything was going to be homemade.  I took more time preparing meals and snacks. It took a lot of thought and time, but slowly, we found easy things the kids liked (and plenty of things they didn’t like).  Homemade popcyles was a favorite and really easy.  I bought Jessica Seinfeld’s book, Deceptively Delicious, and started there.  I also looked on line for snack and meal ideas.  I started buying almond and rice milk.  I’d mix it half and half with regular milk to get the kids to use it.  Now, I put it in their oatmeal or use it half and half with their Nestle instant Carnation Breakfast (definitely not alkaline- but like I said, we’re trying!)

I made up my own pancake and waffle recipe using spelt flour and honey or agave instead of sugar.  We use real maple syrup or agave for syrup instead of the cheaper grocery store stuff.  I stopped buying all the store bought chips and cookies and found healthier snacks from the health food store.  We use 100% fruit leather instead of fruit roll-ups.  (Luckily Costco has a lot of this stuff for cheaper now.)  I started buying spelt bread or making my own instead of buying the white bread I used to buy.  Occasionally I buy the non-healthy kind just to help my kids adjust and not completely go crazy.  But, slowly, they’re coming around and now, they don’t even ask for it.

I’ve found that the more I try to slowly implement these new foods into our diet and not make a big deal about it, our mindsets are changing.  We have a lot of discussions on why we’re doing this and the benefit it is for our minds and bodies.  I feel SO much better, too.  One thing that has spurred me on are the different health issues I’ve been having.  I can tell a difference in every one of them when I eat alkaline.  My body almost can’t tolerate yeast or sugar any more.  I can feel the change when I eat those things and it’s not good-  and I’m not even 100% alkaline.  But, we are trying.  Slowly but surely, it’s getting better and better, and easier and easier.  And the kids are adjusting.   I’m here to give you hope!  If we can do it, you can too!  In another year or two, think about how much further along we’ll be.