LEARNING AT THE POTTER'S WHEEL

It happens in the best of families: One day you wake up and decide that you want to greet your future with a healthy body. However, the love of your life has cultivated a taste for foods that are decidedly NOT healthy. You embark on a campaign to convince him that your food choices MUST change. On your bad days, you are self-righteous. On your good days, you are lovingly concerned. But none of the tactics you’ve tried work, and you’d like to grow old together. What can you do?

First, put down the rope.
The quickest way to end a tug-of-war is to simply refuse to tug. Honestly, there isn’t an argument that you haven’t already used. Your spouse will not be convinced to give up the chips based on how well you defend your position. Lower the stress level and drop the subject. I didn’t say you were going to give up the cause. I just said that you weren’t going to let the matter be a point of contention in your home. *wink*

Next, rework your standard recipes
The next step is to think through your family’s favorite foods and the ingredients used in them. What dish is a MUST on a daily or weekly basis in your home? Bread, spaghetti, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs are considered staple meals in many homes. You will spend a few cents more on ingredients and invest a little time, but the result will be more nutritious and more filling. In the long run, it will take less food to fill your family, helping to even out the expense. While increasing the nutrient value of these foods, begin reduce the frequency in serving them. If you normally serve a dish every week, try backing up to once every ten days. This way, they will begin to look forward to the food as an occasional treat.

Gradually introduce healthy side dishes.
Invest in organic produce and learn how to prepare it. Find a good set of knives and a cutting board to make vegetable/fruit preparation easier. Make your own sauces and dips for veggies and get creative with salads. Experiment with spices. Add finely chopped organic veggies to ground beef and casserole dishes. Learn how to steam and/or roast veggies. Introduce these with meals that are favorites, and give your family time adjust to the new flavors. If you can’t afford all organic meats, then prioritize them. Organic chicken is a good place to start as the non-organic variety is notorious for the presence of hormones, contaminants, and other toxins. Try a few meatless meals to stretch the budget and free up funds for more organic meats.

Make changes with an eye to convenience.
Remember that for these changes to become permanent, you will need to make them doable for your household. Decide where your time is best invested and concentrate on gaining skills that fit your schedule.

Serve each meal with Thanksgiving and JOY!
Finally, remember to serve each meal with JOY. Don’t sit down with a sigh and an apology that what you’ve offered isn’t as healthy as it could/should be. Be thankful that you’ve had the opportunity to try once again to provide nourishment for those you love. Let your spouse know that you appreciate his/her contribution of provision for the meal. Trust that God in His wisdom sees your heart and knows how to bless your efforts. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and every bite will be a blessing.

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