The most common concern we got when we originally went vegetarian was about how we would get enough protein. I definitely did a lot of research before we changed our diet to make sure we could easily get enough nutrients.
I have always been tempted, but never had the nerve to reply by asking "where do you get your protein?" "Where do you get your vitamin A or iron?". What nutrients are in that fast food burger you are eating? What chemicals are in that so-called nutrition drink? Etc., etc., etc.
Apparently when people make changes for the better it really opens doors for attack, but if I did the opposite and really questioned people directly about their diet, that would be rude, right? I very commonly state my opinions about health & wellness issues, but I never have asked another parent directly about a specific nutrient or vitamin source for their children. I find it very interesting... I guess the obvious reason for this is that if you go with the flow, even if the "flow" is toxic sludge, then you are fine... but do something different than the norm and be prepared for the onslaught of questions.
To talk about protein sources specifically, here are some facts:
Protein Requirements:
Baby: 13-14 grams
Toddler: 16 grams
School Age: 24-45 grams
Adult: 50-60 grams
Sources for protein:
Quinoa: 24 grams
2 TB Peanut Butter: 8 grams
Kidney Beans: 8 grams
Lentils: 9 grams
Chickpeas: 10 grams
Split peas: 8 grams
Brown rice: 5 grams
Pasta: 7 grams
Avocado: 3 grams
Monday, June 7, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Veganism, Day 1
Day 1 Success! It really is more of a mental battle then anything else. The kids addiction to cheese is going to be difficult to break. We did completely cheat for breakfast because I had breakfast with my sisters and Dad and we had pancakes. Okay, so we started the day with what surely contained some milk & eggs... BUT, we did not have a glass of milk or scrambled eggs. Our goal is 75% vegan, we are not trying to drive ourselves crazy. I don't want to cheat like that again due to lack of planning!
Elise had a few requests for dinner- Mac & Cheese or Pizza. lol! She also REALLY wanted some ice cream. This is going to be a long 30 days with requests like this everyday coming from the kids.
Our new item for the day: vegan ice cream. We tried some rice dream "ice cream" a few weeks ago and the kids weren't too keen on it (I wasn't either). In order to try something different, we bought coconut milk ice cream sandwiches and they were YUMMY! They were delicious and tiny, yet surprisingly satisfying.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Laughs for Lilly
If you live in the Columbus area, please mark your calendars!!
Life Community Church is holding a family fundraising event on June 5, 2010.
Hours: 10am-7pm
Life Community Church is holding a family fundraising event on June 5, 2010.
Hours: 10am-7pm
- Lots of SHOPPING!
- Door Prizes!
- Face Painting
- Snacks
- Visit from Norwich Township Fire Station
- All Day Scrapbooking Event! (9am-9pm)
- Bouncy House
- Visit the Chick-fil-A cow!
- Clippers Mascots!
- Make a get well card for Lilly!
There is something for everyone at this event and it is all to support a good cause! The money raised will go to the Webb family, and they will donate 10% to Kids 'n Kamp. Lilly is doing great, but the family needs help to cover the cost of missing work during her times of treatment. She was diagnosed in March with Leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) at the young age of four. She goes to our church and I decided I wanted to help and organize a fundraiser for the family.
Kids 'n Kamp supports children with cancer and their families with counseling, family outings and activities, tutoring and more. To visit their website go to: www.KidsnKamp.org.
Kids 'n Kamp supports children with cancer and their families with counseling, family outings and activities, tutoring and more. To visit their website go to: www.KidsnKamp.org.
For updates on Lilly, please visit:
www.CaringBridge.com/visit/lillywebb
For more info on the fundraiser, please email me at: lyndsiobrien@sbcglobal.net
Friday, May 14, 2010
Vegan Challenge
Our family has decided to challenge ourselves this summer, similar to what we did in 2009. Last summer we chose to do a 7-day technology free week. No tv. No cell phones. No internet. I think I like depriving myself of things, it is fun. :)
This summer, we are again canceling our cable indefinitely. I can't do without all technology due to my business, but I want to stay off facebook and not watch tv, etc. There really is no need for these things anyways, and summer is a perfect time to cut back or give it up entirely and spend more time with family!
Our big challenge for the summer is to try to go vegan for 30 days. Now that we feel it has been fairly simple to go vegetarian (giving up all meat), we are going to take that one step further and cut out dairy and eggs too. This might have to be a 90/10 situation where if we are eating something one time and it has one teeny tiny ingredient we are not going to stress about it. But, for the majority of the month we are going to try to avoid all animal products. Plus, to make it even more challenging, we also avoid soy in all products. This is an ingredient I've been staying away from for a while. If you pick up any processed food in your house, it probably contains soy. If it is a conventional product then the soy is most likely genetically modified. Also, soy can mimic estrogen in your body. Did you know that soy formula is banned in some countries? I have read that a baby that drinks soy formula is taking in the equivalent of several birth control pills every day! I do not like to eat things that mess with my hormones, just like I don't put things on my skin that mess with my hormones. A lot of "fake" meat, cheese and milk products contain soy.
I do not want to replace animal products with processed junk food products. The goal is to find healthier options, eat more vegetables, grains and nuts. Whole, raw, organic food is always our goal!
You are probably wondering why. Yes, we all care about animals and that is a great reason! My main reason is to see how we all feel! I have heard that if you go vegan, even for a few weeks you won't want to go back. Maybe we will feel so fabulous getting all that cheese and butter out of our systems that we will want to incorporate more vegan meals into our normal routine. We'll see.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is not working out very well for most people. We are striving to try something different.
It is a challenge.
It is an experiment.
Wish us luck!
This summer, we are again canceling our cable indefinitely. I can't do without all technology due to my business, but I want to stay off facebook and not watch tv, etc. There really is no need for these things anyways, and summer is a perfect time to cut back or give it up entirely and spend more time with family!
Our big challenge for the summer is to try to go vegan for 30 days. Now that we feel it has been fairly simple to go vegetarian (giving up all meat), we are going to take that one step further and cut out dairy and eggs too. This might have to be a 90/10 situation where if we are eating something one time and it has one teeny tiny ingredient we are not going to stress about it. But, for the majority of the month we are going to try to avoid all animal products. Plus, to make it even more challenging, we also avoid soy in all products. This is an ingredient I've been staying away from for a while. If you pick up any processed food in your house, it probably contains soy. If it is a conventional product then the soy is most likely genetically modified. Also, soy can mimic estrogen in your body. Did you know that soy formula is banned in some countries? I have read that a baby that drinks soy formula is taking in the equivalent of several birth control pills every day! I do not like to eat things that mess with my hormones, just like I don't put things on my skin that mess with my hormones. A lot of "fake" meat, cheese and milk products contain soy.
I do not want to replace animal products with processed junk food products. The goal is to find healthier options, eat more vegetables, grains and nuts. Whole, raw, organic food is always our goal!
You are probably wondering why. Yes, we all care about animals and that is a great reason! My main reason is to see how we all feel! I have heard that if you go vegan, even for a few weeks you won't want to go back. Maybe we will feel so fabulous getting all that cheese and butter out of our systems that we will want to incorporate more vegan meals into our normal routine. We'll see.
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is not working out very well for most people. We are striving to try something different.
It is a challenge.
It is an experiment.
Wish us luck!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Food Revolution
Before we cancel our cable again, I decided I had to check out this new show- Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.
Jamie Oliver is a british chef who has decided to come to the US to try to change some of our eating habits. This first episode was focused on children and school lunches. He visited Huntington, West Virginia, the "unhealthiest" city in the US.
When he arrived and went to a local Elementary school he was met with some very defensive and offended lunch ladies and some students who were being served PIZZA and CHOCOLATE MILK for breakfast!
Everything the school served was processed. His message to the parents of these children: "If I were you, I would be really pissed off!"
The head cook Alice Gue said "He's thinking we should do more 'fresh', there's no way".
Jamie went to a local church to finally find one person in the city who was on his side.
"How we treat our bodies matters to God... Honor God with your body". The pastor Steve Willis explains to his congregation that the CDC reports Huntington as the most obese city in the world. he can go through the church directory and point out person after person who has diabetes, other diseases, recently had heart attacks, etc.
The end of the show cut off due to the breaking news on the healthcare bill, but I set the DVR to record the entire show on Friday on ABC.
"Welcome to the world of American school food, it's shocking!"
Jamie Oliver is a british chef who has decided to come to the US to try to change some of our eating habits. This first episode was focused on children and school lunches. He visited Huntington, West Virginia, the "unhealthiest" city in the US.
When he arrived and went to a local Elementary school he was met with some very defensive and offended lunch ladies and some students who were being served PIZZA and CHOCOLATE MILK for breakfast!
Everything the school served was processed. His message to the parents of these children: "If I were you, I would be really pissed off!"
The head cook Alice Gue said "He's thinking we should do more 'fresh', there's no way".
Jamie went to a local church to finally find one person in the city who was on his side.
"How we treat our bodies matters to God... Honor God with your body". The pastor Steve Willis explains to his congregation that the CDC reports Huntington as the most obese city in the world. he can go through the church directory and point out person after person who has diabetes, other diseases, recently had heart attacks, etc.
The end of the show cut off due to the breaking news on the healthcare bill, but I set the DVR to record the entire show on Friday on ABC.
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