Food is medicine.

There are so many vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in fresh organic produce and vegetables. For me, food is more attractive the more colorful it is.

I personally eat a plant-based diet and most of my family is not on board. I make a conscious effort not to struggle or battle with my children over food. I continue to model the behavior of eating fresh organic produce, vegetables, and all-around healthful foods. I continue to offer them what I'm eating and they continue to refuse. Maybe one day when they don't live in my house anymore they'll see the merits of putting healthy food in their own bodies and then come to the decision on their own. I've chosen not to battle with my kids over food. It's been a conscious choice that came after many struggles over food. I thought about it a lot and I meditated on it a lot and I don't want to have a contentious relationship with my children over food. I continue to buy products and produce and vegetables that I find the most healthy. I've chosen to educate my children about reading labels, and ingredients, and nutrition information. We've had multiple discussions about those things and they now pay attention. It doesn't always lead to them making a different choice, but at least they're thinking about it. I find myself asking my kids if they feel like I'm telling them how to think or what to think. When the answer is I'm telling them how to think I'm happy with the conversation. When the answer is I'm telling them what to think I know I need to rewind, back up, rethink what I'm trying to accomplish and go at it again. 

I try to involve my kids in cooking instead of just talking about food. Apart from it being a life skill that they need to learn, it's a great group activity. And, cooking doesn't always mean cooking. Cooking sometimes means baking, sometimes it means making smoothies, and sometimes it means making experiments that end up inedible. Sometimes those experiments are the most fun and the most valuable memories. The salad in the picture was a successful experiment. I took lots of inspiration from the crossroads kitchen cookbook and modified the recipe based on the ingredients that I actually had on hand. It turned out beautifully colorful, amazingly tasty, and nutritious to boot. 

Food is medicine and I tried to think of food as medicine. I try to meditate and be present when I'm eating food. I used to struggle with body image and my relationship with food, and now I silently meditate to myself that I am nourishing  my body as I'm eating my healthy foods. That mantra helps me stay present in a healthy relationship with food so that I can continue to see food as medicine.

(The recipe for the salad that I actually made is on my Instagram)

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Until next time.

With warmth, love, and kindness,

Raquel