I realized this past weekend that it’s time to make healthy choices for my family and not just short term changes.

I cleared out the cookie and candy pantry and replaced it with dried fruit, and seaweed snacks. I know that at first, this wouldn’t sound so appetizing, but actually it has gone over well. I think the kids were shocked when opening up the pantry door ready to grab a cookie or red-vine when to their surprise those were mysteriously gone! The wide eyes and the looking around over their shoulders as if a phantom had come in the middle of the night. I took each child aside and explained that the fruit and yogurt were freebies and a healthy alternative to cookies and brownies. Who would have known that an apple or pear would cause such excitement?

Also my stint as the short order cook “Flo” has come to an end. My son came up with the “Choose a Recipe Night” in the grocery store. We were at the grocery store when I found myself blankly staring at the vegetables having no idea what to make for dinner and my son said, “Mom I think it’s time we each pick our own recipe during the week so you won’t have come up with new dinners.”  What a concept! We headed over to the cookbooks and he found the menu for that evening – Turkey Bolognese. That night he announced to the girls that we were on a new routine for dinner and it worked out really well.

With just a simple suggestion from an eleven year old child, our dinners have become healthy and above all fun!

How are you helping your family to make healthy choices in the new year?   Please share your ideas and leave your comments below.