This week I want to introduce you to one of my best friends and colleagues Dr. Holly Tucker. She is a mother to 2 wonderful boys and wife to Dr. Jude Miller, team chiropractor to the University of Memphis. Dr. Holly’s life goal is to change the way children are fed and is also the author of “Dr. Hollys 25 secrets to a Busy Mom’s Kitchen“.

TOP THREE THINGS OVERWHELMING MOMS IN THE KITCHEN… AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM (PART 1)

What are we supposed to be eating?

Is this healthy for my kids?

It says made with “real fruit”…. 

Mom, what’s for dinner?

Mom, I want a snack. 

I’M HUNGRY!! 

Mom. MOM. Moooooommmmm…..

Can you relate?

Dr. Holly here — I’m currently listening to the book Kid Food by Bettina Elias Siegel on Audible (also on Amazon) — if I had written a book, this would be IT! So much valuable (and only slightly enraging) info here on the history of kid’s menus, marketing ploys to overwhelmed parents and the ins & outs of the big food industry. I’m only a few chapters in… but it is shaping and improving the way I help families everyday. 

So, what overwhelms you in the kitchen?

I break this concept down into the top 3 things I hear from fellow moms — today, starting with What to Eat?

My advice: Find Simplicity in Routines. 

Eat the same thing, day after day or week after week? Um, no. We want to embrace food — all that it has to offer, in our everyday lives, not live a beige, bland existence. What does this mean? 

Put Meals on Auto-Pilot 

Breakfast and Lunch: There are really only 2 variations of options here, and we stock the kitchen/pantry to be prepared for it. 

What’s for breakfast? A whole food smoothie/shake OR oatmeal. IF you are lucky — on a rare occasion, we will have a hot breakfast with pancakes and the like — but that’s just too much mess for everyday. 

And lunch? Sandwich or Salad. Pretty much all the same ingredients — it’s either a sandwich with a side of cucumbers, fruit, celery or carrots (maybe a dip)…. or all that chopped slightly differently and presented together in a bowl. THAT’S IT! 

Little reminder here: we are a whole-food based fam, and completely BELIEVE that you can be too. All kids CAN eat this way — if the cards are stacked in their favor. We toy around with lots of meatless meals, are always gluten free and mostly shy away from grains and dairy, with exceptions. It’s not a science — it is intuitive. 

Now, the way we get away with auto-piloted meals leads me to my next point: 

Eat Seasonally 

Yes, it is true that we keep a base of roughly 5 fruits and vegetables as staples in our house at all times — but we vary greatly with seasonal flair. Summer squash, peaches, apricots, watermelon are balanced with savory winter squashes, greens and pears for the colder months. 

Modern farming practices and global trade have made it possible to still have most produce year-round, but you will greatly benefit from getting to know local farms and investing in locally grown fruits and vegetables. 

I’ll never forget the joy of our children visiting the farmer’s market and surprising the vendors with my 5-year-old son’s knowledge of patty-pan squash or different varieties of stone fruit. Or my 3-year-old’s ability to sweet talk his way into a mixed fruit basket. Kids should be involved in the process of backyard gardening, choosing produce wherever you shop and preparing in family meals. This burden should not weigh on the mother (or other parent) alone. 

Remember: There is no rule that children cannot eat the same traditional foods that adults do. Food product makers and infant formula feeding industry would like to make you think that way. Cultures with more traditional cuisines (than America) certainly do not opt for veggie straws and artificially colored flavors over centuries-old food preparation methods. Obvious disclaimer for age-appropriateness, which can start as early as a few months old, and that by reading this blog I am not providing medical advice, only educational content. 

Now, I have TONS more to say about this topic — but I will wrap this up. If you are interested in Simple Daily Nutrition and the Rule of 5 to Meal Planning, I suggest you hop on our next 5-Day Wellness Challenge! 

Chiropractic

Go and check out her book! Small changes can become big changes. Being healthy is a decision. If you have questions on how chiropractic can help feel better or how you can start becoming healthier, give us or a chiropractor near you a call!

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036