Comments on: the nutritionally recalcitrant spouse . . . part one (of four) http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/ Dedicated to helping families eat whole foods Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:27:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Molly http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-973 Molly Tue, 13 May 2008 04:00:00 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-973 Get a good quality salad spinner, I love ours! It's a tupperware, but I think you can get a good one from OXO. You spin it for 20 seconds, dump the water, spin again, and it's dry. Plus my kids fight over who gets to do it (although that only works with the younger kids...) Get a good quality salad spinner, I love ours! It’s a tupperware, but I think you can get a good one from OXO. You spin it for 20 seconds, dump the water, spin again, and it’s dry. Plus my kids fight over who gets to do it (although that only works with the younger kids…)

]]> By: Robyn http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-869 Robyn Tue, 06 May 2008 04:18:33 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-869 Laura, one way I have time to get a salad in every single night for dinner is the same way my mom did it. That is, make the kids do it! They eat, so they can help prepare. ;-) I made a salad for my family of 10 every single night, growing up. (Same salad, boring, but BOY I got fast at it! My oldest son is a whiz at making salads in 10 minutes flat.) And I don't spend a lot of time cleaning the greens--just spray and rinse in a sink with several inches of water in it. Shake it dry and use it. I do have two fridges--I'll post a photo of them sometime. We reversed the handle on one of them, so sitting side by side they look like one GIANT fridge. People always ask, "How did you get such a huge fridge?!" But if I could have just one thing (extra fridge or freezer), it would be a large freezer. You can work with one fridge, but without a freezer, you can't stock up on sale items and therefore save money. Laura, one way I have time to get a salad in every single night for dinner is the same way my mom did it. That is, make the kids do it! They eat, so they can help prepare. ;-) I made a salad for my family of 10 every single night, growing up. (Same salad, boring, but BOY I got fast at it! My oldest son is a whiz at making salads in 10 minutes flat.) And I don’t spend a lot of time cleaning the greens–just spray and rinse in a sink with several inches of water in it. Shake it dry and use it.

I do have two fridges–I’ll post a photo of them sometime. We reversed the handle on one of them, so sitting side by side they look like one GIANT fridge. People always ask, “How did you get such a huge fridge?!” But if I could have just one thing (extra fridge or freezer), it would be a large freezer. You can work with one fridge, but without a freezer, you can’t stock up on sale items and therefore save money.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-854 Anonymous Sun, 04 May 2008 22:39:01 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-854 My husband thinks I'm nuts and is against my new eating way of life. When he says "Ew how can you eat that?" I just answer that everyone likes different foods and he should not criticize me for what I like and I don't like everything he does - like banana sandwiches! On a lighter note - I found myself preaching in the produce section of Wal-Mart last week! LOL. I had an older lady and young produce guy enthralled while I 'educated' them on this and that. If I keep it up then everytime I go to towards the produce section it will clear out and I will have it all to myself! My husband thinks I’m nuts and is against my new eating way of life. When he says “Ew how can you eat that?” I just answer that everyone likes different foods and he should not criticize me for what I like and I don’t like everything he does – like banana sandwiches!

On a lighter note – I found myself preaching in the produce section of Wal-Mart last week! LOL. I had an older lady and young produce guy enthralled while I ‘educated’ them on this and that. If I keep it up then everytime I go to towards the produce section it will clear out and I will have it all to myself!

]]> By: Laura http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-826 Laura Fri, 02 May 2008 19:11:03 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-826 I love reading all the posts and replies here and on the 12 step blog. Jeff brought up a point I am struggling with. I am the main, hmm, lets say pretty much only food preparer here. My kids can feed themselves if needed, hubby will just grab a bite at his mom's (his dad passed away a few months ago) if he knows I am not here to cook. There is really no way my hsuband has the time to prepare any meals or other food. He runs his own business and barely has time to sleep. My problem is that I work too. I work a crazy schedule as a banquet server. In fact all four of us work crazy day's/hours. I try to make up at least a full day - a day and a half's worth of smoothies at a time. My 20yro son will drink them like crazy and the 17yro always drinks his quart. Hubby finally tasted them and said he would take them for lunch but I need to get a container for him. All in all green smoothies are about the easiest way I have ever found to get healthy. I don't have to worry about finding ways to cook all of these veggies so that they taste good. I can cram a whole lot of nutrition in one simple smoothie. I do want to add salads but I am so strained for time. How do you ever clean and store all of this stuff? It really takes up the room and I have 2 fridges. I would love to have a really big fridge. LOL Robyn, I am so glad to have found your web site. My mom is even making smoothies in her blender. That is amazing! I am spreading the word! I love reading all the posts and replies here and on the 12 step blog. Jeff brought up a point I am struggling with. I am the main, hmm, lets say pretty much only food preparer here. My kids can feed themselves if needed, hubby will just grab a bite at his mom’s (his dad passed away a few months ago) if he knows I am not here to cook. There is really no way my hsuband has the time to prepare any meals or other food. He runs his own business and barely has time to sleep. My problem is that I work too. I work a crazy schedule as a banquet server. In fact all four of us work crazy day’s/hours.

I try to make up at least a full day – a day and a half’s worth of smoothies at a time. My 20yro son will drink them like crazy and the 17yro always drinks his quart. Hubby finally tasted them and said he would take them for lunch but I need to get a container for him.

All in all green smoothies are about the easiest way I have ever found to get healthy. I don’t have to worry about finding ways to cook all of these veggies so that they taste good. I can cram a whole lot of nutrition in one simple smoothie.

I do want to add salads but I am so strained for time. How do you ever clean and store all of this stuff? It really takes up the room and I have 2 fridges. I would love to have a really big fridge. LOL

Robyn, I am so glad to have found your web site. My mom is even making smoothies in her blender. That is amazing! I am spreading the word!

]]> By: Robyn http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-825 Robyn Fri, 02 May 2008 16:03:42 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-825 Good to hear from the "other team" on here!! I doubt she'll influence your wife either. In fact, just like your muscles build up only through being torn down, when someone pushes back on our (sound) ideas, usually those opinions are strengthened through the exercise. Sometimes I think those who criticize our lifestyle choices are actually more open than we think they are; there's a teaching opportunity as long as NO judgment comes into it, and people don't feel overloaded with information. I think of it as the "drip" approach. I just "drip" on them, telling them one or two small new things each interaction we have. It's like when I'm mentoring another teacher: I might have 10 things I'd like to change in his teaching style, but I tell him just ONE. A few weeks later, if he asks or seems open, I'll tell him ONE more. Good to hear from the “other team” on here!! I doubt she’ll influence your wife either. In fact, just like your muscles build up only through being torn down, when someone pushes back on our (sound) ideas, usually those opinions are strengthened through the exercise.

Sometimes I think those who criticize our lifestyle choices are actually more open than we think they are; there’s a teaching opportunity as long as NO judgment comes into it, and people don’t feel overloaded with information. I think of it as the “drip” approach. I just “drip” on them, telling them one or two small new things each interaction we have. It’s like when I’m mentoring another teacher: I might have 10 things I’d like to change in his teaching style, but I tell him just ONE. A few weeks later, if he asks or seems open, I’ll tell him ONE more.

]]> By: Jeff http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-823 Jeff Fri, 02 May 2008 14:09:29 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-823 Sounds like our situation is the opposite of most families. I am the one that is pushing the changes in our diet. My wife is mostly on board and doesn't like to eat meat anyway. What Robyn said about it being even harder for the husbands that are trying to make the change seems correct. I find it tough to come home from work then prepare a healthy dinner and still have time for family things. Keeping healthy foods prepared is time consuming and if my wife is not on board it is very hard. She does agree with what I am working torwards. I think the main problem is I'm the one doing the research and then try and put into practice what I have learned. So I am usually trying new things for awhile before she finally picks it up and goes with it. We are working together and our diet as a family has imporved dramatically. On a side note. My wife does a daily walk with a lady in our neighborhood. This lady has started giving my wife diet stuff to read. She is concerned about our diet and is afraid we have strayed. I find in ironic that 9 out of 10 people that question my diet choices are not even close to being in as good health as I am. Why do unhealthy people get preachy about diet to people that are 10 times healthier? That is just plain weird. This particular lady has all kinds of health problems. Anyway I just hope she does not influence my wife. I doubt she will. Sounds like our situation is the opposite of most families. I am the one that is pushing the changes in our diet. My wife is mostly on board and doesn’t like to eat meat anyway. What Robyn said about it being even harder for the husbands that are trying to make the change seems correct. I find it tough to come home from work then prepare a healthy dinner and still have time for family things. Keeping healthy foods prepared is time consuming and if my wife is not on board it is very hard. She does agree with what I am working torwards. I think the main problem is I’m the one doing the research and then try and put into practice what I have learned. So I am usually trying new things for awhile before she finally picks it up and goes with it. We are working together and our diet as a family has imporved dramatically.

On a side note. My wife does a daily walk with a lady in our neighborhood. This lady has started giving my wife diet stuff to read. She is concerned about our diet and is afraid we have strayed. I find in ironic that 9 out of 10 people that question my diet choices are not even close to being in as good health as I am. Why do unhealthy people get preachy about diet to people that are 10 times healthier? That is just plain weird. This particular lady has all kinds of health problems. Anyway I just hope she does not influence my wife. I doubt she will.

]]> By: saskia http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-817 saskia Fri, 02 May 2008 04:46:33 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-817 I meant buy meat, I told him I wouldn't buy it anymore, obviously I don't eat it! I meant buy meat, I told him I wouldn’t buy it anymore, obviously I don’t eat it!

]]> By: saskia http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-816 saskia Fri, 02 May 2008 04:46:07 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-816 I have done so much reading (China Study, Eat to Live) that I cannot bring myself to eat meat anymore and I told my husband. We have enough to last us for quite a while. I'm trying to make vegetarian dishes though I eat a raw diet. It's hard for me because husband is obese and on medication for cholesterol and blood pressure. I've just learned to much, and sorry if I offend anyone, but meat is poison to me now... I have done so much reading (China Study, Eat to Live) that I cannot bring myself to eat meat anymore and I told my husband. We have enough to last us for quite a while. I’m trying to make vegetarian dishes though I eat a raw diet. It’s hard for me because husband is obese and on medication for cholesterol and blood pressure. I’ve just learned to much, and sorry if I offend anyone, but meat is poison to me now…

]]> By: erin http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-815 erin Fri, 02 May 2008 03:57:02 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-815 thanks steff for your comments sounds like our hubbys are very similar in their food philosophy i would like to chime in though- perhaps for others- one technique that I have employed is to use less meat and replace with tvp or beans/lentils/boca crumbles- whatever is appropriate for the texture of the dish ( i know tvp is not 'healthy' per se- but it's not meat) I would hear about it if i healthified a recipe he loved. When he wants a burger, he wants a burger. (He will eat boca burgers and other kinds of burgers- but not as a replacement.) i am looking forward to implementing the salads step in this program. i have been dabbling/experimenting with it this week- and we've all been eating them as an appetizer while i finish dinner prep. i haven't announced it or anything- i just give them the plate as "something to eat while you're waiting"...we eat more of the first thing we are given when we are good and hungry. I have been doing green smoothies for a month now- but I'm not quite ready i agree about not making it a big deal when they eat something good for them or even when they haven't eaten anything healthy all day long. I definitely get resistance when I do that. Anyways- thanks again to everyone who has commented thanks steff for your comments
sounds like our hubbys are very similar in their food philosophy

i would like to chime in though- perhaps for others- one technique that I have employed is to use less meat and replace with tvp or beans/lentils/boca crumbles- whatever is appropriate for the texture of the dish ( i know tvp is not ‘healthy’ per se- but it’s not meat) I would hear about it if i healthified a recipe he loved. When he wants a burger, he wants a burger. (He will eat boca burgers and other kinds of burgers- but not as a replacement.)

i am looking forward to implementing the salads step in this program. i have been dabbling/experimenting with it this week- and we’ve all been eating them as an appetizer while i finish dinner prep. i haven’t announced it or anything- i just give them the plate as “something to eat while you’re waiting”…we eat more of the first thing we are given when we are good and hungry. I have been doing green smoothies for a month now- but I’m not quite ready

i agree about not making it a big deal when they eat something good for them or even when they haven’t eaten anything healthy all day long. I definitely get resistance when I do that.

Anyways- thanks again to everyone who has commented

]]> By: Isle Dance http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/2008/05/01/the-nutritionally-recalcitrant-spouse-part-one-of-four/comment-page-1/#comment-814 Isle Dance Fri, 02 May 2008 03:43:41 +0000 http://www.greensmoothiegirl.com/blog/?p=142#comment-814 I love this post. I say slip it all in quietly, and before they realize what happened, they've unknowingly transitioned. :o) I love this post. I say slip it all in quietly, and before they realize what happened, they’ve unknowingly transitioned. :o)

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