I am known to be the super strict mommy. I have truly worked very hard to raise my daughters in a health-conscious home.
I wasn’t always health-conscious. My mom will tell you I was the most difficult child to feed…make that TRY to feed. When I hit about 14, I made up for it.
My mom used to joke with me and asked if I secretly worked in construction and my dad would say to not let boys see my meals or they’d be scared to marry me.
It was a fun time.
I developed an intolerance to meat. My stomach bothered me so much that I had to have it drained and cut any animal cell intake.
I was a vegetarian for 7 years. It all ended with Elisha’s pregnancy when “something smelled yummy” at Disneyland and it was nothing other than ribs!! Needless to say, the next day I was sick.
During most of my childhood and especially during the time I was eating strictly veggies as an adult, I was off and on anemic.
When I became pregnant, I had made a conscious decision to make sure I had all the babies needed to thrive. I would monitor all my calorie, fat, and nutrient intake and, of course, having survived the ribs, I slowly incorporated poultry and some seafood into my diet.
In my culture, a mother’s milk for her baby is the only natural option, so I was convinced I was going to do this for a while. I read and researched all about feeding my baby the best when the time was right.
The greatest tip ever: give baby vegetables and make sure baby likes them before introducing fruit. Baby will prefer fruit because it is sweeter, but if you give them only vegetables, they will love them forever. I certainly didn’t know if it was true, but I tried it and it worked. My children loooove vegetables and legumes. Broccoli, asparagus, spinach, arugula… are a treat at our home.
We don’t ever eat fast food or drink soda. The girls are only allowed pastries and sweets at very special occasions. We shop organic and prefer naturally gluten-free foods. Elyssa is Vegan to save the animals. Making health-conscious choices is part of our lifestyle.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body,” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
When we make good eating and drinking choices we honor God with our bodies. God wants us to be healthy and happy. This is something we sometimes take for granted.
I remember a wake-up call I had when I suddenly was too sick to be myself, enjoy myself and care or serve my family or friends, let alone anyone else who was in need. The lesson I learned is a great reminder.
Health is not just a nice thing to have. It is an optimal state where we can be our best and do our best. Caring for our bodies inside and out is a gift we deserve and it is a wonderful legacy to your children.
We all do what we can, but we usually can more than we do. Think of all the things you could do for your loved ones if only you felt a little better, had more energy, or lived healthy just a little longer.
Founder of the Positive MOM® and creator of the S.T.O.R.Y. System: a blueprint to craft and share powerful stories that will transform your results and help others do the same. Dr. Elayna Fernández is a single mom of 4, an award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 5x TEDx speaker. She has spoken at the United Nations, received the President’s Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award, and was selected as one of the Top Impactful Leaders and a Woman of Influence by SUCCESS Magazine. Connect with Elayna at thepositivemom.com/ef and follow @thepositivemom. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.
Want to support the Positive MOM blog?
The mission of the Positive MOM blog is to help moms break trauma cycles, find peace, and feel emotionally whole, so they can practice supportive parenting and create a positive and healthy environment for their children. If you found Elayna’s content valuable, please consider donating a love offering to enable her to keep creating content and helping more moms worldwide. Donate HERE.