Perfectly Human

In an effort to spend money wiser, I started to buy only the necessities and staples. However, the term “staples,” grew stricter. A few days ago when the kids were looking for junk food, it occured to them that chocolate and sweets were replaced by fruit, yogurt, and whole grains.

I’m having the kids clean up their own rooms, messes, and helping with the household chores. My eldest asked why? My reply, “because if you don’t change your lifestyle, you’ll probably die of a flesh-eating bacteria by the time you’re thirty. Your room is horrible!” 🤢

Another change is timing meals and snacks with a timer. Every meal is six hours apart, with snacks every three. I’ve also adjusted to this eating pattern.

I still fast daily, but not for as many hours (12 rather than 16). I also eat protein and a complex carb to stabilize my blood sugar in the morning. I don’t need a snack between meals, but eat a small snack at lunch and save my calories for dinner and a night time snack. With those changes I’ve gained muscle. l maintained my weight, and am losing inches in the gut. It’s kinda strange that my body’s gone from fat, to bone, now to some muscle.

For groceries, I’ve focused heavily on buying products with a lot of one or more nutrients protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, and zinc. Lately our meals and snacks are based around those daily recommended intake values.

Thus far, the changes have gone smoothly and the kids don’t hate the new foods. They do roll their eyes every once in a while though, especially when I offer fresh fruit instead of a baked good.