Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I’m not a big resolution person myself but I do enjoy “challenges”. There is something about knowing I only have to commit to making the change for a week or month that makes it mentally easier for me to stick with!
A bunch of blogger friends asked me to join in on a #30DayMom challenge and the very first thing that popped into my head to work on was eating more fruits and veggies! My kids eat very healthily and I used to too, but lately I have become a total slacker. I have taken an avoidance of grocery shopping to new levels by making what we have stretch for as long as possible by giving all the good stuff to the kids!
A classic case of do as I say not as I do, but not for long! This January I am going to make eating more fruits and vegetables a priority in the hopes of creating some new habits for myself. And I’m going to work on my challenge with a group because a little peer pressure is a good thing in this situation!
How to Eat More Fruits and Veggies:
Okay, obviously I don’t have all the answers, but I do have a plan!
- Make a plan (menu) each week.
- Have fruits and veggies ready.
- Eat them first or work them into the meal.
Basically, I plan to set myself up for success by making it so easy to eat more fruits and veggies myself that I do it without thinking about it too much. In other words I plan to treat myself like one of the kids!
What challenge would you want to work on this year? More time for yourself? More sleep? Exercise? Save money? We’d love to have you join in too!
And leave me your fruit and veggie ideas!!! If you subscribe to my blog posts (thank you!) you can just reply to the email or leave a comment below. I’m a huge fruit and veggie lover so am open to all ideas!
I will be joining 11 other bloggers as we all face some of our toughest challenges with plans to tackle them over the next 30 days! Just search for the hashtag #30DayMom on your favorite social media outlet to see what we are up to and to play along!
Please follow along as we all face our challenges for the month of January!
Chrissy at The Taylor House
Challenge: 30 Day Pantry Challenge – Chrissy Taylor is a wife, Mom, blogger and property manager. She and her husband of 16 years are raising two active boys in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Chrissy enjoys blogging about cooking, crafts, gifts and household tips. You can connect with her at: The Taylor House * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Google+
Kelli at 3 Boys and a Dog
Challenge: 30 Day Fitness Challenge – Kelli lives on the beautiful Alabama Gulf Coast with her 3 Boys, Husband, and actually 2 dogs. 🙂 Blogging since November 2006, Kelli is your go to source for all things homeschooling & homemaking. Follow 3 Boys and a Dog on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Crystal at Crystal & Co.
Challenge: 30 Day Busy Mom Dinner Challenge – Crystal is a Dallas mom blogger to five boys and in the mist of raising a blended family. She believes in the power of meal planning and loves creating easy recipes. She speaks in the Dallas area to mom and parenting groups and loves helping busy families get dinner on the table. Follow Crystal and Comp on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Holly at Kids Activities Blog
Holly writes Kids Activities Blog all about fun things to do with kids. She is taking on the 30 Day Challenge to get her kids to do chores – which hasn’t been so much fun in the past. She has three boys ages 8, 10 and 12 who can’t remember to pick up their dirty clothes or take out the trash. You can follow her adventure on Instagram, G+ and as @Texasholly on Twitter. (psst.. she also has a rockin’ Pinterest!)
Shannon at Milk and Cuddles
Challenge: 30 Days Declutter Challenge – Shannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He’s at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon’s blogs at MilkandCuddles.com where she writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter. You can find Shannon on Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, G+.
Dianna at The Kennedy Adventures
Challenge: 30 Days of Reading with My Kids – Dianna Kennedy is the soon to be mother of six. Her home base is The Kennedy Adventures, where she writes about managing a large family, classical homeschooling, and living her Catholic faith. Follow The Kennedy Adventures on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Sherri at Luv a Bargain
Challenge: 30 Days of Clean Eating – Sherri is a wife, Mom of 2, and blogger. She and her family live in New Hampshire and enjoy a simple, healthy, frugal lifestyle. Sherri loves blogging about saving money, recipes, crafts and DIY. Follow Luv A Bargain on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Megan at Coffee Cups and Crayons
Challenge: 30 Days of Fruits and Veggies – Megan Sheakoski is the creator of Coffee Cups and Crayons, a blog that shares fun and useful ideas for modern parents. She believes that small, intentional acts of kindness {and really good coffee!} can change the world. You can follow all of her learning activities, kids crafts, and party inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and G+.
Andrea at The Greenbacks Gal
Challenge: 30 Days of Sugar Detox – Andrea Green of The Greenbacks Gal is an organic coupon expert who loves using her coupon finds into whole food recipes. Nothing makes her happier than to help people realize being organic and following a whole foods diet doesn’t have to cost more. Follow The Greenbacks Gal on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Kelley at The Grant Life
Challenge: 30 Days of Natural Living – Kelley is the mama behind the Grant Life blog where you can find easy homemade recipes, crafts and household tips! The Grants are one husband, two toddlers, two dogs and two very large cats. They love to cook together, get messy, chase each other and laugh way too much. The Grants believe that everyday chaos is normal and the Grant life shares that! Follow The Grant Life on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Jamie at Hands on as We Grow
Challenge: 30 Days of Kids’ One-on-One Time – Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do and shares them on hands on : as we grow. Jamie takes the creative outlet as a way to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Hands On As We Grow on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Tiffany at Eat at Home Cooks
Challenge: 30 Days of Meaningful Meals – Tiffany King writes the blog Eat at Home, where she shares simple, family friendly recipes. The site also offers Weekly Meal Plans, including an All Slow Cooker version with grocery lists and printable recipes. Tiffany is married to Jim and they have four kids. Follow Eat At Home Cooks on: Facebook :: Pinterest :: G+ :: Instagram :: Twitter
Sugar Free Apple Crisp…so yummy! http://www.delightedmomma.com/2013/07/paleo-apple-crisp.html
That sounds amazing!!! Thank you Gina!!!
I don’t have any tips, but I was having this same conversation with my mother. I always make sure the kids get more than enough, but then I don’t. I think I’m just going to try and eat the same fruits and veggies they are eating–simple enough. 🙂
That really is a good plan Shaunna Evans!
Such a great idea, Megan! I need to eat more veggies myself! Can’t wait to follow along with you this month!
Thanks Chrissy! You too!
Cute pic Meg! Florida strawberries and blueberries are back in Publix – stock up! 🙂
Woo hoo!
I love this challenge and should be doing it too! One way that my kids willingly eat fruit is through homemade applesauce. Here is how I make it: http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/4420/homemade-applesauce-recipe – beware that the pics need to be updated :).
Oh my word! You don’t even have to peel??? I need to get a food mill!!!
Overnight Apple Oatmeal
2-3 apples chopped or chunked (total around 2 cups, give or take)
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp Cinnamon
2 teas vanilla (optional)
1/4 – 1/3 c brown sugar (I only use the 1/4)
2 c oatmeal (old fashioned)
2 c milk (can use all water)
2 c water
Layer in crockpot in order given DO NOT STIR
Turn on low for around 6 hours
Wake up to lovely warm oatmeal.
You can use different fruit and spices…I’ve only tried cherries (I had left over pie filling, so I only used a couple Tbsp sugar, as it was already slightly sweetened!). When we went to eat it, we sprinkled a couple choc. chips on top…for cherry choc. oatmeal. :P”’
Also…I’ve heard that if you use steel cut oatmeal, you’ll need 2 more cups of water…but I’ve never tried them, personally.
I HAVE used Groats before…they required FOUR more cups of liquid, so…know your oats before leaving them unattended!!!
This is awesome!!!! Thank you so much!
Celery and lauging cow cheese yummmmm or any veggie with the cheese as dip helps lol
I’ve never had Laughing Cow cheese, I’ll have to try it! Thanks for the tip!
i just buy Target’s cute little cartoon trays with 4 dividers. always put a veggie in one tray, a fruit in the other, protein and a carb. Cut your veggies and fruit in advance . you’re more inclined to use it if you don’t have to wash, cut last minute. I even put nuts out so they’ll grab them as an alternative to junk. if you have regular meals,the kids don’t need to snack on chips, granola bars, brownies, etc.
You are so right about having them ready…then there are no excuses!!!
What a great idea! I could stand to work on all of the goals you ladies describe. I’m not sure which one I should pick. 🙂
I was thinking the same thing as I read through everyone’s posts too!
Cut bananas into slices and freeze, then purée…banana ice cream, also puréed apple in icy pole maker, yum. Fresh fruit in yoghurt sprinkled with muesli is delish, carrot and zucchini muffins with cream cheese icing are also a yummy veggie boost.
I totally forgot about breads and muffins!!! YUM! And woo hoo to banana ice cream!
set out your portions for the day so they are in sight. placing your banana, apple, carrots, etc where you can see them will remind you to eat them. try smoothies too, everything all at once.
Yes! That really has been my downfall lately, having them right there will really help!
We also love…
Awesomely Easy Breakfast Smoothies.
1/4 cup powdered oatmeal *
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup yogurt
1/4 – 1/3 cup FROZEN fruit
1/2 – 1 Tbsp Honey (optional)
Blend until smooth.
Powdered oatmeal? I can’t wait to try this!
DianeMargaret Miller I love that idea!
I put out a veggies tray after school and before I start cooking dinner. It kept the kids from snacking and I usually snack on it too.
That’s such a fun idea! I’m going to try it!
This is a challenge I can totally relate to, Megan. To prevent cancer recurrence the recommendation is that I have EIGHT servings of fruits and veggies a day. While I can’t claim to ever get THAT many (the most is six), I DO make a conscious effort. Here’s a few tips. Eat fruit as a snack – apples, oranges, or dried fruit are my go-to choices. Always have ready-to-eat veggies on hand (i.e. baby carrots, spinach to whip up a quick salad, or microwaveable steam bags of vegetables). Drink 100% juice with breakfast (just watch that there’s no added sugar). And make sure you’re serving a fruit and veggie with lunch and dinner. Get creative. Throw finely diced cauliflower in your mac & cheese recipe, or make a smoothie with spinach, fruit, or carrots. My kids LOVE smoothies and if there’s leftover, I freeze it in popsicle molds for a snack later! Best of luck, Megan!!
I love love love these tips!!! Thank you so much!
What fun! I missed this, but thinking about 31 days of decluttering challenge! Good luck!
Good luck to you too!!!
Following along