On behalf of Eat By Design Coaching I have started interviewing Mothers in our communities that are leading their family towards health while remaining true to the Eat By Design principles they have learned along the way.
Amy McCallum-Harris, the next Mother in our Life By Design community that is leading her family towards health while remaining true to the Eat By Design principles she has learned along the way.
Amy is the mother of two beautiful children; a four year old and a one year old. They have both been checked and adjusted and eating By Design since birth.
How long has your family been eating By Design?
I started introducing some of the principles of eating By Design about four years ago. I received bits and pieces of information from different places, but the biggest influence was from Dr. Kreso and Dr. Rachelle. I started out buying organic meat and based my meals around that. The idea that grains and sugar cause inflammation just made sense to me, and coincided with what I had been reading about. The first step was to remove grains and sugar out of our meals, as often as possible.
But, I really adopted it full steam about three years ago when my daughter started eating solids. I wanted to make sure she was getting the best I could offer. Then, I thought if I am making sure she eats well, why am I not? And the change began!
What are your best strategies for feeding your family By Design?
My best strategies for eating By Design are keeping real food easily accessible and prepping food ahead of time. This makes snacks and meals easier and faster. I implement a meal plan every Thursday and buy groceries for the week on Friday and hit up The Western Fair Farmer's Market for our meat and eggs once or twice a month. I also avoid having anything in the house we shouldn't eat.
What are staples in your home?
Staples in our home are my slow cooker, raw veggies, fresh fruit, a freezer full of meat from the market, and lots of eggs.
Are your kids picky eaters?
My children are visual eaters. I have to make food look appealing for them to eat it. But they do enjoy lots of meat and veggies.
What has been the most challenging part of eating By Design?
The most challenging part of eating By Design is when we're not able to eat at home. My friends and family do not Eat by Design so when I am visiting, the meals provided are not meals I would choose to eat at home.
What has been the best part?
I am the healthiest I have ever been! I have lost seventy-five pounds, have more energy, sleep better, am sick less often, and recover faster from colds and flus.
I had already adopted the Eat by Design principles when my kids were starting to eat solid foods, so they have always ate By Design. So, I don’t really notice a change in them, because they have always eaten this way. However, I do notice mood swings when they do eat grains at other people’s houses.
What I have noticed is that they are sick less often than other kids around us, they heal more quickly, they learn faster, and adapt to new situations with confidence and calmness. They are great sleepers too!
What would you like to tell other Mothers and parents?
My message for other Mothers and parents is to take baby steps. Each little step makes a difference, and is a step in the right direction. And, don’t beat yourself up; you are doing the best you can do.