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.
The first edition features Ellie Kendrick, loving wife of Jeff, and mother of four vibrant children – Caleb, Moriah, Jaydn and Kaelyn.
Ellie, what are your best strategies for feeding your family By Design?
Tuesday is planning day and Wednesday is prepping day. Every Tuesday night I sit down with Jeff and all four kids to plan our week. I ask them what they would like to see on the menu, and what they do not want to eat that week. I encourage them to look online for grain-free recipes and am surprised at the number of ideas they bring back each week. The kids choose what they want to eat. We have a large family; so every weekend I repeat this process again.
Our recipes have remained the same, but I have substituted different ingredients. Instead of breaded chicken nuggets, I prepare them with almond flour. Instead of spaghetti noodles, I make spaghetti squash.
What are staples in your home?
My kids are dippers! They regularly create dips out of Greek yogurt and different spices. My kids love food, so we eat a variety of it. Typically I cook chicken, then beef, then pork, and repeat. Beyond that, I choose different vegetables each week for the kids to try.
Our family loves Asian inspired food, so curries and coconut milk is a staple in our home.
Do you have a system around packing lunches?
Each night my kids rotate through a schedule of who is helping with dinner duty. On that night, this child is responsible for setting the table and helping to clean up after. They will also get out four containers and pack leftovers for lunch the next day. Children are responsible for packing their own extras, or snacks, that they want in addition to leftovers. They also fill up their own water bottle.
What has been the most challenging part?
The most challenging part is understanding that this is a process, and continuing to remind my children that eating By Design is good for them, and that working as a team is important. Another challenge is being innovative with meals and making sure I keep mealtime exciting so that the kids want to participate and help.
How long has your family been eating By Design for?
Jaydn and myself started eating By Design two years ago, and the rest of my family got on board less than a year ago. So I understand that this is new to them. It is a challenge when the kids do eat off-track at a friend’s house.
Jeff and I notice such a difference in them. They are more wiggly, agitated, less focused and their digestion changes. Since they started eating By Design we have noticed an improvement in their ability to focus at school, improved digestion, better sleep and improved immune function. They are able to fight off a cold or flu much easier now.
The best part is the support that I have from Jeff. We deliver the same message to our children that eating By Design is good for them if they want to grow up to be healthy and strong.
I am also very proud of Jayden, who is a role model to her friends at school. She constantly supports and encourages them to eat healthy and to “stick with it”.
What was your first action step?
For our family, eating By Design has been a progression. Instead of cleaning out the fridge and pantry, I simply stopped buying foods that were not By Design. The kids continued to eat them until they eventually ran out, while in the meantime introducing more and more By Design foods.
They did not really notice. Kaelyn, my youngest, said a couple weeks ago “Hey Mom, I have not had my fishy crackers for a while” – I have not bought them in months!
Now its your turn. What challenges do you have keeping your family on track eating By Design? What strategies do you find work best?
For more simple By Design recipes why not pick up your copy of the Eat By Design Cookbook. I’ve created it in the form of a 28-day meal plan (plus grocery lists!) so you don’t need to think about what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner for the next month. Or you can grab the first 7 days FREE by clicking here.