Lettuce and Lunch Meat Celebration

It was a screaming celebration at the Rinnagade's home today during lunch.
My husband even got an all caps email sent to work because I couldn't wait to tell him.
Why?
The unimaginable happened.
All three of my boys - yes, all three - willingly and happily tried a lunch meat and lettuce "sandwich."
I was ECSTATIC.

If you don't understand my glee, you probably don't have a child with Autism.  A child who is a problem feeder that eats 20 or less foods, about a quarter of which are different varieties of crackers, and has been in the habit of dropping foods the last six months instead of adding.
Also, you probably haven't committed to turning your kitchen upside down, much to your mac-and-cheese lovin' kids' dismay.
And you might not fully appreciate why it's such a big deal to teach a kid to make the decision for a life effecting good food choice over a life disrupting poor choice.

Lack of nutrition is debilitating our population.  In a recent study, they reported the top ten healthiest countries and do you think America was in that ranking?  Not even close.  Try closer to 30th.  The food "revolution" (i.e. industrial food revolution) continues to take place so stealthily under our noses (or should I say in our mouths?) and we're so desensitized to what we should be eating that we can barely recognize real food.  By no means am I talking down from some foodie pedestal; I've spent the last two years trying to figure it all out myself and have a long way to go.

In honor of the month of resolutions, make one with me: strive to eat more food this year.  It sounds like a weird statement and you might think, well what am I eating now?  That's a great question. I challenge you to find out.
 
And for those of you who, like me, use the Bible as your go-to for truth, consider the following:
    
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. - Romans 12:1

The bottom line is it matters what we eat. 

Food is here for a purpose and unfortunately it's not only because of how it tastes.  I would totally take a buffalo chicken pizza over a chunk of broccoli but that's my taste buds talking.  It takes a great amount of discipline and self-control but I know for our family, the tedious journey has been worth the benefits.  And seeing the boys eat a previously "no thanks" food at lunch today...priceless. :)

There are some amazing women making waves across the Internet who have much more valuable and detailed information to share than I do.  I am working tirelessly to make it real for my family, but the best way I can think to spread the word is by going right to the source.  Here is my list of favorite bloggers who are teaching me how to make life enriching changes with food:

Wellness Mama
100 Days of Real Food
Food Renegade
Green Plate Rule