eating everything
I always think it’s so weird to write about eating and eating habits. Part of me can’t help but think that it’s silly that I think anyone should care about how I choose to feed myself, but at the same time, I feel like it’s important to be transparent with my readers, especially when things change.
For quite a while now, I’ve been eating everything.
Not beef or pork -I haven’t had those as a staple in my diet since I was about 7 years old- but there’s been gluten, cow’s dairy, candy, fried and beer in my life.
It’s been pretty awesome.
So you’re probably wondering what the heck happened to my gluten and dairy sensitivities? I still have them, but they were never huge issues -I’m fortunate to be sensitive to them instead of full-blown intolerant- and I still find that if I have too much dairy or gluten my digestive system and skin start to freak out. It still bothers me physically, but I can handle the reaction.
To be totally real, I just don’t care that much anymore.
Since having Liv, I’ve developed a serious “ain’t nobody got time for that” attitude as far as food goes, and getting a meal on the table is a feat that I’m proud of. If people make or give me food and there’s no pork or beef: I eat it. Last week, nana brought over a dozen bagels. I had a white jalapeño bagel with a smear of goat cream cheese and it was freaking amazing.
The main reason I initially cut most gluten out of my diet was because my naturopath said that it interferes with ovulation and that my test results indicated that I was sensitive to it. Since I really wanted to get pregnant, I was happy to cut it out since it made my stomach hurt and I usually felt bloated after eating it. I did everything my doc told me to do because I really wanted to have a baby, which included taking boatloads of nasty and expensive supplements. Now that I have the little love of my life, and have no plans to get pregnant again for a while, I figured some gluten here and there is NBD. The same goes with dairy. I don’t have it very often, but sometimes I want a cheese enchilada or some gelato… and I eat it.
My eating habits have changed so much since I started the blog, and I’ve changed a lot too. I like to think (hope?) that I’ve grown up a lot on the blog -it’s been almost 5 years!- and things that used to matter so much… well, they just don’t anymore. After I lost the initial 40 lbs, I continued to educate myself on health and fitness, and while I know in my heart that I had the best intentions and wanted to be as healthy as possible, some of the things I used to do make me give myself the side eye. With all of the things I learned about health, I started removing more and more from my daily life. I didn’t feel deprived since I had so many other things to choose from, and if you go without something for long enough, you don’t miss it anymore. I don’t miss eating donuts every morning before school, but I did miss my mom’s enchiladas. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.
I’ve never claimed to be perfect, and I’m sure we all have things we wish we could change about ourselves. I wish I could have started the blog immediately knowing what works for me as far as fitness goes, but it’s been a long journey, and I’m grateful to all of you who have been on the ride with me. Along with all of the recipes and workouts I share on the blog, it’s also been a form of online diary with an incredible community behind it. When I first started blogging, I really got into food, which I think came from the trend of taking photos of every single morsel that went into my mouth. Since I stopped posting all of my meals a few years ago, it’s been freeing to not think about food all the time.
I often feel the pressures as a blogger to be “all or nothing,” but in my life there are so many grey areas. I’m a stay-at-home mom, a work-from-home mom, a work-away-from-home mom, I used breastmilk and formula, cloth diapers and disposables (but mostly disposables), I have goals pulling me all over the place… the list goes on and on. With all of the grey areas, and everything I have going on, I think I’ve finally found what health and balance mean to me.
I want Liv to have a healthy relationship with food. I encourage her to try and eat anything she wants, and everyday endeavor to set a good example for her.
I won’t be a mom who’s afraid of having ice cream or cake with her daughter.
I want her to see a woman who’s confident, works hard, fuels her body with nourishing foods for her body and soul, but most importantly, one who loves her family more than life.
Thank you for following along with me through all of the craziness, the grey areas, and the eating changes. Nothing will change about the blog from here on out, but I just thought it was worth mentioning, in case you see me have a beer or something 🙂
Love to you all <3
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Such a great post. I think we all get caught up in trying to be perfect. Balance is the key. Happiness is so important and spending time with loved ones is just as important to your health as your nutrition choices:)
Thank you so much! I definitely needed to read this. (: You are a great mama!
Love this. I have learned and changed so much in my blogging too, and it for some weird reason can be scary to “admit”. But it’s a GOOD thing!
Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Food! All food is good. All food is healthy on the simple basis that all food has calories which our body needs to survive. I don’t care what you eat, I only care what I eat.
Mmmm food. Nom.
This was such a great post!
I feel like Liv is going to have the absolute best relationship with food. You set such an inspiring example and I think the fact that you had to discover what methods work best for you actually helped create the very sustainable lifestyle you live and give a true sense of moderation without restriction or fear.
You’re such a role model to young adults like me! Thank you so much 🙂
Fantastic post and I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes the food/health blogging world seems to be a list of dos and don’ts. Once you become a mom all that other stuff just doesn’t matter so much anymore. I have two teenage sons and I’ve tried very hard to show them that health and happiness are what matters. Fitness and healthy choices are the focus but shouldn’t take over your life. We’ve had to deal with food allergies, inflammatory diseases and cutting weight for wrestling seasons. It’s all about balance and learning how to “have your cake and eat it too” in a way that works for you without driving you crazy.
Thanks for your honesty.
I love this post!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Good for you!!
I am definitely on board with moderation of all things. Food is delicious and meant to be enjoyed- and there’s no pleasure in constantly restricting yourself. I think that the balance you’re blogging about in this post is the very definition of healthy living!
I’ve been reading your blog for years and I’ve loved reading your journey through health. I definitely believe healthy living is a lifestyle, and with that it will constantly change based on what you’re learning and where you are in life.
Thanks for sharing and changing 🙂
Wow, great post Gina!
I do think from when I started reading your blog, you’ve changed a lot (for the good!), your eating habits and writing seem much better and I think that’s the great part of writing a blog you can see your growth and improvements over the year, it’s kind of awesome.
Such a good thing to address and admit too. I think the relationship with food that you’re showing Olivia, is truly a healthy one! And that’s so important for young girls.
Gina, I so needed to read this post today…I am pregnant with my 2nd baby and struggling a bit more this time around. I started showing way sooner with this bambino and while I love it that I actually look pregnant instead of that weird in between stage, the former dieter in me starting freaking out a bit that I am going to get HUGE! I haven’t had as much time to devote to workouts since having our first daughter and working more, so any movement I do get in each day is an accomplishment. All that being said, we have tried really hard to let our daughter explore food and allow her try anything in moderation. It is so funny to me that at 19 months she is already able to tell us what she does and doesn’t want at any given time and eats only “enough.” I don’t want her to ever lose that discernment or get to a really unhealthy place with food like I did. It is just so helpful to see other women, moms, who are honest that when children enter the picture life changes and I appreciate seeing that we can show our children that they can enjoy healthy foods and mix in a few fun things too!!
Wow! What an awesome post! I struggle so much with eating healthy, whole foods while still having enough wiggle room to just enjoy life! I think that finding that balance is the hardest part. Thank you for being real! You are awesome!
“I won’t be a mom who’s afraid of having ice cream or cake with her daughter”
didn’t you serve a glueten free cake at liv’s bday party…?
i did. we have some gluten-free friends and while i didn’t get gf pizza, i wanted to make sure there were a few options for them to enjoy
I have loved seeing the evolution and changes because it shows me that I don’t have to have everything figured out right away. I respect your views, opinions, and advice even more because of the fact that you don’t stick to one rule and discount everything else and because you are open and honest about your fails and triumphs. Hugs kisses!!
I love this. Especially the part about wanting to be a good role model for your daughter! So important. Good for you. 🙂
xo
Great post! 🙂
My mom was actually telling me the other day about how when you have kids it’s very common to loosen the reins in parts of your life you used to be so strict over. Definitely can see how eating habits would change – and it gives you more time/energy to focus on what really matters.
This is SO true Haley, but i never thought of it until reading your comment:)
Hey Gina,
I have been reading your blog since 2009 and this is my first comment! This post really struck a chord with me as our babies are around the same age and I have recently had a similar revelation.
I currently am about 10lbs over my thinniest but still 10 away from my largest and am just so happy to have finally found the perfect medium. Going to family parties and enjoying all the delicious dips and things I wouldn’t allow myself at my thinnest is beyond exciting.
It takes a lot of willpower to be happy at any weight and I am glad that now i can enjoy healthy food and treats AT THE SAME TIME. How novel! It takes so much effort with food to stay thin and while I am certainly not overweight, I have to remind myself that not being obsessed with every morsel that goes in my mouth, is the absolute most healthy thing I can do for myself.
I am so glad that you have the relationship you do with food. I know if I ever have a daughter it is going to be my mission to display a healthy attitude towards food instead of a caustic one. Way to go girl!
-Joanna
Yay girl! Freedom is where it is at <3
Such an honest and refreshing outlook on food. Thank you.
Wonderful post- BRAVO!
I Love this post. I think you are the perfect healthy example. Health does not mean to be the perfect clean eater, but to practise balance with healthy food, exercise, treats and just enjoying Life. I read your Blog daily because you are the biggest inspiration for me here in this huge blogger world. Keep up the great work!!
Love this! I also would agree that having kids means sometimes you don’t have time for all that craziness. It sure has a way of putting things in perspective!
I just have to say….Amen!!!
Such a beautiful post Gina! Thank you for being so honest! Love this 🙂
I’ve been drawn to your blog because of the balance in illustrates. Keep going and growing cause we love it 🙂
OMG, my sentiments EXACTLY since having a baby (a few months older than Liv, insert the name “Jack”:)
“Since having Liv, I’ve developed a serious “ain’t nobody got time for that” attitude as far as food goes, and getting a meal on the table is a feat that I’m proud of.”
Like you, i did a few ‘dietary’ things in order to get preggers (started eating chicken actually:)
LOVE this post girl!!!!
I almost never comment, even though I read every day – but I had to write today because i genuinely think is your most meaningful and important post, and as usual told in a friendly and non-preachy way. Bravo!
I love this blog post Gina! You are being real. That is what I have always appreciated about you. I am the same way. Over the last few years I have become a foodie, but also a little obssesed with holistic health because of my own health issues. Reading EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT. It has been quite a journey trying to find balance, especially with food “sensitivites”, not allergies. No one can figure out what I eat and don’t eat anymore. But I am still learning what my body can and can’t tolerate and the amounts. 😛 But we are all in this jounrney together! Sometimes you have to draw a line and know where to just let loose a little. I even went back and forth about paleo; it was a great start to clean eating, but let’s face it, I love my grains too, so now I include them, but in limitation. There is always someone who will have a negative opinion about even the healthiest food! We are all independent and there is no one size fits all. 🙂
In my opinion, nothing wrong with indulging once in a while. Life is meant to enjoy.
You rock girl! Keep the posts coming. We appreciate you!
Thanks for this post! I so agree, I used to be vegan and scared to eat anything! Now I have become a crossfit addict and I need more fuel to get thru my workouts. I am way more flexible now, I still am vegetarian but if I want a slice of veggie pizza I will have it! I am more concerned about being as strong and healthy as I can be, not what others can be. For me the occasional treat is ok, for the most part what I put into my body is fuel!
love this post too, i’ve become so much more relaxed about what healthy means to me after having a baby. would love to read some post about your weight loss and some before pics!
I have loved reading your blog and seeing the changes over the years! I have gotten many ideas and tips and appreciate them all! Even when my FIL was tring a diet that was very similar to a Vegan diet, I could give him a few tips and things to watch for! (I warned him about losing muscle and needing meat protein, and because he was aware, he caught it as soon as it started, and started adding small amounts back in to his diet! He still eats mostly Vegan, but realizes that with the work he does, he needs more than it can usually give him)
I also loved trying some of your recipes!!
And Thank YOU for sharing your whole pregnancy journey with us all! We feel like you are one of our dear friends that we see all the time, even though we have never actually met!
You do a great job getting a good balance on life! In every aspect of it!
It’s so refreshing to read this! I went 3 years on a strictly vegan diet and had anxiety over eating refined flour. I’ve since then loosened up and let back in eggs and dairy (on occasion) and no longer fret about the calories in the margarita I have on a Friday night. I feel like its much healthier to not restrict soooo much! And it’s much more enjoyable to be able to socialize with friends and family without worrying about your diet restrictions.
Needed this one today…I have been so focused on what I can’t eat that I keep forgetting that it’s all about progress NOT perfection!!!!
I am glad someone else feels the same way. Now that I have a daughter my number one goal as a role model is to teach her how to be a strong confident healthy girl/woman.
I don’t want her to obsess about weight or food the way I have.
Thanks for letting us see you aren’t perfect after all. Your honesty is refreshing.
Awesome post Gina!!
Gina! I seriously love you. Great post, and I think your amazing. I told my sister to check out your blog for baby food items, I hope I become half the awesome blogger/ mother/ health enthusiast as you. Your so refreshing and real. I have a tab saved for when I DO have kids to make all that yummy stuff you gave Livi. :):)it up woman! xox
I have to say, this is a really refreshing post. I think it’s fantastic you are doing what’s best for you and you’re doing a great job. As a reader it’s nice to know that the bloggers aren’t as perfect as they seem – they’re real and just like everyone else, and going through all the same things – it makes reading blogs more fun. I absolutely love your blog and glad that you’re keepin’ it real. Enjoy!
I loved reading this post. Im new to the blog world, even though I have been following them for about 3 years now. Some of the flack bloggers would get from readers about what they ate, or not ate, or how they changed their minds was one of the things initially keeping me from blogging on my own. I know if a blog changes and I don’t like it as much, I stop reading it. Or I skip posts that don’t interest me.
Our bodies and our lives our constantly changing. And physiology is so complex, i wish more people really understood that. I know that there are times when I can eat certain foods, and times I can’t. I eat a lot of dairy, but occasionally need a break. I used to eat a lot of the high fiber tortillas, then they started bothering me. But now I can eat them again. The way our bodies process things is related to so many factors: how much we are sleeping, stress, activity, type of exercise, other foods we are eating, etc.
So keep it up girl. I love reading about your journey!
Great post! Thank you for your honesty.
Bravo!! As a long-time reader, what keeps me coming back is your honesty and transparency. You never pretend to be perfect, but you’re always honest with your readers and to me, it seems that you live your life in a good, happy, whole and fulfilling way, which is as close to perfect as any of us can get. I love that you are open and accepting of how your needs and wants change over time, and aren’t too hard on yourself. It’s a great example to set for all your readers. Keep it coming!
Love this post! Very insprirational.
Harmony! That is what I felt reading this. You have found out how to keep the areas of your life all working together and like an orchestra, some sections rise while others fall back a bit and then rise again at their point. You experiment, refine and do it so pragmatically. EXCELLENT post and love the sentiments. It’s inspiring and I’m going to think about how I can design & create more harmony too!
AMEN Gina!! Such a great post! I feel the exact same way latey, and have previously struggled with bad eating habits. I have to say it is so freeing to not be controlled by food. We need food to survive and it is also a way to spread love and culture- it shouldn’t be something that makes us crazy or miserable!
I’m so happy you have found that balance in your life <3
You rock and are an inspiration to everyone — bloggers and nonbloggers! I think people in general have an all or nothing attitude — i must cook all 100% healthy meals or nothing at all — after having my daughter (she’s almost 9 months) i do beleive that everything in moderation is great — she loves all food, and i love to let her try different things with 95% being very healthy anda couple of not so healthy (DIFFERENT) things in there, its fun to see her reaction!
Thank you for this!! Life is a journey and your openess was a much needed reminder of that today. Warm wishes!
Loved this. Loved loved loved. There is SUCH freedom in finding the balance. I am so glad you share your evolution!
AWESOME!! GO YOU!! Feeling comfortable, healthy, happy, and pleased is so great! If that means a beer and some enchiladas, then I say go for it! If it means gluten-free for a few days, go for that too! Love it :))
Hey Gina- speaking of transparent.. I have a personal question… What are you using for birth control? I have 2… 14 mos apart and am breast feeding and dont want another anytime soon. I am curious about what different people use. Sorry if you have already discussed this on here! Thanks!
No worries! We use fertility awareness method + condoms
I absolutely love this post. Sometimes in life we get so caught up with reading certain stereotypical blogs that when we venture out of the norm, we feel guilty. The same goes for reading certain types of magazines. We’re constantly comparing our lives to the lives of others. I love your brutal honesty. This post shows your readers that you’re just human like the rest of us.
Thank you.
You are amazing! Thanks for always being honest, true and loyal to yourself, your family and your followers 🙂 XO!