eating out

One thing that has been a challenge is finding good food to eat when we go out to eat. It is a challenge. One that has led us to eat at home more often than we ever had before. I guess that's a good thing after all. But... I found a cool foodie blog called "food babe" and she writes on another cool blog called "100 days of real food" and her articles specifically on restaurants and food chains are very thought provoking. The one on Subway literally made my husband shed a tear. It is what convinced him on the real food thing. So, its worth a read! But again... I warn you ... it's not pretty :/

Here are just a few:
Starbucks
Subway
Chick-fil-A and another
Supermarket Birthday Cakes
Candy and Chocolate
Even Whole Foods

I don't post these links to bum you out, to give you a guilt trip, or to make you feel horrible... I post it for the power of information. Just knowing how these foods are made and served helps you make informed choices. Ignorance isn't bliss when it comes with health hazards that will harm us. I wish it weren't the case. I wish we could trust restaurants to care about our health, but they don't. Like most everything else, they care about money. Cruddy food, cheap labor, junk ingredients and why do we assume it will produce anything but un-health in our bodies. Take care of your body! You'll thank yourself for it!

So what do you do when you eat out?? Well, in addition to limiting the frequency of our meals out, we have to be wiser in what we choose. Sure we still occasionally go to Islands and let the kids (and me ;) have tiki tenders and cheddar fries. But it is totally the exception and definitely not the norm anymore. We used to eat out 5+ meals a week (in addition to Ian eating out every weekday meal, 5 per week, at work) So our family was going out to eat for 12+ meals!? Yikes! Now, we have limited it to about 2 times a week and I am packing Ian's lunches so thankfully he isn't going out nearly as often anymore).

Some suggestions that I have found helpful...

1.) Eat at better places
tons of organic, hormone-free meat, restaurants are popping up everywhere. Mi Corazon in Glendale and Wild Carvery in Burbank, along with the good ol' Full O Life cafe, Sharky's, or Hook Burger.

2.) Bring your own food for your kids
I usually pack berries, crackers, frozen peas, raw cheese, a quesadilla or even homemade meatballs on occasion. Not only will it save money, you know exactly what your kids are eating.

3.) Avoid meat if you can
Meat is the biggest offender in the health category because of the potential for added hormone & antibiotic exposure. In addition, when someone is cooking your meat, you don't know what oils they are using (and I can almost guarantee they aren't using high quality oil) Best to go veggie if you are on the fence about it. Places like Poquito Mas, though not organic, they do use fresh meat so that is better than a regular fast food joint.

All in all, sometimes I know you just can't help it, and you eat whatever, but sometimes we under-estimate how many times we actually eat out in a week and until you realize the percentage of food that it comes out to be, it can be shocking.

I know for a while I thought organic, whole food cost way more than eating out... but it totally doesn't. Sure, it takes more time in preparation and in cooking but the health ramifications are so worth it in the end to make it yourself... or to make it yourself more often than not :) Again, we are not perfect, and  that's not the goal! Little changes can have a big impact. Even eating out one less time per week can be so helpful! Do what you think is best and realistic for your family. Your wallet (and waistline) will thank you!

Anywho... it's all just Food for thought :)