We moms have a tough path to walk as we help our daughters navigate the sometimes choppy waters of growing up girl. It’s our job to protect our children and do our best to keep them safe and healthy, yet we also have to allow them to grow, stretch and learn from their own mistakes. It’s a fine line between letting them be who they are and wanting to “tweak” them just a little bit so they don’t suffer from the same mistakes or struggles that we did.

When it comes to healthy eating and a positive body image, this fine line can feel fragile and confusing, particularly if you struggle with these issues yourself.

When I teach workshops or work individually with moms, I am always asked some of the same questions: Should I let my kids have desert every day? How do I deal with their love of sweets? How can I help her stop eating when she’s not hungry anymore? How can I help her lose weight without making her feel bad about her body? How can I help her feel good about her body, no matter what its size? How can I help her feel good about herself and treat herself with respect?

Although I can give concrete “answers” to many of these questions, the truth is, there is no one “right” answer that works for everyone, all the time. There is no “magic bullet” to self-esteem, body confidence, self-care, and inspiring good health in your daughter.

However, there is one piece of the puzzle that is so important, one KEY asset that is SO valuable, and one action that IS within our control…that is more powerful than anything we can say or anything we can feed them.

YOU.

As her mom, the only thing you really have control over (especially as she gets older) is who YOU are BEING and how YOU are negotiating your own health, your own eating, your own body image and your own self -esteem. Are you embodying the actions and feelings that you want her to learn?

Here’s a little food for thought to get you going:

1. Next time you notice yourself betwixt and between about an eating habit of your daughter’s, check in with yourself: Is there something about that behavior that reminds you of one of your own struggles? (Go ahead and address it in YOURSELF first).

2. Imagine that your daughter develops a delicious, nourishing and healthy relationship to food, eating and her body – what will that look like? Go ahead and try out some of those self-nourishing actions for YOURSELF.

3. What if food, eating and body image weren’t a concern, for you or for your
   daughter? What if you had true freedom and peace with these things? What would your energy and attention be focused on instead? (Go ahead and give it a try).

Here’s the thing: Our daughters learn how to live in their bodies and care for themselves with food and in their lives from MANY sources, including the media, their peers, their families, and from all the women in their lives. I am on a mission – and I invite you to join me – to help change the “face” of what the next generation of girls is learning – and I believe we must first BE THE CHANGE we wish to see in them. (When moms set their minds to something, there is no telling what could happen…)

(If you’re interested in learning more about my brand new “Be The Change” programs, to start this Fall, click here and let me know, so I can make sure you’re the first to know about it. There are only a handful of spots available in the special group program that will include retreats and intensive group and individual support).

Want to use this article in your next newsletter or on your website?  You have my permission as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Karen Schachter is a licensed clinical social worker and certified health counselor who is committed to helping girls and women find peace, nourishment and wellbeing with food, eating, and in their bodies. To receive her FREE audio class DISHING WITH YOUR DAUGHTER:  5 Ways to Nourish Her Self-Esteem and Help Her Feed Her Body and Her Soul with Delicious Self-Care, go to www.healthybodieshappyminds.com.  (You’ll find recipes and other free resources there as well!)

I love greens! And I’ve heard from so many of my clients and readers that once they start eating them, they become big fans too. OUR BODIES LOVE DARK LEAFY GREENS because they are so
full of minerals and nutrients that we NEED. You’ve seen several recipes for cooked greens here, but in celebration of the hot summer, I’ve been craving cool, raw foods. Check out these incredibly yummy PARSLEY smoothies (watch out! You too may become addicted)! Click on the video below to see how EASY and TASTY they are! (I brought one on the bus to NYC and after tasting it, my friend Karen said she could feel the impact immediately and agreed that she could become addicted herself…)

If you’ve been sitting on some dreams of your own lately, or have been feeling stuck in some area of your own life, here are a few simple steps (simple, but not always so easy) that I’m using to stay focused on the goals and dreams in my own life that I recently shared with you.  You can use these very same techniques – it’s not rocket science, but it does take a bit of determination and a firm decision to go for it, despite the bumps in the road that ALWAYS come up.

1)      Stay tuned in to your desire and your dream, no matter what. Even in the face of fear, or naysayers, or external pressures. So often, we experience a wish or a desire or a dream and then we shut ourselves off from it. We tell ourselves, “I can’t do that” or “who am I to want that” or “I’m too busy” or whatever. So our lives stay in status quo and our dreams get put on the back burner (again).

Not fun. Trust me. I’ve been there.  Whenever I hit a bump or a negative thought (from either myself or someone else), I keep envisioning what I want: I see me with my book, speaking to audiences of moms and girls, being a guide and a mentor to women who want MORE for themselves and their daughters.  I imagine what that will feel like and I let the excitement wash over me.

Your desires and your dreams are in your heart for GOOD REASON. They are a part of you aching to be expressed (you wouldn’t have them if you weren’t supposed to be bringing them to life). What do you see, and how does that FEEL?

2)      Get support from someone – or a group of people – who has your best interest in mind and who is striving to grow as well.  Find a buddy or a coach or a mentor or a mastermind group who can help you hold your vision of what you want, who believes in you, and who can help you take action despite fear.

I know this can be easier said than done. Many of us are surrounded by others who are also stuck in fear and may not know how to really support us.  I can tell you that for me, I notice who I admire.  Who is living their life in a way that is similar to how I want to be living mine (not doing the exact same thing necessarily, but modeling the type of courage and audacity and authenticity that I aspire to?).  Those are the people I consult with and share my visions with. That’s how I chose my coach (and mastermind group) this past year – I found someone who was kind and compassionate, but also took a “no excuses” approach to living her dream.

3)      Keep moving – baby steps sometimes, big bold steps other times – in the direction of your dreams and desires. We all feel fear – believe me, I’ve been feeling a lot of it lately – especially when we’re about to do something new or important or meaningful. Fear is a FEELING (not an action).  Sometimes it’s there to protect you from real danger (like going up and petting a lion and getting eaten), but other times it’s your unconscious mind’s way of protecting you from imagined, or not-so-terrible-after-all, danger (rejection, failure, disappointment – small potatoes compared to being eaten by a lion).

So how do you take action, despite fear?  When the inspiration strikes – act! When you get a good idea, when you’re in the groove, when you just know something feels right – that’s the time to take action!

I’ve found that the clearer I get about my goals, and the more action I take toward them (even tiny baby steps), the more things SHOW UP in my life to support what I want (it’s like a bit of serendipity!).  For example, the other day, as I was thinking about my upcoming “Be The Change” coaching program for moms and thinking about where I could hold the retreats, I began to visualize what I wanted (all this while blowing dry my hair on the way out to a party).  At the party later that evening, I met someone who just happened to know of the perfect retreat house that was so similar to what I had been picturing.  CRAZY.

You will notice that as you clarify and move toward your goals, a bit of magic will begin to happen.

4)      Get out of your own way.  Seriously, you are the only one in your way, so clear the clutter – the time clutter, the paper clutter, the mind clutter, the house clutter, the body clutter – ALL THE STUFF (both real and created) that continues to clutter you up so there’s no room for you to have what you really want.  Create the space and your dreams will have a place to land.

I invite you to join me in turning toward your dreams – go ahead and bring them right down into your heart and into your mind right now – and put one foot in front of the other along your path. I’m right here next to you if you need a hand.

Who knew how much a horse could teach a person? As a long-time dog owner and animal lover, I was always aware of the powerful healing potential animals can have. I always knew instinctively – and now I know it to be true based on my knowledge of the brain – that mammals have an ability to feel, connect with and care for others.

What I didn’t realize was how much a horse could teach me about myself – and in such a short time!

After spending half a day today at Riding Far Farm with my friend and colleague, Paul Haefner and his partner, Elizabeth Siegert, I am awed by the incredible capacity a horse has to reflect back to me my own “stuff” – fears, limiting beliefs, ways of relating to others, and strengths. Horses are incredibly intuitive and therefore provide a non-judgmental mirror; and in that mirror, I was able to see patterns (some effective and some not so effective) that I use in my life.

In the first “exercise” (all of the exercises are done on the ground; no riding involved), we were instructed to introduce ourselves to each of the three horses in the ring. The first one was easy – I stretched my hand forward, used my high-pitched “it’s okay sweetie” voice and let the horse come to me. We bonded. The second horse was pretty much the same thing. (Paul wondered if this is how I usually get people to respond to me – sweetly rather than more assertively…hmmm, good question).

But the third – ah, not so easy. I saw that big horse with one missing eye who showed no interest whatsoever in me, who kept eating his grass when I used my tried-and-true techniques, and I was stuck. I felt the fear (“he’s dangerous”) rise up in me and after a minute or two of “trying,” I backed off.

In the second exercise, we were asked to work as a team to put a harness around one of the horses. As the “leader” of my team, I, curiously, chose the “dangerous” horse. And each time we approached, he walked away, over to another patch of grass to continue his lunch. Again and again and again. I wanted to give up. (Same thing as earlier – who wants to be rejected over and over??!). I was “sure” that this horse would NEVER allow us to harness him. And, I feared, if we kept trying, he would certainly attack us.

Luckily, I recognized this fear as irrational. I recognized a pattern in myself of wanting to “give up” when the going gets too tough; when I am faced with something I decide is “too scary”; or when I’m afraid I’ll fail (or be rejected somehow). Having that awareness allowed me to say to my team, “let’s approach him with confidence. No more beating around the bush; no more giving him the message that we’re ambivalent and unsure of ourselves. Let’s let him know we mean business here!”

And guess what? On that turn, the horse responded. He let us put the harness on him and he even stood there for a while with us once it was on.

A huge lesson for me: My reaction to this horse represented some of my own reactions in life. When faced with opportunities or goals, it’s so important that I get clear about what I want and act with intention and purpose. When my thoughts and actions are in alignment, I am much more likely to achieve my goals and move toward my dreams.

So often, many of us go about life not acting in “alignment.” We may say we “really” want something (to lose weight, have a more fulfilling career, or spend more quality time with our kids), yet we don’t act with intention and with purpose. We don’t commit to it and we don’t go for it full-on. We go for it in a wishy-washy, maybe –this-will-happen-if-I’m-lucky sort of way. Our actions don’t reflect what we say we want. Our minds – with our fears, our ambivalence or our mental blocks – “trick” us into thinking that we can’t do it, or stop us from going for it for some reason.

I’m so grateful to this beautiful, one-eyed horse for teaching me – not just in my cognitive awareness but with a “body” experience – such an important lesson that will continue to instruct me as I move forward toward my hopes and dreams.

I have recently gotten to know Melora Hardin (who you may know as “Jan” from the TV show, The Office) and her wonderful husband, Gildert. I had the pleasure of seeing a screening of this beautiful movie a couple of months ago, and I couldn’t recommend it more highly.  It is written by Gildert, directed by Melora, and acted in by both of them.  It’s a story of love, loss, family, and deep connections.

Click the poster below to Check it out!

(Ahh…just when I thought I had worked through it – BAM! There it is again!)

And not only was I stuck in my fear-based thoughts, but I felt like a failure. Here I was, someone who knows (and teaches!) about emotional and physical health and wellbeing, and my own daughter’s health was suffering.  And my own emotional equilibrium was on shaky ground! Even I – who thought I could control everything scary with a healthy diet (yes, it’s ok to laugh) – was not able to control what was happening.

As I continued to fall into a tailspin and let fear take over, I tried even harder to control EVERYTHING. And the more I tried to control everything, the more anxious I got, and the more irritated my daughter got with me.  Not a pretty cycle.  (It’s easy to see how mothers and daughters get into a fear -control-rebellion cycle).

And then it hit me:  “I am making myself crazy, and I am probably making my daughter crazy” (no matter how hard we try to hide our “stuff” from them, we can’t. They know EVERYTHING – even if they don’t hear it in words).  And not only was I making both of us more anxious, I was also disrupting our connection, which is the most valuable thing we each have with our children.

I knew that I had to settle into a more peaceful, trust-filled, place so I could tune into my intuition, support my daughter, and help us both have confidence in her wellbeing.

As life continues to present us with challenges, whether it’s around a health concern for our child, or our kid’s being bullied, or our child is struggling with learning, or we are panicked about swine flu, our job is always the same: for us to find our CENTER so we can be present for ourselves and, in turn, our children.

Here’s what I did:

1) I had to relax and shift my feelings and my energy.  (My negative energy was definitely seeping out all around me and affecting my family).  For me, I find deep breathing, meditating and listening to relaxing music very helpful.  (Click here for some great guided meditations for stress). What do you do to relax and shift your energy?

2) I also had to find a “safe space” where I could share my feelings and be completely supported. I am so grateful to have a number of treasured friends who I could turn to and who could support me, helping to keep me centered and grounded. Where do you go to feel completely understood and supported?

3) I had to begin to shift my thoughts in a more helpful direction, rather than in the direction of doom and gloom. I also know that shifting our own thoughts has a powerful effect on our children. Ever observe your own thoughts? Are they depressing and critical and worrisome, or supportive and hopeful?

4) I also had to realize that I ultimately don’t have any real control over my daughter’s “destiny” (although I sure wish I did!). Yes, I am her mother and it’s my job to help keep her safe and healthy; to support her health and wellbeing, and offer guidance, connection and unconditional love. But the truth is: Hannah is going to be who Hannah is going to be. Her body is going to do what it’s going to do, and THE BEST thing I can do for her, is to stay CENTERED AND GROUNDED myself, so I can be present and connected to her. It is from this place, too, that I can best know what she needs.

So why am I telling you all this? As scary as it is to be so vulnerable, I wanted you to know that we ALL struggle sometimes; we all get pulled and pushed off-center, into a sea of confusion or worry or anxiety. By sharing our struggles, we find can our way back to a safe, centered place.

And what I know is true for me, is also true for you:

You don’t have to be perfect (REALLY), you don’t have to know what to do all the time, and you don’t have to turn cartwheels or backflips to be a good mom.   What your children need most from you is to take extraordinarily good care of yourself – and stay connected to yourself – so you can continue to be truly present for your them. True honest connection, and being seen for who they are, is what your children want from you, beyond all else.

Sooo…. The question of the day is: What brings you back to your center when you’ve lost your footing?  (Want to share your ideas? I’d love to hear them!)

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Karen Schachter is a psychology of eating expert. She believes that each of us deserve to feel nourished, joyful and at peace with food and in our lives. Through her programs, she inspires and supports girls and women to value themselves, tune into their intuition, and nourish their bodies, their minds and their spirits. Karen combines her understanding of emotional issues with her nutrition knowledge to help clients make real, long-lasting changes in their lives.

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

In my last issue, I talked about the importance of tapping into your strengths, talents and gifts, and sharing them with the world. On my teleclass, I explained that helping your daughter tune into her “BIGNESS” (which really translates into her belief and pride in herself, and her confidence in expressing that self out in the world) is a wonderful antidote to shame, low self-esteem, body image and eating angst.

So if it’s so important for you to be “out there” in a bold way with who you are, then why is it so difficult, particularly for girls and women?

I don’t know about you, but when I was a girl, I was very, very “good.”  I looked cute, I acted sweet, and I tried my best to make everyone happy (with the hope that, in return, they would like me).  It was a perfect solution: I could protect myself from conflict by just being who “they” wanted me to be!

As I got older (after a fair amount of teenage and early-twenties struggle and angst with my body and food), I realized I was in a big predicament: I either begin to express my true self, or I siphon that self off to continue to please others. Luckily, my true self prevailed (although the fear of being rejected or unliked for becoming bolder still rears its ugly head from time to time).

I don’t think I’m alone in this dilemma.

Females are genetically programmed to nurture and take care of others, to care about relationships, and to value connection. This is biological, so it’s hardwired in our brains.  However, we also receive both spoken and unspoken pressures, from the time we are very little, that the girls who are “good” and “nice” and “pretty” (“pleasing”) are the girls who are accepted and liked.  (Remember, little girls are made of “sugar and spice and everything nice”?).

This message comes at us loudly and clearly from every which way (teachers, parents, relatives, friends, boys, and especially the media), and it hits us like a ton of bricks as we hit puberty and adolescence.

And it doesn’t have a pretty outcome:  For many girls and women, the process of “pleasing” everyone else siphons off your own inner awareness; your own desires and dreams and passions; your own “true selves.”  YOUR BIGNESS.  (And this siphoning off of your true self is often reflected in struggles with body image and food, or some other emotional struggle).

Now the truth is, we ARE happier when we have friends; we ARE biologically programmed to want to connect; and it’s normal to want to be liked.

So what’s a girl or woman to do?  How can you be true to yourself (and help your daughter be true to herself) and still maintain your relationships? (These things are NOT mutually exclusive).

Here are some ideas to help YOU and YOUR DAUGHTER share your BIGNESS with the world:

1. Become aware of yourself and know when you are doing something out of fear (fear of rejection, fear of not being liked, fear of getting “in trouble”) vs. out of desire (it feels very different).  Try to operate from a place of desire.

2. Know that you can be very kind and compassionate and loving toward others without sacrificing your soul.   Kindness and compassion are two of my highest values. However, the only way to really fully express these values is by offering true kindness and compassion to yourself, without hesitation.

3. Encourage your daughter (and yourself) to honor her feelings by saying NO and negotiating with others, even if she’s scared someone will be mad.

4. Ask her what she did today that made her proud. Let her enjoy her pride and feel great about expressing it.  (So many of us were told we were too big for our britches! No way!

5. Identify bold female role models who stand up for what they believe in and share their gifts and talents in a big way.

6. What are your dreams? Seriously. What would you LOVE to be doing? Let yourself really think about this, and if you have a hard time, think back to when you were a kid: What did you LOVE to do?

7. Take action, and help your daughter take action, toward dreams, goals, and inspiration. I know, it can be scary, but a little fear never hurt anyone. Teach your daughter that she can feel the fear and do it anyway – and not only survive, but emerge feeling more confident and proud!

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Did this article resonate with you? Have your dreams been smooshed by the “niceness” problem? Have you ever sacrificed yourself and your desires because you didn’t want to get in trouble? Or make someone mad? What is one thing you wish you were doing that you’re not doing because someone may not like it?

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Karen Schachter is a psychology of eating expert. She believes that each of us deserve to feel nourished, joyful and at peace with food and in our lives. Through her programs, she inspires and supports girls and women to value themselves, tune into their intuition, and nourish their bodies, their minds and their spirits. Karen combines her understanding of emotional issues with her nutrition knowledge to help clients make real, long-lasting changes in their lives.

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.” – James M. Barrie

As I write this, I am looking at beautiful pictures that my friend, and fellow Mastermind member, Don took in Africa. (If you want to see more, click here).  To say I’ve been inspired by his work would be an understatement. I have been so deeply moved by Don’s humanitarian work helping women and children in villages throughout Africa that I, along with the other members of our group, have committed to support his efforts in ongoing ways (most exciting of all, through a trip to Malawi with my family next year!) (I promise, you’ll learn more about Don’s incredible work in future issues).

And also as I write this article, my thoughts drift back to my young cousin, Katie, who at 29 years old, lost her brave battle with a brain tumor last week. Through Katie’s inspirational campaign, “The Power of One,” Katie encouraged all of her followers (and there were many!), to recognize our own power to make a difference in the world. Katie’s presence (her LIFE) was a reminder to step up and share your gifts. Katie lived large and didn’t hold back, and though her life was too short, she brought beauty, joy and light to countless people.

It’s in this vein that I write to you today. Not with a heavy heart, but with a mirror reflecting back to you your own strength and power and gifts. (And the importance of sharing them with the world).

Because here’s what I think (actually, I don’t just think it, I know it):

Most of us have NO CLUE how much power we really have within us; power to bring forth our own individual “light” and make a difference in the world in a way that inspires YOU, creates meaning for YOU, and connects YOU with your passion and purpose… And, in so doing, lights up the world.

And just so I don’t get too far off track, let me assure you, this has everything to do with your eating, your health, your wellbeing, and your body image.

In my practice, on a regular basis, I see a direct link between my clients’ struggles with food, eating, body image, depression and anxiety, and their untapped passions, talents and gifts.  As they begin to recognize and share their strengths and the things they long to do –  the things that give their life pleasure and meaning – they often experience a release from the grip of their struggles. They begin to want to share their talents, their beliefs, and their gifts with other people. And guess what happens:  anxiety decreases; food struggles decrease; self-esteem increases.

And science bears this out too (yea! It’s not just some woo-woo idea). According to a recent article by Meredith Maran in MORE Magazine (“The Activism Cure,” March 2009), scientists have confirmed that, “people who give to others give healthier, happier lives to themselves.” When we share with others, dopamine, a feel-good chemical in our brain, gets triggered, improving our moods. (Interestingly, dopamine has also been associated with the pleasure we get from eating sweets, which points to another benefit: Fire up your dopamine through sharing your passions, and you may be less likely to need the pint of Ben & Jerry’s…)

As you tap into your passions and feel better, the world benefits too.  It is effortless to give to others when you are giving from a “filled up” plate, when you are well-nourished and well-fed with things that turn you on.

Your gifts are your magic, and although you may not realize it, there are many people out here who need what you can share.

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Want to use this article in your next newsletter or on your website?  You have my permission as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Karen Schachter is a licensed clinical social worker and certified health counselor who is committed to helping girls and women find peace, nourishment and wellbeing with food, eating, and in their bodies. To receive her FREE Special Report: 7 Secrets to Having The Relationship with Food You’ve Always Wanted (and The Body You’ve Always Wanted Too), go to www.healthybodieshappyminds.com.  (You’ll find recipes and other free resources there as well!)

Did you read the article in the New York times last week, “What’s Eating Our Kids? Fears About ‘Bad’ Foods”?

My first thought was, “Oh my gosh, am I creating an eating disorder in my children because I am feeding them – and teaching them about – healthy foods?” And then it hit me: “PLEEEEAAASE…give me a break, media. Don’t you get it? YOU are making us crazy!”

On the one hand, the media “feeds” us images upon images of the way girls and women (and boys and men) are “supposed to” look. Images that DO NOT represent a normal, healthy body. Images that make our daughters think they HAVE TO be thin to be acceptable. Images and messages that teach our daughters that THE MOST important thing about them is their appearance.

On another other hand, the food industry, via advertising and marketing, “feeds” us messages that tell us that if we just eat “this food” or “that food”, we will be happy or have fun or lose weight or be as beautiful as the model eating the food. (And these ads are not showing how fruits and veggies can help us feel vibrant and energetic, are they? They are somehow deluding us into believing that a 100 calorie snack, full of I’m-not-sure-what, will get us skinny and happy).

And on yet another hand, we are constantly hearing about our nation’s obesity epidemic, and how all this junk food is causing overweight, unhealthy children (and adults). And how we, as parents, should start feeding our kids healthy foods and teaching our kids nutrition in schools, etc etc etc.

And then THIS article, which tells us that our focus on teaching our kids about healthy eating may be contributing to eating disorders?

(Yes, this article had some good points: any OBSESSIVE focus is not healthy for body or mind)

But give me a break! It’s no wonder that we not only have millions of people suffering with full-fledged eating disorders, but millions and millions more struggling with “disordered eating.” We are being “fed” mixed messages everywhere we turn, but very often, parents are being blamed for “causing” these problems.

Excuse me, but every single parent I have ever met wants what’s best for her children, and is doing the best she can to weed out the crazy array of messages coming from every direction about how to feed her kids.

Let’s stop blaming the parents and start looking at creating a culture that celebrates women’s bodies; a culture that markets foods that are REAL and wholesome, rather than fake and addictive; a culture that helps girls and women “feed” themselves food and self-talk and self-care that are nourishing and health-enhancing; and a culture that supports parents in their efforts at raising their children, rather than undermining their efforts.

Yes, we as parents MUST be the “change we want to see in the world” and, specifically, in our children. We must role model acceptance of our bodies (even if they are not “perfect” – as if there was such a thing); self-care, self-love and self-nourishment; flexibility (yes, it’s ok to eat cake and onion rings sometimes!); joy and pleasure; and listening to our intuition regarding our hunger for food and our hunger for other forms of nourishment.

We must help our children weed out compelling and damaging media messages, and first, we have to figure them out for ourselves. What attitudes are you holding on to about your own eating and body? Can you take a step in the direction of self-acceptance and nourishment today?

Remember: Self-hate and self-criticism will NEVER create a healthy body and mind, the hallmarks of true wellbeing. It’s time to shift the tide, both culturally and in our own minds.

I am leaving for Arizona in a few short hours; a work trip that I am very excited about, although I am still somewhat unprepared. I hate packing. I am not detail-oriented and never know what I am going to feel like wearing, so I wait till the last minute and then totally overpack.

It’s funny though, because I usually am able to think ahead in the food department. I always bring along my own little supply. Have you ever tried to eat healthfully while travelling, either via plane, train or automobile?

It’s not easy!

In fact, it’s a common question I hear from clients: “What should I do when I’m out of my routine, when I don’t have access to all these healthy foods I can easily get at home?”

My answer: think ahead and be prepared. It’s not that hard, with some forethought, to pack some tasty, nourishing snacks.

Since I will be travelling via airplane, I am pretty sure that the snack or meal they serve will be pretty junky. Although some of the airlines have started to sell little snack packs, which have some redeeming value (I got hummus in one once), I can’t count on that. Since I know I will be hungry, here’s what’s in my carry-on bag: 1 packet of whey protein powder (and a special “shaker cup” that I got at Whole Foods, which helps to disperse the contents of my powder with water); 1 packet of Amazing Meal Chocolate Infusion (www.AmazingGrass.com), also shakable; several bags of green tea; an apple; some almonds; and a Greens Plus Chocolate Energy Bar (www.greensplus.com).

Not exactly a well-balanced meal, but not bad: some protein (the whey), some greens and fruit (in the Amazing Meal pack and in the greens plus bar, and the apple); some fats (the almonds); and something to drink.

If I were travelling with my children, I’d pack some similar items, and perhaps add some Lara Bars (made of nuts and dried fruits), some hunks of cheese, some slices of turkey, and some crackers or rice cakes. I would probably also carry along some small boxes of milk or rice milk (not my favorite on an everyday basis, but fine occasionally for travel).

Not fancy and not complicated, but definitely enough to keep little (and not so little) bellies happy and to avoid the pitfalls of the road.

Not sure if you caught a recent article about the Obamas, but they apparently try to feed the girls “organic, healthy food,” while allowing for some flexibility while they were on the campaign trail. Although we won’t be on a campaign trail any time soon (J), I think I’ll be taking their advice for successful, happy trails of our own.

I’d love to hear what you bring along on your travels…I’m always looking to expand my repertoire!

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