I was born in New York to a Dominican mother and father. We were not a healthy family, at all. Rice and beans daily. Meats in heavy sauce or fried. Canned veggies saturated in Wishbone Italian dressing. Sometimes we had iceberg lettuce but the canned veggies were still on top.
I would go to church with my mother and I remember coming home and eating a ham and cheese sandwich with avena (Spanish oatmeal). Lunches would also be heavy. For example, a Spanish favorite known as tripleta (mashed plantains with butter, fried salami, fried cheese, and fried eggs). Not kidding.
Parties would be plentiful of moro (rice and guandules), oven roasted pork shoulder, potato salad, fried meat pockets, etc.
Did I eat this? Yes, I didn't know any better. There was also ZERO exercise being done. No biking, no walking, no school sports.
I met my husband in 1998 and he was raised eating and enjoying fresh veggies. I was introduced to fresh veggies as well at this time. I never thought I would eat let alone enjoy veggies. Me? Eat broccoli? Eat Asparagus? You've GOT to be kidding! Well, I'll be damned! It is good! I ate it and I didn't die!
I continued to eat the veggies and introduced them to my meals but I didn't cut out the bad. I made the salad, but still made the white rice and the fat full, non reduced fat meals. Was I young? Yes! Lazy? Absolutely!
Few years later the children came. When young, my oldest ate everything! His favorite....fish and veggies stew his babysitter would make! My youngest would eat his veggies first. Man did I screw that up! At some point they became extremely picky. I didn't stick to healthy snacks, raw veggies and fruits. Now.....my oldest will not eat anything green, but he does eat fruit. My youngest eats some veggies, but does not eat fruit!
I so wish I would've realized the damage I was causing earlier on. I would have made different choices.
That being said, it's never too late to start being healthy.
I have changed my eating habits. I no longer drink soda as I have replaced with seltzer. I eat and love almost all veggies and fruit. I started eating seafood this year. I very rarely eat fried foods. I do treat myself at times if I'm craving something. As a matter of fact, I love pumpkin anything and it's the season. I will treat myself to pumpkin ice cream. The difference this time...... I will share with a friend and I will only have once! Not depriving myself but also not over indulging and buying at market, putting in freezer and tempting myself every time I walk by the fridge. Small change.....huge difference!
Now, I need to change the mindset my boys have of fruits and veggies. Though they are both more active than I ever was at their age, I believe that eating healthy is a much better way of living. I would hate for them to go through what I went (and am still currently going) through. It will take some time, this I know...but I am ready for the challenge.
It's never to late!
