I’d like to apologize to the readers of this blog for my inactivity as of late. Several interesting changes have occurred in my life recently, two of which are notable enough to me to actually mention:
First, I received my purple belt in BJJ. To say I was stoked is an incredible understatement. I refer you to my previous post about “owning a belt” for my feelings on this one.
Second (and probably more importantly), I became a foster father to three kids. Let me state for the record that all the things they say about parenting being a full-time job are true, and then some.
Long story short, I’ve been slacking a bit on all non-essential (as in, the-world-won’t-stop-turning-on-its-axis-if-I-don’t-get-it-done) projects, including (to my dismay) this blog. My sincere apologies; I’m resolved to get back on track once I’ve got my time better figured out.
The observation: I’m still training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and I’m still lifting weights. Although my life has turned upside down, I still make time to tend to the things that matter most to me second to my family – my avocation, and my health. It’s got to be the same for you as well. We’ve all got things that get in the way of getting in shape (whatever that means to you), and it’s all too easy to let these things bar you from your potential. Don’t let them – make fitness a commitment in your life, even if it’s in trickles and spurts at first. It gets easier, I promise.
Thanks for reading. And for putting up with me.
P.S. – Anyone got any good ideas for low-carb kid-friendly dinners? Particularly for kids who’ve grown up loving carbs? 
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Grilled chicken with salad and goat cheese. You can add some tomatoes and carrots as well. Tastes great!
Love the blog!
Tyler –
Thanks for the idea – and the compliments!
Kids like things they can understand, recognize and have a familiar color. Try grilled Chicken Breast with steamed snow peas and Red Bell Peppers. Leave snacks around such as apples and fruit that is easily hand held and colorful. 1 How old are the kids? 2 DO they have the opportunity to eat at regular intervals? 3 have you explained to these kids you are going to change their diet and why.
Don’t sand bag kids, they are very very perceptive. They understand much of what goes on around them, they just lack the ability to verbalize their thoughts. I will say a prayer for you and your new family.
By the way my surgery went well. I should be back at the dojo in a fw weeks. Congrats on the Purple belt. With your additions to the family, be glad that you are still practicing BJJ, do not try and think you can accelerate your training. Just be glad you have the time and energy to go.
All the best!
Matthew
First off, congratulations on becoming a foster parent. I’ve got just one child, a toddler, and she’s a blast. I hope you enjoy every minute of it.
Second, we’ve raised ours to be low-carb from the start, but I know that one of the things that helps her with some of the restrictions is having plenty of fruit around. Don’t forget dried fruit is almost candy like in it’s sweetness, so it could be a good substitute.
As for reducing grains, my advice would be to take Matthew’s advice and make sure the kids are aware of why you want to reduce their carbohydrate consumption. From there, I would transition them to the whole grain and reduced sugar versions of their favorite carbohydrates and just slowly reduce the amount they get.
If you respect where they’re coming from, but kindly and firmly insist on healthier versions of their favorites while you slowly but surely reduce the amount of each that they get then I think you’ll see the results you’re looking for.
One other thought. Consider working on one meal at a time. Understand that, depending on the age of the kids, dinner may be an easier meal to change first, while lunch and breakfast may take more time.
Again, best of luck, stay committed to what you think is important, and have fun!
@ Chef Matt
Glad to hear the surgery went well for you. And re: my BJJ training, how else am I to make the finals of ADCC? LOL
The kids are 11, 14, and 16, so I’m up against quite a few years of carb-frenzy. Also, I neglected to mention they unilaterally hate vegetables (although I’ve been successful with getting the youngest to eat water chestnuts and carrots, and the other two don’t seem to mind a sprig or two of broccoli). But things are improving.
@ Alexander
Thanks so much for your kind words. The unfortunate part is that they’ve been weaned on the SAD (Standard American Diet) and as such their “favorites” are things like pizza rolls, popcorn, chips, cocoa pebbles, etc. But I’m trying your (and Matt’s) approach of slowly adding the good stuff and slowly reducing the bad stuff. So far breakfast is pretty good. Lunch is harder and dinner seems to be a mess. And forget about the snacks (but I’ll try Matt’s suggestion about the fruit and see what happens).
They’ve heard me proselytize more than once about carbs and hormonal tone to their (older) family friends, so I think they know the deal. And they see the way I eat as well, so that’s something.
Thanks for the help, guys – heaven knows I could use it.
5/20/09 – Just an update folks: The kids are willingly eschewing carbs (as in grains, sugars, starches) now. YES.
Snacking, alas, is another story entirely (apparently snacks are exempt from ‘meal rules’). But, baby steps…
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