thank god for annie's

We are taking the boys to Cedar Point tomorrow for the weekend. Matthew has been asking to go to a beach for about a year now, so he is super excited. Plus, he absolutely loved Cedar Point last year. He is still talking about the rides and has already planned out what he will be riding this year. We have looked at the rides online and he is ready. We are all looking forward to it.

I have been working hard to assure that my family eats whole and healthy. This means less eating out, no fast food. (although Alex, Brad and I did just eat at Boston Market yesterday.) Snacks are healthy. Popsicles are fruit based, juice is 100%... I do have to admit though that I seem to have replaced my McDonald's sweet tea addiction with sugar free Kool Aid. So far cherry is my favorite.

So back to the weekend. Every meal will be eaten either in the park or in a restaurant. Like any other family, we'll do the best we can. Applesauce or oranges, when available, instead of french fries. No pop. (Which my kids don't drink anyways. My 4 year old did recently learn the joys of orange pop while at the zoo, but he knows that is for special occasions only.) And I am ready with the snacks and drinks. Thank God for annies, right?

I am armed and ready with the "gummy bunnies", as Matthew calls them. I've got bunny crackers and granola bars. I've got raisins. I've got 100% fruit juice drink boxes. Alex picked out his reusable water bottle and so now no one in the family will be drinking out of plastic containers. Not only is drinking filtered tap water less expensive, but drinking it out of BPA free containers is healthier for everyone. Bottled water runs about $6.00 for a case of 24 bottles, and at the amount we are supposed to drink every day a busy family, away from the home tap and fridge, can really shell out a lot of money over the course of a year! Plus, I want my children to understand that there simply isn't room in this world for waste items that don't break down. The other day my 4 year old and I were out somewhere and he spotted someone drinking from a disposable plastic bottle of water. He pointed it out to me and said "they should be using a bottle that is just theirs. They shouldn't be throwing that away." I was so proud!

 I think I can balance the unhealthy food choices we might have to make with our healthy snacks and drinks. Bring on the beach!



alex's pick for a reusable water bottle