#115. Finding Joy in Family Meals: Balancing Health Advice with Fellowship and Delight with Dietitian and Nutritionist Emily Schumann (Part 2)

: 00:00:00

What if one of the most peaceful, steadfast people you knew

2

: 00:00:03

also happened to be an expert on

one of the most overwhelming and

3

: 00:00:06

confusing aspects of your life?

4

: 00:00:08

That's exactly what this

interview is with my friend Emily.

5

: 00:00:11

You won't walk away with a list of

to-dos and don'ts from an expert.

6

: 00:00:14

You're going to get wisdom and

encouragement from a real mom that will

7

: 00:00:17

restore your joy in feeding your family.

8

: 00:00:20

You'll walk away with your shoulders

a little bit less burdened.

9

: 00:00:23

Because we wanna help redeem

an area of life that God has

10

: 00:00:25

always wanted to bless you with,,

11

: 00:00:27

Speaker 8: instead of adhering

to an endless list of evidence,

12

: 00:00:29

restrictions, and shoulds, in part

two of this interview, Emily will

13

: 00:00:33

address some practical aspects of

how you can have fun with food.

14

: 00:00:37

Our whole purpose with this podcast

is to bring purpose and joy to the

15

: 00:00:40

repetition of motherhood, and I think

that this interview will do just that.

16

: 00:00:44

If you didn't have a chance

to listen to part one, I'll

17

: 00:00:46

link that in the show notes.

18

: 00:00:47

Make sure you catch it, because

with all of the restrictions and

19

: 00:00:50

guidelines that you encounter, This

podcast can serve as a mental reset to

20

: 00:00:54

remind you what God requires of you.

21

: 00:00:58

Steph: There are the joyful

agains, our children.

22

: 00:01:00

Shout on the swings, the exhausting

agains of cooking and laundry and

23

: 00:01:04

the difficult agains of discipline.

24

: 00:01:07

So much of what we do

as mothers is on repeat.

25

: 00:01:10

So what if we woke up with clarity,

knowing which agains we were called

26

: 00:01:13

to and went to bed believing we

are faithful in what matters most.

27

: 00:01:18

We believe God's word is

the key to untangle from the

28

: 00:01:21

confusion and overwhelm we feel.

29

: 00:01:24

Let's look up together to embrace a

motherhood full of freedom and joy.

30

: 00:01:30

When life gets really crazy

and busy, what are the basic

31

: 00:01:34

guidelines you try to stay true to?

32

: 00:01:35

And what are the things you let yourself

be more lenient in chaotic times?

33

: 00:01:39

Emily: I try to stick

with protein at all meals.

34

: 00:01:42

And then my basic framework, I think

I started it when my kids were really

35

: 00:01:46

little, just to help me have a bit of

a framework for meals to try to get

36

: 00:01:50

some variety and nutrition in there

is to have fruit at breakfast and a

37

: 00:01:54

snack and veggies at lunch and dinner.

38

: 00:01:56

And so if there's always

a protein and then.

39

: 00:01:59

Some fruits mixed in there

and veggies mixed in.

40

: 00:02:02

The grains and things like that

come pretty easily already.

41

: 00:02:05

And so those, that basic framework

has been helpful for me to just

42

: 00:02:08

kind of give a, an outline for

what a meal might look like.

43

: 00:02:11

Steph: Great.

44

: 00:02:12

And has this always been a source of

unity with you and Michael, or have

45

: 00:02:16

there been, opportunities to press in

and find out where your philosophies meet

46

: 00:02:20

Emily: I'm blessed that he's trust

my decisions and the schooling

47

: 00:02:23

that I had to kind of take the

reins for food for our family.

48

: 00:02:27

And he's so grateful for the fruit

of that for our family the ways

49

: 00:02:31

that we get to teach our kiddos.

50

: 00:02:32

And he comes alongside me in that now

too, and the ways that I'm able to provide

51

: 00:02:37

meals and the conversations towards it.

52

: 00:02:40

He's fully on board, So luckily , he's,

so grateful for what we can produce

53

: 00:02:44

and what I'm able to do because of

the schooling and background and even

54

: 00:02:49

just being home and able to do that.

55

: 00:02:51

Steph: Good.

56

: 00:02:52

Good.

57

: 00:02:52

And what would you say to

the mom with little kids?

58

: 00:02:55

How can you start?

59

: 00:02:56

Well, in the infant and

toddler stages of giving them

60

: 00:02:59

a great perspective on food, I.

61

: 00:03:01

Emily: This is such an exciting time.

62

: 00:03:03

I get excited about the first

foods and the journey of food for

63

: 00:03:08

kiddos, and you're like right in

that phase of them experiencing

64

: 00:03:12

this whole new platform of food.

65

: 00:03:14

And so I think modeling is

a big one in this stage.

66

: 00:03:16

Parents can really model eating in

variety and their, the atmosphere

67

: 00:03:22

at the table while you're eating.

68

: 00:03:24

It's not always easy, but trying to

sit down together for meals is really

69

: 00:03:28

helpful throughout all the stages,

but especially just starting young in

70

: 00:03:32

this stage to model eating together

and putting similar food on the plate.

71

: 00:03:36

Again, that can't always be done

perfectly, but if you can have

72

: 00:03:39

pretty similar food on your plate,

then what they're having and model.

73

: 00:03:42

Eating that and having a positive

environment, not a battle at

74

: 00:03:45

the dinner table or lunch table.

75

: 00:03:48

Then that can be really impactful

for their food journey going forward.

76

: 00:03:52

You can present them with the food

and then all sit down to just enjoy

77

: 00:03:55

it together and kind of let them take

the reins of what they do with it

78

: 00:03:58

and how they experience and what they

eat first and those kind of things.

79

: 00:04:02

They'll really pick up on the atmosphere.

80

: 00:04:04

See you eating and your excitement or

your discussion and positivity towards

81

: 00:04:08

food, and it'll really encourage them.

82

: 00:04:10

I know.

83

: 00:04:11

This phase can be tricky with some kiddos

asserting preferences and starting to show

84

: 00:04:16

that autonomy, but I think that's totally

normal, and usually if you persevere

85

: 00:04:21

through that, it does get better in time.

86

: 00:04:23

And so just trying to keep things positive

and you continuously stay steadfast

87

: 00:04:28

in the modeling of eating food and

talking about it in a positive light.

88

: 00:04:32

Steph: Yes.

89

: 00:04:32

That's great.

90

: 00:04:33

What about the moms that feel

like they haven't done a great job

91

: 00:04:37

at this and they're feeling some

conviction and they wanna ch shift

92

: 00:04:40

things, but their kids are older now.

93

: 00:04:42

What advice would you have for them?

94

: 00:04:44

Emily: Yeah, I think it's never too late

to make changes that you want to make.

95

: 00:04:48

And I think especially if you have

older kids, it goes a long ways to

96

: 00:04:51

have a discussion with them, share with

them openly and honestly about where

97

: 00:04:56

you see opportunity and what you're

excited to maybe make changes for.

98

: 00:04:59

It's kind of a gift to have that

conviction to see some changes

99

: 00:05:03

that you want to make, and so

seeing it as an opportunity.

100

: 00:05:06

For change and including them even

in that initial conversation of I've

101

: 00:05:09

noticed that I, we are doing this.

102

: 00:05:12

I'd really like to get more into

this, or I'd really like to get this

103

: 00:05:15

habit for our family established.

104

: 00:05:18

And so even brainstorming with them and

including them in that conversation can

105

: 00:05:21

be helpful to see if they have ideas

or if they've even noticed and they're

106

: 00:05:25

already on board for making those changes.

107

: 00:05:27

It's definitely never too late and

including them can be really helpful.

108

: 00:05:30

And then.

109

: 00:05:31

I would say similar things as

far as you setting the standard

110

: 00:05:35

and modeling that first for them.

111

: 00:05:37

If you're excited about it, they're

likely gonna still be excited about it

112

: 00:05:40

and creating that positive environment.

113

: 00:05:43

They can take on more responsibilities

when they're older though,

114

: 00:05:45

so that's awesome and fun.

115

: 00:05:47

And you can let them do that if they're

already initiating or ask them to

116

: 00:05:51

take on a little bit of the prep if

they're up for that and able to have

117

: 00:05:55

The skills to do that, or they could

prepare a side even, or they could

118

: 00:05:59

prepare a whole meal at some point.

119

: 00:06:00

Finding a new recipe and making it.

120

: 00:06:02

And so getting them involved in the

process and in food and some of the

121

: 00:06:06

changes you wanna make as a whole

family, it does create that unity for

122

: 00:06:09

your family and it gets them buy-in

for wanting to take ownership of

123

: 00:06:13

their own food journey and food eating

experience and nutrition and doing

124

: 00:06:17

that together can be really sweet.

125

: 00:06:20

Steph: I agree.

126

: 00:06:21

And it's interesting.

127

: 00:06:22

My 14-year-old son has been coming

home telling me, mom, did you know.

128

: 00:06:27

And there are things that I've

definitely tried to trade him in

129

: 00:06:29

and it's just funny, but it's sweet

to see him owning it for himself.

130

: 00:06:33

Now his convictions are getting

stronger and it's neat to see the

131

: 00:06:37

Lord working those things out in him

that have always been important to me.

132

: 00:06:40

But maybe the motivation wa, was a little

bit more strongly from my direction.

133

: 00:06:45

Emily: Yeah,

134

: 00:06:46

They take more notice of that

too and can take ownership of it.

135

: 00:06:49

Yeah.

136

: 00:06:49

Steph: You, told us how you acquire

meals and where you search for those,

137

: 00:06:53

but I think that really one of your

strengths as a mother is that you

138

: 00:06:57

bring your kids alongside you for.

139

: 00:06:59

What the Lord has called you to, and

I'm wondering how you incorporate

140

: 00:07:03

your kids in meal planning and

cooking, shopping, any of it.

141

: 00:07:07

Do you have favorite routines

or tools that you've used

142

: 00:07:10

for them to help you cook or

143

: 00:07:12

Emily: That's so sweet.

144

: 00:07:13

I love having them in the kitchen with

me, and I think that promotes them

145

: 00:07:16

wanting to be in the kitchen with me.

146

: 00:07:18

I try to say yes when they ask

to participate, that's not always

147

: 00:07:21

possible, but when it's not possible,

I think I tell them like, I'm in a

148

: 00:07:25

hurry to get this done today, but

let's try to do that some other time.

149

: 00:07:28

So I'm giving them an

opportunity soon and then I try.

150

: 00:07:30

Stick to that as much as I can of being

mindful of, I do wanna incorporate

151

: 00:07:35

them in, I, my gut reaction sometimes

is just no, I need, I want to do this

152

: 00:07:39

dinner, needs to get on the table.

153

: 00:07:41

But then I try to be quick to say, do

I need to say no to that right now?

154

: 00:07:44

Or is there a way that's.

155

: 00:07:45

Still allows me to accomplish

what I'm trying to do and they

156

: 00:07:48

can come alongside me in it.

157

: 00:07:50

They can measure, or they can even

play alongside while I'm doing this.

158

: 00:07:54

And then I can see more

opportunities for them to join in.

159

: 00:07:58

And I have to let go of some of the mess.

160

: 00:08:00

I have to let go of some

of it not looking exactly.

161

: 00:08:03

Like I wanted it to, but it's so sweet

to do that so I think my excitement

162

: 00:08:07

for food and my welcomingness to

have them join in can really help.

163

: 00:08:12

They ask sometimes.

164

: 00:08:13

Now my kiddos will ask to do

this silly thing called the Mommy

165

: 00:08:17

Cooking Show, and they love it.

166

: 00:08:19

It was their idea to do it.

167

: 00:08:20

And so sometimes when I'm

making dinner they'll be like,

168

: 00:08:22

do the Mommy cooking show.

169

: 00:08:23

And so it's just me walking through.

170

: 00:08:25

One of them pretends to film and

the other one is my assistant.

171

: 00:08:28

And.

172

: 00:08:28

It just makes that experience fun.

173

: 00:08:31

and then they're helping and we're

kind of pretending and explaining

174

: 00:08:34

everything and it's so silly.

175

: 00:08:36

But your kids will often,

they're creative, so they'll

176

: 00:08:39

have ideas of things they wanna

do, and I wanna try to be quick.

177

: 00:08:42

To not just say no when, that might be my

instinct, but see where I can find a yes

178

: 00:08:47

for them to be involved in the kitchen.

179

: 00:08:49

And so I don't necessarily, my

daughter has some of the knives that

180

: 00:08:52

are more safe since she's been really

excited about those to be able to

181

: 00:08:55

cut some things and prep with me.

182

: 00:08:57

But they're good at coming up with ideas

and it's such a good life skill to teach

183

: 00:09:02

them to have them alongside you And they

can do more usually than you realize.

184

: 00:09:07

The mess is minimal and it gets

better and better over time.

185

: 00:09:10

The more time they're with you in the

kitchen, the easier they are in navigating

186

: 00:09:13

things And the more efficient they are.

187

: 00:09:15

And so just keep on pressing

into it is what I would say.

188

: 00:09:19

Steph: I can see the Lord

bringing that to reality.

189

: 00:09:21

The Mommy cooking Show for a wider

audience than just your children.

190

: 00:09:26

Emily: I don't think so, but

it's very silly and it's so fun.

191

: 00:09:30

Steph: How sweet.

192

: 00:09:31

what are your favorite treats and snacks

to make right now for your family?

193

: 00:09:35

Emily: like to make homemade bread.

194

: 00:09:37

I don't mill, but I like to try

some sourdough stuff sometimes.

195

: 00:09:41

But I like cinnamon rolls and

biscuits and scones and that kind

196

: 00:09:44

of pastries and things like that.

197

: 00:09:47

I like making different dips

or sauces for veggies and.

198

: 00:09:51

Some like protein based cookie

dough and things like that.

199

: 00:09:54

So those are my favorite

200

: 00:09:55

things.

201

: 00:09:56

Steph: Yum.

202

: 00:09:57

Would you be willing to send me links

to a couple of those favorite recipes

203

: 00:10:01

Emily: Yeah.

204

: 00:10:01

I love recipe sharing.

205

: 00:10:02

Steph: okay.

206

: 00:10:03

Excellent.

207

: 00:10:04

Because I'm thinking that's a

really great way, the different

208

: 00:10:07

dips to make your kids excited

209

: 00:10:09

Emily: Uhhuh.

210

: 00:10:09

Yep.

211

: 00:10:10

Yep.

212

: 00:10:10

Steph: Great.

213

: 00:10:10

And the protein cookie dough,

214

: 00:10:12

nothing beats cookie dough.

215

: 00:10:13

Emily: Uhhuh, it still

216

: 00:10:14

tastes so good, but then it's nutritious.

217

: 00:10:16

It's great.

218

: 00:10:17

Speaker 6: Let's pause from our

interview for just a second because

219

: 00:10:20

I wanna help bring clarity to

two other aspects of your life.

220

: 00:10:23

First of all, our number one goal.

221

: 00:10:25

Is that you would be rooted in

the word of God and that that

222

: 00:10:28

would guide you in your parenting.

223

: 00:10:29

That's why we created the

Daily Dwelling Place podcast.

224

: 00:10:32

It's just for moms and every

day We'll talk about the Bible,

225

: 00:10:36

read a portion of scripture.

226

: 00:10:37

And then close praying

over you and your kids.

227

: 00:10:39

All in under 10 minutes,

228

: 00:10:40

Secondly, the world is

giving you so many messages.

229

: 00:10:44

About what good parenting looks like.

230

: 00:10:45

But listen to this testimony from Amanda

about how Entrusted brought direction.

231

: 00:10:50

She says The Entrusted with the

child's heart parenting study has

232

: 00:10:53

been such a blessing to our family.

233

: 00:10:54

Parenting three Boys is not always easy,

there are so many different approaches

234

: 00:10:58

and ideas that it feels overwhelming

to know what the right way is.

235

: 00:11:02

We had a few friends who had used the

tools and strategies discussed and

236

: 00:11:05

Entrusted with their own families, and

we had seen the fruit of a biblically

237

: 00:11:09

based parenting approach up close.

238

: 00:11:11

That's exactly what we wanted for

our family and this study gave

239

: 00:11:13

that to us, Entrusted brought

everything back to God in the Bible.

240

: 00:11:17

So not only did we learn how to parent

our three boys in a biblical way, but it

241

: 00:11:21

also strengthened our own relationship

with the Lord and our understanding

242

: 00:11:24

of him as our Heavenly Father Entrusted

gave us the foundation and real

243

: 00:11:28

tools to bring biblical obedience,

discipline, peace and wisdom into

244

: 00:11:32

our home at every stage of parenting.

245

: 00:11:35

If this sounds like the clarity

you're longing for in your parenting.

246

: 00:11:38

We can equip you to take the study on

your own or start a church or home group.

247

: 00:11:42

I'll link an episode in the show notes

that provides some of the key benefits

248

: 00:11:45

of this scripture saturated study.

249

: 00:11:47

back to our interview with

the amazing Emily Schumann.

250

: 00:11:51

Steph: And it's been hard to not mention

this earlier in the conversation,

251

: 00:11:54

but you and your husband are opening

up a coffee shop, Lord willing, so

252

: 00:11:59

what are some recipes as you're

gonna be helping develop the menu?

253

: 00:12:02

What are some recipes that

you're gonna be featuring

254

: 00:12:05

Emily: Oh man, this is

so fun and so crazy.

255

: 00:12:08

Yes, the Lord has brought this

to us and we are so excited.

256

: 00:12:11

We're excited to create a sweet

atmosphere that's like warm and inviting.

257

: 00:12:16

We for sure want good coffee and

yummy food, and so I'm excited to

258

: 00:12:19

some fun flavor combinations with

breakfast sandwiches on the menu.

259

: 00:12:23

And we will have cinnamon rolls,

which is one of my favorite

260

: 00:12:25

things to make in rollout.

261

: 00:12:27

And so that's exciting to share with

people and have something comforting.

262

: 00:12:31

We have, we're still finalizing all

the details, but I'm excited to have

263

: 00:12:35

some like simple, delicious treats

264

: 00:12:38

Steph: Yum.

265

: 00:12:39

I think breakfast tends to be

something moms can get in a rut with.

266

: 00:12:43

can you give us some ideas of what you

do and if there's a rhythm that you

267

: 00:12:47

have that's made it simple to plan for?

268

: 00:12:49

Emily: Yes, so we plug in

similar breakfast every week and

269

: 00:12:54

kind of rotate through those.

270

: 00:12:56

And usually we have some kind of.

271

: 00:12:58

Oatmeal for breakfast, whether

it's a baked oatmeal or

272

: 00:13:01

stove top or overnight oats.

273

: 00:13:03

And then we usually do some

kind of egg dish for breakfast.

274

: 00:13:07

Again, variety in that is

what I appreciate and enjoy.

275

: 00:13:10

So we'll do egg bites, which have

some cottage cheese in them and egg

276

: 00:13:15

casseroles or egg sandwiches, so

getting some protein with the eggs.

277

: 00:13:18

Then we'll do parfaits or protein waffles

or pancakes or something like that.

278

: 00:13:24

And then we also like to do.

279

: 00:13:25

Healthier muffins.

280

: 00:13:27

So we do variety throughout the week,

but then repeat those week after week.

281

: 00:13:31

And we'll add in breakfasts, meats

chicken sausages or Canadian bacon or

282

: 00:13:35

something like that and so that's our

go-tos and we just vary them a little bit

283

: 00:13:40

Steph: sure.

284

: 00:13:40

Yeah, those are great options.

285

: 00:13:42

I used to always do these egg bites

for my kids in the muffin tins, and I

286

: 00:13:47

found that the barrier to me staying

consistent with it was that muffin

287

: 00:13:51

pans are so annoying to wash and then

I just didn't stick with the rhythm.

288

: 00:13:55

But a friend recently recommended

to me the silicone baking

289

: 00:13:59

Emily: Yes.

290

: 00:13:59

That's what I have.

291

: 00:14:00

Steph: You do.

292

: 00:14:01

It's life changing.

293

: 00:14:03

Yes.

294

: 00:14:03

I've been making regular muffins in them,

but I'm excited to try egg bites again.

295

: 00:14:08

Emily: Uhhuh.

296

: 00:14:08

Yes, we do Dutch babies on Friday too.

297

: 00:14:11

So that's like a consistent Friday

thing for us, which is super fun.

298

: 00:14:14

Steph: Very fun.

299

: 00:14:15

Yes.

300

: 00:14:15

Made the family presentation, didn't it?

301

: 00:14:17

So that's a highlight for

your kids of the week.

302

: 00:14:19

Yeah.

303

: 00:14:19

Emily: rhythm that they love and it's

predictability of they know it's coming,

304

: 00:14:22

it's Friday, therefore it's Dutch baby.

305

: 00:14:24

And then we just vary up the

toppings and then they love it.

306

: 00:14:26

Steph: Okay.

307

: 00:14:27

Would you believe I've never had a Dutch

308

: 00:14:29

Emily: man, I think I need to

309

: 00:14:30

make

310

: 00:14:31

you a Dutch baby.

311

: 00:14:32

It's amazing.

312

: 00:14:33

It's also so fun because of the eggs.

313

: 00:14:35

It like rises up really high and

the kids love it because it looks

314

: 00:14:38

huge and then it deflates a little

after you bring it out of the oven.

315

: 00:14:41

It's super fun.

316

: 00:14:42

It's like a big old pancake, but you can

just make it in a nine by 13, so it's

317

: 00:14:46

way faster to pour it all in, bake it

318

: 00:14:48

off, and then,

319

: 00:14:49

have it

320

: 00:14:49

Steph: okay.

321

: 00:14:50

That's what I need because my kids

love pancakes and I'll often make

322

: 00:14:53

protein pancakes, but my goodness,

it takes forever for a family of six.

323

: 00:14:58

And if I'm gonna do it, I'll make it

for I'll make 'em on a Saturday morning.

324

: 00:15:02

Then I also make 'em for Sunday

morning so that it's an easy breakfast

325

: 00:15:04

before church, but it's it's an

326

: 00:15:06

Emily: Yep.

327

: 00:15:06

Yep.

328

: 00:15:07

Steph: Okay,

329

: 00:15:08

Emily: we put frozen blueberries

on top usually, with just a

330

: 00:15:11

little maple syrup in them.

331

: 00:15:12

And so we don't add anymore maple syrup.

332

: 00:15:15

Like the kids don't add that individually.

333

: 00:15:17

I've already added it and with

the, and we always have frozen.

334

: 00:15:20

Blueberries or some kind of frozen fruit.

335

: 00:15:21

So it's pretty easy, especially on a

Friday when we're kind of feeling finished

336

: 00:15:25

with meal prepping and just the week

in general, it's an easier one to have

337

: 00:15:29

and the kids they know the day of the

week by what we're having for breakfast.

338

: 00:15:33

Is it Friday Dutch baby?

339

: 00:15:34

You know, like they get so excited.

340

: 00:15:35

So it's fun to have those kind

of traditions in your week

341

: 00:15:38

too, that incorporate food.

342

: 00:15:40

Which helps you as a mom to

have more predictability and

343

: 00:15:43

less like, what are we gonna do?

344

: 00:15:44

It's like Friday we have Dutch

baby and sometimes we vary.,

345

: 00:15:48

The fruit or things like that.

346

: 00:15:49

We'll do applesauce or the blueberries

to get some variety in there.

347

: 00:15:52

But it makes it a lot easier for me

348

: 00:15:55

Steph: Sure.

349

: 00:15:55

And then I think it sets their

expectations that in life.

350

: 00:15:59

We anticipate things, it's not

an everyday thing, and then they

351

: 00:16:02

know it's gonna be Friday, but

it's not gonna be any other day.

352

: 00:16:06

you have any special birthday

food traditions that you do?

353

: 00:16:09

Emily: Yes.

354

: 00:16:10

We usually do pancakes and eggs

for birthday breakfast, and

355

: 00:16:14

then the kiddo gets to pick.

356

: 00:16:16

The dinner that they want

for their breakfast dinner.

357

: 00:16:19

And so I'll make whatever they prefer.

358

: 00:16:22

Some kiddos, it's hot dogs and so

there's not much prep for me, but

359

: 00:16:25

that's what they like right now.

360

: 00:16:27

And so we do it.

361

: 00:16:28

Other kiddos have picked like biscuit, top

chicken, pop pie, and then we make that.

362

: 00:16:32

And so we usually have family

over for that birthday dinner.

363

: 00:16:36

And so we make whatever they

request on their birthday.

364

: 00:16:39

Steph: sure.

365

: 00:16:40

Emily, how would you encourage a

mom to guide when she's feeling

366

: 00:16:44

like there are things that she wants

to limit, like maybe, treats and

367

: 00:16:49

sweets that kids are very drawn to

and she knows that's not something

368

: 00:16:53

that I want us doing all the time.

369

: 00:16:55

Emily: Yes.

370

: 00:16:56

Even as a dietician, this can feel.

371

: 00:16:58

Like a lot sometimes, and

it's hard to navigate.

372

: 00:17:01

But I think if you have a baseline

at home for what you feel comfortable

373

: 00:17:04

with, if there's parameters of.

374

: 00:17:07

We don't generally do treats unless

it's a special birthday or we are

375

: 00:17:11

having friends do something out of

the norm or that, or it is a healthier

376

: 00:17:16

treat that we have a couple of times

a week and I'm fine with that, or

377

: 00:17:18

whatever works best for your family.

378

: 00:17:20

I think if you feel comfortable

with what you're doing most

379

: 00:17:24

of the time in your home.

380

: 00:17:26

Then when the extra things

come up, it gives a little more

381

: 00:17:29

freedom to say yes without feeling

like it's ruining everything.

382

: 00:17:32

and so trying to ask that I, my response

to that I think if you're already

383

: 00:17:36

comfortable with what you're doing on for

90% of the time, then the 10%, there's

384

: 00:17:42

some extra, you're a lot, there's a lot

more freedom to say yes and not be as

385

: 00:17:46

content with where you're at most of

the time, that might be an exception.

386

: 00:17:50

But then you go back to kind of

the baseline of treats or things

387

: 00:17:54

like that that feels manageable and

you feel comfortable with at home.

388

: 00:17:57

And so just establishing what that looks

like, does it feel too much if your kids

389

: 00:18:01

are asking for this and you're having

to say no a lot, and set some standards

390

: 00:18:04

of, this is where I can feel peaceful.

391

: 00:18:07

Saying Yes without it

feeling like too much.

392

: 00:18:10

So then my yes can come easily when

it's those special occasions that I

393

: 00:18:13

wanna let them experience, and I'm

not too worried about those one-off

394

: 00:18:18

Steph: Yep.

395

: 00:18:18

That is great.

396

: 00:18:19

It there is moderation, right?

397

: 00:18:21

Emily: And that's part of life

and part of experiencing food.

398

: 00:18:23

And so yes, absolutely you allow

for those things, but also you

399

: 00:18:27

don't wanna be stressed the whole

time those things are happening.

400

: 00:18:30

And so I think that comes from

being at a more peaceful baseline

401

: 00:18:35

to then let go of when it's those

402

: 00:18:37

exceptions.

403

: 00:18:38

Steph: And I once heard a

nutritionist say that she talked to

404

: 00:18:42

her kids about these are sometimes

foods and these are always foods.

405

: 00:18:46

And as you're talking about positivity and

kind of redeeming what the Lord intended

406

: 00:18:51

to be, a joyful experience, I'm wondering.

407

: 00:18:54

If you've heard that language before,

or if there's language that you use to

408

: 00:18:58

classify certain foods for your kids,

409

: 00:19:00

Emily: I have heard that used before.

410

: 00:19:02

I don't personally use it.,

411

: 00:19:03

It's not bad to use.

412

: 00:19:04

I just tend to use words like

are these foods that are gonna.

413

: 00:19:08

Fill up our stomachs with yummy things.

414

: 00:19:10

Are these like gonna give

us good nutrition to grow?

415

: 00:19:12

You know, Try to stay focused on the

nutrition of the food and the health of

416

: 00:19:16

the food to keep it on the positive side.

417

: 00:19:18

And then anything else that we

may have that's not as often.

418

: 00:19:21

So like that sometimes food.

419

: 00:19:23

I just call like a special treat.

420

: 00:19:25

So this is a special

treat we're gonna have.

421

: 00:19:27

And then you're kind of labeling

it as that thing that's not, the

422

: 00:19:30

expectation isn't to have it all the

time because it is a special treat.

423

: 00:19:34

And the norm goes back to all the

good foods that fill us up with

424

: 00:19:37

all the things that grow us healthy

and strong and things like that.

425

: 00:19:39

They're incorporated in, but if it

depends on the label, you wanna use it.

426

: 00:19:43

So yeah, you could use those labels.

427

: 00:19:44

I just don't actually do those,

but just use special treat instead.

428

: 00:19:48

Steph: And I have to just say, I found it

refreshing that at Christmas time you gave

429

: 00:19:53

your class Christmas nerd scummy clusters.

430

: 00:19:55

I was like, Aw and I think that speaks

to your balanced approach, that you

431

: 00:20:01

do choose wisely most of the time.

432

: 00:20:03

But occasionally there is room for that

fun treat and something that's worth

433

: 00:20:07

breaking the rules for the norm for,

434

: 00:20:10

Emily: Yes, absolutely.

435

: 00:20:11

Dieticians.

436

: 00:20:12

I think like favorite

motto is all foods can fit.

437

: 00:20:14

And whether it's something that

you just don't do all that often

438

: 00:20:17

but still get to enjoy, it's never.

439

: 00:20:20

Off the table, unless it

really needs to be for health

440

: 00:20:22

reasons or something like that.

441

: 00:20:23

But otherwise you can fit it in just

it's the frequency or how comfortable

442

: 00:20:27

you are with where that falls.

443

: 00:20:29

Steph: I appreciate the balance of that

and I think it makes it sustainable

444

: 00:20:33

and it does seem like it's an area

that the enemy would so love to rob

445

: 00:20:37

as we continue to gain all of this

information and it's overwhelming, but

446

: 00:20:41

remembering that God wanted this to be

a joyful experience to gather around.

447

: 00:20:46

Emily: Yes, absolutely.

448

: 00:20:47

Steph: When I think about even families

gathering together for meals, it seems

449

: 00:20:52

that food restrictions and all these

different diets, it gets so complicated.

450

: 00:20:56

It almost makes you wanna throw in the

towel and not even gather with people.

451

: 00:21:00

Emily: I know it is.

452

: 00:21:01

It makes it hard.

453

: 00:21:02

Steph: Yes, and I, I mean, my own family,

we have some severe food allergies.

454

: 00:21:06

So I understand it and I've been

part of that even falling prey

455

: 00:21:11

in the past to thinking, oh,

it needs to be a certain way.

456

: 00:21:14

And I think if I could correct and go

back, I would be more flexible and I would

457

: 00:21:21

stay true to the things that need to be.

458

: 00:21:24

For allergy reasons, but

flexed on other things.

459

: 00:21:28

So I appreciate your perspective so much.

460

: 00:21:30

Emily: Yeah.

461

: 00:21:30

Thank you.

462

: 00:21:31

It's hard to look back on that

and of course we would see things

463

: 00:21:34

we would wanna do differently.

464

: 00:21:36

Yeah.

465

: 00:21:36

I was gonna mention, I think when.

466

: 00:21:38

Something is restricted when

it's not a health reason,

467

: 00:21:42

like an allergy or something.

468

: 00:21:43

It only oftentimes makes us want

it more, and so if you're like, I

469

: 00:21:46

can't have this food because I'm

gonna restrict myself in that way.

470

: 00:21:50

Oftentimes our simple nature, that's

like the thing that we then want most.

471

: 00:21:55

And so I think if we allow ourselves, like

you were saying, to have those things.

472

: 00:21:59

Like gummy nerds or whatever it is.

473

: 00:22:01

If you restricted that completely,

you're only gonna want it most

474

: 00:22:04

of the time, like all the more.

475

: 00:22:06

So if you give yourself the freedom to

say, this isn't an off limits food for

476

: 00:22:10

forever, it's just a special treat or

it's just a, however you wanna phrase it.

477

: 00:22:15

So that it's not this thing

that I could never have.

478

: 00:22:18

'cause then that often

makes us want it more.

479

: 00:22:20

So giving yourself the freedom to not

take something completely off the table,

480

: 00:22:23

but trying to have the self-control

with mod moderation and things, which

481

: 00:22:28

isn't always easy, but not eliminate

altogether, can make it less of a

482

: 00:22:32

temptation to just want it more.

483

: 00:22:34

Steph: That reminds me actually as I think

back to a really key moment for me, one

484

: 00:22:39

of my best friends is a nurse and she

was working on an eating disorder floor.

485

: 00:22:44

And she told me, and this

was right in the middle of.

486

: 00:22:48

Me really researching for food

allergies, but then also thinking,

487

: 00:22:51

how am I gonna cook for my family?

488

: 00:22:53

And she said that most of the young

people on that floor grew up in

489

: 00:22:58

families that were very strictly

organic or had very strict eating diets.

490

: 00:23:05

And she could see how it almost became

such an obsession in the family.

491

: 00:23:10

And I just was so thankful

that the Lord provided that.

492

: 00:23:14

Advice for me at that point to

say don't let this become an idol

493

: 00:23:18

or something that distracts you,

but try to bless your family.

494

: 00:23:22

Try to set them up for success,

just don't go too far with it.

495

: 00:23:25

Emily: You don't need to put those

restrictions on, then what benefit

496

: 00:23:28

is that doing in the long run?

497

: 00:23:29

It's only creating that negative

environment or the stress of the eating

498

: 00:23:33

environment, which for your whole body

system, like your gut, that's putting so

499

: 00:23:37

much stress on you while you're trying to

eat, which can have negative consequences.

500

: 00:23:42

And yeah, even like longer

term than eating can be.

501

: 00:23:47

A little bit more consuming or it could

just lead to paths you don't want to.

502

: 00:23:51

So if they're not necessary trying to let

go of some of those things that we would

503

: 00:23:55

like to control, that's our propensity.

504

: 00:23:57

Our simple nature is wanting to

control it and for good reason.

505

: 00:24:01

Trying to get nutrition in our

kids oftentimes is the reason

506

: 00:24:04

we're trying to control it.

507

: 00:24:05

But the end result is more stress and

more negative environment instead of

508

: 00:24:11

letting that eating environment be

really positive, which can have way more.

509

: 00:24:14

Positive benefits in the long run?

510

: 00:24:16

Steph: Well, thank you for taking such

a practical topic and making it really

511

: 00:24:20

about the heart and being grateful to the

Lord for this blessing he's given us, and

512

: 00:24:25

guiding us to think wisely as we plan.

513

: 00:24:29

That's much of the battle that we're

facing in the overwhelm the confusion.

514

: 00:24:33

You brought real clarity today and,

I'm so grateful for who you are

515

: 00:24:37

and think that really came through.

516

: 00:24:39

Emily: Thank you.

517

: 00:24:39

I was excited to do this

and you were so encouraging

518

: 00:24:43

Speaker 10: We know you're busy,

mama, so we are truly grateful you

519

: 00:24:46

joined us for this episode of Again.

520

: 00:24:48

If you're looking for more information

about building your home on the

521

: 00:24:51

foundation of Jesus Christ, head

to www.entrustedministries.com

522

: 00:24:58

to learn more about our study for

moms, Entrusted With a Child's Heart.

523

: 00:25:01

This scripture-saturated study

has blessed families around the

524

: 00:25:05

world, and we want it for you too.

525

: 00:25:08

Before you go, I want to pray

this benediction over you

526

: 00:25:12

from 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.

527

: 00:25:16

We're rooting for you.

528

: 00:25:18

"To this end we always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of His

529

: 00:25:23

calling, and may fulfill every resolve

for good and every work of faith by

530

: 00:25:28

His power, so that the name of our

Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,

531

: 00:25:34

and you in Him, according to the grace

of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."

532

: 00:25:40

Amen.

533

: 00:25:41

Until we meet

534

: 00:25:42

again.