Habit. 2) Habits of a good nature, as well as bad, become steadfast by repetition of the same acts. Thus, an aptitude or inclination for some action is acquired, showing itself in facility of performance or in decreased power of resistance. Habit implies a settled disposition or tendency; consequently, the acts are performed with ease and enjoyment. Mother Church is especially interested in Catholics acquiring good habits because once perfected, they are not readily lost.
Peanut butter and jelly everyday. Yes, every single day your child eats the very same thing for lunch. This is not so bad. It could be worse, like drinking soda and eating cookies everyday. What makes a habit? A habit is something we do without even realizing it. A habit can be good or bad: it is simply something we do. Healthy eating should be something you do because it is a way of life, it is what you do, it is how you cook, and you do it without even thinking about it. A good habit is grabbing an apple instead of chips, or always having water with you…even in your car, and drinking water all throughout the day. A habit is something we do automatically. Making new good habits will help break bad habits. Breaking a bad habit will take conscious effort at first, but the day will come when it is replaced by an effortless good habit. My goal is to help you make healthy eating a good habit, and Lent is the perfect time to make permanent healthy changes.
I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me Philippians 4:13
Lent means "spring" or "new birth." Lent is a time to reflect and make positive change within our hearts through prayer, fasting, and charity. It is a time given to us to fit ourselves back into God's rhythm and be reconciled. It is so often that we “give up” something only for the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Holy Thursday and then we go back to the same routine. Make your first new habit by choosing something achievable. This would not be giving up your favorite dessert that you have occasionally, because we should all enjoy our favorites from time to time. Look at something more along the lines of switching out the white bread for whole wheat bread. Only buy whole wheat bread during Lent. Tell your children you love them and you are going to make some changes to keep them healthy. If they want a sandwich, then offer this bread. Try fruit or a handful of nuts for your afternoon snack rather than chips or ice cream. These habits are achievable because once they become a habit, these healthier foods are the ones you will crave. Your healthy habits will influence your children greatly.
Eating fruits and vegetables is a good habit. Eating fruits and vegetables should be as easy as brushing your teeth. It needs no explanation; it is a habit we do at least morning and night. This also translates into not talking about weight. We eat healthy because we take care of ourselves. Healthy habits make healthy lifestyles, and it starts with buying healthy foods, eating healthy foods, and making exercise a daily activity. Now is the time to create good habits. The Lenten season along with prayer and remembering His sacrifice will help you with self discipline to succeed. We need to do it for ourselves so we can lead our children by example. Our children will make healthy choices as they grow because of the foods we have available and offer them. These examples will help you establish healthy habits for your children.
Train a boy in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Choose one bad food habit your child has (the one that gives you the nagging feeling that your child is eating too much sugar or fat or a “food product” that is not really even food at all)
Be the parent, and help him change it today by offering him only what he can have; “Would you like milk or water with dinner?” and stick to the two choices
Use a kind and firm voice to say NO if he asks for junk food and explain why
-It is not healthy
-It has too much sugar
-You have already had a treat today (basic rule of 1 per day)
Do not conform yourself to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is the good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
I promise you if you do not buy the junk, in a few days, or even a few weeks (hang in there), your child will realize he will not be getting it anymore because it is not healthy, it is not available, and you love him. Then…eventually...it will not be an issue. You just broke a bad habit! Now you need to replace it with a good one. Now try this again and apply it to food or any other bad habit you may have. God is with you and He is always there to help. It takes discipline and sometimes it just takes getting really bored and tired of eating PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY!
