It was the night before Christmas  …………  both my kids were so excited that Santa was coming that night to deliver their presents.  Yes, my kids still believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Mouse.  Quite special really.

Leaving a snack out for Santa and his reindeer is something that they love to do before they go to bed on Christmas Eve.    So picture this……true story.

My oldest: Mom, have we got carrots for Santa’s reindeer?

Me: Yes, of course we do my angel, go and get them out the fridge. So off she scurries and puts them on a plate outside. She then goes to the “treat” cupboard (which is pretty bare since “going primal”)  and looks for the cookies for Santa.

My oldest: Mom, where are the cookies for Santa? There is nothing in the cupboard.

Me: (Look of panic – think quickly Nicky)   My sweetheart, didn’t I tell you? Santa’s also gone Primal  – just like us! Let’s rather put out some nice yummy cucumber sticks and meat balls for him.

My oldest: (Look of sheer horror on her beautiful little face)  But Mo-hom…. not everyone is Primal you know! We need to give Santa his milk and cookies – pleeeeezzz Mom (her bottom lip starting to quiver).

Me: (Worried that she is going to burst into tears at any moment)  Ok my love, we don’t have any cookies and the shops are all closed but why don’t we give him some delicious dark chocolate with his milk?

Fortunately she was happy with the compromise and Santa got some 75% Lindt dark chocolate squares put out for him with his glass of milk. Phew – emotional meltdown avoided.

Upon reflection, what this little interaction highlighted for me was that many of us struggle with change due to tradition and habits that have been formed over many years.  Unless there is an overwhelming need or desire to change our way of eating (such as a health risk or wanting to look good in a bikini next summer),  most of us don’t really want to make the effort to get out of our comfort zones.  We are happy just the way we are. If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it.

The problem is,  what happens in the future, when we are little bit older, a little bit sicker, a little bit fatter? Will we ask ourselves the question, “Could this have been avoided if I had started eating better 10 years ago?”

We especially need to teach our kids about making good healthy choices TODAY. We need to equip them NOW with the knowledge that will help them to lead healthy and vital lives. We all love our kids;   let’s make sure we do right by them.  We can’t be afraid to say “no” – we are parents and that is just part of the job. For every “no”, offer them a healthy substitute and/or a good explanation.

Remember, kids take note of what we do – not what we say. So let’s be good role models that they can learn from and in doing so we will be giving ourselves and our kids the most amazing gift – the gift of health.

Now I just need to think of a strategy for dealing with the Easter Bunny. Has he maybe “gone primal” too?

Watch this space……….