Congratulations to the Tanner family from Anacortes, Washington who won our 30-day Whole Foods Family Makeover program starting this Monday, April 18th. Could your family benefit from a nutritional makeover?
A couple of weeks ago we have announced our Raw Mom Contest to offer families a chance to win our brand new 30-day Whole Foods Family Makeover Program. The entries were pouring in and it was truly difficult to choose the winner. After hours of deliberation and thinking we have chosen the Tanner family, and since they agreed, we will share their story with you. I am sure you will identify with them in many aspects.
Tell us a little bit about your family:
We are a happy, fun loving, active family with a mom (age 42), a dad (age 40) and five children. There are three girls ages 16, 12 and 10. The two boys are age 14 and 7. We have one cat. The oldest child goes to public high school, the younger 4 home school.
Where do you live in the world and what’s it like there?
We live in Anacortes, Washington USA. We are on an island in the northwest corner of the state. What we love best: There are a lot of beautiful forest lands and miles of wonderful, rocky coastline here. It is a small town of about 15,000 people. Our family loves to walk, jog and bike on the many forest trails.
What brought you here looking for support for healthy living?
I (Deanne) have been trying to ‘go raw’ or be vegan or vegetarian for several years now. I waver off and on with healthy eating. I have spent many hours searching the internet, reading books and talking to people about the ideal eating plans. There are so many different beliefs out there! I came across your website when I was on a quest to find green smoothie recipes, and liked what you were teaching. I was especially delighted with your happy style, and quickly signed up for your email encouragements.
What would a healthy diet look for you?
I would love to be 80% raw, vegetarian. Whole foods, real foods, not refined substitutes. I am still trying to formulate my ideal in regards to dairy. I really want to be 100% free of refined sugars. My idea of a ‘healthy diet’ also includes my mental health. I want to eat this way with a healthy attitude about it. I want to do it because I love it and believe in it — not because I fee like I ‘should’ do it that way. I don’t have good will power when it comes to doing something I don’t want to do.
What would it mean to you if your family won the 30-day makeover?
Having our whole family have a total make-over would be miraculous. Not only would it bring increased health, but also greater self esteem and peace-of-mind for every member. I asked the kids what they thought, and they said, “It would be scary, but worth it in the end!”
Here is why I know we need to make changes: My husband is slightly overweight, and has a family history of diabetes and heart problems on both sides of his family. I would really like to have him stay alive for many more years, and I think changing our diet is crucial to achieving this goal. Although I have always enjoyed good health, I feel like I am declining in energy, brain function and mobility. Cancer and depression are prevalent in my family history. I’d rather not participate in those ailments, which I believe are highly diet related. Also, I have started to wonder if I have ADD. I’d like to experiment and see what your way of eating could do to help me in this area. I want to stay active and intelligent for a long time! I have one child who has started to develop bad acne. I hope that he could avoid medication and a suffering self image if we could figure out a better eating plan for him. How do you successfully feed a hungry, active teenage boy?! Some of my children are aspiring athletes, and they actually ask for me to make healthy foods. I feel like I am letting them down when I can’t seem to provide the good nutrition that is crucial for their healthy growth and athletic success. it would be so wonderful to meet their needs in this area!
Perhaps the most important reason I see for changing our diet is for the future of our children, and for the well-being of all the people that we will influence. My children are forming attitudes and habits now, that will influence the way they raise their own children. Our family is active in the community, and I know that the changes we make will be seen by all of the people that we associate with. I would love for our family to be a happy, healthy example of what this kind of eating can do! My husband and I both have members in our extended family who are in ill health and would be so much better off if they could change their eating patterns. It would be so wonderful to have the ability to influence and help them when they are ready to change their lives as well.
I have tried repeatedly to change, but I can’t seem to do it alone. Having a professional, caring mentor would make such a difference in my efforts! It would be so glorious to finally achieve my desires, and then be able to help those around me turn to better health and happiness as well!
Enjoy!
What do you think?
Could your family benefit from a healthy makeover? In what ways would you like your family’s health changed? What kinds of support could we offer to you here in our raw mom community?
Post your comments below!
