the whole plate.

Allow me to relay the last text message I received from my sister:

“I’m craving a huge plate of vegetables with hummus!  What have you done to me?”

Next thing I knew, she had served herself up the following:

shockingly, i was not involved in the preparation of this plate.

Looking at this photo, I can’t help but grin.

When I moved back in with my parents after Prague, I remember asking my mom if she had any yogurt in the house.  She quickly smiled and reached into the fridge, pulling out a Dannon Light ‘n Fit with the phrase, “I have this – it only has 60 calories!”

I could never stomach flavored yogurts, let alone whatever those little containers were [not yogurt, that much I know].  Soon after, I introduced my mom to the plain yogurt I had eaten in Europe.  I showed her how she could add some honey or jam to sweeten it, and eventually I got her hooked on Greek-style.  She buys nothing but these days, and she always comments on how satisfying it is.

My influence has also gotten a close friend hooked on banana oatmeal with almond butter and brought the wonder of coconut Larabars into the life of a stylist I once worked with on a catalogue shoot.

I even manage to influence myself.  My parents brought in a loaf of fresh challah this weekend, and I’ll never deny myself that doughy, egg-y, braided bread.  My teenage self would have slathered on butter and salt, but the good health grown-up went with  yogurt, maple syrup, and cinnamon [so good, by the way].

there are few bread products i love more than freshly baked challah.

I find it immensely gratifying when I can help other people realize that real, healthy food does, in fact, taste delicious.  Though most of my old friends find my habits strange, and even some of my extended family just can’t get on board with all the vegetables, the people I see most often have warmed up to my style.  Over time, I’m seeing them catch on, and it thrills me.

We need to eat all day long, every single day, so I figure it’s natural to observe and discuss the preferences of those around us.  If you see your roommate eat and enjoy Greek yogurt day after day, eventually you’re going to become curious about the reason she never tires of it.

That’s exactly how my sister became a Fage addict and how, for instance, my mom began to  incorporate whole grains and sweet potatoes into her dinners, rather than skipping out on the starches altogether.

My next task is to get my mom to switch to organic meat and dairy.  [What do you think, Mom?]  When that day comes, I’ll consider my work here done. :)

Have your friends and family caught on to any of your healthy habits?   Or vice versa: have you been influenced by any of theirs?

Related posts:

1. food and friendship.
2. the essentials.
3. snack 10.10: fage total.