There are conflicting messages everywhere

Do you ever just want to throw the bag of carrots? Just wing it across the floor? Well that’s exactly how I felt as I was chomping on a carrot and came across an article about how baby carrots were basically killing us. I really can’t remember the details of how or why this article was claiming death by baby carrot, but I just felt one of those real I can’t even moments welling up in me.

You see I have made that shift in the last few years to become more informed, to be more mindful of what we are putting in our bodies, to eat more whole foods, less sugar, less processed, and really focus on health. And while it has been rewarding, and I have truly felt a difference in the way I feel, it has also been down right maddening at times. There are conflicting messages everywhere. Eat whey. Never eat whey. Low fat is the key. High fat, low carb is best. Whole grains are necessary. Down with all grains and gluten! Paleo. Keto. Macros…It’s exhausting, friends. Heck, even our friend the baby carrot cannot get out unscathed.

As mamas we often take all this information so personally. You see, we don’t just have one body to worry about. We are responsible for the health of our entire family. That is a huge responsibility that none of us take lightly. And so we do our due diligence, we try to make smarter choices for our families, and read the articles and become informed. And this is wonderful. We should. Knowledge is power. But with all these conflicting views, it can just about put us over the edge (you know, into carrot throwing mode).

You’re doing enough, mama

Friend, sometimes we have to stop and say enough is enough. We are doing the very best that we can. We have to decide what is best for our family and our sanity. For me, baby carrots help keep me sane (it’s the little things, isn’t it?). I just can’t ban them. They are a pre prepped, kid approved, easy, staple in this house. The benefits seem to outweigh that small possible threat that one article warned against. We all have to just do what we can do and let the rest of that go. Talk yourself down from the edge and reassure yourself that the Sunday doughnuts alone will not kill them, that Gold Fish cracker snack you sent in for their class was enough, and that the metaphorical baby carrots on your menu are ok. Sometimes we just have to let that be enough for us. We have to pick and choose our battles and remind ourselves of all the healthy choices we make for them daily. And then rejoice in the fact that we all made it another day with no baby carrot casualties!!

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