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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 14 2008 at 9:00am | IP Logged
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We've been talking a lot about our eating habits lately. For those of you that prefer a whole/real food diet, what do you do if it's one of those days and you're stuck trying to grab something to eat out. Do you just grab a burger and chalk it up to "only eating out rarely?" Obviously, I'm not going to be taking the kiddos to a nicer sit-down restaurant, so I'm looking for some fast-foodish options. Are there any? Is this a stupid question?
I know that the obvious solution would be to plan ahead and pack lunch, and I've done that, but there are those times when we're out unexpectedly around lunch. What do you do?
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Courtney Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Jan 14 2008 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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I always thought Chick-fil-a was a decent option, but my chiropractor believes it's one of the worst. We go to a deli or sanwich place like Subway when I'm trying to eat healthier "out". Do you have a Jason's or McAlister's Deli near you? My kids love baked potatoes. We had McDonald's last week. Once again, I have vowed not to eat there anymore. It tastes pretty good at the time, but I always feel miserable within an hour.
__________________ Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94
Mom to Candace 10/97,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
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~Rachel~ Forum All-Star
Joined: March 29 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 14 2008 at 11:01am | IP Logged
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I count it as one of those things... but try to eat the better option. Go grilled instead of fried, eat chicken rather than beef (typically chicken at least doesn't have hormones in it).
Ideally I'd eat at the deli where you can make a much better choice of TYPE of bread or meat/sandwich filling.
__________________ ~Rachel~
Wife to William
Mum to James 13, Lenore 8
Lighting a Fire
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 8:36am | IP Logged
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Courtney wrote:
I always thought Chick-fil-a was a decent option, but my chiropractor believes it's one of the worst. |
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Do you know why? Cause' I was thinking this was probably the least of all the eating out evils. Waffle fries aren't bad, they have nice salads, and lemonade instead of colas.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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msclavel Forum All-Star
Joined: July 26 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 8:49am | IP Logged
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In the past I have run into a grocery store and bought some baby carrots, apples, cheese, sometimes a loaf of bread and small jar of peanut butter. So many grocery stores these days wonderful salad bars and great selections of organic fruits and veggies.
When we go to the farmer's market in the summer we pick some things to eat right there. Our farmer's market is under a little pavilion in town with a grassy area with benches surrounding it. Very pretty. I bring a couple of utensils, like a knife to cut up cucumbers and we picnic.Mmmm, I can't wait until May when it starts up again.
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CrunchyMom Forum Moderator
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 9:23am | IP Logged
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I've heard on other traditional food boards of people finding locally owned taquerias where they use real lard instead of shortening, etc... So, for those fast days, they are less offensive than regular fast food places.
I generally just go through the drive through and chalk it up to eating out rarely.
If I have time to go in, I usually go to Mo's which is a chain Tex-Mex type place that seems much better than fast-food (the drive-thru types) but isn't that much more expensive and is quite fast.
__________________ Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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marihalojen Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006 Location: Florida
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 10:27am | IP Logged
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McDonalds, Wendy's and Burger King all have $1 Salads that are quite good sans meat and you add your own choice/quantity of dressings. I think that is a great choice when I have time to sit in a park and eat, driving and eating a salad is not such a great idea, IMO! At least for me - I end up wearing more of the salad than eating it.
__________________ ~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Courtney Forum All-Star
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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Jennifer, I'm not sure why he's so against it. I'll ask today when I go in. I guess b/c much of it is fried, although their grilled chicken is pretty good, I think. They also offer a fruit cup, too.
__________________ Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94
Mom to Candace 10/97,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
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Lisbet Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2006 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 12:12pm | IP Logged
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I often do what Maria suggested. It's so much cheaper that way too. I loaf of bread, some deli meat maybe, veggies and juice boxes, and apples!
__________________ Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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SusanJ Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 2:50pm | IP Logged
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I used to make fun of drive-thrus until I had two kids. Now when I'm having one of "those" days I need a drive-thru because if I felt up to getting the kids out of the car and going in, I wouldn't need to eat out in the first place . . . Also, most of the healthier food options are at places without drive-thrus (like the grocery store or deli-type places).
So, my question, when is it okay to just leave the kids in the car? My mom always used to leave us in the car everywhere we went if she was just "running in." We hated it, but now I can't blame her. When I asked a friend this recently she was horrified that I would ever leave my kids in the car. What do you all think?
Susan
__________________ Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
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Mackfam Board Moderator
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Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 3:52pm | IP Logged
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Susan - Right there with ya. I don't unstrap the kids from the van for any reason, much less for the mind-boggling, sanity-blowing trip inside an eating establishment. I am the drive-thru and eat it in the parking lot queen. Shamefully.
I have done the run in the grocery store for some carrots and PB and J fixins. But, I guess it all goes back to convenience. Maybe if I put some thought into it and kept an "if I'm stuck running around for lunch" grocery list in the van? Planning and forethought go a long way towards NOT overspending for me, and if I walk in the grocery store...
I'm still leaning towards Chick-Fil-A unless Courtney's chiropractor can convince me otherwise. Save me from Sonic ladies!
As to leaving the kids in the car - I don't. It's a kooky world, and my kids aren't old enough. My oldest is 11 and she's a girl. When she is older, and my oldest son's a little bigger then I'll reconsider.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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folklaur Forum All-Star
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 5:51pm | IP Logged
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okay - my daughter worked at a chick-fil-a. They are deceptive. Everything there is still deep fried except the grilled sandwich, but the sauce for that is high in fat (and it only comes with the "healthy" grilled one, go figure). The lemonade is "real" lemonade, but has a LOT of sugar...she says it is just like any other fast food.
Re:leaving kids in the car? With my oldest, now that she is 18, yes, sometimes. Just the 9 & 5 year old? Never.
My mother always said, "Would you leave a pile of money just sitting in the car? So, why would you leave something even more valuable?"
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Martha in VA Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 15 2006 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
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We live in Charlottesville and our Chipotle restaurant gets their meats from Joel Salatin (Polyface Farm). I always feel good about eating there....very full....but good!
__________________ Blessed wife & mom to
4dds,miracle son 4/09, 2 in heaven
My Conversion Blog
Our Family Blog
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Jan 15 2008 at 6:30pm | IP Logged
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cactus mouse wrote:
okay - my daughter worked at a chick-fil-a. They are deceptive. Everything there is still deep fried except the grilled sandwich, but the sauce for that is high in fat (and it only comes with the "healthy" grilled one, go figure). The lemonade is "real" lemonade, but has a LOT of sugar...she says it is just like any other fast food. |
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OH NO!!!! So that eliminates Chick fil A. Ok - so I guess the only thing to do is plan, plan, plan...Plan to eat while running errands and pack a lunch, or plan to stop at the grocery store for juice boxes, carrots and healthy foods.
I'm nowhere near VA, Martha. Here in the deep south everything is deep fried, and far from organic. I'm doomed!
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Courtney Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Texas
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Posted: Jan 16 2008 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
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I did talk to my chiro today about Chick-fil-a. His thing about it is that it contains several allergens since they fry everything in peanut oil. He said someone can have a mild peanut allergy and suffer side effects from eating there. The day he said it, my dd had gotten a headache within 45 minutes of eating there. Also, he said the calorie count is similar on their fried/unfried foods. He agreed that it's just as bad as all the other fast food options.
I agree that Chipotle is an ok alternative (although their portions are huge...I finish it anyway ).
__________________ Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94
Mom to Candace 10/97,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
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Posted: Jan 16 2008 at 6:49pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for asking him Courtney! I was afraid of that. And now with the cloned food coming at us from every corner...it would seem that it's going to have to be a quick run into the closest grocery store for items we already know are safe and "real."
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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MarilynW Forum All-Star
Joined: June 28 2006 Location: N/A
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Posted: Jan 16 2008 at 7:17pm | IP Logged
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We can very rarely do any eating out because of allergies. We have a Panera Bread and get the bagels from there for breakfast sometimes. Otherwise we do what dh and I did when we first got married and travelled in France and Italy - get a baguette, cheese, grapes, bottle of sparkly water and bottle of red wine (ok not for the kids!)
Sometimes when I am weary I really wish there were some good healthy take out options. ( we used to do Chick Fil A until we realized it was making our kids sick). Pizza is our only take out option - and we do this maybe once every few months.
__________________ Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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~Rachel~ Forum All-Star
Joined: March 29 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Jan 17 2008 at 7:59am | IP Logged
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Martha in VA wrote:
We live in Charlottesville and our Chipotle restaurant gets their meats from Joel Salatin (Polyface Farm). I always feel good about eating there....very full....but good! |
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OOOh... I wonder if ours do too? I know they advertise that their meat has no antibiotics etc. in our area.
Hum... I'm going to check
If so, I'll make DH try it
__________________ ~Rachel~
Wife to William
Mum to James 13, Lenore 8
Lighting a Fire
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