Alina Muresan is a holistic nutritionist and mom. She has some great advice about encouraging picky eaters and helping constipated kids. I love reading her advice, she makes things simple and doable.
Tell me a little about yourself and your family
I grew up in Romania, where I went to medical school. I moved to Canada to pursue a master’s in biochemistry. This is where I met my future husband with whom we have two little ones, a 4-year old daughter and an 7-year old son.
We now live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Tell me about your business/blog
When my daughter was 3 months old I decided to enroll in Nutrition School to become a Holistic Nutritional Consultant.
After graduation I founded my company Orgali Holistic Nutrition and since then I have been helping picky eaters become great eaters and constipated kids poop every day without pain and tears.
How did you get started with healthy eating?
My family started eating healthier after my husband was diagnosed with cancer and we decided to make some changes in our diet and lifestyle.
We not only lowered the amount of sugar and increased the amount of vegetables, but we also lowered the amount of household chemicals we were exposed to (cleaning supplies, personal care products, non-stick pots and pans, plastic, etc.)
A few years later my son was diagnosed with gluten and dairy sensitivities and I had to make more changes to our diet to exclude gluten and dairy. I wrote on my blog about our experience.
What is the biggest change that you have seen from eating a healthier diet?
I work with many parents who are looking to making a few changes in their diet. We decide together on the best changes for benefiting their families the most.
Parents usually report that their energy levels are increased and their sleep is deeper and more restful.
They also tell me that their kids’ behavior is more leveled (with less tantrums) and that their teachers mention frequently that the kids can focus better and are able to sit still longer during class.
What is your best tip for encouraging kids to choose healthy options?
The polite bite! No matter how picky the child is, they need to try one bite of everything that is offered at the table (with one caveat below).
Some kids have a higher degree of pickiness and don’t even tolerate one bite of certain foods. In this case, things need to be taken slower. It’s okay if at the beginning they only smell, put the food to their lips or have a tiny polite bite. Progressively, as they get used to new foods, tastes and textures, parents can try the whole/entire polite bite (one regular bite that they not only chew, but also swallow).
How do you balance your business with time for your kids?
I founded and operate my business for working from home (or anywhere) to maximize my time with my kids. My kids come first (most of the time). There are times when I organize a workshop or teach and need to dedicate more hours on my business. This is when my husband pitches in if he is home from work (I am grateful to have a husband who is extremely supportive and loves spending time with the kids) or my parents are taking care of the kids.
What is one change that Moms can make today for healthier eating tomorrow?
Plan meals and plan for leftovers. We are always busy, always on the go. Always thinking we don’t have enough time to cook healthy meals.
If we take 30 minutes each week before we go grocery shopping to decide what quick dinners to make for the next 7 days (breakfasts and lunches too if feeling brave) we are more prepared (and relaxed) when dinner time comes.
What is your favorite business tool/app?
My beautiful pink notebook and a pen. I plan my daily goals on paper and I feel very good when I get to cross them off my list.
A second one, would be Microsoft Word. I write all my blog posts, marketing plans and editorial calendar in Word.
I also want to mention a third one, which is a few people I follow regularly on their websites and social media (in no particular order): Marie Forleo, Pat Flynn, Jennifer Snyder, Amy Porterfield, Dana Malstaff and Darren Rowse.
How do you find time for self-care with everything on your plate?
I schedule it and make it non-negotiable. Relaxed mom equals happy mom.
I plan and make healthy meals for myself and my family and I make sure to exercise most days of the week. I also enjoy a cup of green tea or green juice over a good book. And let’s not forget watching Netflix in the evening with my husband and a bowl of homemade popcorn made in coconut oil (yum!).
Final thoughts?
Healthy eating requires a bit of effort on our part. It’s not always easy and we don’t always experience progress. However, if we make it part of our daily non-negotiable (like brushing teeth, getting dressed or working), we are more likely to stick to it and help our children have good and healthy eating habits.
Our children’s health and happiness are worth it.
Alina blogs over at Orgali Holistic Nutrition. She helps picky eaters become great eaters and constipated kids poop every day without pain and tears. You can connect with Alina on Facebook and Pinterest.
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