Welcome to Happy Healthy Mama!
About the Mama
My name is Maryea and I strive to be the title of my blog: a happy, healthy mama. I live in southwest Ohio with my husband, Tim and two-year-old daughter, Meghan who keeps me on my toes. I am passionate about nutrition and believe healthy eating should be a way of life, not a fad diet or something we do occasionally when we want to lose weight. I don’t ever want to feel restricted or deprived, so I strive to create meals that showcase nature’s abundant flavors and that leave me feeling satisfied. Without our health, we have nothing. Happiness comes from a place within each of us, and it starts with taking care of your body and nourishing your soul.
About this Blog
I started this blog in January 2010 (under the name “Our Daily Bread”) as a way to document Tim and my month-long “Vegan Challenge”. We wanted to see if we could eat vegan for a month and I thought it would be fun for family and friends to read about our progress. During that month I realized something: blogging was fulfilling another one of my passions, my passion for writing. I looked forward to writing about our meals and realized it helped keep me more accountable, as well. The month ended (we made it through the challenge!) and I decided I didn’t want to stop blogging about our food. I’m having fun documenting our adventures with food , sharing my knowledge of ingredients, and my thoughts on what it means to live a healthy, full life.
How I Eat
A lot of people in my life assume I’m a vegetarian. I have gone through vegan and vegetarian phases, but have never made a commitment to eat that way for life. I have been on a nutrition journey the last three years, reading a ton of books, articles, and web sites, all in a quest to learn which way of eating will lead to a long, disease-free life. Through all the contradictory theories and diets, I have arrived at this conclusion: moderation is key. I think our diets should be primarily plant-based, but do think there are some health (and taste) benefits to eating some animal foods. I guess you could call me a flexitarian. Many of my meals are vegan or vegetarian, but not exclusively. Currently I prepare a meal with meat approximately once a week, sometimes once every two weeks. I eat cheese about 4-5 times per week. I eat yogurt close to every day. Eggs get thrown in the mix about once a month. These foods make up the bulk of my diet: vegetables, fruits, a variety of whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. I strive to eat the least amount of processed food as possible and much of what I eat is organic.
Feeding My Daughter
I feel a tremendous responsibility in helping my daughter develop healthy eating habits. I want her to love and appreciate fresh, real foods. To do this, I have to offer her these foods as much as possible and limit the amount of processed foods I introduce her to. I am confident that she will develop a taste for the good stuff because of her early exposure to a wide variety of foods. I have never hesitated to give her the healthy foods we are eating (as long as they are cut into appropriate-sized bites and not dangerous for her) and let her decide if she likes it. She is a toddler and her tastes seem to change daily, but that doesn’t deter me from continuing to provide the healthiest meals I can for her.
Very interesting! Nutrition is something that has always been on the back of my mind- I guess I just didn’t know how to achieve it in today’s world of quick, on the go meals. I hope your blog will teach me a thing or two! Thanks Maryea!
Hi! I just recently discovered your blog and am so thankful that I did!!! I can absolutely identify with your philosophy on nutrition and the challenges of satisfying the ever-changing palette of a child. I especially enjoyed your recent post on reducing toxins in our environment. Just basically found myself nodding along in agreement with all of the posts I have read so far and am so happy to have a new resource for recipe inspiration. Keep up the great work!!!
Thanks, Tori! It’s great to hear from other moms who feel the same way I do about nutrition–they aren’t that easy to find in real life.
(At least not where I live)
Hi Maryea, thank you for your inspiring and informative blog. It’s exciting to “meet” someone on the same page as my general approach to nutirition for my little family – hubby, 2 year old and bubby-in-the-tummy. You are a few steps ahead of me in this journey and I shall enjoy all your posts.
I’m glad you found me! The blog world is a great way to “meet” others on the same page. It helps remind me that I’m not alone in my perspectives on nutrition!
I just found your blog and am looking forward to reading more.
Welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
I can relate to so much of what you write here! I am mostly vegan and vegetarian but I like to think of myself as a flexitarian – it’s less stressful that way!
Your daughter is gorgeous. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Thank you, Ammena! I agree that trying to live under a label of vegan or vegetarian can be stressful. I like not having to live up to any label.
Thank you for the sweet comment about my ever evolving kitchen.
I love your blog! We are kindred hearts in regards to organic and limiting processed foods. I’m so excited to go thru your recipes. (: My husband and I just finished The 21 Day Daniel Fast, which is a vegan diet and I love how I feel. I do still love my beef being from Wyoming and all, however, all of our meat is grass fed, hormone and antibiotic free, lovingly cared for by my grandpa. We are blessed in that regard. I see you use raw honey. My dad keeps bees and we are getting ready to set my second bee hive on our property in the spring. My first go around with bees was a disaster. We love our raw honey!
Blessings to you Maryea!
Wow you are so lucky to have grass-fed beef and raw honey so readily available to you! Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Hi Maryea, it is awesome how you do this not only for yourself, but also for the health of your family!
Thanks, Kath! And thanks for stopping by.
Hi Maryea, I have just stumbled upon your blog, and I am so happy that I did! I really appreciate the recipes that you have posted and the fact that they are kid and family-friendly. I too think it is so important to focus on plant-based and whole foods. My husband, 2-year old daughter and I primarily eat a vegan diet, but like you, don’t stress about the definition of being a vegan. I’m from the Midwest as well, and I really like seeing pictures of the products you use, as sometimes they can be hard to find! I really enjoy how you write and organize your blog, so thank you. I’m looking forward to more!
What a great blog! I have an almost 3 year old son and I really want him to develop a healthy relationship with food. I was overweight/obese my entire life, but since last January have lost 109 pounds. We buy mostly all organic, and eat tons of fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains. I’m still figuring out a “balance” that works for me, but it’s a journey! Thank you for sharing yours
I love your dedication to feeding your daughter well! I think that is so important. Love your blog! I’ll be back for more
Thanks, Trisha! And thanks for stopping by.
Hi Maryea,
Just found your blog and am excited to see that you’re in SW Ohio – my family just moved back here after a move to Missouri last year. Since moving away from Ohio, my diet has totally changed so even though I am from this area originally, I feel like I’m starting over with occasional dining out experiences (shopping too). Do you recommend any local restaurants that are vegan and gluten-free, by any chance?
Can’t wait to read more!
Brandae
If you are close to Cincinnati, there is a deli called Melt that is vegan-friendly. I’m not sure about their gluten-free options. The pickings are slim in the Dayton area, but I’m still looking! I’m glad you found my blog–please let me know if I can help in any other way.
Hi Maryea,
I just found your blog – I think it was off of a link from ohsheglows.com. I’ve been reading back through your posts when I have free time and I have to tell you how much I love it! I’m a mom of a 13 month old and we’re just hitting the “picky toddler” stage. Funny, he’ll eat his fruits and veggies and cheese (at least right now) but everything else is hit or miss. I am looking forward to trying some of your recipes on my son (and my picky husband!) I read about how your daughter drank spinach smoothie so I let my son try some of mine today and he seemed to enjoy it at least somewhat! It’s worth trying again! I think the green grilled cheese may be next on the list! Anyway, I’ve added you to my Google reader so I look forward to reading more! Just wanted to say hello and thanks!
Jen
Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you continue to find inspiration here for feeding your son and family!
I definitely agree with the moderation thing. It’s too easy to get carried away and forget what is really important!
Your blog looks great Maryea! Ha it’s great to see another SW Ohio blogger, I live about ten minutes out of downtown Cincinnati. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful, I’m sure she’ll grow up to be a wonderful girl! I love your philosophy on food, so refreshing (:
Thank you, Samantha! We live north of Cincinnati–not too far from you at all.
I swear, you’re like the grownup version of me! (this is my third comment in the last 20 minutes, I hope you’re not getting creaped out or annoyed by me!) But the way you choose to eat is exactly how I strive to as well; moderation with a little bit of everything but mostly plants, grains, nuts and seeds. I also strive to eat as much organic food as possible, and I’ve never been too keen on processed foods anyway. Thanks again for writing such a fabulous blog! You rock:)
Thank you so much! I’m not creeped out at all.
I’m happy you found my blog.
I love that you define yourself as a “flexitarian.” My husband has been calling himself that for years, and people always kind of raise their eyebrow at the term, but I think it’s very appropriate. In his case, he’s chosen not to eat red meat or pork, but he still eats fish and poultry – more of a healthy lifestyle choice than anything, but it still draws a lot of questions!
I have enjoyed reading through your blog and look forward to reading more when I get the chance.
Linked to wrong website, oops! This is the correct one!
Thanks for stopping by, Amy!
Maryea, I just found your BLOG today, and I’m in love:-). I’m pregnant with my first child (due in 3 months), and I, too, believe the way we feed and treat our bodies contributes to quality of life. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Welcome, Sarah. I’m glad you found me!
Flexitarian. I like that. I have gone back and forth and always considered myself a vegan but not a strict one. It’s a great way of life but not always easy with kids. And with family who feel that food=love! I struggle with varying food styles in my home (our parents live with us). It’s all a learning process. And it comes down to this for me: there is a loving time around the table with family and good food that just can’t be denied.
Looking forward to reading your blog…
And it comes down to this for me: there is a loving time around the table with family and good food that just can’t be denied.
So very true!
I’m so happy I found your blog. I can’t wait to try all of your recipes! About a year ago, we started on a path of a healthier lifestyle and your blog will be a great resource. Thanks!
Kristen
I’m glad you found me, too! I love to be able to help others as I travel my own journey to the healthiest life I can live.
I just discovered you blog and can’t wait to try some recipes. I try to do vegetarian most nights a week, though I am finding it harder and harder to find recipes that are fillilng, my kids will eat, and my hubby will eat. I’m glad I found you site.
I’m glad you found me, too! I hope you enjoy the recipes.
I tried your pumpkin bisque and it was fab! I’m not super into recipe blogs but really love the recipes I’ve seen so far…exactly what I’m always looking for. Anyway, just noticed that you live in SW Ohio and since I now live in Seattle but went to OU, I was excited about the small world moment and thought I’d send a quick hello! Are you in the Athens area?
Glad you liked the bisque! I love that recipe because it’s so quick and easy. No, I’m not in the Athens area. Closer to Dayton/Cincinnati.
Hi Maryea!I just found your blog and its fantastic. I have a “Picky Toddler” she is 17 months old and she doesn’t like veggies at all
I need some suggestions… What can I do?
Thank you
How have you tried serving them to her? My biggest suggestion is to try them in a variety of ways to see what she prefers. Roasted veggies are often a hit with little ones. You can also try something like these broccoli bites that have bread and cheese and really tasty. Another similar option are these spinach bites. There’s also ways to get extra veggies in like adding spinach to smoothies or making vegetable pancakes or muffins. The best thing to do is just keep offering vegetables every day. Good luck!
LOVE the new design!! so beautiful!