eating better = sad children

This past month our family has been trying to be better at being prepared (ie; 72 hour kits, etc) It costs a big chunk of money to get 72 hour kits and emergency supplies ready for 7 people. In an effort to teach my children about the cost involved, I showed them the receipts from my purchases and we had a family home evening lesson about being prepared and why it was so important that we spend this money. After the lesson, I wanted to drive the point home, so we had a discussion on ways we could all help save a little money ~ the kids had great ideas about eating all of their home lunch and not wasting food, turning off lights and not leaving the water running, etc...all of the "Sunday school" answers. Then I said "How about if we try not to eat out at restaurants for the next little while?" The kids all looked stunned - 5 blank faces stared at me and then my 5 year old said "can we just go to McDonald's?" (they have cool Batman toys in their happy meals right now) My reply was "No, not even McDonald's" and then I added "It won't be so bad, we don't really go out to eat that often!" So, with much hesitation and a little sadness, it was decided that we would not go out to eat until November...that's 6 weeks. Now, I am afraid this will be harder for me - more so than the kids. I am the one who gets running errands and gets busy and then orders pizza on "2 for Tuesday" so that the kids will go to bed with something in their stomachs. I am also the one who doesn't think to pack Coleman lunch and then we run out of time and end up getting cool Batman toys with some chicken nuggets and a lemonade at the drive thru at McDonald's. So...since it was already going to be difficult, I decided to make it even more difficult by insisting that we would also be trying to go without so much sugar during these 6 weeks. Now...if you thought my kids were sad about not eating out, their sadness probably tripled with the thought of no more sugar. Now...I should insert here that I didn't say "no more sugar", just less sugar, but my 5 little ones heard "no more sugar-EVER!" To help them realize just how much sugar they were consuming each day, I took them to the grocery store with me to read labels. Not only was it a huge eye opener for them...I was shocked at how much sugar they were consuming in simple tings like "Capri Sun" pouches and the snacks they took in their school lunches! So we are now on the road to eating better and every time I remind my kids about our "new healthy plan" I see a bunch of sad shoulders and I have to give them a little pep talk about all of the good things that we CAN eat. Even though it will be a little harder than I thought, I know it will be worth it in the long run. I'm already sick of the complaining and whining every time meal time or snack time rolls around...and it's only been 3 days!