What I wish I had learned/followed from college

[cally]

I went to school and learned about vegetarianism, wind energy, diet for a small planet. I followed most of this for many years but slowly, I just adapted to American culture. I got tired of feeling like every life style choice I made was a major political statement. So, I refused to spend money for organic food, I ate American food, and I ended up with cancer and I was very overweight. I've lost 50 pounds and I think the major reason is that I exercise and eat much better.

So, I'm bringing this up for two reasons. One is that we knew. We knew about global warming, contamination of food, social disruption in the American lifestyle. Dismiss anyone who tells you that we have just found this out. I learned about energy alternatives 25 years ago.

Second, I personally knew about the contamination in food and elsewhere. I didn't continue to use mostly organic food, whole food, and food that supports us even though I knew better. I suspect many are in the same position I once was. We have to follow a whole food movement.

Finally, we need to buy food in it's whole state. I know the economic arguments but we just have to try. I wish I had continued my organic food/ vegetarianism that I started in college. I didn't. Learn from my mistake.

So ask me anything because I once knew and then backtracked. I now buy mostly organic, low resource food. I can tell you why I think we lost some battles that we should have won.

[cally]

1. One more try

[MissB]

2. Any suggestions

for kid-friendly foods? (Keeping with that whole state theme).

[cally]

3. A simple one. They will eat what you eat

The huge mistake I made is adopting to a 'family friendly' regime. If I had to do it all over again, I would just offer healthy foods and just let it rest. I know my oldest was at a a preschool with only whole foods. They ate it because they had nothing else. We moved when she was 4 and she went to a new preschool. It took her about 3 months to reject all those healthy foods she once enjoyed.

So, just don't offer the junk. Hold fast and just offer healthy foods. Your kid will not starve. I knew that but I just caved to peer pressure in too many ways.

[conflictgirl]

4. I totally agree

We ate a lot of processed junk food when the kids were very small and decided to go back to a healthier diet when the oldest was around 5 and the middle one was 2. There was some complaining at first, but they got used to it fairly quickly. Now I am quite proud of the fact that my kids are all very concerned about nutrition and are in the habit of reading food labels. My kindergartener was the only one at the school orientation who noticed that there was high fructose corn syrup in the milk. :) We still allow them occasional treats because we worry about them seeking out junky foods every time they're away from us, and so far we've had no problems in that regard (but they're still young, of course). All my kids, even the 3 year old, love fruits and vegetables and actively dislike food like hot dogs.

It can be done, you just have to hold your ground and know that even if the initial transition is rough, they will eventually adjust. It's an important thing to do for their future health.