Food Revolution: Shocking!

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One of the reasons, we decided on plotting out a garden and growing our own veggies was so we could also enjoy it with our boys (this thought was pre-kids, ftr!;). After conceiving the eco tot the message of growing our own food became more clear; having a garden would also serve as an educational tool. It would allow the boys to learn where our food comes from and appreciate it more.

Enjoying moments, like opening seed packets, breaking new ground, allowing the exploration time as seeds are placed into the earth, watching the garden grow, watering/ maintenance, and the best part the harvest are all ways to learn.

I know this isn’t the case for everyone.  Which is why I encourage signing up for your local CSA , visiting farmer’s markets and local farms to familiarize your children with where food comes from. When they see foods outside of the grocery store it will prompt questions and make for an interesting conversation which is another perfect opportunity for learning. Especially, when they see yellow broccoli or purple kale. Even something as small as an herb garden or compost pile will spark your child’s interest!

I definitely don’t want my kids to be part of a nation where they believe food comes from a box or from golden arches. It’s sad to think we’re allowing convenience to take care of our children rather than teaching them nutritional values and options and better yet… basic fruit & vegetable identification.  I’m not perfect by any means. I don’t always feel like making dinner but in my opinion it starts at the kitchen table.

Did you know March is National Nutritonal Month?

How do you teach your children about fruits and  vegetables?

What did you think?

{Meatless Monday} Feeding “Baby, C”

Happy Meatless Monday!

Okay, so the last time I did a post on {Meatless Monday} I mentioned Baby C’s diet.  Clark was exclusively breastfed up until 6 1/2 months when we introduced solids. My plan was to wait it out an entire year; but he began to show signs early on. I firmly believe it has a lot to do with having a bigger brother (2yr.old) around.

In any case, since learning about the raw foods diet the hub and I knew we wanted to introduce Clark to raw from the get go. A couple months ago we purchased the Sun-Sational Raw Baby Food ebook by Melissa Gilbert and made a few simple recipes for ourselves then tested a couple on Clark. He absolutely loves GREEN smoothies.

First Foods

Veggies! One veggie per week to test for allergic reactions. His first food was lightly steamed butternut squash, carrots, zucchini, peas, sweet potato, green beans, spinach, red chard etc.

After going through the gamut of veggies we let him try fruit. Once we rotated the weekly cycle of fruits we introduced green smoothies.

I plan to keep him mostly breast for now. He eats about twice a day…sometimes only once depending on how busy our day is. When he turns one, I will introduce nuts & grains and he will get more to eat. He’s had a little bit of grains  but not much (he naturally gets really fussy if he can’t have what were eating).  So, I’ve allowed a little table food but no dairy and no meat (and of course, no sugar!). We skipped the rice cereal all together this time too. I’ve read that it makes for a starchy eater. Rice cereal was Tristan’s first food and I was reluctant but being a first time mom I went ahead and honestly; he’s as starchy as they come.

Long Term

I discussed veganism with the peditircian last week for Clark’s 9 month appt. and his only concern was B-12. He mentioned he sees a lot of B-12 deficiencies in vegetarian/vegan kids. I was surprised he didn’t say more. I’m actually happy he did not. Makes me believe he’s not against it. We asked all the questions we needed to and feel comfortable with the decision of raising a veggie baby.

As far as a family we plan to remain meatless also. We are slowly weaning ourselves from meat and have not purchased any for a month! Most of January was meatless with a few exceptions (we still had meat in fridge…but that is no longer the case). We actually have eaten a mostly vegan/raw diet but have included some dairy. Overtime we will eventually kick meat and dairy to the curb for good.

Clark’s Favorite

Summertime Delight

from the book Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko

6 peaches (seeds taken out)

2 handfuls of spinach

2 cups of filtered water (we have reverse osmosis)

Blend and enjoy!

I freeze any of the leftovers in the So Easy Baby Food Trays.

::

He also loves  “Chocolate Milk” …

adapted from my local health food store

(juicer required)

- Handful of Red Leaf Lettuce

- 3 carrots cut in half

You can also add in a sliver of ginger if you like… we often do!

Yum!

I recently made him flax banana crackers (from ebook) but my husband is concerned about allowing him to eat whole flax seeds because he heard they can get caught up in the colon.

Can any of my raw food friends chime in on this?

And- if any of you mom’s know of any great online resources for raising vegan/raw children- do tell!

Would love to hear your thoughts!!

To market, To market- jiggity jig!

No fat pigs bought here!!! Instead some farmer’s market seasonal produce!

Yum! I’m going to miss the farmer’s market when they’re gone! October is the last month. Boo-hoo!

Although, the organic farm in Lake Elizabeth (the nearby mtn. town) is is open year-round. Which is nice to know. I love going every Saturday and buying up fresh produce from farmers who are local. They’ve even had Zinnia’s, Calendula, & Sunflower’s to buy! Love it. I think I’m going to take my camera next time I go and snap a few photo’s of the farmer’s market freshness.  I always take my Inconvenience  Bag with me- I love that’s it’s canvas (perfect for fruits & veggies) and love their message (they have some pretty awesome designs too!). While at the farmer’s market they tried to give me plastic today but I wasn’t having it. REFUSAL successful.

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