Re: a story on my Detox situation...

Thanks for the encouragement.

I do let my children help me prepare food sometimes, until they start fighting too much and I have to kick them out of the kitchen (they are 3 and 4).

At this point in time, it is almost impossible for me to let them shop with me very often. I let them pick out a few snacks at the organic store occassionally or some fruits at the fruit stand, if I am able to bring them. Here in Japan it is almost impossible to shop with children. The stores are small and have narrow aisles. We do not have a car and the stores are at least 3/4 mile from here. We can take a bus about half way, which I do when I have the kids with me. Also, the Japanese people do not generally take their kids shopping with them; usually they go when their kids are in school or a relative is watching them. When I bring my 3-year-old daughter, she is constantly running away from me, which is kindof embarrassing but the Japanese people laugh and smile at her, but i think that's only because she is blonde (Japanese people love blondes). We have one american grocery store on base where it is convenient to take the kids, but I cannot let them choose the food there, as hardly anything is edible (in my opinion).

I know that I am not really being mean, and I tell my 4-year old son that one day he will thank me for not buying all that crap. I tell him to look at what the other people who eat that stuff look like - they are fat and old. I ask him if he wants to look like that when he grows up, or if he wants to be thin and healthy-looking like me. He is only 4 , but he already is smart enough to see the logic in that - for a few seconds until he begs for the junk again!

I know that it is important that the kids start eating these foods now. I was lucky enough to grow up as a first-generation italian-american; my mother always fed us lots of fresh fruits and vegetables when we were young and we loved them. Although when I gained my independence, I did go through a phase where I ate nothing but a SAD food, I am able to go back to the healthy stuff now and actually enjoy it. My husband grew up in a SAD home, and he says that he really doesn't like the taste of most fruits and veggies. He loves the tastes of margarine and artificial sweeteners - two thing I find repulsive.

I'm trying to eat and feed my kids better and better, week by week:-)
Tina. Tweet