Raising healthy kids in a toxic world

Guest blogger Centehua

http://www.centehualiving.com/blog/raising-healthy-kids-in-a-toxic-world/

March 1, 2012

Fresh veggie juice is one of my favorite ways to replenish and instantly feel good.  Getting my  kids involved in the juicing process is fun and encourages them to drink some too. For the most part they eat whole organic foods, but they are exposed to other not so healthy foods and occasionally enjoy them as well,  I cant possibly control every aspect of their nutrition, I can only offer good food at home and this has naturally influenced them in being health conscious and while they may enjoy a hydrogenated cookie at a friends house, it is not in their regular diet so they enjoy it and know it is something they wont ever find at home and they also know it is for a good reason. I have found that becoming overly concerned with their nutrition is not the healthiest attitude and no one benefits from a dualistic mind set. Instead I have adopted a more relaxed world view where I am able to see the world as it is and continue focusing on my own personal evolution towards health and sustainability. At the end of the day it is authenticity that will set the example and will impact their lives more than much nagging or preaching about food. The truth is there are parties, school events, friends etc… life will present toxins, avoiding them is no longer my focus but rather to provide my friends and family with an opportunity to experience how good real food is and how good it makes us feel.

I know that my efforts have not been in vain and although my kids would salivate over an oreo they are beginning to notice how soda and sugar makes them feel. They enjoy feeling good and while they get an initial sugar rush it is quickly followed by irritability and a stomach ache. The health matter is no longer about what I say,  its really about what they experience as well. My 15 yr old son told me that he no longer likes to drink soda with his friends and that while skateboarding the other day they took a refreshment break in which everyone drank commercial sodas, so he got himself a Kombucha and everyone wondered what that was, thus giving my son the chance to explain how good and refreshing that drink was and how he will have more energy for continuing to play without worrying about breaking out and feeling sluggish.  He also told me he enjoyed not doing as everyone does and so there was a feeling of independence and authenticity in the simple act of choosing, without his mother’s advice and around his soda drinking friends, he chose to feed his body right.

So I would encourage parents to be steadfast in your journey and with effort, if done honestly, it will bare fruit one day, and by making the kitchen a family affair, the task at hand becomes fun and everyone benefits.

Bless

Chef Centehua