This article is entertaining....especially the last paragraph. NONE of the food served in our schools is fit for human consumption, regardless of the expiration date. This will not change unless people take a stand and actually start caring about what children are eating in schools! Yes, I’m clearly a big fan of Jaime Oliver’s ‘Food Revolution’.
There is of course an instant fix you can start at home. MAKE YOUR KIDS’ LUNCHES!
Many will argue it’s too expensive and too time consuming to prepare healthful, possibly even organic food for their growing little ones.
While I agree, it is more expensive to eat a primarily organic diet, and it does take a little extra time to prepare a child’s lunch at home, neither of these ideas are completely out of reach.
What if that bi-weekly manicure appointment occurred on a less frequent basis? I think I recall a time when we actually painted our own nails. Does the hubby really need the newest release for his gaming system? That morning stop at the coffee shop adds up as well. Maybe try dusting off the coffee maker at home? What if the smokers out there bought one or two less packs of cigarettes a week!?!
Just as smokers are showing their children an unhealthy, toxic habit; the same can be said for those who teach children poor eating habits. As we all know, children learn by what they see.
Anyway, I digress. But I think my point is clear. We all have expenses that can be modified and/or eliminated in order to promote a more healthful life for young children everywhere.
Parents with several children may say that there’s no way cutting out a pedicure would make this affordable! Well, you may be correct. I’ve always thought that after having a child, it must become pretty clear, pretty quickly, just how expensive raising a child can be. Do some parents feel they are “cheaper by the dozen”? I’m not sure, but I do know that we all need to be responsible and accountable. In order to raise healthful, well-rounded, and educated children…it’s going to be a huge expense. If you can’t afford it, then for the sake of all involved, know your birth control options and please, do not hesitate to use them.
However, if you find yourself in a large family and eating organic is financially out of the question, you can still play an important role in your childrens’ health. Sliced block cheese and crackers, celery with peanut butter, yogurt, almonds, etc., are all healthy snack options. Factor in the savings of reusable bags/containers in their lunches and you may be surprised how easy it can be!
The parents of picky eaters may be tempted to chime in here as well. If your kids won’t eat the good stuff, let them go without. I assure you it won’t last long. Have you ever been on a really restrictive diet? After a few hours or maybe even an entire day, shoelaces start to look delicious! I assure you, they will eat. Cruel to let them go hungry? I dare you to challenge that my approach is any more cruel than allowing children to consume foods that are “cleansed” with ammonia, injected with synthetic growth hormones, covered in pesticides and well, just plain old by-products.
We of course, have the “too busy to make lunches” segment of the population. Whether they are single moms, single dads or two-parent homes…. If you’re reading this, then you’re obviously online. I promise you, facebook, twitter, and blogspot will still be there during your 10 minute absence to make a few healthy bagged lunches.
Now, before anyone tries to criticize me for having such strong opinions without actually being a parent….well trust me, I’ve been there and I’ve done that. My point? It can be done. Period.
P.S. Chicken, in it’s natural form, is not breaded and in the shape of a mini dinosaur.
