Dear Kensington,
In less than 2 months you will be four. Where did the time go?! My angel has grown up to be such a beautiful and kindhearted soul. There is also just enough piss and vinegar mixed in that I pray I have the courage to teach you to use your "evil" for good. I am constantly amazed at the love you show others. You are friendly to everyone you meet and never hesitate to offer a(n) [authentic] smile. You are truly one of a kind. I love you with everything I have!
So...
I would like to apologize now for all that I have and will inevitably do to "mess you up". As a mother I make tons of mistakes. I often go to sleep praying that on that particular day I didn't send you on a life long therapy journey.
But...
There is one thing that I refuse to apologize for, your "diet" consisting of no food dyes. I am however, sorry that we didn't start earlier.
Now that your sister is eating solid foods I have had the privilege of reading ingredient labels for baby food. This is nothing short of appalling! One would expect the ingredients of pears to be, oh I don't know, pears?! Nope. (Although NOT all are this way, I found it astonishing how many were!) Juices and Canola Oil were among some of the ingredients. I even saw some that contained water as the MAIN ingredient. Now let's get one thing straight...I am in no way, shape or form a nutritionist or food expert. Nor do I pretend be. But I would like to think that I have common sense. It makes sense to me that if I'm going to feed my children "pears", PEARS should be the first ingredient. Silly me. I understand that in order to puree something, liquid is needed if there are not enough natural juices. I am also thankful that water is the chosen ingredient for some. What I don't understand is why there needs to be more water than the food that is on the label?! This aggravates me!
So in conclusion, I'm sorry that 3.5 years ago I picked up ANY baby jar that was currently on sale. I'm sorry that I didn't take the time to find the best choices and pay more attention. I vow to do better by you and your sister. I promise that I will endure the comments and stares that are inevitable (because I must be some sort of monster controlling mother when I tell you that you can't eat Smartees).
I love you, Angel-Bug! Here's to all the trials and tribulations we will conquer, together!
Love,
Mommy
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Jelly Bean-less Easter Success!
I'm not only happy but extremely excited to report that it IS in fact possible to have a dye-free Easter!!
Possible? Yes. Easy? No. Worth it? Most definitely.
It began on Saturday with an egg hunt at the park. It was an experience that I don't find necessary to have again but none the less, "fun". Do you sense sarcasm? If not, you should. If you don't know me, I should make something very clear...
I have anxiety. Not in the socially acceptable sense of the word. I have an over active imagination, and it's my worst enemy. I think of every possible (and many that aren't feasible) what-if. I'm told that I've been like this since day one. I [believe] hide it well. At least I like to think I do.
What does this have to do with my children and their diet? Nothing. Everything. Does that answer your question? Good, mine either.
So, back to Saturday... The egg hunt... It was fun, if you like (well organized) chaos. I'm not a huge fan and it takes me out of my comfort zone. Kenny did fabulous however. She is my social butterfly. I have yet to find a scenario where she is frightened. That makes me happy and oh so scared!
This is where it gets tricky. The eggs where filled with (GASP!), Jelly Beans! Shocking, isn't it? Not really. I expected it. Thanks to my brilliant sister's idea, I had prepared Kenny that she was not to eat the contents of the eggs. Instead, she could exchange them for something much cooler.
So after the hunt, we headed to the store. With a price limit of $5, Kenny walked around the store and chose a (purple) purse and a (Tinker Bell) kite. She was in her glory! No issues, no tantrums. Complete success!
On Easter Sunday, her basket was filled with toys like a (purple) jump rope and a (purple) hula hoop. (If you haven't noticed the theme yet, her favorite is ALL things purple!) Kensington was able to enjoy some candy in her basket. In my opinion, the dye-free diet leaves her with only the best...Chocolate!
Another egg hunt was enjoyed also, at the family homestead. 100 eggs were placed around the porch, lawns, and park (wooded area). The eggs were filled with stickers, temp. tattoos, coins, playdough and chocolate. My nephews Nate (6), Alex (3) and Kenny enjoyed the hunt, as well as the adults!
So all things considered, I think this Easter was a huge success! Kenny is learning what she can and can't eat. She understands that food-dye is "bad", and will point out things that have it in a very matter of fact way. She surprises me everyday and after this hurdle, I say: Bring on the next!!
Possible? Yes. Easy? No. Worth it? Most definitely.
It began on Saturday with an egg hunt at the park. It was an experience that I don't find necessary to have again but none the less, "fun". Do you sense sarcasm? If not, you should. If you don't know me, I should make something very clear...
I have anxiety. Not in the socially acceptable sense of the word. I have an over active imagination, and it's my worst enemy. I think of every possible (and many that aren't feasible) what-if. I'm told that I've been like this since day one. I [believe] hide it well. At least I like to think I do.
What does this have to do with my children and their diet? Nothing. Everything. Does that answer your question? Good, mine either.
So, back to Saturday... The egg hunt... It was fun, if you like (well organized) chaos. I'm not a huge fan and it takes me out of my comfort zone. Kenny did fabulous however. She is my social butterfly. I have yet to find a scenario where she is frightened. That makes me happy and oh so scared!
This is where it gets tricky. The eggs where filled with (GASP!), Jelly Beans! Shocking, isn't it? Not really. I expected it. Thanks to my brilliant sister's idea, I had prepared Kenny that she was not to eat the contents of the eggs. Instead, she could exchange them for something much cooler.
So after the hunt, we headed to the store. With a price limit of $5, Kenny walked around the store and chose a (purple) purse and a (Tinker Bell) kite. She was in her glory! No issues, no tantrums. Complete success!
On Easter Sunday, her basket was filled with toys like a (purple) jump rope and a (purple) hula hoop. (If you haven't noticed the theme yet, her favorite is ALL things purple!) Kensington was able to enjoy some candy in her basket. In my opinion, the dye-free diet leaves her with only the best...Chocolate!
Another egg hunt was enjoyed also, at the family homestead. 100 eggs were placed around the porch, lawns, and park (wooded area). The eggs were filled with stickers, temp. tattoos, coins, playdough and chocolate. My nephews Nate (6), Alex (3) and Kenny enjoyed the hunt, as well as the adults!
So all things considered, I think this Easter was a huge success! Kenny is learning what she can and can't eat. She understands that food-dye is "bad", and will point out things that have it in a very matter of fact way. She surprises me everyday and after this hurdle, I say: Bring on the next!!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Headaches of a Dye-free Easter
A dye-free Easter. Is this even possible?! I hope in a few days that I can say "yes it is!". We will have to wait to see.
Like all holidays and celebrations, there are outside influences to contend with. On Saturday, we will be taking Kensington to an egg hunt. That means CANDY. Candy means food dye. I in no way, shape or form, expect this to be easy but I will not let this interfere with the progress we as a family have made. I will also not allow this lifestyle change to take away all the fun to be had for a child. After all, life is made up of memories. Do I want my daughter(s) to look back on their childhood and think they were deprived from all things fun? The answer is an emphatic NO!
So this is where I must get creative. I need to come up with some alternatives to all that candy she will inevitably come home with (and wish to eat) after the egg hunt. I am still thinking so wish me luck.
Kenny has learned that she doesn't eat food dye. She will frequently ask me if she can eat something with a very hopeful statement that "it doesn't have food dye!?". Although she doesn't quite grasp the concept or reasons behind it, she is learning. And "learning is half the battle", right?
Yesterday, we took a stroll through the organic section of the local market. I was directed there with the hopes that there may be jelly beans. You would think that a year on this diet and I would be familiar with this section already. If so, you'd be wrong. I have never been one to really see the need in organic but the more involved we become with this change, the more we're learning. I was ecstatic to see they had lollipops! This is a big deal because children love lollipops and Kenny is no exception.
On the rare occasion that we have let one slide, I felt guilt over it like we'd taken a huge step back. When Kensington gave up her pacifier, we discussed that the "Pacifier Fairy" would leave her something in place of her pacifier if she left it under her pillow. (A twist to the Tooth Fairy.) Without blinking she exclaimed, "A dark purple lollipop!!". (EVERYTHING to Kenny is purple!) With that enthusiasm, how could I disappoint? I didn't. I searched until I found one and of course it contained dye. My husband and I decided that she deserved the special treat so she woke up the morning after her first night without her pacifier to a "dark purple lollipop" under her pillow. She ate it in small increments after dinner for dessert until she forgot about it and I was able to throw out the rest of it.
So, back to our discovery yesterday... I am thrilled that there are in fact more options available to us than originally thought. I can't wait to pursue this more. So, did I find jelly beans? Nope.
But, I did find hope. Hope that Kensington and Coraleigh (when old enough), will be able to enjoy some of the little things. Small yes. Insignificant? Not to a toddler who is always told no when all she wants is a lollipop like her friends.
What about the jelly beans, you ask? Not sure yet. I have found the recipe to make them and if all goes well tonight, I will be attempting it. I'm not promising anything.
I'll keep you posted.
Like all holidays and celebrations, there are outside influences to contend with. On Saturday, we will be taking Kensington to an egg hunt. That means CANDY. Candy means food dye. I in no way, shape or form, expect this to be easy but I will not let this interfere with the progress we as a family have made. I will also not allow this lifestyle change to take away all the fun to be had for a child. After all, life is made up of memories. Do I want my daughter(s) to look back on their childhood and think they were deprived from all things fun? The answer is an emphatic NO!
So this is where I must get creative. I need to come up with some alternatives to all that candy she will inevitably come home with (and wish to eat) after the egg hunt. I am still thinking so wish me luck.
Kenny has learned that she doesn't eat food dye. She will frequently ask me if she can eat something with a very hopeful statement that "it doesn't have food dye!?". Although she doesn't quite grasp the concept or reasons behind it, she is learning. And "learning is half the battle", right?
Yesterday, we took a stroll through the organic section of the local market. I was directed there with the hopes that there may be jelly beans. You would think that a year on this diet and I would be familiar with this section already. If so, you'd be wrong. I have never been one to really see the need in organic but the more involved we become with this change, the more we're learning. I was ecstatic to see they had lollipops! This is a big deal because children love lollipops and Kenny is no exception.
On the rare occasion that we have let one slide, I felt guilt over it like we'd taken a huge step back. When Kensington gave up her pacifier, we discussed that the "Pacifier Fairy" would leave her something in place of her pacifier if she left it under her pillow. (A twist to the Tooth Fairy.) Without blinking she exclaimed, "A dark purple lollipop!!". (EVERYTHING to Kenny is purple!) With that enthusiasm, how could I disappoint? I didn't. I searched until I found one and of course it contained dye. My husband and I decided that she deserved the special treat so she woke up the morning after her first night without her pacifier to a "dark purple lollipop" under her pillow. She ate it in small increments after dinner for dessert until she forgot about it and I was able to throw out the rest of it.
So, back to our discovery yesterday... I am thrilled that there are in fact more options available to us than originally thought. I can't wait to pursue this more. So, did I find jelly beans? Nope.
But, I did find hope. Hope that Kensington and Coraleigh (when old enough), will be able to enjoy some of the little things. Small yes. Insignificant? Not to a toddler who is always told no when all she wants is a lollipop like her friends.
What about the jelly beans, you ask? Not sure yet. I have found the recipe to make them and if all goes well tonight, I will be attempting it. I'm not promising anything.
I'll keep you posted.
Hello, my name is...
Hello,
My name is Sarah.
About one year ago, while pregnant with my second daughter I ran into some articles showcasing the cons of food dyes. At the time my oldest was two and we were knee deep in tantrums and defiance. These studies indicated that certain food dyes could enhance the symptoms of ADHD in children. Although I did not and do not believe that my daughter has this disorder, I thought it was something to look into.
My husband and I went through our cupboards and had a wake up call of all the processed and unhealthy foods we were feeding her. It was then that we decided to make a change. At first it was to see if a dye-free diet would make a difference in her behavior. It has sense become a lifestyle change because we realized that this made us more aware of what we were feeding her.
Lifestyle you say? Yes, lifestyle. EVERY package has to be read. I am still finding things that I assumed (you know what they say about assuming, right?) were not an issue that do in fact contain food dye. We live in a day and age where everything has to be pretty and aesthetically pleasing. I wish this diet were as easy as eliminating the obvious like Kool-aid and Fruit Loops.
It's not. Period.
So in conclusion, I'm writing this to maybe answer some questions as to WHY I choose to "deprive" my daughter of M&Ms, Icee pops, and all other fun treats. Here, I also hope to keep a diary of sorts regarding when those sneak in so maybe I can better analyze her behavior and our progress. Things happen, people mean well and offer snacks that we don't normally allow, we don't carefully look at packages and very often assume (yup, I know), that things are dye-free because there's no obvious colors in them. I will also use this as a means to share ideas and alternatives for a dye-free lifestyle.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Sarah
My name is Sarah.
About one year ago, while pregnant with my second daughter I ran into some articles showcasing the cons of food dyes. At the time my oldest was two and we were knee deep in tantrums and defiance. These studies indicated that certain food dyes could enhance the symptoms of ADHD in children. Although I did not and do not believe that my daughter has this disorder, I thought it was something to look into.
My husband and I went through our cupboards and had a wake up call of all the processed and unhealthy foods we were feeding her. It was then that we decided to make a change. At first it was to see if a dye-free diet would make a difference in her behavior. It has sense become a lifestyle change because we realized that this made us more aware of what we were feeding her.
Lifestyle you say? Yes, lifestyle. EVERY package has to be read. I am still finding things that I assumed (you know what they say about assuming, right?) were not an issue that do in fact contain food dye. We live in a day and age where everything has to be pretty and aesthetically pleasing. I wish this diet were as easy as eliminating the obvious like Kool-aid and Fruit Loops.
It's not. Period.
So in conclusion, I'm writing this to maybe answer some questions as to WHY I choose to "deprive" my daughter of M&Ms, Icee pops, and all other fun treats. Here, I also hope to keep a diary of sorts regarding when those sneak in so maybe I can better analyze her behavior and our progress. Things happen, people mean well and offer snacks that we don't normally allow, we don't carefully look at packages and very often assume (yup, I know), that things are dye-free because there's no obvious colors in them. I will also use this as a means to share ideas and alternatives for a dye-free lifestyle.
Thank you for reading.
Sincerely,
Sarah
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