A view from the sky tram in Jasper on a family holiday
One of our sons was born at a time in my life when I had learned a bit about nutrition and was trying to incorporate it into my life. I was operating a “Diet Center” out of our home for the year before he was born and a half year afterward. It was also the time that other health related information came into my life. I started taking whole food supplements during my pregnancy. I joined La Leche League, which gives support to nursing mothers. This time I was going to do everything better.
He wasn’t introduced to solid foods until he was ten months old and then I watched his diet very carefully. As he became older, I taught him the value of choosing good foods that can make you strong and healthy. Christmas was approaching and the question of chocolates came up. They had been a part of my husband’s tradition and he wondered if we were going to include them this year. Deciding that it was only fair that I make them available to those who wanted some, I put them out. Our son was now three and a half years old and seeing this new treat, he started to ask questions. “What are these? Do they taste good? Are they good for you? Do they make you strong and healthy? Then he asked the big question that I had been dreading. “Can I have one?” “These are called chocolates", I replied. "I think they taste good, but some people don’t like them. No, they aren’t good for you." (I have since learned more and modified my judgment.) "No, they don’t make you strong and healthy" and the big one, "Yes, you may try one for yourself.” This was an important moment in his life. Occasionally he was served a sugary treat in a nursery class, but not at home. As he bit into his first chocolate, a very interesting look came on his face. He commented that he thought it tasted good. “But they aren’t good for you, are they?" I replied that no, they aren’t. For several days this subject occupied his thoughts, interrupting his play as he sorted things out in his mind. “Apples are good for you, right? They make you healthy and strong?” “Yes”, I would answer. He would go back to playing. A little later he would inquire about another item. “Is it good for you or is it junk food? Junk food isn’t good for you, is it? It doesn’t make you strong.” The chocolate had produced a dilemma. About the third day he came to me with great enthusiasm and a big smile on his face. “I’ve got it. I figured it out,” he said. “Good food makes you strong,” he announced with confidence, “but junk food makes you H A A P P Y!!” Written Mar 2006
2 Comments
JDT
12/7/2016 03:12:46 pm
Thanks for sharing!
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Margery
12/8/2016 10:57:32 am
H A A P P Y to.
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