Karen Kahn

Hi Debbie, et al.

Regarding food choices, I have been trying to let go of my control
issues around food -- especially since beginning to learn more about
unschooling.  My 12yo son lives on little else than white flour.  Bagles &
cream cheese, toast and pasta with butter.  I can sneak whole grains into
him with the pancakes I make, and he'll usually eat a carrot or two
(because by now he expects I'll "make" him...).  The interesting thing is,
and the reason I'm able to let go more now, is that this has been going
on for about 3 years, and he's been growing and developing like a
"normal" adolescent.  In fact, in the last 6 months, he's grown almost 2
inches.  His body is (somehow) finding nourishment in the food he eats,
and as I let go of my judgment of him, I know he will begin to choose
foods that taste as good to him as the bland things he currently likes.

Good luck.
Karen
PS:  Any unschoolers in the northern California (Chico) area


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Ren Allen

I think I need to clarify a bit about this food discussion....I was
asking the "toxic products" thing to get back on topic, not the entire
discussion about food and choices.
We tend to cover a lot of stuff that might not fall under
"unschooling", but this list is lightly moderated so unless it has the
capacity to really derail things, I don't say much.

Food choices and health talk is fine, even better as it pertains to
our unschooling lifestyle.

" Whole/complete and organic = Not
> processed in any way by man. "

Any oil you are eating that isn't IN the food is processed in some
manner. That's not a bad thing. It takes processing to get Olive oil
or butter or any other pure fat. That in itself does not make
something less healthy.

Ren
learninginfreedom.com

[email protected]

Despite it all, on May 25, 2005 my 8 year old daughter Jossilyn
> was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML which
> is more rare than ALL to which Hannah Jenner so
> recently succombed.) In Aug. 2005, she received a
> BMT (bone marrow transplant) courtesy of my 4 year old
> daughter Kaylin. We have been very fortunate and she
> is doing very well, though it has been a long road to
> travel.
>
> My point here is that life is just too damn short.
> Despite all the precautions you may take, stuff
> happens.

***I am also happy to hear that your daughter is all right now. I can't even
begin to imagine what it was like to go through what your family has been
through.
.....and you are right "stuff happens regardless of any precautions you may
take" and life is too short to freak out over every little thing. My Mom always
took pretty good care of herself and it still didn't stop cancer from taking
a hold of her.

We always tried not to ever limit or force our kids to eat anything and the
kitchen is now open at any time, day or night, however, when they were in
school, the kitchen wasn't so open all the time because of things like bedtimes,
early morning rushes to get there on time, etc., those things that school sort
of forces you into. Bringing unschooling into all aspects of life has been such
an eye opener. I have actually started to hear our dd's say things like "I
don't think I want any more hot tamales for a while (my dd favorite! after
eating who knows how much!:o) I'm gonna have a salad." Wow.
I always try to have lots of choices around for them, junk food and more
healthier choices so, with the more healthier choices I usually try to get as
good as we can afford at the time. Although my dh always says that "the
pesticides keep the bugs away and the preservatives make ya live longer by preserving
you!" :o)

When I was growing up I lived in a home where "you have to finish everything
on your plate before you can leave the table!" (I was so thankful for my dog!)
Of course that always made ya want more junk whenever you could get it cuz it
was restricted so much.
I am so thankful we have found unschooling! I'm still reading and learning.

Thanks to all of you,
Nancy


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