A Trip to Pemberton

Recently we took a road trip to beautiful Pemberton. I had never really seen the Pemberton valley before. It was breathtakingly beautiful, with many beautiful farms throughout. One in particular was on our list; my dear friend Sarah's organic farm (biodynamic actually) called Rootdown Organics.
Oskar was instantly drawn to the big red piggies, the Indian Runner Ducks and, of course the caw of the roosters! It was such a different pace from the city - a welcome pace indeed. Needless to say, we ate gorgeously fresh food during our stay (a dynamic and succulent mixed green salad with edible flowers and raspberries, roasted chicken rubbed with fresh herbs and some leftover desserts from the night before; the Outstanding in the Field dining event they had attended.
This visit reaffirmed by belief that kids need to see 'the other side of things'. They need to be shown where their food comes from, how it's grown and harvested and, ultimately, prepared. It provides them with a connection to their food (that is all but lost in most urban kids these days).

This is not a new topic on our blog but I feel it needs to be echoed as I see so many mothers struggling with their children's fussiness and disconnection to their food. Much of that can be alleviated by incorporating some simple practices at home (a trip to a farm wouldn't hurt too, if you can manage it. This 'harvest season' is the best time to do it as everything is ripe and ready to be plucked.)
1.) Keep giving your kids food that you feel they need in their diet, even if they refuse it (ie: fresh leafy greens, root veggies, whole vs. white grains, fruit instead of fruit juice. And provide small amounts to avoid waste).

2.) Don't give up, they'll eventually decide they want to try it (most of the time anyways). It's not about trickery or pushing something on them. It is about positive encouragement. Note: they are more likely to do it if you do.

3.) Engage them. Let or encourage them to be a part of the food preparation, starting at the grocery store, farmer's market, whatever your source for food.

4.) Let them or encourage them to help prepare meals (start simple and eventually allow them to make whole meals, according to age and abilities - don't underestimate them. You'll be surprised how quick they learn and how able they are when Mom (or Dad) has the patience to weather the mess, ie: the odd egg shell in your omelette, or perhaps a broke dish on occasion. Empowering them to enjoy and be responsible for their nourishment will feed them throughout their life (mentally and spiritually too).

5.) Make dinnertime a time to relax and bond as a family, have conversation, perhaps even have a few laughs. Ideally, encourage your children to honour their meal times by sitting for the duration of the meal and eat as much as is comfortable for them, taking time to chew and rest. This, again, is most effective when we, as parent, lead by example. It will teach them to appreciate their meals and mealtimes more.*An added bonus is that this will also enhance the digestive process; when the body is more relaxed it breaks down our foods more efficiently and we absorb its nutrients.

6.) Talk to your kids about where their food comes from, if they cannot see for themselves. Make it an important conversation where you display to them that is worthwhile thinking this through. Add in gratitude toward the person who provided/grew/raised the food.

7.) Grow your own food, if possible. If you don't have a yard or space to grow in consider a planter box or perhaps just a few herbs in the window. And there's always sprouts or ferments (see our ginger beer post) - which anyone can ‘grow’ in their kitchen with a little know-how.

*Stay tuned for more on creative options for growing food in future blogs.
Until then, be well nourished...