Raw Moms - Raw Food Chat

Val · 03-30-2006

I am new to raw food but I already know this is the way for me. However, I need some tips on how to transition my children (who are 4 and almost 2) from the SAD to a living foods way of eating. My 2 year old is more open to trying new things - she already has a "mini" smoothie with me each morning. However, my 4 year old is going to be more of a challenge. I'm not sure at their ages what is the appropriate amount of raw foods, if there are any foods they should avoid at their young ages, etc. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, in advance!

judycozza · 03-31-2006

Just a quick reply on this matter of feeding your little children - there are many great books out there on the subject. I like the book "The Raw Food Detox Diet" by Natalie Rose. (of course not my only favorite but start with one) She has a section on tots and teens and explains that the goal is not to make a young raw foodist of your children. And it's not important that they combine their food perfectly. The goal is to simply start upgrading the quality of the food that you keep at home. If you provide healthy choices - that's all they get - it's as simple as that and their bodies will naturally want the "natural" food. If you can check out the book at the library and read what N. Rose says about it - it will give you a lot of ideas how to start slowly and make the changes fun for everyone involved. It is great that you are already starting them on smoothies. That is the perfect start. You may already have all the right answers but just don't know it yet.
Reading what others have done might give you ideas you might not think of. Pick and choose what works for you! And for sure...have fun with it! Good luck. Judy in Phx

Val · 04-01-2006

Thanks, Judy, for taking the time to reply! I appreciate your insight. I am very excited to continue learning more about eating raw and becoming more healthy. I agree, if you have fun with it I believe it will be easier, especially with my children. Today, I poured strawberry smoothies into a muffin tray, stuck plastic spoons in each one and froze them! So the kids can have their "popsicles"....anyone else have any more creative ways to feed their children raw foods?? Anyway, thanks again Judy! Have a great weekend!

apple · 04-02-2006

Hi Val!

Even though you are having some trouble with your four year old, its really great that your children are so young. They don't have too much of the SAD diet ingrained in them! Just remember that this is a process and that it takes time. They'll get it...maybe not right away, but eventually!

Children need more fat than adults. I'm not exactly sure how much. My 22 month old son loves a simple avocado, tomato, lemon juice salad, and also raw almond butter right off the spoon with some raw honey or with an apple. If your children eat bread, you could transition with Nature's Path Manna Bread, which is a frozen, organic sprouted grain bread baked at low temperatures. Its not considered raw, but its much easier on the digestive system than your average bread. Its available in most health food stores. One of the best things I've done is to have just fruit in the morning. My son's favorites are mangoes, bananas, berries and grapes. And he doesn't get a runny nose anymore! If your children eat cereal, you could start with a basic whole grain cereal and add berries or bananas, and slowly add more fruit and then suggest just having fruit. I like to give my son a choice of fruits and let him pick which one(s) he wants.

Good books to read are "Introducing Living Foods to Your Child: Guidebook for Babies through Two Years" by Beth Montgomery, "Raw Kids" by Cheryl Stoycoff, and "Baby Greens" by Michaela Lynn and Michael Chrisemer, N.C.

I hope this helps and I wish you and your children the best!

Val · 04-02-2006

Hi Apple!

Thanks for your suggestions! Sounds like your child is well on his way to great health! You're right, since my children are quite young the SAD is not so ingrained in them - it shouldn't be a huge struggle to transition them. I am hoping with warmer weather coming soon, I will have an easier time offering fruits and veggies to them. I am going to check out the books that you recommended because I want to be sure that they are receiving everything they need in a balanced diet. How do you feel about children eating meat, dairy, etc.??? I'm sure the books you have recommended address this but I was just wondering what your thoughts are. Thanks for replying so quickly! God Bless

apple · 04-02-2006

Hi Val.

Yes, the warm weather should help! Spring and summer have so much to offer us! To answer your question regarding meat, dairy, etc...I have never fed my son meat and rarely any dairy. Our bodies absorb nutrients from plants much better than the ones found in meat and dairy. Meat has no fiber, so it just sits in you, rotting, and dairy is mucus forming. Our bodies do not digest either well. Green leafy veggies are really good. They contain iron, calcium, an endless array of nutrients! The way I get these into my son's diet is to make green smoothies, which consists of water, fruit, and green leaves all blended together. My son will also drink juices, like apple/carrot/celery/beet/beet greens. He doesn't drink a lot of either, but I figure that every little counts! and he eats fruit galore! Non-sweet fruits, too, like cucumber, red peppers, tomatoes, etc. Although, watch out for citrus fruits because they are hard on tooth enamel. Also, raw unhulled sesame seed milk is supposed to be really good. It has lots of calcium! As far as protein, all plantlife contains it, and as far as I've read, we need much less than we've been told...like 10 to 20 grams a day. (read the book "The China Study" by Campbell) You should check out Victoria Boutenko's book, "Green for Life" and Frederic Pautenaude's "Instant Raw Sensations" and "Raw Secrets". I recommend anything by Gabriel Cousens. (Am I overwhelming you with book suggestions??) Search the internet, too. There is so much good information out there. For the above mentioned authors, www.rawfamily.com and www.fredericpatenaude.com.

Again, I wish you the best on your quest! God Bless you!

Val · 04-05-2006

Apple,

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Boy, you have read a lot of books! I'm sure I could learn a lot from you. I am feeling hopeful about transitioning my children to a more healthy and raw way of eating. Yesterday, I made Berry Bars from Alissa Cohens book and I was all ready for my 4-year old to reject them when - low and behold - he LOVED THEM!!! I almost cried with joy because #1 they did turn out pretty good and #2 my 4-year old loved them! Who would have thunk!! I told him that he made my day. He was so proud that he liked something that he knew was healthy for him. It was so cute! So I guess he won't be such a hard nut to crack afterall.....HA HA

apple · 04-05-2006

val,

you are welcome! i'm so happy to hear that things are going well! may they continue to do so.

Elsaraw · 04-07-2006

Has anyone here had a raw pregnancy?