This post is part of Real Food Wednesdays, hosted by Cheeseslave and the No GMO Challenge.
My 17-year-old son, John, has provided me the highest highs and lowest lows in my parenting experience. As a youngster, his little league nickname was “Bulldog” for the way he would dig his feet in and stare down pitchers. If he was gonna steal a base, man, it was his, he pwned that thing. That kind of stubbornness adherence to purpose is both admirable and frustrating in the extreme.
He and I have been going around and around about nourishing foods. He knows they help his dental health, his indigestion and his moods. But he loves Ritz crackers, white bread, cheap grape jelly, peanut butter and plain old white saltines. No, he won’t eat the whole grain varieties. No, jam and fruit-only won’t substitute. No, “real” peanut butter just won’t cut it.
The other day he called me while I was shopping to ask for a box of Ritz crackers. I reminded him of the No-GMO challenge. Between the HFCS, the hydrogenated cottonseed oil and the sugar, there has to be at least one GMO ingredient in there. Not that there’s anything remotely healthy about them to begin with, even if by some fluke they don’t contain GMOs. But he was absolutely bullheaded steadfast in his request. I bought the smallest box available and hoped for an open door later to discuss the issue with him. He did some asking around today at school (specifically his Chemistry and Biology teachers) and on the way home, asked for my input. Not wanting to lecture his ears off, I hit just the high notes: infertility, lack of adequate testing, Monsanto’s hubris.
It sunk in. As we pulled in the driveway, he asked if I could bring home some healthier, organic crackers for him to try. He thought there must be some cracker out there he could enjoy as much as Ritz. He also asked me to send a couple well-written articles to his email address so he could do some research on his own. I was so proud of him, not only that he’s willing to set aside his personal preferences, but that he is seeking information and education for himself. This afternoon was definitely a high point.
The Dark Side of Fat Loss
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May 6, 2009 at 2:15 am
Jen
Yay… that’s great news! I’d love to hear what conclusions he comes to after doing some research for himself. I know after the research I’ve done, the things I used to LOVE sort of make me feel sick just thinking about them now.
It’s amazing what happens when you open your mind to a new possibility, and that sounds just like what he’s doing.
May 7, 2009 at 10:26 am
Michelle @ Find Your Balance
Oh MAN i do not know how I am going to deal with kids one day. I can barely get my husband to remember why we buy organic. I don’t like to lecture either but on the other hand when you care so so much for people how do you let them eat crap? Sigh. I think you handled it really well, and congrats on victories large and small
May 11, 2009 at 10:29 am
alittlebitofgreen
I think it’s especially awesome he wants to research it himself! Good job raising an independent thinker!