If you know me, you know one thing I am passionate about is kids… I take caring for them very seriously and it infuriates me when things are sold on the market that are not safe or healthy for them. With all the problems children in America face these days, I feel like restrictions should be in place to protect them. We trust organizations like the FDA, EPA and the government to have regulations set up that wouldn’t allow harmful things to be sold, but I am constantly shocked at what’s allowed to be marketed and sold for children.
From the DISGUSTING process fast food goes through before it hits their mouths (see above picture of “chicken nuggets”)… The fact that school cafeteria meats are made from that same gag-worthy process (I mean they’re soaking the meat in ammonia, people! AMMONIA!!!!!)… That moms aren’t informed of the ingredients in the vaccines they’re injecting into their tiny babies fragile system (I do NOT think vaccines are bad, by the way. So don’t fuss at me about that 
)… To the artificial colors and dyes in SO many things they eat or ingest… To the packaged and processed food that are marketed as “healthy” but one serving contains TWICE the amount of sodium as McDonald’s french fries (yes, you read that right)… To the chemicals in the formula we feed them and the diapers we cover them in 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for years… To the toys they chew on that contain toxic chemicals, lead and dyes… To the lotions, soaps and creams we lather on our little ones with more parabens and chemicals than you could ever imagine. Did you know that human skins absorbs 80% of everything we put on it?
Even beautiful things (that I encourage) like baby wearing are tainted by carriers with massive design flaws that can cause hip distortion, and encourage baby facing out which research shows can cause spinal problems and anxiety for baby. (Baby Bjorn, I am talking to you!)
I could go on and on, but I will spare you. My main point here is that it is our responsibility as parents to monitor every.single.thing that we put on or in our little ones. Yes, it seems overwhelming. Yes, it “seems” expensive (but I can tell you from someone who has never had much money that it is TOTALLY doable and worth it). Yes, people might think you’re weird.
I have found that replacing one thing at a time when you run out of it is the easiest and most cost-conscious way to remedy the household things. Replace your chemical laden cleaners with a greener option. All the discount stores sell better options now for the same price as the bad stuff. Buy wooden toys or check labels. Amazon has some AWESOME “green” toy brands at good prices, and Melissa and Doug can be found lots of places now. Pack a school lunch for your kiddos. Yes, this is more work. Consider it an investment and a very small labor of love. Replace processed and packaged foods with fresh foods. Buy organic when you can, but remember organic does NOT always equal healthy- just clean.
I truly believe 110% that cancer and disease rates have sky rocketed over the past few decades due to the junk we have started ingesting and surrounding ourselves with. Cultures that lead a cleaner, more junk-free lifestyle are proven to have lesser rates of these diseases. We are America! We lead the way in so many things, and it frustrates me so much to see us drop the ball so often in this regard. Let’s take better care of our children, our future.
Do I think I am a better mom because I care about this stuff and you don’t? DEFINITELY not! Do I judge you if you feed your kids processed food, buy traditional soap brands or clean with bleach? ABSOLUTELY not! I am definitely NOT the expert, but just a passionate mama who wants the best for her kiddos, like many of you reading this. That looks a little different for me than it does for others, and that’s ok. The goal is always the same- being the best for our babies. Some of the girls whom I respect the most as mothers and as women could care less about any of this. I don’t want this to be polarizing or sound judgey- I just hope to share my passion about this in a helpful, educational, loving way.
Hopping off the soap box now, but feel free to email me at meghanmatt@gmail.com for website and book recommendations on this subject.
while i agree with you anyway about the chicken nuggets and salt laden toddler ‘health’ meals – the link you posted isn’t actually very accurate (ie they don’t soak it etc etc) — http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/msm.asp.. Still just look at our cereal options that aren’t even allowed in other countries due to the controversial dyes etc etc.. and the sugar contents out the roof! All the while, increased levels of vaccines are being blamed for everything from asthma to autism when it’s likely just the decrease in healthy choices! (that’s why the correlation between unvax kids being ‘healthier’ has nothing to do with them being unvax, but rather that their families are generally healthier in other aspects of their lives (i.e. diet, exercise, etc ). (i did see that you aren’t antivax, but i was just soooo excited about agreeing with your reasoning for the cancer and other disease! teehee)
BUt yes yes yes on the lotions, chewing stuff, bjorns (gag!), etc,… It has been such an awesome process getting our house healthier and greener over the past two years! what a blessing as we realize our bodies are a temple!
I think you should totally do a monthly menu plan with all the healthy, good foods and create a weekly shopping list and send it right to my inbox. And we will just eat whatever you decide Or, you can just cook extras and Cate and I will come over for dinner every night. (can we please have something with bacon once a month? And Cate is allergic to shellfish and lentils, so none of them!). Good plan?
Loved this!! I’ve learned so much in the few short years I’ve been a parent and people think I’m crazy-literally!! Especially in the food area. I feel like everywhere I go, people are trying to feed my kid crap. And raise their eyes like, you really don’t let him have lollipops or fruit snacks?? No, but he will have some carrots if you have them, hehe!!