Circle Crackers

by: Linda Novick O'Keefe

Whether or not we pay tuition, why does recommending and wanting healthy food for our kids feel like war? I just don’t get it. Why are we taking sides regarding our children’s health; our kids are not food disposals.

A few weeks ago, my girlfriend called and told me that a few mommies in her daughter’s playgroup were speaking about this crazy mom who sent emails to her pre-school and all the parents condemning the school’s snack. For the record, not one of these ladies in the playgroup went to the school or were the direct recipients of any “crazy emails.” It was this moment that I realized I finally had left my birthright: the legacy of the crazy mom who doesn’t let her kids eat circle crackers.

Here is my side of the story…

OK, so we decided to pay a pretty penny to send both our kids to pre-school but felt it was an investment in helping kick start healthy physical, emotional and spiritual habits. Naturally, it drove and continues to drive me bananas that (when shopping for a school play-date) when I inquired to my little lovelies what their friends’ favorite foods are, they declare in their adorably cute and innocent voices “circle crackers!”

I do find myself twirling my hair into knots thinking about the significant tuition and the snack served everyday to the kids including crackers that contain bleached white flour, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn-syrup, processed cheese and raisins.

I decided to let the organic cheese vs. non organic cheese argument go. While I am pretty crazy about only serving organic dairy to my own children and the Common Threads students, it is an argument that can be exhausting even for many of the dieticians, physicians, and nutritionists that we work with.

So I started sending the school emails with studies from the Mayo Clinic on the dangers of consuming high fructose corny syrup and hydrogenated oils. The Director seemed to think any crackers other than the ones she purchased would be more expensive. So I listed just a few fresh snacks priced at Whole Foods that cost between $5-8 that would feed 16-20 children.

Then the concern was related to meeting State of IL safety standards (all snacks have to be wrapped and or packaged). I then proceeded to get quotes from Stanley’s that indicated a significant cost savings by buying fruit in bulk, which would come packaged and sealed, to meet safety requirements. This is the email I think I copied the entire class list on.

The Director then seemed to be concerned with allergens. I couldn’t think of anyone I knew that was allergic to oranges and apples and I wanted to say that (I probably did and it is possible that I replied to all on the list serve).

I did get many emails of support from like-minded mommies. I did, however, get some other emails that made me want to curl up in fetal position in my own mommy’s lap. I wanted to respond, I wanted to say so much. I found myself typing “aren’t you scared that our kids might not outlive us? I am.” I backspaced…

My husband thinks that “food” is my religion. I just think that we all have a right to eat healthy. Unfortunately, not everyone is drinking the same kool-aid.

Kids Teaching Parents

by Jillayne Samatas

As we have begun to start our parent outreach program this past year we have heard many interesting things from the parents that our students are learning and taking home. It’s wonderful! In our classes, we are always striving to teach the children basic cooking skills such as how to hold a knife, mincing and dicing to name a few. Not only are they learning these skills, but are learning how to work with others.

In the past before we started parent outreach we never really knew what our students were bringing home. We hoped they were sharing the recipes and information we shared with them to their parents, but we really had no idea. In fall 2009, we began parent meetings at each site which truly opened our eyes to the fantastic things the children are telling their parents. Parents were sharing with us that their children were teaching them skills in the kitchen and being disappointed in them when they ate McDonalds. It just goes to show the voice and power these children can have on their families and communities which can affect behavior and really make change. We can teach, teach, teach the children, but it is the parents buying the groceries and making decisions at home, therefore educating the adults can reinforce what we are teaching in our classes and make healthier communities.

Just this morning, I saw a commercial (actually several) that showed various snack items and cereals that were pretty unhealthy. For example, Apple Jacks had these two characters, a cinnamon stick and an apple that were animated; talking to each other, laughing, having fun. I could see how this could draw kids in and make them want to tell their mom or dad that they wanted that cereal with the talking characters. The truth of the matter is that Apple Jacks, while tasty, is full of sugar (not a lot of cinnamon) and I don’t think there are any apples in it. It just tastes like apple because of artificial flavoring.

Again, I strongly believe in moderation and every once in a while having a treat that you truly enjoy that might not be so good for you, however, we are teaching our children at a young age about so many of those unhealthy snacks and are using media to do that. The parents possibly get so tired of hearing it or may not have the nutritional knowledge themselves so they will purchase the item.

We need to go back to the basics to educate our parents, students, families and communities the basics of eating well. It doesn’t need to be the molecular components of food, but more so
portioning and understanding the benefits of why certain foods are good for you. Common Threads is beginning to do this and our goal is to continue this to build healthier communities that are making nutritious decisions.