Now, living with these wonderful beings (my children) given to me to teach me and learn from and with - I want to share my experiences that I hope will help you, too. Always looking for ways to keep connected and balance the family out I've felt different things working for us...keeping in mind that every family is different and has to adjust to their specific needs, of course. What works for us might not work for you...but the basis is important and that - I believe - is not so much different ;).
I am sure you know those times when everything seems "out of wack"...kids are running wild, household runs wild...and you, too. :). I am sure we've all been there...realizing this modern day life is not meant to be that way ;)...finally, we are tribal people...and we'll get there again :).. But for now...we are living in that world and have to work our ways through. Personally, I am very thankful for it..as if I hadn't experienced it I wouldn't have gone that route and might have never opened my eyes to such a wonderful world...but back to the roots. You feel totally "next-to-yourself" and don't know where to start??? You want to make it better but don't know how?? You want to change the way you talk with your children..and really work on it? Then, I could tell you...just come by (really, I mean it!! It is so much easier to grasp it once you see it..and feel it)...and live it.. - I will be doing family adventure camps soon, too,..with the focus on real connection!...or I can give you some tips ahead...and you still come by because you love the atmosphere...always tons of fun!..and you will be soooo motivated…you’ll feel charged for the rest of your life :)!
And there's the key already...have FUN...do you still know what that means?? Dancing happily to some music...forget yourself while painting a picture...see those smiling little faces...picking flowers...FEELING that energy, the magic, the love! Forget about your housework schedule...don't think about what others might think (most of the time they just smile...because they can see and feel you have that special bond!...just my experiences)...forget yourself in the moment! That's the second key – the NOW! Smell, feel, hear...taste...the ground when it rained...go barefoot...dance in the rain...roll in the mud ;)... LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Your children show you best...they want you to live in the moment...and they are right!! Trust them…they are connected…to nature…to this planet..to the universal rhythms! Take care of their needs - right now! With fun and laughter...- and they have the ability to "fill their cups up" again. No lessons needed...just pure fun! Whatever makes them laugh...laugh so hard they forget everything.. means you are on the right way to connection! They will open up...for you...because they can do it - YOU give them the feeling to feel safe and understood enough to open up and communicate openly! They don't have to hug you because you said so...they will happily and filled with love (a bundle of joy with their sparkling eyes that speak for themselves) fall around your neck...because they are connected and they love you as you do love them!!Often, we don't realize how quick their energy level drops - this world can be a lot of stress for them - and they need you to help them fill it up again!!! Once, they are charged...they are "changed"...their batteries are full...they are happy...they can give again...not because they are scared or have to...BECAUSE THEY CAN FEEL THEIR LOVE FOR YOU AGAIN and feel comfortable enough to express it freely!! That is so much of a difference!! You will have fun with them again…every day…every hour…every minute… You will appreciate being with them…all the time! They are your friends – your spiritual masters. And they are good ;)…if you open yourself up…and see they mirror you… Learn to be happy and they will follow.
That bond - that you built from birth...no, even before...keep it alive...stay connected!! It is the most wonderful thing you can have... We are all connected...anyway. I ask you...I invite you to FEEL it again and LIVE it day-to-day. It is sooo fulfilling...a piece of heaven on earth! My heart reaches out there because I really want us all to be able to connect again...we need it...this planet needs it! So, let's open our hearts and let's go...!!! :) If you have more questions…please feel free to ask or drop a note. I would love to hear from you!! Stay connected and listen to your heart!!
Listen here!
26 March 2007
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Raw Children - by Sonja Watt
My children, ages 4 and 6 have lived a raw-vegan lifestyle from birth and have managed to stay that way, so far. Yes, I am sure there will be phases when they want to know about all the other types of food, and that is okay. But while they are young, I believe it is important for me to stand my ground, believing in and living what I am teaching them. This will increase the chances of them following my lead. The same goes for you.
Fortunately, children who have eaten raw from birth haven't had their natural tastes altered by cooked foods. With their non-tainted taste buds, children sincerely enjoy pure fruits and vegetables, lettuce and such over mixed dishes. Their digestion is different, so raw children are usually more sensitive to mixes since they haven’t had a bunch of artificial flavors ingrained in their minds. Eating raw-vegan food, exclusively, is therefore easier for them in this regard.
Here are some ideas to make it easier for you and your children as you transition into or journey through a raw-vegan lifestyle:
Have fun with raw food: Build funny faces. Create art pieces. It is totally different if you can look at food from another point of view. Raw food is beautiful food. It's like flowers that make you smile. Soak it up and let it allow you to feel good.
Let your children take part: Children love to help, so let them take part in this life-learning! My children just love to eat raw foods because they can handle it themselves! They feel “big” which is very motivating to them!
Don’t stress over the mess: Don't worry about how your kitchen is going to look afterwards. As parents, we often look to save time and do not want to clean everything again. However, just step back and think “fun.” Be happy to be a part of the process. When I allow myself to do this, I can literally see my children grow. How amazing! Those times don't return to us, so think about what is really important to you. House cleaning can be fun, too, by the way. Children do love to get involved with it as long as they can do it together with you. Just relax and don't worry if it takes longer than usual. All you need is time and patience. Pull yourself out of the circle of trying to be perfect. Show that you want to help your children with the cleaning, like how they want to help you. It’s most amazing to me with the ideas they come up with during this time. Observe! Build life-long valuable memories by not stressing over the mess.
Encourage your children to create recipes: Simply provide enough of a variety of fresh, yummy fruits, etc., and let them go at it. Of course, you can stay nearby so your kitchen doesn't get chopped up in the process. Try to focus on positive communication. For instance, "Let me know if you need some help,” instead of, "Nooo, you will cut off your fingers. Nooooo, the whole hand!” Children can end up resisting and rebelling from a negative communication approach.
Host parties and events: Invite friends and offer loads of yummy stuff. Make fruit porcupines (they can add the spikes, or you). Make delicious ice cream with strawberry sauce, shakes, or cakes. If you can get their friends to eat it without making a deal out of it, often no one will even realize it's raw, which is all the better for your children. Your children will go with the flow and be happy to not be so different this time.
Take raw food to friends: Bring a big bowl of something wonderfully raw to share with everybody! Again, your children won’t want to feel left out. If everybody else eats it, chances are, your children will, too.
Let it be the norm: Have plenty of different types of fresh, ripe foods at home (that your children like), so they can help themselves whenever they get hungry. If you pull out lettuce and just eat it, they will, too. My children would rather eat a whole apple instead of a complicated mix. So, keep it simple. Experiment! Just do it...don't talk! Action is most important! We all learn and move forward by watching and imitating. Your job is to filter (not shelter!) what should be imitated.
Don’t let your children get too hungry: Prepare filling shakes before they get too hungry and then go somewhere where “other” things are served. Whey your children are full, they are more satisfied and less attracted by other food.
Answer their questions: That's it. No begging, etc. Just fill them up with honest information. Children want to be able to understand and tell others. Point food differences out to them, so they know for future reference.
Take them grocery shopping: Let them pick things they like and what’s on the list.
Use puppetry: Let their dolls, cars, etc. "talk" about it. Use those toys as puppets, and you will see how fun that approach is for your children and how aware they are. They will start asking you questions based on what they just heard from their dolls, etc.
Make commercials: Turn off the TV since there are so many negative influences there. Just watch how creative your children become.
Sell their creations: Let your children make raw crackers and sell them at park days, school functions, etc.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. For transitioning, I suggest you try to find recipes that work for your children. Don't worry too much about all the right combining, etc. That will come by the time they are ready -- when their taste buds have changed to a desire for better quality food.
Again, be sure to have lots of fruit handy since children have a better chance of connecting with flavors they enjoy. Most importantly (for all of us), the fruit should be ripe, fresh and, if possible, organic!
If you want your children to live of raw food, make it happen! Do things such as replacing processed chocolate with your own raw chocolate; they will love it! The point is to simply be a fun example for them. Before long, they’ll be living that life with you.
I would love to hear from you and about your experiences. Let me know what helped with your family’s transition to more or all raw food.
Fortunately, children who have eaten raw from birth haven't had their natural tastes altered by cooked foods. With their non-tainted taste buds, children sincerely enjoy pure fruits and vegetables, lettuce and such over mixed dishes. Their digestion is different, so raw children are usually more sensitive to mixes since they haven’t had a bunch of artificial flavors ingrained in their minds. Eating raw-vegan food, exclusively, is therefore easier for them in this regard.
Here are some ideas to make it easier for you and your children as you transition into or journey through a raw-vegan lifestyle:
Have fun with raw food: Build funny faces. Create art pieces. It is totally different if you can look at food from another point of view. Raw food is beautiful food. It's like flowers that make you smile. Soak it up and let it allow you to feel good.
Let your children take part: Children love to help, so let them take part in this life-learning! My children just love to eat raw foods because they can handle it themselves! They feel “big” which is very motivating to them!
Don’t stress over the mess: Don't worry about how your kitchen is going to look afterwards. As parents, we often look to save time and do not want to clean everything again. However, just step back and think “fun.” Be happy to be a part of the process. When I allow myself to do this, I can literally see my children grow. How amazing! Those times don't return to us, so think about what is really important to you. House cleaning can be fun, too, by the way. Children do love to get involved with it as long as they can do it together with you. Just relax and don't worry if it takes longer than usual. All you need is time and patience. Pull yourself out of the circle of trying to be perfect. Show that you want to help your children with the cleaning, like how they want to help you. It’s most amazing to me with the ideas they come up with during this time. Observe! Build life-long valuable memories by not stressing over the mess.
Encourage your children to create recipes: Simply provide enough of a variety of fresh, yummy fruits, etc., and let them go at it. Of course, you can stay nearby so your kitchen doesn't get chopped up in the process. Try to focus on positive communication. For instance, "Let me know if you need some help,” instead of, "Nooo, you will cut off your fingers. Nooooo, the whole hand!” Children can end up resisting and rebelling from a negative communication approach.
Host parties and events: Invite friends and offer loads of yummy stuff. Make fruit porcupines (they can add the spikes, or you). Make delicious ice cream with strawberry sauce, shakes, or cakes. If you can get their friends to eat it without making a deal out of it, often no one will even realize it's raw, which is all the better for your children. Your children will go with the flow and be happy to not be so different this time.
Take raw food to friends: Bring a big bowl of something wonderfully raw to share with everybody! Again, your children won’t want to feel left out. If everybody else eats it, chances are, your children will, too.
Let it be the norm: Have plenty of different types of fresh, ripe foods at home (that your children like), so they can help themselves whenever they get hungry. If you pull out lettuce and just eat it, they will, too. My children would rather eat a whole apple instead of a complicated mix. So, keep it simple. Experiment! Just do it...don't talk! Action is most important! We all learn and move forward by watching and imitating. Your job is to filter (not shelter!) what should be imitated.
Don’t let your children get too hungry: Prepare filling shakes before they get too hungry and then go somewhere where “other” things are served. Whey your children are full, they are more satisfied and less attracted by other food.
Answer their questions: That's it. No begging, etc. Just fill them up with honest information. Children want to be able to understand and tell others. Point food differences out to them, so they know for future reference.
Take them grocery shopping: Let them pick things they like and what’s on the list.
Use puppetry: Let their dolls, cars, etc. "talk" about it. Use those toys as puppets, and you will see how fun that approach is for your children and how aware they are. They will start asking you questions based on what they just heard from their dolls, etc.
Make commercials: Turn off the TV since there are so many negative influences there. Just watch how creative your children become.
Sell their creations: Let your children make raw crackers and sell them at park days, school functions, etc.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. For transitioning, I suggest you try to find recipes that work for your children. Don't worry too much about all the right combining, etc. That will come by the time they are ready -- when their taste buds have changed to a desire for better quality food.
Again, be sure to have lots of fruit handy since children have a better chance of connecting with flavors they enjoy. Most importantly (for all of us), the fruit should be ripe, fresh and, if possible, organic!
If you want your children to live of raw food, make it happen! Do things such as replacing processed chocolate with your own raw chocolate; they will love it! The point is to simply be a fun example for them. Before long, they’ll be living that life with you.
I would love to hear from you and about your experiences. Let me know what helped with your family’s transition to more or all raw food.
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