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27 June 2007

Camp update!



I just added the pictures from this year's International Rawfood Family Camp in Germany that was so much fun again...information and like-minded spirits! I can wholeheartly offer it for everybody out there...it is a great experience! I did food preparation classes (on the picture you can see my personal welcome to you :)), introduction into raw foods, transition to raw foods, raw foods with children and without ;) - there is a difference!, energy work, lots of infos about homebirth, diaperless babies, natural living, carried babies, vax (or not!), homeschooling, eco-living and much more... Join in and learn about it as well! The next camp will take place in Texas, 23. - 30. July 2oo7. For more info please read below or send me an e-mail. I am excited to answer any questions and wishes you may have! I really want to show you a this world of real experience...it all is so easy...once you did it!!! You don't need to have rawfood experience!! Long-time rawfoodists are as much welcome!!

I also send out a newsletter...whoever wants to be updated on rawfood community living, delicious but easy recipes, articles about positive parenting, loving and having fun together, connection (soon also fun for kids!!) and much more...please contact me at sr20500atyahoo.de and I will be more than happy to share my experiences with you! This time an article about tips about family living with a non-raw spouse.

If you want to fill out a very short and quick questionnaire you will receive a list full of information, links, books, etc. to get started already!

And here some news of our daily life.. :)....waking up this morning with rain...this is niiice!! The weather so warm and a free shower from above...heart, what do you want more??!!! That calls for a shower in the garden...and the kids had soo much fun!! They love the rain barrels and buckets (use them as swimming pools...or better hopping pools :)) I put out to catch rain water for the dry season that's supposed to be here by now....(as many residents told me...well, the world is changing..). But it works great for us...the garden grows like crazy...that is fun to watch it grow!! Every day it is taller...you can almost see it getting bigger... amazing...as I am used to plant a seed and wait at least a week....and you might see something green...if you are lucky.. But here....either it's the weather or those organic super seeds...probably a mix of both! It's exciting and turns gardening into fun! We love it!

As we spent our afternoon at the park in Austin...I thought about making a hamac. Does anybody have a great site or idea how to do one? I got some cloth... Well, may be I just keep knotting the ends together...and then somehow a string ...and ...womp...down we go...or so... ;). The two had fun when I just swang them around... hihi...good arm training for me as well ;)... But not really the kind of relaxation I was looking for... And tips??

Yep, so much for the fun around here... Will come back again and tell you more :). Drop ideas for crafts if you want :). Next time I want to sew. I did a book cover and want to do something else...more ideas??? :))) Come on, we are all one...input...pleeeease :)
Posted by Sonja at 8:50 PM

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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.