Saturday, November 29, 2008

I can be a normal mom

I am not the mom to do arts and crafts with my kids. I am not the kind of mom who chases butterflies through a field with her kids (like the woman who is free because she is wearing pads with wings). I am not the kind of mom who will walk along a block for a whole hour, delighting in her child stopping every two feet to look at a flower.

I am the kind of mom who would LOVE for my children to get so engrossed in a movie that they sit still for 1.5 hours (I'm still waiting for that day).

However, there is a weekly ritual I have with my kids that puts me in the "normal mom" or "good mom" category (yes, there is a person who puts moms in different categories ;)).

Since the big monkey was 2.5 years old, I have been taking her to the Calabasas Farmers Market. When the little monkey turned 3, she started coming with. They both know to stick by me and not to run away. They know which vendors we go to, and the vendors know the kids by name. In fact, the few times I go by myself, they ALL ask where the kids are and are upset that I didn't bring them.

I figured early on that if the monkeys saw fruits and vegetables in a fun setting, and got to help pick them out, that they would eat more fruits and vegetables. I don't know if our weekly outings had anything to do with it, but my monkeys are, in fact, lovers of fruits and vegetables. On any given Saturday you can see the monkeys chomping down on raw cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, persimmons, Asian pears and other assorted fruits and vegetables.

And everything we buy is organic, which I am a big believer of.

A good friend of mine asked me "what's the deal with you and organic food?"

A long time ago, I read a number of studies that showed that pesticides and hormones in produce and meats have contributed in great part to girls going through puberty early. With my genes, my girls DO NOT NEED any help in that department. Therefore, we try to eat primarily organic and/or hormone free.

The funniest thing happen to me at the Farmers Market. I had been thinking about taking pictures of the Farmers Market for my blog but forgot my camera. So, we were at our favorite citrus vendor and up comes a woman to me and asks if she could take my picture for her....BLOG!!! My mouth opened so far down she must have thought I was a freak. I recovered and agreed. Apparently, this vendor uses bio-degradable bags and she was doing a blog post on these bags. I was so dumbfounded that I forgot to ask the name of her blog.

I'm hoping I can do a search and find it, since somewhere there is a picture of me putting citrus in to a bio-degradable bag at the Farmers Market.

So anyways, that's my one contribution to spending quality, wholesome time with my monkeys :) Whew - am I pooped!

11 comments:

Kim said...

I don't know who that person is that is putting moms into "categories" and I certainly DO NOT want to meet them, but it sounds to me like you are doing a great job!

Unknown said...

Oh Julia, I love that post. Yes, you are a good mom - you are a supermom when you take your kids to the Farmers Market and they crunch down on raw cucumbers.

Right on for that.

No need to run through open fields chasing butterflies - other moms are handling that one.

I'm doing neither of those things.

: - )

Lana@The Kids Did WHAT?! said...

I hope you find that blog! That would be so neat!
Yeah, I'm not one of those moms either. If I was running through a field it would be because I was being chased by a swarm of killer bees!
Thanks for the birthday wishes! :)

Julia@SometimesLucid said...

The person/people putting moms in to "categories" are the ones who look down on me/you/us for "working and leaving someone else to take care of your kids".

Thankfully, my friends can kick those moms ass :) Also, we're the ones who take our kids to the park in hopes that they will tire themselves out and fall asleep as soon as they get home ;)

Maureen Reynolds said...

I love Farmers' Markets and if I ever get to yours I'll be sure to Blog You Too and send a pic. ;-) cya on nablopomo

LaTonya Yvette said...

I'm not one of those moms either! Just keep doing you!

Mommy In Pink said...

I am a huge believeer in organic foods too...what a great way to spend time with your children...Kudos to you!

April said...

Definitely a good mom!

Lana@The Kids Did WHAT?! said...

Yeah, well, "those" women can judge me all they want. It's either I leave my daughter at daycare so I can provide for my family, OR I can live off their tax dollars and collect welfare...which would give them something ELSE to judge me for or another catagory to put me in! I wonder if "these" women frown upon placing children in school, or do they homeschool? Afterall, I AM leaving my son in the care of the school, aren't I?

Whew.. Sorry for the rant. So frustrating what some are judged for!
I love your blog btw!! :)

Unknown said...

I think it's wonderful that you get your kids involved in their healthy easting habits. It has paid off for you!


I looked for the woman's blog.. but there are sooooooooo many. I looked at about 6 of the 3,490, none had pics like you described. If you do find it, I hope you link it!

Jenni said...

You had me at Pads with wings...