Wicked Awesome
Since Gigi started preschool, I’ve learned a lot.
The main reason we wanted her to go to school was to help her step a little bit outside of the pink sparkly bubble we live in and learn about other people. I mistakenly assumed that she would be quick to point out how different other people are from us and that I would take that as an opportunity to teach her about diversity, personal choices and respect. A parent can dream, right? The truth is on almost a daily basis, I’m met with a “I LOOOOOOOVE donuts!,” a “We played campfire and I pretended to make hamburgers!” or shockingly enough, a “Today I ate pepperoni!”
While there are reasonable explanations for each of these statements (every day seems to be a birthday celebration, the brown plastic patties they play with don’t look a thing like veggie burgers, and for some still unbeknownst reason to me, they made mini-pizzas), I never envisioned having to justify my lifestyle or my parenting choices to a 4-year-old.
There are some glorious days, even when I’m not having back surgery, giving birth or getting a pap smear, when I get to let someone else do the work. Today that someone was our dear carpool friend, Adriana.
Adriana is six and the girl can talk. Gigi looks up to her something crazy, her being a “kin-der” (aka kindergartner) and also having two brothers and a dog, two things that are totally foreign in our house. Between here and preschool I’ve learned every painstaking detail of Adriana’s brother’s tonsillectomy and the history, from loosening to pulling, of each of her baby teeth. Not only is it the content of her ramblings that is amazing, but the speed, which is the true blessing in all of this–like a Band-aid, right off! So nothing that comes out of her mouth ever surprises me…until today.
Adriana: Look, they’re tearing down the Taco Bell! GOOD!!! Do you like Taco Bell?
Me: We don’t usually eat at Taco Bell. Why don’t you like Taco Bell?
A: Well, my daddy used to eat at Taco Bell, but he doesn’t anymore because he is so big. His doctor said that his body isn’t healthy because he’s so big. He eats like three or four sausages, and that makes him big, and he eats lots of pig, and that makes him big, and lots of chicken and that makes him big, so we don’t go to Taco Bell anymore. Is that Greenday? Can you turn the radio up?
Me: There you go. (turning up radio)
A: Thank you! One…twwwwwenty one guns, lay down your arrrrrms, give up the fiiiiight… (singing remarkably well)
I looked over at Gigi who’s eyes were popping out like Mariah Carey at the Golden Globes, and for once I took the opportunity to say absolutely nothing.
Sure, there are other reasons why I prefer that my kids don’t eat meat, reasons that have to do with the 27 billion animals that are slaughtered each year in the United States, the torturous conditions at factory farms and the environment depleting methane gas, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that are produced by farmed animals.
However, at this moment, simply hearing the impact of a meat-centered diet on her friend and her father was enough.
As I dropped Adriana off, and her dad came out to get her, I didn’t mention the education we had on the way home. But I also didn’t feel the need to defend our lunches to Gigi when we got home.
A great big salad for me (spinach, cabbage, carrots, orange pepper, cucumber, broccoli, carrots, lemon juice and salsa),
and blueberry spinach smoothies for the girls.
My reward for a great lunch was a surprisingly authentic full costumed rehearsal of Wicked, starring Gigi as Glenda,
and Lulu as “The Wizard.”
There was conflict,
but mostly singing.
“Defying Gravity” has never sounded so…well, so unlike “Defying Gravity.”
When it came time to make dinner, I asked Gigi what she wanted. “Chick’n nuggets, but not the kind made out of meat!”
I smell redemption.
At least I hope that’s what I smell.
adorable pic of her going to school. Man, it’s gonna be hard managing the crap they give your kids once they start school.
My only hope is that PORTLAND offers better meals than big ol’ texas does.
Your daughters are SO CUTE!
I love your blog. I think that you´re an amazing example of a woman who succeds in balancing health, fun and food. Your kids are so sweet and smart, and I´m sure they´ll be amazing people in the future, if they follow you´re example
Oh, and your salad looks delicious. As all your other meals. YUUUM.
Hahaha.
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Taco Bell represents almost everything that is wrong with America! I haven’t eaten there since my college days…thank God I grew a brain!
You should be so proud of little Gigi. Making healthy choices at such a young age. And good for you Mama Pea for making an ethical choice for your family.
that is a great story. and you are a great parent!
I have to come out of lurking to let you know that I absolutely love your blog. I discovered it a few weeks back. You have a great style, cute little girls, and an interesting life. I really enjoy too seeing pictures of what you eat. Inspiring!
Damn It MAMA PEA! I have to admit that since trying to heal my body I have been struggling with how to do that knowing that eating meat is what makes my gut feel better.
Because it’s high protein. I can’t process fruit at this point without feeling gross.
However, your posts remind me why I don’t like eating me. I am stuck in this lull where by I know that eating the CRAPPY meat served in the residence where I live is NOT what I want to eat. (I looked at the chicken pieces today that were undoubtly from a bad in this plastic container in the salad bar and just couldn’t eat it). So Thank You. I need to be true to what I morally believe and frankly it couldn’t be more real for me right now.
It’s gonna be hard, Mama Pea, when your kids enter the big bad world or processed crap. That is one thing that SHOCKED me about going back to America. I think it’s just instilling what you want them to believe about food and they will stick to that.
Keep up the good fight.
i was that girl in carpool. i still am. i never stop talking. lol. Taco Bell kinda makes me wanna vom. It looks like poo half of the time. How is that worth the money? i dont see the fascination.
xoxo
lo
Holy moly that is a powerful story. Nothing more needs to be said. In fact, I actually don’t have too much to say b/c my jaw is still on the floor and I need to reflect.
in defense of the fast food industry, I would say i have mcdonalds a minimum of 4-5 times per week and im not big… my arteries are probably crazy clogged but i cant see those… so it’s like they are fine… right?
My little brother (he’s
was out with some friends and refused to eat Taco Bell with his friend and his friend’s mother. They were slightly offended when he said, “Taco Bell is full of processed meats and cheeses that make my tummy hurt. It’s really bad for you.” But I was pleased that he already understands this concept!
It’s great to read how Gigi reacted to her friend’s story. You are a great mom!
What a powerful story. You’re such an awesome mom!
When I was in 1st grade, my mom flew me and my 9 year old brother back to North Carolina, to visit my big ol’ traditional meat-eating southern grandpa. My brother and I were raised as vegetarians.
“Well, darlin’,” he drawled. “I’ll give you anything–anything–you want, if you just have a bite of this hot dog.”
I, a lovely and typical 6-year old, gasped. “Even… a BARBIE DREAM HOUSE?”
My older brother bravely stepped in and said that we weren’t interested. (In retrospect–wheewww! Close call!)
I always assumed my mom just wasn’t in the room, but I recently learned that she was there, standing back and letting us make our decisions.
–
I really appreciate the way you’re raising your children. I was lucky to have an awesome mom, and your girls are so lucky to have you as their awesome mom!
Aww this story just melted my heart!! You’ve really raised these girls so well! They’ll totally know right from wrong, especially when it comes to health! I guarantee they’ll be the girls getting their friends hooked on green smoothies and pushing them to spin class, when they’re a bit older of course…but all in a balanced, healthy way!!
you dont have much to worry about with gigi… i about passed out when you asked her what she wanted for dinner and the adorable little ballerina said, “ummm, i think hummus and salad”
i love her!!!!!
Hahaha well..Adriana thinks she knows her stuff! I wish you couldve snapped some photos of GiGi then!
You’ve done a great job instilling a healthy mindset in your girls. I’m sure they will be curious about what other kids eat, but they already have a healthy love of the things they’ve been eating all their lives. Good job!
Well, as someone who a) does eat meat and b) was that kid in elementary school who got nothing but healthy choices, I can only hope that kids that Gigi goes to school with later on are nicer to her than they were to me. I got teased endlessly for my whole wheat pitas with cashew butter and apricot preserves, my water bottles instead of soda or milk, and constant comments of “what do you mean you don’t eat meat?”
I think the healthy lifestyle you’re instilling in your kids is fantastic, but I don’t think not eating meat is necessarily the root of all evil… or the only reason people are overweight. Sure it might be the case for Adriana’s dad, but certainly not for me! I think you’re a great mom, and the world would benefit from more moms like you, just know I’m playing devil’s advocate here
Gigi’s quote at the end makes my heart float. Your girls are going to be freak’n awesome when they grow up…not that they aren’t already!
That has to be daunting – wanting the girls to learn diversity, but knowing that vegetarianism will be a challenge. Sounds like you’re handling it wonderfully, though
Love that Gigi specified that she wanted non meat chik’n nuggets!
Thank you for this post, your story is eye opening.
My son is just starting to ask why we don’t eat the same things on holidays. I really like hearing stories from awesome veggie moms with older kids:)
Eh, forget the anonymous haters! I’m leaving you a comment anyway. So there!
I know of vegans who are extremely overweight. Therefore, it is not meat that makes people fat. There are healthy meats, such as wild Salmon, skinless chicken. And there is meat out there that can be purchased with animal protection nin mind, cage free, etc.
My point is not to convince someone not to be vegetarian. My point is vegetarianism is not the only correct and healthy way to eat. Moderation plays a part in all eating plans.
Sometimes when there is so much emphasis placed on food, it can lead to eating disorders, especially in young girls. It doesn’t seem like a balanced eating life if you can’t even go out to a restaurant or go to friends’ houses to eat one even vegetarian dinner without fear.
Again, I’m not saying not to be vegetarian. But if you are going to write a post like this, to my mind it should be a more balanced perspective, not implying that meat makes people fat.
If one of your daughters decides when they’re a teenager to eat meat, are they going to feel pressure from you that they are disappointing you? Will you be willing to let them choose?
My husband was a vegetrian (no fish either) for 18 years. When he switched back to eating meat, he felt and looked no different. In 18 years he ate no meat except for one time. He was doing work at an old lady’s house, and she came out and presented him with 2 hot dogs. Of all things a vegetarian would not want to eat is, of course, processed hot dogs. But he ate them because he felt it was more important to acknoweldge and accept this sweet offer of generosity and kindness rather than to refuse based upon his vegetariasm. I always appreciated that he saw that as more important.
Such a cute post! I plan to raise my kids (I’ve got awhile, though), as vegetarians, and I never thought about all the stuff they’re offered at school. Too funny about her friend, though!
Your kids are so adorable! I love that first picture, because she looks so tiny in the forefront of that huge building.
Little girls love to talk don’t they!? That’s neat that she has a friend she looks up to so much…I’m sure you’ve tried the MorningStar chik’n nuggets; they’re grrreat!
The kids must have been connected last night, that’s exactly what Ryan asked for. While we’re not veggies, as you well know, I have 4 packages of organic chicken breast in my freezer (purchased with coupons on discount of course), and about 20 boxes of Morningstar Farms chickn nuggets and fakn bacon, he loves those darn chickn nuggs. All bought for a buck or less…coupon train la la la…get on the coupon tr-aaa-iiinnnn!!
Have a good day Mama Pea, I heart you.
ive thought alot about this issue being a mom to a 7 and 8 year old who love to eat. i cant say i have pushed the vegetarian issue, as i am not nor could i ever stay fully veggie for too long. do i feel guilty about once a month going to mcdonalds or wendys? sure i do, but i know that the rest of the month, my kids are getting homemade meals, fresh fruits for snacks, if we eat ice cream its natural, they don’t get lunch at school because i prefer to know what they are having for lunch. i cant beat myself up if they go to a friends house and they end up eating a twinkie or a chocolate bar. i just make sure that what they get at home is nutrionally sound. Im sure your girls will grow up to make the better food choices- but sometimes they wont be able to resist the call of the devils food cake! and its ok! the standard american diet is full of processed crap, but as long as what you are giving them, the knowledge and foundation of healthy eating- im sure they will stick with what they know and only occasionally go bananas with the tyson chicken nuggets and oreos. i remember seeing a comment from someone a long time ago (think it might have been on your site a while back) where they asked “parents take their kids to mcdonalds still?!” and made a reference to the fact that – idea went out with the stone age. (i do remember that THIS person obviously did not have children yet!!) ah nope it didnt! parents do! ive done it! and i’ll do it again! lol once in a while will never hurt anyone i think, its when its all the time, everyday, the only dining option… then it becomes a problem.
we as parent do have to remember that we can lead a horse to water but we cant force him to drink however, i think you are doing a great job in giving the girls a great base for eating the right foods!!
sorry for blabbing away here!
Please ignore the ranting of those who just take offense because they feel DEfensive about their meat-eating habits.
You are a wicked Mom, and Gigi and Lulu are so lucky to have you.
PS: Lynn, there is never anything humane about slaughtering an animal. They all die the same way – alone, in pain and terrified. Cage-free or not.
First off, I LOVE your blog. You are so funny and a great mom. I also totally understand sending the kid to school and having them get things you usually do not feel them. I am that parent too. My kid does not eat things most other children do and it takes a lot out of me to just roll with the punches when she has something I do not want her to when she is not in my care.
I know this sort of issue will come up for me in the future since I’m vegan and my husband very much an omnivore.
But as long as my (future) kids are willing to be educated about food and are healthy, then I will be happy.
It will be more than I had as a kid. Both of my parents were overweight and allowed me to eat terribly (lots of fast food) and I’ve had to deal with those issues my entire life.
awww what a cute story!!!
@Lynn.
I think that ANYONE regardless of what they do and don’t eat can be fat.
I think that MamaPea and others who are conscious of their food choices..is really putting their dollar behind practices which they feel are ethical.
Perhaps you eat meat–but only organic/free range. Perhaps you don’t eat meat for the reasons listed above.
To throw the ‘but there are vegans who are fat’ card as a defense is silly.
It’s really about making choices which you believe are right for your family/you in your context. The most important thing is that we create a world which is sustainable and values the lives of those that we eat, feed, love.
MamaPea..good on you.
i think this is one of the best blog posts i’ve ever read!! children are so amazingly smart and i’m so inspired by your lifestyle and your strength to stand up against the ‘norm’ and your children…in the end your girls will thank you.
Adorable! It’s amazing what kids say – and how true they are!
I think the best thing you can do is to raise your children with the morals and the insight you want them to have. As they grow older, they will probably taste different items and they will have to make their own decisions on a daily basis, but you might be surprised at how strong this *foundation* really is.
I don’t agree with other posters who have commented that your post is implying that meat makes people fat. I think we all know it doesn’t. I think we all know that a lifetime of twinkies and cupcakes can make you fatter than any meant might. I think you were pretty clear that your non-meat choices are due to the ethical treatment of * the 27 billion animals that are slaughtered each year in the United States, the torturous conditions at factory farms and the environment depleting methane gas, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that are produced by farmed animals.* I think that is a pretty DAMN good reason.
Hugs!
I’m impressed a 6 year old was able to convey something like that so well!(Though confused how she could be a fan of Green Day and 21 Guns)
Sounds like you guys have an educational carpool
That is seriously an amazing anecdote! Obviously has sparked a little debate in the comments here, but considering it’s your blog and your choice is to raise your kids vegetarian, it seems like Adriana’s little monologue has more good impact than bad. May there be no sausage fests in Gigi’s future, literal or otherwise.
Great post! As usual, your girls are adorable.
I don’t think there’s any dispute that eating vegan is healthy for us and for the non-human animals.
I love that photo of Gigi against the backdrop of the school.
What a great story. It reminds me of “kids say the darndest things.” They have no filter whatsoever, which is how I think we learn so much from them.
I’m actually the most shocked that this guy’s doctor told him he needed to lose weight and obviously suggested he lessen his meat consumption. I don’t know that’s always the first response so I’m pretty impressed. Also, that he passed this on to his children and made it clear to them why they “don’t go to taco bell anymore.” Good for him.
Those pictures are too cute, I love the wicked re-enactment
I absolutely LOVE what kids say, love it . . . and further more I have yet to tell you that since Alison from Mama’s Weeds is on hiatus you are now my only go to food friendly hilarious mother’s blog that I read . . . I’m expecting a video of Lulu over-feeding a fish
Hey Mama Pea, I was just wondering if you told them at her school that she doesn’t eat meat. I think if you did they would not (should definitely not) give her the pepperoni pizza!
I didn’t envision a scenario in which she’d be given meat, so I didn’t bother to tell them. They know now, though
i honestly don’t think it is as much about meat as it is about QUALITY of food. i think people inherently know meat itself is not going to make you fat – but overeating it, eating poor quality meat, etc. will. too many people just shove food in their mouth without realizing where it came from. you can be a healthy meat eater, you can be an unhealthy meat eater. you can be a healthy vegan, you can be an unhealthy vegan. one of the reasons i heart mama pea so is because she is vegan, healthy and is AWARE of why she is both!
love youuuuuu
oooo a debate! lol i love debating!
i dont think that Lynn stated her opinion in a disrepectful way at all, we may not agree with it, but there were no insults hurled or swear words.. i think unless you are in PETA or posting up pictures of fresh hunting kills- we can all say what we think about the issue.
im not a veggie, i never will be a full fledged veggie, but i make the best food choices for my family that i can, just like mama pea! i applaud mama pea for making an informed decision, but anyone who puts another person down for having a different opinion is not being compassionate- like we are supposed to be. Saving animals won’t mean a thing if there are crazy people throwing paint on models out there..
im of the opinion that there isnt anything wrong with choosing to eat meat that comes from a free range/ organic farm. cycle of life, watch the discovery channel.. how many vegetarian lions are there? that zebra died scared of that lion too… i would be!
do people disagree with me? yes! and im ok with that as long as im not getting called a sicko and disgusting….
i love your blog mama pea and even though i am not a vegetarian i enjoy the recipes posted on here.. fresh alternative for the meat based recipes others have.. : )
I think you did the best thing you could have done in the situation, and i only hope that my kids will have the same awareness as Gigi seems to have now! Unfortunately it takes stories like that to bring on that sense! You had me laughing the entire time too! Thanks:)
So wait–you’re telling me that the Taco Bell diet doesn’t work?!? Shocking!
Seriously, I can’t believe people eat there. Since reading Fast Food Nation eons ago I’ve not been able to step inside a fast food joint (well, maybe once to use the restroom). What a great thing for Adriana and your daughters to learn that fast food does not equal deliciousness.
Thanks for your blog. It’s nice to see a veggie mom who is balanced (most of the veggie moms where I live can be borderline insane). It gives me hope for the future!
What a great post
Kids really are amazing 
This is an interesting post. I think it’s great that you are open to allowing your girls to experience life outside your healthy and knowledgable “bubble” and I also think it’s great that you chose not to speak up when her friend was talking about meat.
I hope there is only happiness, health, and compassion in the future for your family!
AWW mama!?? Did the girlies make u Elpheba???
Is that your brother or just a generic “little brother”?? I love u and your blog and all the opinions and judgement that you force upon me….
ha let me just stop myself here and squash my inner musical nerd before she gets too crazy…
What an awesome little “debate” in your comments- i usually don’t read comments but Little Brother’s was pretty funny
;D xo
I was the audience, naturally. “Baby Brother” is actually Kalin’s Baby Brother from I’m An Eating Machine. He flips me crap like he was one of my own though
Muffin loves Taco Bell and I support her. She always gets the bean and cheese burrito with nachos. It could be worse! For some, they know how to have it once-a-week or what have you and be fine. Unfortunately, there are a ton of people who eat fast food regularly. Having not been raised that way, it rarely crosses my mind to have fast food as a meal option. They are merely decoration on the side of the road to me.
Onto the musical theatahhhh! I love it! I still do that! Dance, sing, act in my living room. It never ends
Hope you had a great Tuesday, MamaPea! Love you!! xoxoxo
Out of the mouth of babes … if only our patients were that wise …
Your girls look both happy and healthy — how wonderful!
Ahhh your girls are so cute!
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You know I’m not veggie, despite embracing a large veggie approach to life…and ethical eating to balance out my meatz. But your little girl’s statement of chick’n without the meat totally warmed my innards.
I think it is amazing that you are raising your two little girls to be vegetarian, but what are you going to do when they are not home all of the time and have the option to eat school lunch or have packed lunch and I can remember many days when I was growing up, I would throw away my lunch from home so that I could eat the school lunch… weird I know, but I wanted to be like the rest of the kids who ate junk from time to time!!
well, well…interesting discussion. I find myself wondering if Lulu will walk into that great big church for preschool all by herself…my guess is…no. But maybe in time.
i love the description of the little friend. of course she knew the lyrics to 21 guns
can’t believe gigi had pepperoni at school! a little wont hurt her or anything but it must have been so weird to hear about that when she came home
hope you’re doing well <3
Great response, Gigi! And awesome animal photos
Hmmm, do you think it is partly not so much a meat centered diet as a processed food centered diet? Because I think of “primal” eaters, and they’re usually not so fat.
Here’s some food for thought…
A previous post mentioned that it’s important not to imply that meat makes people fat and that her husband switched back to eating meat without any noticeable changes.
While there may not have been any visible change and he may not have “felt” different, it would be interesting to see what his lipids (HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, etc.), blood pressure, and other “silent” health indicators were like when he did not eat meat versus when he did… Certainly he may have stayed in the healthy range for his BP, cholesterol, etc., but I feel confident in wagering there would be a correlated change in each of those for both dietary styles.
I’ve started reading The China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a very interesting read in regards to the way a diet based on plant-protein can affect your health versus one based on animal-protein.
But with that said, I do agree “moderation” is an important part in all eating plans. We all need to base our choices on what we feel is best for us and work towards achieving or maintaining good health .
My husband was a vegetrian (no fish either) for 18 years. When he switched back to eating meat, he felt and looked no different. In 18 years he ate no meat except for one time. He was doing work at an old lady’s house, and she came out and presented him with 2 hot dogs. Of all things a vegetarian would not want to eat is, of course, processed hot dogs. But he ate them because he felt it was more important to acknoweldge and accept this sweet offer of generosity and kindness rather than to refuse based upon his vegetariasm. I always appreciated that he saw that as more important.
Fantabulous! Wow. Victory – and you didn’t even have to utter a word. So cool!!!!
Hugs,
Michele