Pyramid Scheme
I’ve got a new trick up my sleeve in the our ongoing battle between feeding my kids right and outside forces. Fun Dip and cupcakes aside, we were also the recipient of more Conversation Hearts than can legally be possessed without a permit and a couple of heart-shaped boxes of several Walgreen’s specials.
You can bet those Conversation Hearts are getting turned into a couple of art projects. Unfortunately, you can also bet that Lulu will be prying the glue-covered hearts off the collages and popping them like breath mints.
After Gigi woke up Saturday morning and asked for a cupcake for breakfast, it was time we had a talk, complete with visual aides. Gigi is a sucker for dogma, as evidenced by the Children’s Bible she carts around with her like a little baby ballerina Billy Graham. We’d had spaghetti for dinner the night before, and on the side of the whole wheat spaghetti box, I’d noticed a vegetarian food pyramid. I fished my way through empty root beer bottles and dug the box out of the recycling bin, grabbed a pair of scissors and made Gigi a card carrying member of the Vegetarian Food Pyramid Club.
We analyzed the pyramid together, and she seemed really enthusiastic about the idea of having a guide. The main point I wanted to draw her attention to was that sweets should be consumed “weekly” and not six times a day, but instead Ms. Literal got to work on the physical activity,
and drinking six glasses of water,
ALL AT ONCE.
This made running errands in the afternoon a whole lot of fun, as I’ve now visited every public restroom withing a 20 mile radius of my home. But at least I had shoes on.
Then, as every good preschooler does, Gigi turned the tables on me, gave up the cupcake breakfast idea and asked, “How come we never make juice anymore?”
Fair enough. I dug the juicer out of the graveyard, wedging it out from between a dusty bag of whey protein powder, a never quite clean Crock Pot and John Mayer’s ability to self-censor, cleared room on the kitchen counter and gave my juicer a permanent home.
I made room by sending my food scale, which I haven’t used for ages since it was primarily for weighing pasta and meat portions, to the aforementioned graveyard. Good riddance.
It seems Gigi isn’t the only one who has been straying from the pyramid. My own habits have looked a lot like this lately:
Not exactly like I’ve been sharing an office with Mayor McCheese,
but not something I’d want to shrink down, laminate and stick in my wallet. Though my main motivation, aside from having to wear a bikini in two weeks, is to set a good example for the girls, I’ve found that I’m turning to that “Granola, Cereal, Hummus, Coffee, Soy” level for the wrong reasons, namely stress, fatigue and wanting to munch my way through two hours of The Bachelor (something else that belongs at the top of the pyramid, to be enjoyed sparingly). It’s a path I’d rather not head back down.
So guess what’s back in my life?
Instead of (so much) coffee, green juice.
- organic kale
- romaine
- cucumber
- apple
- ginger
Instead of bowls of cereal/granola with “smoothie milk”, green smoothies (in a glass).
- organic spinach
- pineapple
- banana
- organic strawberries
- fresh orange juice
- almond milk
Instead of salads with hummus, fake meatballs, barbecue sauce and sesame sticks, raw, all natural salads.
- organic spinach
- romaine
- organic red pepper
- cucumber
- carrots
- broccoli
- lemon juice, cold pressed olive oil, stevia and sea salt
- raw almonds
- organic raisins
While the vegan food pyramid has its’ merits,
and the raw food pyramid does as well,
neither really fits my needs/lifestyle entirely, so I’m referring to both to give me some visual guidelines. The girls and I may just have to draw our own as an art project, minus the candy hearts.
And Gigi, well, for now she’s found a new bookmark.
You’ve got more pyramids than the Ancient Egyptians! I think decaf coffee would make up the base of mine. I’m going to call that a win, though, because it’s decaf
Did you find the ‘tweet me’ conversation heart?? I like that coffee is in the 2nd to largest pyramid block. Chocolate would be in mine.
Cute post! I was wondering– do the girls ever eat meat when outside of the house (at friends’ houses, or at school, birthday parties, etc.)? My husband and I were talking about the logistics of raising our (non-existent) children vegetarian someday, when that day comes, and that was one of the things we were wondering about.
I love that Gigi took you so literally…kids are adorable. And nothing like kids to make you rethink how you do things.
Wow I feel like King Tut!
I hope Gigi also took note of “Alcohol in Moderation.” You, on the other hand, can completely ignore that.
Today’s pyramid for me was a base of disappointment that Chris had eaten the half a burrito I was saving that I thought sounded like a good breakfast option, and lunch at a casino buffet. Dinner is a low-carb bar before seeing Avatar. Thank goodness my cats don’t have to look up to me as a role model!
Oh geez, that Britney picture is going to give me nightmares of germ-infested people walking all over my floors. Yeeps.
To be honest I think you are setting up your kids for a massive eating disorder when they get older. Yes, they should not be eating sweets 24/7, but making them constantly aware of what they should be eating, and being so strict about their diet means that they will constantly be aware of their weight and strict with their diets for the rest of their lives. You may think that its okay because you seem obsessed yourself, but it simply isnt.
You are skinny (and I say this as a healthy 5’9 130 pound woman myself, not some overweight person). I would say almost too skinny… not because your size is shockingly small, but because the amount of restricting it takes to get you there is extreme, and the fact that you cant seem to see how thin you are and refer to your weight as if its a problem. By constantly restricting your food you are only setting the example that your girls need to practice these behaviors too, and they absolutely will.
Growing up in a household similar to yours taught me nothing but that a part of my self worth is deeply rooted in eating the “right” foods, and the number on the scale. If you want to teach your kids to eat healthy thats great, but a 5 year old carting around a food pyramid, exercising and drinking water, and given a cup of juice instead of food for breakfast because she simply wanted a cupcake? That is beyond fucked up. For their sake I hope you really lay off and maybe get some help for yourself as well.
Signed,
Someone who hopes you wake up before you do some real damage to your children
I think its so interesting that, even though so many people tout veganism/vegetarianism/raw foodism, there are ways to find balance in any or all or none of them. My pyramid has been unbalanced according to the FDA lately, but for me? It’s been just great
Have I mentioned I’m super jealous of your Hawaii trip??
What is that vegan treat on the right that you drew???
I realized recently that I have been relying on too many packaged foods… even though it’s “healthy” granola or whatever, it is not a good replacement for fresh veggies and fruits.
ah, what a great teaching time with gigi!!! i hope i can teach my veghead kids as well as you are (the day that that might ever happen)
I hope you share more of your green drink ideas. I really didn’t know you could eat kale raw.
I’ve been a vegetarian-pescatarian, whatever- for 10 years and I’m only now even THINKING of a pyramid?! Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Miss Pea. Although like you, my treat intake is a little lower on the pyramid than it should be…
When I have kids, I hope to raise them just as you raised yours. No, I may not raise them vegetarian, but I WILL raise them to understand what it means to TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. Mom of the year award goes to you!
Awwww Gigi is so cute! I always think about the logistics of raising veg kids – praying whoever my future hubby is down with that.
My food pyramid needs a little adjusting also. I blame it on the winter. =) Thanks for the inspiration.
oh my.
MamaPea – please don’t take that comment (ahem, up there…) too much to heart.
in my opinion, it would be SO SO SO much different if YOU were the one making your girls follow food pyramids.. exercise X number of minutes each day… MAKE them drink their 6 glasses of water… or FORCE them to drink green juice. but it looks like they did that on their own…?
there’s nothing wrong with setting a good, healthy example of how to eat a balanced vegan diet. the way i read it, you were just trying to point out that vegan treats (though healthier than their betty crocker cousins) are okay in moderation, but shouldn’t make up the bulk of a person’s diet. yes? no?
love your blog and the healthy example you set for your girls… and.. um.. me…
Being a parent is hard enough without people telling us what we should or should not feed our kids. You are doing an awesome job…ignore those who may have good intentions but probably have no clue!
I agree with Alyssa. The way you raise your children (and care about them – and Pea Daddy – so deeply) makes me want to have kids someday. Few people have made me feel that way.
Jessica is it?
If I had been anywhere near as aware of what I ate or how much I moved when I was the girls’ age, I do not think that I would have the issues around food that I do now. If only my mom had made me AWARE of what I was eating instead of telling me what I should and shouldn’t, maybe I too could be comfortable with myself.
Maybe, Jessica, you should concern yourself with learning tact and manners, and maybe not publicly scolding a woman who’s working to raise her children in a way that, as a teacher, I would PRAY my students were raised.
Sorry for commenting twice Mama Pea, I just had to get that out there.
I am all for people stating their opinions, but when they are this in depth, judgmental and cut-throat, it shouldn’t be done on a public blog. It shouldn’t be done at all. If you don’t have something nice to say, than don’t say anything at all.
That being said, I’d like to respectfully disagree with your statement that Mama Pea is setting her girls up for a “massive eating disorder”. It doesn’t happen like that. An eating disorder is a disease. I was raised in a household where there were no boundaries on food. No foods were off-limits. We had salads for dinner some nights, and Burger King for dinner other nights. Weight was never discussed and food choices were never a topic of discussion. Despite that, I have an eating disorder. It has nothing to do with the way I was raised and the foods I grew up on. It’s deeper rooted. It’s psychological. It’s not something that can be prevented. Believe me.
Mama Pea’s blog doesn’t center around 100% of her family’s daily eats. Do you really think her girls can only live off of a smoothie and a salad? If you read her post, she stated that her girls were starting to get too used to eating sweets every day – key words being EVERY DAY. Just because we may not see it all, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. Do not ever judge someone’s food decisions based on what you “think” they are eating. It’s unfair, and wrong.
I think it is great that you are sharing those things with Gigi. I think you are a good, healthy example for your girls and that touches me a lot as a person who grew up with parents who didn’t give me guidelines and let me eat fast food and junk way too much growing up. You go girl!
I think you are the most kind and caring mother I have seen in quite a while. The time, thought, and effort you put into every aspect of your childrens lives goes to show what an amazing person you are.
Every day I read your blog I aspire to be that person to every one around me. You let them be THEM. I dont agree with the negative comment you have recieved. I think you show your girls the right way to eat. I only wish my parents had taken me less to get fast food (because it was convenient) and more showed me how to cook like you do your girls (granted they did this, but they also took the “easy way out” far too often).
Not only with food, but with life, you let them grasp their own way of being.
You truly are a great parent. No one is perfect, and no one better damn try to be, its just a waste of time. but you are doing the best you can, and my my is it great.
Dont let them get you down. Keep doing what you’re doing. The amount of love in your household is so apparent. Keep it up, your girls will love you for it (even when they are in their teens and you think they dont. They really really will).
xo-Molly
http://www.givinganythingbutup.wordpress.com
Mama Pea, if I should ever have kids, I will do the same as you. Treats will not be a part of our daily lives. Sugar has not one single health benefit, and I believe it has no place in our diet. Will I be the mom banning birthday cake and Halloween candy? No, but nor do I plan to feed anyone living in my house cupcakes for breakfast. So, you keep doing what you’re doing, and I think your girls are going to turn out to be beautiful, veggie lovin, amazing women, just like their mama.
I take a little personal offense to comment numero 7- as a former EDer and current vegan, I am sick of veganism=restriction cliches.
First, I was raised in a house saturated with meat, cheese, and desserts, and I suffered from an eating disorder until veganism showed me that one can be healthy without being super skinny and restricting.
Second, the woman didn’t tie her kid to a treadmill – the girl is playing with a ball.
Third, MamaPea feeds her gorgeous, healthy-looking girls plenty of indulgent (vegan) foods – what she’s teaching them is that having an indulgence is fine, but you need other foods too.
Fourth, her daughter ASKED for a juice one morning for breakfast- the gorgeous little girl is not on a juice fast.
Fifth, I’ve never heard MamaP complain about her weight.
Whew! All right- I’m done now.
I haven’t been reading your blog as long as some but I have never thought that you were:
1. Too skinny. I think you look healthy. And you know, even though I’m overweight, I am starting to feel sorry that people judge people who are thin just as harshly. It seems there isn’t anyone the right size.
2. Taking your children down a dangerous road. Heck, I wish that MY mother had been more involved in my diet. I was never told no, I was never told why I should eat one thing over another. She criticized my weight, but never told me how to fix it.
I may not agree with everything that you say on here, but I happen to love your writing. Your love for your family comes through on EVERY SINGLE POST.
@ Jessica – it sounds as though you are trying to exorcise your own demons by putting down Mama Pea. I think that sucks.
I’d just like to say a few things RE: Jessica’s comment.
As a food blogger, I think a common misconception is the idea that what we post on is the only thing going on in our lives – and its not. We don’t post every single thing we eat and while we clearly love food and eating and nutrition, it ends up making a smaller portion of our day than you would think. Subsequently, I think a lot of people who read blogs get a distorted image of our diets and what we do on a daily basis.
I guarantee that the Peas don’t spend all day lecturing their kids about what they should eat. Instead, this was a snapshot. In th midst of another busy day, mom took a few minutes to educate her kids about making smart choices. The only reason Gigi got a food pyramid is to teach her that eating sugary sweets isn’t something you should do all the time – how is that fucked up? Especially considering her mother is the one baking her treats – not witholding them.
Please don’t swoop into someone’s blog and make some generalized, unsubstantiated comment. Its rude. I know Mama Pea to be an incredibly careful and thoughtful mother who makes “good body image” as one of her key parenting priorities. You don’t know what her day looks like, you’ve never lived in her house, and you don’t walk in her shoes. Pay attention to your own life, your own choices and your own kids. They require enough of your personal attention as it is.
And lastly, leave the kids out of it. Its one thing to poo poo on someone (as unsavory as that is), but to make such ominous, curse-like forecasts on someone’s kids is absolutely uncalled for.
mama, i know you, i’ve seen how you are with your girls, and you’re doing awesome!
you’re building up healthy habits (and moderation) now, so that they have them for life. kids need to have treats. but they also need to understand what’s best for their bodies.
and you know if you hadn’t shown gigi a food pyramid you’d get someone ragging on you for giving your girls cupcakes for breakfast…
Regarding the mean comment, I have several thoughts.
First of all, you are not making your children aware of their weight. You are making them aware of their health and healthy habits – eating, exercise, water, etc. I think the parents we should be worried about are the ones who allow their children to eat pizza, drink pop and play video games all day (i.e. the reasons so many American children and adults are obese today).
Second of all, (I always think this when I see rude comments on blogs), Jessica: no one forced you to read this post and these aren’t your children. So keep your rude comments to yourself.
Third of all, I agree with so many of the other people commenting – you are an inspiration for when I will someday (in a far, far away time) have children/a family. By instilling healthy practices in your children now, it will be easier for them to grow up to be healthy teenagers… and then adults.
Rock on mama pea!
i’ve been reading your blog in hiding for a long time. i come here knowing that you will put a smile on my face because frankly, you are hilarious. i just wanted to say how much i enjoy you and don’t let a hater get you down!
I totally have to agree with alyssa because I too was raised in a household without anr rules around food and I ate treats everyday and I suffer from the effects of an eating disorder, but I do NOT blame it on that way that I ate as a kid. I think that comment was not necessary and I believe that MamaP is an awesome woman that had inspired me to finally recover from my eating disorder.
It was because of her blog that I finally decided to ask for help and recieved treatment for my ED!!
I wish that people would keep negative comments to themselves!!
I wish my parents would have paid a tad bit closer attention to my diet when I was young. We would go to the corner store and buy endless amounts of junk food!! Treats have a place–along with good food
Everything I want to say has been said, but I wanted to reiterate Alyssa’s comment. Being someone who HAS an ED, I can say that they are most certainly diseases. There is no one cause. Diseases begin inside the body or mind, it’s no one’s fault, that’s just science. So just because Mama Pea makes her children AWARE and educated about nutrition and food does not mean they are going to develop unhealthy habits.
I also take offense that someone would use the term “massive eating disorder” at all.
I wish I had learned all I know now about nutrition and healthy when I was growing up, it probably would have made a lot of situations easier for me in the long run.
I’m going to come right out and say it. Veganism and vegetarianism is not restriction. In fact, when I went vegan, I gained at least 10 pounds and was happier than ever. I think it’s about showing your chitlins what’s good for the body and soul. If what they put into their systems is wholesome and pure, they’re more likely to be happy little bunnies, dancing and pincher-pinchering along. MamaJ always made sure we had plenty of fruits and veggies on the dinner table, she fed us carrots and peanut butter for snacks, didn’t let us have soda, but she also let us enjoy brie cheese dinners, cakes, and other goodies every now and then. What my mom showed us as kids is that healthy means a balance between it all and that it’s all rather delicious.
MamaPea, I love you and I think you are an incredible mom. xoxoxo
I personally think we would live in a much better place if more 5-year-olds exercised, drank water and could recognize a balanced diet.
MamaPea, don’t let that nasty comment get you down. And Jessica, get some tact.
Gotta comment again … I’ve worked with children for several years now and I’m pretty sure you’re setting your children up for a successful healthy lifestyle. I distictly recall one child I worked with, an adorable and vivacious young girl, yes, overweight, probably genetically judging by her parents weights, and she had SO many issues about how she wasn’t allowed to eat the cupcakes or pretzles or whatever was for a snack that day because her mom told her she wasn’t allowed to, her mom had her on a special diet, blah blah blah. This girl was EIGHT YEARS OLD and I could already see the lack of confidence forming – I always felt terrible and would try to provide healthy snacks so the girl wouldn’t feel deprived, but I was only one person she encountered for a few hours a month … On the other hand, there’s you, setting examples of drinking your greens and loving your veggies en masse, much healthier and happier! If only my mother had taught me veggies are king and eating a candy bar is not a substitution for a meal, maybe I wouldn’t be struggling with how to eat like a healthy, normal person now that I’m on my own and figuring out all these things for myself.
I have never posted a comment to this site before but I have to say I took personal offense to comment # 7. I’m studying to be a RD right now, have been a vegetarian since the age of 8( I’m 20 now) and I have to say Mama Pea is an ideal example of raising a healthy family. Has she EVER discussed her weight in a negative way on this blog? NO. Do her children actually enjoy vegetables since they are raised in a household where that’s the norm? YES. Her beautiful daughter asked for juice for Pete’s sake. This juice was in it’s pure form too and not loaded down with excess sugars. Do her kids get exercise in a way that’s appropriate for their age? Um hello, how many dance pictures are posted in a week? I think we can all agree that’s a YES. Plus, if you are so concerned that they aren’t getting “treats” Jessica, Mama Pea is ALWAYS showing and posting her recipes for healthy vegan baking. Her daughters always seem to help in the kitchen which actually gets kids to eat healthy foods since they are a part of the process and feel proud that they helped. Plus as if this is all not enough, her and her husband’s love for their family is evident through her blog posts.
I find Jessica’s comment very offensive since who are we to judge what is best for someone else’s family? In a country where 32% of 2-7 year olds are considered overweight, her daughters are learning to love and appreciate real food, not fast food.
I’m not sure what makes people feel the need to leave comments like that. Yes this is a public type of community. You put your life out there and people are free to comment. Once in awhile it’s nice to get an opinionated comment, but not a family bashing/bad mother comment. No one deserves that, especially Mama Pea! I admire you so much for how you raise your girls and for your healthy eating habits. If you give in to 1 cupcake for breakfast, you’ll have to give in again. Such a hard battle with kiddies!! You girls are going to be so far ahead of the game!! We had to learn all of this health stuff on our own
Ugh..so disgusted by that commenter.
What I was about to say seems redundant since so many other people have already said the same thing, but I still wanted to comment to show you that for every shitty comment you get, you have THOUSANDS of supporters who love and respect you and the way that you raise your children.
Mama Pea, while I love your tasty recipe creations and of course the famous Mama Pea wit and humor, readers come back to your blog because they fall in love with your family and because it’s so clear that you are doing an amazing job of raising your children. As I’ve said to you before, as a vegan and someone who wants my future children not to be “skinny” but to be as HEALTHY as possible, I just hope that I will one day be able to do half as good a job at this as you have! Please don’t stop doing what you are doing, your girls (and hubby) are so lucky to have you in their lives!
Vegetarian/vegan or not, I have a great amount of respect for the way you teach your girls the values that you believe in. It is obvious to anyone who reads your blog that you love your children more than anything, and I hope that when I have children one day, I can be as creative and fun as you are about teaching my kids about a healthy lifestyle.
). Also, thanks for including all the different pyramids in this post…I think they are really interesting to see!
Having the visual of a pyramid is a great idea, especially if Gigi is the typical firstborn (i.e. stickler for rules!) that it sounds like she is (takes one to know one
Like Mara, I wish I would have grown up with a little more awareness about a healthy diet. I certainly didn’t grow up eating ding dongs or Twinkies, but I still hope to bring a little more awareness to my kids in the future.
Oh and P.S., I still can’t look at the Britney pic without cringing! Ack!
I had a nice thoughtful comment and my phone sucked. Here is the short version, in line with what Yooli said. This is a food blog showing food, not every nook and cranny if your life. If you had a Celebrity Fit Club for Kids setup going on that would be problematic, but we don’t know that. I bet this was a 20 minute affair. Setting an example is much more important, no?
I can see how an obsessive parent might have a negative impact on a kid – ie making the child feel like they are doin something wrong by eating a cupcake for breakfast. Maybe Jessica met guilt more than disorder? Don’t know, but my point is that you’ve said time an again you want to be a
good example and that’s what you try to do.
We only know what we read here and that is a fraction of raising kids.
I’m a teacher and someone who has spent over five years studying child development, and plan to continue my in depth study for the rest of my life (I say as I take a break from applications to a Masters program).
Telling children, especially those as intelligent and aware as Gigi and Lulu, “no cupcakes for breakfast because they’re bad” or giving them some canned answer about why they shouldn’t is wrong. Instead, S chose to reach her child in a way that she knew her child would respond to an understand.
The key to effectively caring for children is to reach them where they are. Pick up an Child Development text and it will tell you that the best way to teach a child is to understand how they learn and then presenting information to them in that way.
Showing the pyramid to Gigi was a way to teach her that balanced eating is how one takes care of ones body. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
I only hope that one day, if I have children, I can overcome my own food issues, as S continues to show us that she has, to be able to present information to my children in such a simple, developmentally appropriate way. The “Peas” are an inspiration!
Never change the way you feel towards nutrition for your kids! I think it is absolutely amazing that you let them enjoy wholesome food and they seem so excited about the occasional nutritious treat! Allowing them to keep that anticipation and enthusiasm for great food is what sets you apart from all of the other moms out there… No one is perfect, but your kids will definitely thank you for the way you are raising them later on! Your an inspiration.
I was a severely overweight kid. I would have been LUCKY to have had my mother sit me down and teach me what proper nutrition was. Parents are largely responsible for what their children eat and the way they view food. You are by no means restricting their intake nor harming them with negative thinking about food. You’re a great mother and from reading your blog, I feel sure that you’re only trying to set the best example for your girls.
as a teacher i will weigh in a bit and say i think that your little lesson was very educational and very similar to what is done in the schools. you tailored it to your family’s beliefs which are vegetarian. makes sense. in school they will also hear about getting plenty of activity and water–this is all federally mandated and part of a curriculum.
it does seem like your children lead a very active lifestyle with plenty of ballet and activity, as well as healthy veggies. but it makes sense to give them a little reminder when they are tempted by extra treats around certain holidays when most americans tend to go overboard. i used to do this with my students at times too.
i just LOVE that she asked for fresh juice. this reminds me of when my students begged me for green smoothies. their bodies like the good stuff too.
WOW! Most of what I’m thinking/feeling towards comment #7 has been said, but still feel the need to support MamaPea.
I work in public health addressing obesity issues in low income communities. Most of the young people I work simply state their family doesn’t know how to eat a balanced diet. Mama Pea simply took this as an opportunity to EDUCATE Gigi about eating healthy.
Whatever lifestyle choice people make the important thing is that you teach your child to live a healthy balanced life. Mama Pea is a wonderful mother!
As a kid, I hated “kid food.” Mean while, my little brother grew up eating KFC, Hot Pockets and Doritos, while I ate salads, veggies and homemade smoothies (amongst other things of course.) The best part of my diet growing up, was that my mom respected our individual tastes and knew that one day I might end up eating Taco Bell drunk in a drive-thru at 3am (she was right) and that little bro might one day want to eat salad (he does.)
I think the best part of someone like you Mama Pea, showing us how much you love and care about your children, is that you are honest. Honest with yourself, honest with your readers, and honest that you are not perfect, you are just doing the best you can. And you are doing it not to be “skinny” but to be healthy, kind to animals and the environment and to set a good example.
That gets an A+ in my book (or in my pyramid).
XOXO,
Erin
I grew up eating lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy. Granted, it was from our family’s own farm – no pesticides or hormones on a Ukrainian farm in the 1990s – and I was a healthy and happy kid. My immune system is ridiculously strong today, and I believe that my eating habits as a kid, which included LOTS of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus a lot of physical activity, were essential factors of this outcome.
When I moved to the U.S., a combination of stress in a new country plus the overwhelming access to cheap and processed foods, led me to gain weight and develop years of an unhealthy relationship with food.
I WISH that I had a support system or information to guide me through that difficult time. I hope that my children won’t have to go through what I did. And I’ve said it many times, but I hope that I can raise my children half as well as you do. Screw mean and inconsiderate comments/people’s opinions.
Oh lordy Mama Pea, I popped over here to your “light-hearted blog” when BAM I realized there was some drama brewin’. As a mother to a vegetarian (nearly vegan because she tells me she doesnt like cheese anymore) 3 yr old, I know that there are plenty of people who think the way we choose to raise our children is weird at the least, and harmful/damaging at the worst. Of course, I wouldnt be doing this, making the choices I do, to harm my child nor would you. We are trying to parent our kids. The HARDEST job in the world. One which no one could possibly understand to the fullest til you live it. Period. And until they walk a mile in a parent’s shoes, people need to butt out. As long as they want to weigh in on what you feed your children, maybe we should just take polls and they should chime in with respect to how we choose to birth (home or hospital), how long we nurse and how much we do or don’t “cover up” when doing so, how we educate (homeschool, unschool, or traditional school), if we vaccinate, if we bring our children up with religion, if we teach them to meditate, or if we teach them about social injustice. I mean food is just one aspect of parenting that everyone has an opinion about. And when they have their kids, they can do as they wish.
Til then, you do as you wish, my friend. And I will do the same
As someone who has struggled (and still sometimes struggles) with an eating disorder, I have to completely agree with Alyssa. I WISH my mom had spent as much time as you (Mama Pea) do about teaching your girls to be healthy and WHY you eat the way you do. I often see on your blog that both Gigi and Lulu CHOOSE to eat healthy foods (i.e. – Lulu’s recent “addiction” to cottage cheese). That right there proves that you’re not forcing any of them to go vegan and from what I can see, the meals you cook look incredibly tasty!! My obsession with food didn’t start because my parents forced me to eat a certain way…in fact, I really can’t blame my parents. You are a perfect example of how two beautiful girls will grow up confident in themselves and their food choices. Personally I think you are a fantastic mom – I’ve said before and I’ll say it again – if I can be HALF as good a mom as you I’ll be content. In fact, I get a lot of great ideas from reading your blog.
I’m sorry you feel you have to justify your choices – it’s really not right.
Jessica: There is NOTHING WRONG with teaching your children to enjoy a healthy diet. Look at these beautiful girls: they are happy, active, and not stick-thin. Obviously not malnourished or deprived. Go read Mama Peas’ recipe list and come back and talk about how these kids are missing out on treats. Gosh!
Mama Pea: I find a lot of inspiration in your blog. My almost-2-year-old isn’t QUITE there yet on the veggie thing, but I’m slowly working all of our diets around to a vegetarian diet (despite occasional protests from The Man Of The House) and it’s such a help to read your blog over my coffee every morning and get that good feeling that comes from a happy, healthy family. I really admire you and I know a LOT of other people do to. Keep on keepin’ on, Mama!
I was going to say something in response to #7 – but then I saw all my other fellow wise bloggers had it all covered!
Truth is – there’s always going to be someone telling you that you are doing it wrong – because no two people raise their kids the same. Bottom line – the Pea Family is one of the greatest around, and my heart is warmed daily reading your posts because I see what a loving family you guys are. Gi & Lu have WONDERFUL childhoods, and Mama & Daddy Pea have a fantastic major. C
Consider me jealous, the Pea Family a wonderful example of the definition of family and health, and let the haters hate!
That’s a cool idea to show her the food pyramid and have her be acquainted with it at such a young age.
I love the way you eat and feed your family. I think it is great to see you change things up and go back and forth between the things you love. I appreciate you sharing your experiences! I think it is important for us all to learn from each other!
I think thoughtful criticism can be productive but I don’t agree with bashing people in a rude way. I think that is a very easy thing to do on the internet and people sometimes say things in comments that they’d never, ever say to someone in real life.
I read this blog because Mama pea is an excellent writer. But I also read it because the topic she writes about it is so relevant and so challenging. How CAN you raise your kids “right” without making them obsessive? I think she demonstrates that it’s pretty damn difficult, but I love that she is so thoughtful about the way she tries. It would be a lot easier to let them eat that bag of candy.
Finally, while I don’t agree that the way you grow up “creates” eating disorders, I absolutely think that the way you eat in your childhood home stays with you for the rest of your life. On that note, I think it’s great that the Pea family sits down (at a table) for dinner together every night, that the kids are in the kitchen constantly “learning” how to cook, they they know where food comes from, and best of all- they eat anything! It’s incredible. (ie. Lulu wolfing down cottage cheese, Gigi begging for a spinach smoothie).
I wish that people with criticisms would write them in way that they’d actually be willing to say to someone’s face. I think that would make for a productive and interesting discussion to have in the comments section.
I was gonna make some crack about how you need to eat a sandwich already but nothing was coming out witty so here I am being witty-less. I got your back mama and I’m also head of the brute squad. I realize my appearance might not suggest such a thing but I’ve got some sa-weet! fu moves and I could always use the practice.
Although a lot of people commented already on this issue, I would like to contribute as well.
Why is it that there is no issue with a parent giving their kids Oreos and such, but when a parent tries to teach their child about health, people think that is wrong, or “f!cked up”.
I am SO thankful to my parents for teaching me that the best foods to eat are those that are real and in their natural form… for teaching me table manners and how to properly dress myself and the right etiquette for handling any situation. It is a parent’s job to teach their children how to live life the right way, and giving your children awareness about what they should eat is a part of that. Too many parents leave the education up the schools, but the most important education a child needs is in the home.
I appreciate and respect the effort you put in to teach your girls to be healthy. I am SO thankful my parents gave the same to me.
I didn’t know there was a Vegan one! Cool!
Oh wow, Mama Pea, what a comment to receive. I think you’re instilling healthy eating and living habits in your girls. There’s nothing wrong with that. I second a lot of comments in that I can only hope to raise and provide for my own children as you have with your daughters. You’ve got a lot of support from us so don’t allow the minority to get you down!
not sure how i found you…but,
!!! oh my goodness, this blog is so funny!
you make me want to turn veggie girl and stop taking my kids to micky d’s! love the pics too!
good inspiration:)
I saw your tweets last night and wondered what was going on but do not sign on to read blogs until the next day since I am on a computer all day long. So…after all that is said and done I just got done reading the comment I suppose you were referring to last night and tweeting about…
I think the last few weeks you have been too caught up in all your mean comments. I know it is easier said than done because I dont receive nasty comments so I do not know how that would make me feel. But I can tell you that your kids are healthy and happy and you and your husband are healthy and happy and that is all that matters. There are many people out there that enjoy and LOVE reading your blog. Yours actually makes the top list.
On top of that…if all those that criticized you actually took the time to read your blog…they would see that you teach your children about what they do to animals and what they put in foods yet…your children somehow still manage to either pick up cat food and eat it
or pick off cereal or candy from art projects and eat it or even eat treats at school…so its not like they are totally deprived. As far as being too skinny. When you compare your today pictures to your older pictures. I think you are beautiful in both. Yes, you can see that you are healthier now and that you are much happier now but that is because you are eating better. I am basically a vegetarian/almost vegan myself. Not really for the same reasons you are but more because my body cant necessarily digest the protein as well. So I dont drink milk or eat eggs or beans or if I eat meat it is once a week maybe. I usually stick to quite a bit of vegetables. And trust me…if they saw me…I am DEFINITELY HEALTHY if you know what I mean. So…long story short…ignore them. They are just ignorant. Please keep doing what youa re doing! I love reading your posts. You are hilarious, light hearted, and a great cook!
Oh, but I like the BBQ sauce salads
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. You have inspired me to eat more vegetarian/vegan and to get creative with it! My hubby still loves his chicken and beef yet is open to trying new things. I am working hard to feed my soon-to-be 18 month old daughter the same! And i was pumped to see the pyramids! Thank you for sharing your life, your family and your passion!
I think it would be a fun project for the girls to draw food pyramids. I did it when I was a kid and it taught me some important lessons. And it’s nice that you can tailor each girl’s pyramid to fit their needs.
I think you are a ridiculously awesome mom and I find tons of inspiration in your posts.
honestly, the whole pyramid thing has puzzled me for years…i remember (similar to gigi) loving the food pyramid as a kid (i have always liked graphs and charts). ANYways. it didnt take long for me to see the several loops holes in the eating plan, and then realize the FDA has more problems than that…
i adore that you are adopting your own map. gigi and lulu are SO lucky to have you.
Sorry for commenting again, but I had to respond to the comment that came right after mine above (aka #7 poster): You may think you’re “helping”, but having “good intentions” is no reason for swearing. I disappointed at you. As a future dietitian, I love reading on this blog about a wonderful, sweet, smart way for girls to grow up respecting themselves and having a healthy relationship with food.
So, stop being a Negative Nellie. Or a Jealous Jessica.
So I think I missed the negative comment, but I was going to say that I think it’s great that there are food pyramids out there that aren’t influenced by the FDA, and I think…if your child learns by looking at charts…why not show her the food pyramid!
The reason this comment has raised so much ruckus is because it contains something that’s probably close to a truth that hurts. All the rebuttals I’m reading are about what a great person you are and good values you have and how much love you give them. All true, but not really addressing the main point of Jessica’s comment.
I think you are a wonderful mother. I can tell you love your children. My mom was the same way. But my mom was also pre-occupied with her weight. She had her “good foods” and “bad foods”. She would make comments like “I ate too much tonight”, or “I’ve gained 5 pounds”, or “I look fat in this dress”. Whenever we ate out, she only ate salads.
Though she never told me what to eat, her actions spoke louder than her words. Children learn best by mimicking.
When I was in high school, I developed an eating disorder that took me almost 7 years to recover from. Looking back, almost 70% of the disordered eating habits I had were exaggerated forms of the very way she treated her food.
I don’t see everything that you eat, but from what I do see, I can’t help but notice predispositions to disordered eating: you don’t touch fat, or pasta, or really much bread or sugar. When you bake desserts they are often lacking in sugar or fats. You are extremely controlling over what you eat, and follow a staunch routine that is more or less predictable on a tri-daily basis. Pre-occupation with “healthy eating” itself can be symptomatic of a displaced eating disorder. Even the way you morally divide good and bad food under the umbrella of vegetarianism and veganism has hints of disordered eating to it.
I respect your morals and love for your children and animals. Maybe it’s for that very reason that I have the same concerns as Jessica.
You are extremely controlling over what you eat, and follow a staunch routine that is more or less predictable on a tri-daily basis. Pre-occupation with “healthy eating” itself can be symptomatic of a displaced eating disorder. Even the way you morally divide good and bad food under the umbrella of vegetarianism and veganism has hints of disordered eating to it.
Sammie, my blog is in no way shape or form a food journal. I don’t post what I eat on a “tri-daily” basis, and often times I just post one recipe or meal. I intentionally have deviated from posting what I eat everday because I don’t think it is productive for me or my readers. I write a healthy living blog, of course I have an interest with healthy eating…I’m suspect you do too if you are reading food blogs. I have never once said a food is “good” or “bad,” either on this blog or in my real life. My choice to not eat highly processed foods and refined sugar (which is NOT vegan due to the bone char process it undergoes) has nothing to do with any sort of “eating disorder,” and I disagree with your assertion that I moralize or demoralize food based on vegan or vegetarianism. My children and husband consume organic dairy products. It is the way that non-organic meat and dairy products are produced that I find immoral, much like I find it immoral to pass judgment on someone you do not know.
In reply to #17 (and subsequently, whoever she’s quoting), I would say, she’s right. That type of behavior is unhealthy and easily mimicked by our children.
My puzzlement is where Mama Pea ever engages in it. Her attitude toward food isn’t one of body dysmorphia or as anything but fuel and vitality, not vanity (appearance) or self-worth. In fact, her ability to see food for what it is is refreshing, and her desire to be healthy is positive.
So I do agree with #17. I just don’t think it applies here.
(I’m disturbed that society has gotten so far off-base to demonize people actively trying to be healthy as having an eating disorder. The attitude behind the attempt is much more important in such a diagnosis, for one thing, as ED is a mental condition. And yes, I’ve had problems with it. I can say that.)
i too have had people try to “diagnose” me via my online comments or blog. some of it has come from a good place. but it is pretty dangerous and ignorant to try to diagnose someone without meeting them and even without proper credentials. any it is very hurtful to people’s feelings.
When you put your life and children out on the web, specifically based on what you put out, please expect that people will form an opinion or other. It’s human.
I’m interested in healthy eating, and yes, I do read other health blogs. I read vegan and vegetarian blogs, and I see far more variety, balance, and forgiveness on there than I do on yours. You don’t have to verbally label food as “good” or “bad”– my mom never spoke those words either– it’s your selections that speak it. When I notice patterns of things you avoid, things that often happen to be high in calories but still vegan, I get concerned.
Relevant reading: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1963297,00.html
I mean no disrespect, but how do you know what I avoid or why? If my choices are not balanced, varied or as forgiving as you think they should be and this disturbs you, then why do you keep reading?
That article you linked is really interesting. I believe you may have tried to “diagnose” me at my old blog too. The subject in that story was “5-ft. 4-in….on a strict raw-foods diet, eating little else besides uncooked broccoli and cauliflower and tipping the scales at just 68 lb.” I am at a very healthy weight for my height, am quite fit and keep up with two busy little girls all day long. My PCP knows my diet and is pleased with my overall health and choices. I am too. That’s good enough for me.
Sammie,
Why do you say you notice predisposition to disordered eating just because she chooses to not eat certain foods? Are there certain foods you do not eat? I do not think just because she doesnt eat a certain way that means she or her family has or will have eating disorders. Like I said before…yes I did compliment her on her personality and others did as well and on the way she raises her kids and how loving her family is but if you read her blog daily you would see pictures of her before and after and she is healthier now then she was before. You can see it in her skin and the way her face glows. By no means do I think her kids are deprived of any type of food.
And to be honest Mama Pea I wish you would go back to posting more recipes…I enjoyed reading your recipes even if I didnt cook everything you cooked or if I didnt care for everything you ate. I enjoyed reading and learning from a different perspective…its what makes the world go round and if people would open their eyes they would see that.
i have a SERIOUS problem with people who try to diagnosis people based on their blogs on whether or not they have an eating disorder or will give their children one.
i just had to say that.
oh and also, i want to add that i’m really, really sick of people making judgement about whether HEALTHY and NONE-ED bloggers have an eating disorder merely because they are ‘skinny.’ Telling someone they have an ED because they are thin is no better than someone saying you’re a slob because you’re fat.
You’re a wonderful mama, Mama Pea!
I know that that comment must have really hurt you (if you are anything like me), but I have really learned a lot from your blog today. I never realized some parents DON’T teach their kids about a healthy diet or show them. I never realized there was such a debate about the whole topic either.
I imagine I will be a lot like you when I have children… at least I hope I will be!!!
P.S. I used to love to do Mousercise videos. Did you ever have those as a kid????
I found this blog a couple of months ago and LOVE it! I have never thought that you are being too harsh or restrictive in what you or your girls eat. You make them delicious home baked goods. I wish my daughter (5) would be more adventurous in her eating, but at least she gets a lot of fruits and veggies with her meat and sugar. I wish I had begun the rule of healthy eating from the beginning with her, because then she would accept, as your girls do, that that’s just what we eat.
Don’t listen to the haters. I work for an environmental organization and get negative comments directed toward me all the time, mostly from people who assume they know what I think and believe, which is almost always completely wrong. Keep on sharing your beautiful, healthy family with us! You inspire me to live a healthier life!
Do they actually think that a person with such confidence and a glowing physical appearance/personality will take these comments to heart? You are a role-model in the way you live your life and that is visible not only through your happy children, happy marriage, and humor but you obviously have done something right with your diet because you are glowing in every picture! Personally, i have had to deal with a ton of comments on my food choices in the past and i happen to eat very similarly to you… HEALTHY and i NEVER deprive myself, which it does not seem to me you do either! These people have too much time on their hands and shouldn’t be reading day in and day out if their intent is to criticize someone due to their own jealousy. Thanks again Mama Pea!
I agree with RhodeyGirl (#24) – it’s amazing how many parents don’t preach healthy eating to their children. So many times I hear parents say that they’ll take their kids to McDonalds for a treat, or get them a slurpee, or ice cream – it’s always food! Whatever happened to treats that aren’t edible?
I wish I had grown up in a household that taught healthy eating – by no means did we eat that poorly, but I definitely had a skewed vision on what was healthy and what wasn’t. Of course, I’m happy that I have found blogs like yours to help light the way and now I’m on my way to knowing how to fuel my body.
You are a great role model and I love reading your blog every day. Your girls are adorable and I think it’s commendable that they wonder why (healthy) juice isn’t made anymore. So many times I see parents plop their kids down in front of the TV all day, but your girls are up and active and I think they’ll have a great future ahead of them – how couldn’t they with parents like you and Papa Pea?
And really, it’s not like you’re labeling food as good or bad – your showing moderation. Sweets aren’t something to be consumed all day long, but in moderation – as a TREAT. If you’re going to eat them every day, then what constitutes a treat nowadays?
I look forward to reading your blog posts in the future and will stand by you whenever someone tries to shoot you down – it’s just not right.
K
It actually says right there in the beginning of the post that sweets should be consumed “weekly” – not “never.” Doesn’t sound like deprivation or restriction to me, sounds like that whole “moderation” thing that everyone is always talking about.
Side note: anyone know why eggs are only a “weekly” food on the vegetarian pyramid? Just curious…
Totally digging the broccoli-tastic salad!
I’ve been reading this blog since last spring/early summerish, but I rarely comment and have never kept my own journal because, honestly, I’m far too lazy. Anyway, to break my silence: Most of the critical comments on this post seem to be either couched in hypotheticals or written as though the poster has a deep understanding and wealth of knowledge regarding child psychology or eating disorders. This is unlikely: anyone with a background in psychology would know that to postulate on the future emotive state of a child they’ve never met based on an online journal post written by that child’s mother is absolutely absurd, not to mention unethical. Is Mama Pea thin? Yes. Is she raising her children vegetarian? Yes. But there’s nothing healthy or moral about eating junk food just to prove your ability to do so or your detachment from the standards of good nutrition, and eating a standard American diet day in and day out is just a bad idea. That’s exactly why the food industry is so profitable and why so many books are being written to help people heal themselves. Mama Pea clearly cares about her children. Maybe teaching good nutritional habits from a young age is outside of the box, but it probably shouldn’t be. We wouldn’t dream of neglecting to teach children proper hygiene for fear of planting the seeds of obsessive compulsive disorder, so we shouldn’t hesitate to teach good nutritional values even though it isn’t as mainstream as tooth-brushing. Personally, I’d love if my own mother was half as well-read on the benefits of eating whole foods, or vegan foods as Mama Pea is, and as a child I’d have loved making some of the vegan goodies she features on her blog instead of slice and bake cookies or brownies from a box.
I love that you include your girls in your food philosophy, they are two lucky kids!
Hey Mama,
My dd, also 5, was drawing her own food pyramid the other day and we loved it. She then gave her brother and me a lesson on her pyramid!
Today she had a Vday party(snow days last W,T,F and holiday on M) and when she got home, she said she’d had enough sugar for a while. That is all we, you too, are trying to do, instill healthy eating habits.
Oh and btw, dd got a dippy lollie too-and as soon as I saw it, I thought of you!
We talk about healthy eating often if not daily and limit foods with little nutritional value.
Gosh I could keep on going, but won’t.
I’m a newbie to your blog and LOVE it.
Thank you,
Kere
I cannot believe people! I think teaching kids about food that is good for them is being a GREAT mom! I help my daughter to make good food choices because I love her and if I don’t teacher who knows who will!
I WISH my parents had taught me about the food pyramid!! You’re a wonderful mother and an inspiration, Mama Pea!
I have been reading for a long time and decided to quit being a creepy lurker because the offensive and hideous comments by women who are clearly un-settled with their own health is just absolutely sickening to me.
I am a mother who does not *gasp* give my children junk food: they have never had kool-aid, they’ve never had white bread, they’ve never had high fructose corn syrup, their “chicken” doesn’t have a mother (BAHAHAHA, I LOVE that saying and I use it quite often. Thank you pea mommy!) and the VERY few times they have had candy it was thanks to in-laws.
Both of my children (4 & 6) live by example: they are very diligent in making healthy choices and asking people what is in food before consuming anything away from home. Have I made them neurotic? Maybe … but they got it from their momma
Neither of my kids have EVER been to the pediatrician (with the exception of the youngest having brain meningitis when he was 13 days old) – not because I don’t believe in medicine (I’m about to be in med school), but because due to the foods they consume and the life we live neither have ever been sick.
Pea Mommy and Pea Daddy are doing everything right. They have beautiful, glowing children who aren’t lacking energy due to a void in nutrition, and thanks to what they consume they probably won’t suffer from clogged arteries, childhood obesity, childhood diabetes, hypertension (Yes, kids as young as 10 have that!!!!!), or many of the other childhood/adolescent illnesses that American children face. They are learning about food from a young age which will do the complete opposite of giving them an eating disorder. I’m quite confused as to how you would even come to that conclusion based off of their diet? Seems quite bizarre and out there to me.
So, ugly comment makers feel free to email me if you would like nutrition advise because it is quite clear that you are lacking education in vegetarian diets.
i know there have been a billion responses to this hostile commenter, but let me just say a few things:
i know no one’s family is perfect (quite the opposite), but you seem to be doing an excellent job.
1. i love love LOVE your blog, and i think you have such a beautiful, happy, healthy family. you encourage them to be creative and to love, and i just can’t compliment you enough
2. with regards to the comment about “setting your kids up for an ED”, let me just say that i wish my parents had spent more time focused on health and food as a tool for life and living rather than what i got: i grew up with food being taken for granted, food as a coping mechanism, food as a mindless activity, no attention paid to health/nutrition…my mother still argues that her veggie-lacking SAD diet is “healthier” than my vegan one with raw organic produce because i “dont get the nutrients from cheese and dairy” (though she cant seem to elaborate…hmm). i remember getting in a huge fight when i went veg all by myself at age 7. that kind of thing..
…i’ve been dealing with various forms of disordered eating for about 13 years, and while i *do* think parents can go overboard on the no-fat-no-sugar-no-whatever talk, i personally have been struggling with getting away from the opposite spectrum of unhealthy behaviours i learned from my parents. ridiculous binge eating, eating when you’re not hungry/to the point of being stuffed, a *total* lack of fresh produce (seriously, their crisper drawer is often bare), atkins crash dieting, and using up ww “points” on chocolate and those processed frozen sodium-laden “diet meals” were and are the norm at my parents house. talk about confusing, bad habits!! i think your emphasis on health is a MUCH better alternative. there’s a definite balance there, and i think you’re doing an excellent job!
(english is not my first language but, here it goes…) I love the way you raise your kids, and how you are introducing them to healthy food. Everybody has a different relationship with food, but there is always a “relationship”….
I wish that when I have children I could raise them just as you are doing. Even if I’m not vegan or even vegetarian, I like to incorporate lots of vegan and raw meals in my diet. I admire your courage for showing the world how you lead your life, and I believe in the YIN and the YANG. So there will always be an oposing force. You are a great mother, and a GREAT inspiration to many.
I think people should be more concerned with the parents who knowingly feed their children chemical laden foods with artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, and an abundance of preservatives.
Just my opinion.
Is the hateful poster looking to trade an eating disorder for cancer, a stroke, or heart disease?
My mother never talked with me once during my childhood about healthy eating: the importance of eating a diet high in varied and cruciferous veggies, varied fruits, nuts, and seeds … and instead precipitated and catered to my own eating disorder and food addiction by supplying me with a diet insanely loaded with calories, carcinogens, trans and saturated fats, and sodium … all the while sorely lacking the vital phytochemicals, micronutrients, and macronutrients my body was so severely missing. Oh, yeah, and throw in the verbal abuse of “you’re a f– ugly pig” and “there’s something psychology wrong with you”, and voila! you get me: 39, morbidly obese for my entire life, premature osetoarthritis in both knee caps, borderline high blood pressure and diabetes, along with chronic major depression, ADHD, and a shortened life expectancy. I say this not to excuse myself but rather, to say that had my mother had the love, care, and concern for me that Momma Pea has for her beautiful, vibrant, vivacious, joyful, and peacefully content cherubs, perhaps I could have been saved the pain and torment associated with my size and health.
I find it absurd that someone could even make the comparison of Momma Pea’s lifestyle to that of disordered and unhealthy. Perhaps the dissident removing the log from her own eye first, is in order?
I look forward each day with anticipation to my Pea fix … encouragement for a healthy, well-balanced life-style. Bravo, Momma Pea!!!
Thank you for sharing this, Stephanie. I am so sorry that you have gone through so much anguish in regard to your relationship with food. I would do anything to spare my girls or anyone else that pain. Please let me know if there is anything I can do. It’s never too late to change your life. Thank you so much for your support.
I think you look fabulous and you’ve learned your lesson to how to be healthy and feel good. No one has the right to judge your life style and have doubt about what’s the best way to raise your kids. your daughters are adorable and I’m sure they’ll grown up learning a lot of nutrition and healthy lifestyle because of you, which will benefit them for the rest of the life.
Being think does not equal to have ED. Some people just can’t understand that fact!!!
..somehow i hit submit w/o finishing.
anyway, as a single mom to a 4 year old boy I am doing my best to teach him how to make healthy choices regarding food. I don’t want my son to have the same struggles that I did.
Mama Pea I think what you are doing is wonderful and I come to your blog every day to get ideas for my son and I. I also come here to know that I am not alone in my quest to raise a healthy child. My mother thinks I’m crazy because I don’t have candy in the house, so reading your blog as well as other healthy lifestyle blogs is my way of reaffirming that I am not alone!
Thank you!
I missed this somehow.
Oh, Mama. To me, you are an inspiration, so it always floors me when others don’t feel the same way. Please ignore judgmental, vindictive and frankly, straight up rude comments.
No one needs to approve of the way you’re raising the girls, but at least they should respect it. Lulu and Gigi are being spoiled by love, common sense and a great dose of healthy eating. They’re *informed*, which is more than you can say of most kids nowadays.
I love your blog, btw, so please don’t ever change
You cheer me up every single day [for example, the John Mayer comment was wonderful!!!]
<3
Hey Mama Pea,
I don’t think you’re crazy/have an eating disorder or anything of the sort. The only thing I think you do do (haha – doodoo) is say things like “A hot mess” when describing yourself, when actually you’re very pretty, quite thin, and altogether attractive. So I wish you wouldn’t do that so much. But of course, this is hypocritical because I am always saying such things about myself…ah well.
Point taken, Kaley, and actually a totally agree with you. While I don’t say things like this in front of the girls, it’s not any better to say them on the blog or even to myself. I’ve gotten a LOT better at taking compliments, actually, (thank you for yours, btw) but I need to take it a step further and not use self deprecation as a form of humor all the time. Thank you for putting this bad habit in the light!
Hi!
I was always a fat kid. I have amazing parents, but they had no concept of what was healthy or unhealthy, so their attempts at trying to get me to eat right never went very well. I went from being chubby to being fat, to being obese, to being morbidly obese, and I finally had gastric bypass surgery to “end” the cycle of compulsive eating and destruction. Was it extreme? Yes. Did it solve all of my problems? Absolutely not. I struggle with my eating disorder everyday, and it has been only in the recent years that I have finally understood and attempted to undertake TRULY healthy eating.
As a practicing vegetarian, I know I will raise my children very similarly to Mama Pea. Althouh I couldn’t have had more wonderful or more adoring parents, I wish that they would have fought against the giant fast food bill boards and not succumbed to the pressures of Halloween/Valentine’s day/Christmas candy.
I think you’re doing a great job as a mom, Mama Pea. Keep up the amazing work. Your daughters will thank you for it.
oh. my. god. are you kidding me? what’s up with the swearing? is it really necessary?
mama pea is an inspiration…and in no way shape or form is she predisposing her children to any sort of eating disorder, that is ridiculous…she is not skinny…but perfect…and her children are so beautiful…so radiant…i really don’t think gigi was “exercising”…i think it was more of a joke than anything…and what is wrong with a child getting exercise anyway? it’s actually quite important that all human beings exercise in some way shape or form…it’s better than sitting in front of the television for hours and hours eating chips and cupcakes and cookies, and predisposing them to obesity!!!
we need to stop being so judgmental…seriously, this is ridiculous…so completely wrong!
grow up people and get a grip on your own lives before you start throwing around your warped opinions on other peoples’ lives!!!
mama pea you’re an awesome lady and an inspiration to me and a lot of people, you are also so incredibly witty and funny, i totally admire you! your kids are brilliant and happy…and your lifestyle and the way you choose to eat is your decision to make…
I’m a little late to the party here, and I don’t think I can really add much value to the intelligent discussion that has gone on. But I want to let give you some encouragement. I imagine that, with the risk that comes with putting your self and your life ‘out here,’ it can been easy to feel discouraged and defensive. What I appreciate about your blog the most (besides your entertaining and smart writing and your adorable, inspiring children) is the balanced, intelligent discourse, which the debate in these comments shows to the utmost. There are some exceptions, but it seems all of your readers and yourself present such well-thought and -expressed arguments that you should accept them as a true representation of the value you provide, or the good you put in to the world through your writing. You’ve created a community of passionate, smart readers and provided a place for profound discussions about food and life that I haven’t found anywhere else, and for that I’m really grateful. So please keep it up and don’t let things like this discourage you!
I guess I’m a day late to post, having missed notorious #7 and obviously for the one nasty comment, you have many more supporters, but count me in for one more. Here’s my two cents…I read your blog because #1, you’re a dear friend, and #2, I glean bits of information that I’d like to use cooking or (gasp) giving my kid a spinach smoothie for the first time, which he thought was ice cream he could slurp through a straw. Anyway, if someone has a serious problem with the way they think you raise your girls or the way you eat, I don’t get why they can’t just stop reading your blog? You’re free to post whatever you want, it’s YOUR blog. IF they don’t want to read it, they’re free to click somewhere else on the internet.
Just thought I’d post my support, but you know I’ve got your back, girlfriend. Heart you!
sheeeesh what is wrong with people?
listen here mama pea.. you are thin. but you were thin BEFORE you went vegan/ high raw- so whats the difference?! if your doctor thinks you are in great health, that is all that counts!
i know that i give my olivia nasty stuff like oreos and candy sometimes.. and sometimes i wish i never did because now she KNOWS what they are like and its a battle every night to get her to eat a better for you snack. i dont beat myself up because i know eventually she will eat it, with or without me, but as long as the basis/foundation of her diet is based on what i want her to have and its healthy, ive done my job..
i worry more that my daughter will have an unhealthy view of herself by mimicking the things that ive said about myself in front of her. i fear that MY brush with eating disorder will trickle down to her. THAT is what sets girls up for an ED, is showing them that we as moms have little or no self confidence.. which you do not lack ; )
that being said though.. i could offer you some of my boobage. i have plenty to go around and don’t mind sharing! hahahaha
Eeek.. I just read all that’s going on… First off I want to say that I didn’t write that!! (not that you are saying I did! haha) I love your blog, and all kids should be so lucky to have such an awesome role model in their lives as you!
I wish growing up I had been taught healthier eating habits, it’s harder once you get older.
Anywhoo Mama Pea… you are awesome… that commenter should keep her opinion to herself!!
xo
Everyone’s already taken the crappy commenters to task so well, I’m not going to waste any more energy on them.
Just wanted to say to Mama Pea – as someone who will be starting a family soon, I am SO inspired and encouraged by your daily posts, and you make me so excited about becoming a mom. My husband and I are mostly vegan, and it’s so cool to see how your family is rocking the healthful lifestyle and dealing with all the normal things families deal with at the same time. I’m mostly a lurker, but so look forward to every post and hope my future kiddos are even half as precious, smart, and funny as Lulu and Gigi. Keep up the great work, Pea Family!
Everyone has just really said almost ALL that I’d want to say in regards to your commenters. So, as said above, I’m just going to ignore them and go right for the goods.
I’m right up there with others, who can’t wait to read your blog before I hit the sack nightly. Your blog and several others have REALLY been an amazing support to me during this time of change in my life. I have never eaten the SAD, but have made some changes that I’m finding benefit me and my boyfriend and just make me feel friggen fantastic both inside and outside. From organic free ranged meats to none at all. From relatively inactive to super active every day.
Your outlook on parenthood, teaching your children and raising them right, your wonderfully inventive and creative recipes (Hellooooo, strawberry shortcake pancakes? Uhm. Yeah. Made twice already) – your lovely wit
, are all things I look forward to on a daily basis. So – thank you Mama Pea. Really.
You are an awesome mom who raises two beautiful daughters based on your own morals and beliefs. And, unlike those who felt the need to write those negative comments, I realize that you DON’T write about everything you eat on a daily basis, or all of the things you do. And, even if you did, who is anybody else to judge? That being said, rock on, keep writing, because I sure do love reading
I can always count on your blog for delicious recipes and a good laugh (or 10).
I just want to thank you for posting the vegan food pyramid. I’ve been vegan for 3 years and didn’t know that one existed. Thank you again.
LOL. I’m sorry, but that rude comment just KILLED me. Seriously? You’re setting your beautiful healthy children up for eating disorders? That sound so far fetched that I can’t help continue laughing at the impertinence.
In my humble opinion, keep doing what you’re doing Mama Pea because you’re doing it right! I’m going to take after you once I have children.
Hey you. Went back through and read all these comments. I think you are setting a wonderful example. You know I struggle and I hope and pray that I will be able to pass on a healthy relationship with food to my future kids. Hugs
I agree with Lisa above. I am thinking of starting my own family in the near future, and I read your blog every day, because it is so inspirational to see a mother who can instill such healthy and fun habits in her children. I love that you let them help you cut and cook, so they have more interest in eating what other kids turn their noses up at.
I think the mean girls have some insecurities of their own, and I feel bad for them. I can’t belive someone would think there was something wrong with teaching children to be healthy!!!
Can’t wait to read more!