Menu: Lifestyle
By: Mrs. Mommy Mack
Updated: March 19, 2020
Originally Published: Jan. 3, 2017
Image Credit: Patryk Michalski / Shutterstock
As a child of the ’90s, I have my share of quirks—like the extra chin hair I joke comes from my overindulgence in Surge soda back in the day. The concept of “crunchy” parenting and “organic” food was almost nonexistent. We relished the delight of quintessential ’90s snacks like Cool Ranch Doritos, Little Debbies, and bright red candy, savoring every delicious moment without a care in the world.
Transitioning from a ’90s kid to a millennial mom certainly has its hurdles. I took pride in adopting a new grocery shopping strategy, focusing more on the outer aisles (meat, produce, dairy) instead of getting lost in the sugary wonders of the middle aisles. It felt like a clever hack that helped me avoid guilt over my lack of a home garden.
However, my confidence took a hit during a lunch visit from a friend, who gasped in horror upon peeking into my freezer.
“Is that Tyson chicken?!” she exclaimed.
“Right? No nuggets this time! Aren’t you impressed?” I replied.
“Tyson?! That chicken is loaded with hormones! Don’t you know they keep those chickens in cages?” she continued, her voice rising.
I stood there, perplexed. First off, finding chicken that wasn’t shaped like a dinosaur was a win for me. But what was the alternative? Having grown up on a farm, I knew that if chickens weren’t in cages, they were likely trying to chase me down for a peck. The thought of the possible chaos from Tyson’s chickens was amusing yet concerning.
After my overly concerned friend left, I took to the internet to uncover the truth.
Big mistake.
I spiraled into an overwhelming abyss of information—watching videos of slaughterhouses, poring over studies linking kids’ snacks to cancer, and listening to alarming podcasts about children hitting puberty in kindergarten due to non-organic milk. I felt lost and infuriated.
What on earth can my kids eat?
It wasn’t just chicken; every food seemed to have its horror stories. Unless I was prepared to raise a mini farm in my home, serenading the animals at night while planting crops with care, it seemed impossible to ensure my kids wouldn’t end up with strange health issues.
Then, I stumbled upon an episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! where they debunked the myths surrounding organic foods. I felt a bit relieved, though I still hesitated to take nutrition advice from two magicians.
In the end, I decided to strike a balance. My kids will still munch on processed foods, but I mix in organic options now and then. Sure, they sometimes ride the sugar rollercoaster, but they’re not sprouting beards before preschool!
I’m no perfect mom but I’m also not entirely negligent. I’m just finding my own groove.
But really, how can anyone keep up with all this? I won’t be the mom who hands my kids Mountain Dew in sippy cups, but I also don’t plan to start a chicken coop in my backyard. I care enough to make informed choices, but I’m not ready to dive into full-blown “crunchy” territory and start crafting my own soaps.
I guess you could say I’m like the instant oatmeal of mothers—quick, convenient, and here to nurture my kids without the fuss.
If you’re navigating the world of parenting and looking for insights on home insemination, check out this post on our Home Insemination Kit blog. For a deeper understanding of artificial insemination options, visit Make a Mom, a trusted source for fertility kits. Don’t forget to explore the NHS for excellent resources on intrauterine insemination.
In summary, I embrace a balanced approach to feeding my kids, mixing processed foods with organic choices without stressing over perfection. It’s all about finding what works for our family while keeping things manageable and enjoyable.