This picture *so* doesn't go with my post. But aren't they so very cute? And it's a GREAT reminder to peak at last week's post and enter the pro photo session contest. Go! Comment! Enter!
And while I’m still muddling through the new lingo (Hashtag anyone? Seriously. Anyone?!), I have to admit that I’m loving the instant information overload. I am so in the know. Like that whole Amazon bit? I was all over it.
I knew that it was going to snow last weekend before my kids ran in at the crack of dawn to make the official announcement. And I also knew that people are all up in each other’s choices. Again.
I do realize that I didn’t actually need Twitter to tell me that truth but with penises and the golden arches making the news? Tweets were a-flying and how could I possibly not pay attention?
I want to talk about the happy meal ban. The forthesakeofthechildren! argument just made me want to scream. It’s just…not. For the children, that is. It’s for the soap-boxers. Because eating at McDonalds and playing with cheap, plastic-y, annoying toys isn’t going to make our children forget everything that we’ve taught them at home.
And that, my friends, is the rub. It’s not about whether you breastfed or co-slept, organic-ed or drive-throughed every once in awhile. It’s about what you do at home. On the day-to-day regular. Once upon a time I read that the biggest influence on how and what kids eat? Is what and how their Mama-figure eats. Soooo, no pressure or anything…
But really, no pressure. Go to McDonalds. Play with cheap plastic that your kids (and mine) consider the epitome of goodness. And talk to your children about healthy choices, portion sizes and treats. It scares me to think of blaming our health and our choices on a restaurant. And you know what else scares me? Modeling that kind of lack of accountability to our children.
Like at our house, I adore take-out nights. Seriously adore them. But not for the free packets of soy sauce. I adore them for the yummy food and the lack of dishes and kitchen duty. But at the very same time I, for sure, see the value of whole foods and nutritious meals made with fresh ingredients. And that’s what we eat most days.
I think that much like us, kids can distinguish the special fun of fast food from their everyday meals. Especially if we talk to them about it. But bad food choices and negative relationships with food? Those don’t come from little plastic toys. We all know that, right? Right?! In fact, do I dare say that some bad relationships with food actually come from things like bans, controls and blanket NOs?
So Twitter has already enriched my life in so many ways. In addition to Amazon, snow, McDonalds and circumcision (Who knew we could connect all of those topics with one short, albeit loose, thread?), I came across a little gem known as National Guacamole Day.
Now I do realize that guacamole is not a Jewish food. But simply delish food is so-very-Jewish. As is sharing recipes and passing them down family member to family member and friend to friend. Blog to blog fits in here, too, doesn’t it? Dipping, shmearing and enjoying food is just about as Jewish as it gets.
So guacamole? Yeah, it’s on our list of love and love some more. To the point that our kids call it “guac” and can not only identify it by sight and smell, but can also distinguish between the good, the bad and the ugly. And best of all? They can help make it.
While Jason prefers a spice packet (shudder, I know), my recipe is just about as simple as it gets. It’s basic and quick and I defy you (Yes defy. All attitude-y like that.) to make it and not eat it all in one setting. But I promise to not offer up a toy on the side as an incentive to do so!
Mash several avocados
Add some pressed garlic
A little fresh lemon juice
A pinch of salt
And some fresh, diced tomatoes
Then quick! Dig in before your 'lil brother beats you to it!
So the gems that are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs and even old school email have made us all so-very-much more knowledgable about the big bad world and what’s going on in it.But they have also made us awfully quick to take passionate stances on things, and make BIG news out of them. We also seem to be turning some of those things, stances and news into odd opportunities to heavy-handedly influence and enforce what are actually other people’s personal choices.
On the other hand, if we’re all talking about children, nutrition and guacamole, there’s still something right in this world. At least the conversation (And the guacamole! Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one.) are on the table.
I love this post! I want more of my friends and must-reads to be on Twitter so I can have instant access to their thoughts. It’s an added bonus when I can click-through to their blogs for more posts like these. Happy Friday!
I have never ever taken my kids to McDonald’s (but don’t be mad at me; it’s easier where I live to have our greasy comfort foods be something else–scallion pancakes), but I am in TOTAL *total* agreement; it’s what we do at home; it’s how we live that makes our kids become secure in the values we hope we are passing on.
My kids adore guacamole. I am not nearly steeped enough in the twitterverse, Galit, because I didn’t really pick up either of these things & the guac day, I’d have wanted to know about!
totally agree about tweeting and the news. there is a tremendous lack of accountability. in my own columbus ohio, there is a man jailed for slamming a 3 month old to the cement repeatedly. sadly, there were eyewitnesses to this horror. didnt 1 person want to stop this savagery? lets not forget the man who did it was the baby’s father…
my son loves his guacamole with sardines. dont ask why. also, he likes lime juice more than lemon. dont ask why. we just dont know.
as alsways, shabbat shalom to my favorite blogging mamaleh
We LOVE quac around these parts! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I also witnessed the brouhaha unfold over Twitter with regards to the McDonald’s toy ban. I agree with you entirely. It is the lifestyle we present at home on the average day that will affect our children’s eating habits. We do treat ours to McDonald’s about once a month. Just the other night I was serving up plates of whole wheat pasta when my five year old lamented, “You didn’t give us a vegetable!” As I hastily open the freezer for some veggies I thought to myself, I must be doing something right after all! Great post, and love the pics.
A hashtag? Hashtags are good and bad. They are good when I tag my tweets and I get more traffic but once I start looking for hashtags myself, OMG, hours of my life disappear, I know not where.
I agree that the context is important for our kids. I say over and over when people complain when their kids are exposed to something they don’t agree with, if it isn’t reinforced at home, it isn’t a problem.
I’m happy with the toy ban though. The reason? Another mother took my son to a Burger King and her kids (who went there regularly) told her to crush the toys with her car.
Did she say that was pointless and destructive? Did she say that kids in Haiti would cherish a toy like that because they have nothing while you rich American kids think it’s funny to destroy it? No she did not.
She did exactly what her kids told her to.
My son doesn’t go to their house anymore. But he did, at that age, delight in telling me the story and pester me for weeks for a repeat. A teaching moment but not a pleasant memory.
Sometimes the “little things” in life are under appreciated …..Happy Meal toys can truly be “magical” to a small child who has had a tough day at school, shots@ the doctor’s office, or to celebrate that perfect score on their spelling test!! Celebrate the moment ….then feed them a healthy dinner later!!
As always, super post, Galit!! Guacamole sounds like a perfect addition to Thanksgiving’s yumminess (hint)!!
I agree completely about the toys and about how it’s what you do at home that matters. Oh, and guac! I used to make it for my family when I was a kid. My mother insisted I put green onion in it, but I didn’t like them, so I cut the pieces really big to make it easy for me to eat around them. Now I actually like the green onions and I cut them to a reasonably small size.
Although I don’t have children, I agree 100% with the post (the McDonald’s thing… alas, I am out of the loop about everything else – although I did read something about the circumscion deal).
As someone with weight issues, I can say with 100% certaintiy that I am responsible for my size – not a fast food chain, not my folks,z”l,not anyone but ME. I steered my car into the fast food line, bought the candy at 7-11, etc. This idea of blaming everyone for everything helps to perpetuate the notion that we are not responsible for our own behaviour… in other words, we are victims.
The photos you posted are beautiful… your children are so beautiful!!
I have those things in my fridge right now!! I am going to make guacomole!!
I agree, we make sure to serve healthy, organic food nearly every night so I do not lose my mind if we take Little Sir out to a restaurant and let him eat french fries once in a while.
The positive side of the happy meal ban is that, at the very least, it sends a message to McDonalds that consumers are serious about them improving their practices. They have taken some steps in that direction and I look forward to seeing if they can continue in that vein, perhaps one day even using responsibly raised beef instead of factory farms!
Wow, there are a whole lot of topics going on in here.
a) I love twitter and happy you came over there. and that you love it.
b) I could care less about happy meal toys. I do run through the drive through about maybe 1x a month after saying NO 30-bazillion times a week b/c we drive by a McDonalds 2x a day. Those toys are played with for 1 minute and then end up at the bottom of a toybox. Waste of time and money.
c) I love gauc. Love, love love. When I make it myself I just quickly mash an avacado, add some garlic salt and I’m done. Yours looks better though. 🙂 Also? Whole Foods has awesome guac. And Chipotle.
d) hashtags are great, but I don’t overthink it. If there’s one for my topic, it’s typically obvious – like breastfeeding, foodallergy or my newest favorite #hummus. You’ll have to come to the tweetup – then you can talk about how you can go to twitter parties. 🙂
I haven’t jumped on twitter, but I did hear about the circumcision debate on a talk show. It seems like such a petty thing to legislate to me. There are much bigger issues than that in this world.
As far as McDonald’s go, the parents who feed their kids McDonald’s all the time aren’t going for the toys! I’ve never thought, “Oh I better get to McDonald’s because thats a freaking awesome toy with the kids meal!” Its a convenience thing. And I agree with previous comments- those toys can be the perfect thing to brighten a child’s tough day or to whip out of the diaper bag to entertain them in a last ditch effort at an office. I did that just the other day.
I agree with you 100%- it comes down to what and how we teach our children. We are responsible for the choices we make and it does no good to try to transfer that blame to other sources. By asking others to be responsible for what we do, we give up the blessing of agency- truly one of the greatest gifts we’ve been given in this life.
i see both sides of all this technology, but i’m inclined to think we might be better off without it.
I love Twitter. Sure, it *can* be a time suck – if you let it. It can also be an amazing way to connect with other Jews both near and far. Just today I got to weigh in on a conversation about how to handle a social meal (potluck) when there were different levels of kashrut observance involved. Did I mention my Twitter friend is in New York and I’ve never actually met Chaviva? Pretty cool if you ask me. Oh – and there’s nothing better than watching my Jewish Tweeps send out their #shabbatshalom wishes on a Friday afternoon. (Follow me @ECCornell)
At 9 and 7 years old my kids are big enough to still be hungry when they’ve eaten the whole Happy Meal, and to appreciate that the toy is a stupid plastic thing that will either break in 10 minutes or get lost in 20. So we head straight for the adult menu. To my great joy they sneer at the toy. Like I need more cheap plastic toys in my house. They still like the food, though.
And only one will eat guacamole – my recipe is a lot like yours – pure guac yumminess!!!
As always Galit, a great post that made me smile.
The twitter thing: frankly I was a bit hesitant at first and of course being a newbie isn’t always easy. But I caught on and I do like it because I’ve communicated with some nice people and I’ve gotten some wonderful information very quickly that I might have not heard about otherwise. The personalities are so diverse. At times it feels like I’m back in high school with some of the clicks I see but all in all, I’m glad I’m a part of it – for now 🙂
I honestly didn’t pay attention to the McDonald’s controversy but I will say that in my opinion there’s nothing wrong with moderation of anything and healthy eating habits should start at home. Places like McDonalds are a nice treat sometimes – for the toys and the food.
I’ve never put garlic in my guacamole but I’m going to try it next time. Otherwise, I make mine the same way and love it. Actually, I’m really liking avocados by themselves these days.
LOVE the photos of your kids – so cute. And so great that they like healthy food at home. Your a good Mama. Hugs!
I too have a Twitter….can’t find it, don’t know how to use it….I think I am a “Twittertard” – I’m sure this label is NOT PC but it is MY PERSONAL TRUTH –
MickeyD’s – true words, beautifully written “blaming our health and our choices on a restaurant.”
“Modeling that kind of lack of accountability to our children.”
– a greasy meal with a plastic toy is NOT going to undo our good parenting…as with MANY items of legistation…basic concept was good on paper – REEEE DONK ULOUS in translation!
Guacamole..Haven’t eaten it…gonna try it now:)
You are AWESOME – I love your take on this and your writing is so fun to read, your kids are beautiful and even though it is 1AM and I’m NOT sleeping – I’m happy to be looking at their beautiful, guacamole making faces:)
I couldn’t agree more – teaching our kids to have a healthy relationship with food is our responsibility. I can’t wrap my mind around any other way!
I just gave in to Twitter as well – I’ll find you!
Avacado’s are a GREAT Food! A Good source of the Good Fat…! And it tastes deeee-licious! Your recipe sounds perfect!
As to Twitter & Facebook—I Pass! Blogging is about all I can do and I like it because I can write all I want and post all the pictures I want and “instant” is not thst important to me. Email is Old Hat??? I don’t think so….lol!
As to your comment on my blog regarding Lillian Gish—it kind of sickened me when I realized she was a Racist and an Anti-Semite, too….But, she WAS a Great Artist! And she was a product of her time, too…I don’t condone her ignorance but I forgive her because she was so incredibly thoughtful and more than decent to all of us work-a-bees, back in the day, and she was so very talented. But I was deeply disappointed to know that she defended “Birth Of A Nation” till the day she died.
Here from SITS. I wasn’t in line to comment on you, but with Guacamole in your title, I couldn’t NOT stop by.
Took me a long time to get on fb and daily evaluate whether to delete my page. I like blogging and it is “time suck” enough.
The struggle with McDonald’s for me is not the food–“Does this individual even look like they’ve washed their hands today, let alone every time they use the restroom?”
Great post Galit! Always colorful and interesting. 🙂 I love guac but I also LOVE smashed avacado on toast with salt and pepper. We had an avacado tree when I was little girl. I grew upon avacados. 🙂 Cut my hand with a butter knife at 5 years old trying to cut an avacado and the pit! in half.
I don’t tweet. Facebook is enough of a time-suck for me. I had to hide all but my closest friends and family out of my newsfeed so I wouldn’t get sucked in.
I would like to see McD’s use healthier ingredients and I don’t think they’ll do it out of the goodenss of their hearts. But I don’t get too worked up about it. We love junk food too. We are equal opportunity eaters. My kids love candy and fruits and vegetables.
My overall position? Less legislation, more personal choice and more diversity. Let’s be different and authentic and quit comparing/judging! I seek out friends who are different from me, otherwise life would get too boring. As long as my friends don’t mind my family’s quirks we’ll get along great! 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend! ~Cori
the government should also regulate halloween candy consumption…perhaps jail time for the bad moms who let their kids eat to their heart’s content. 🙂
Amazingly enough, I kind of knew a bit what you were talking about … even though I’m not a Twitterer. I tried for awhile but just couldn’t keep up with the pace of it. Blogging is about all I can handle …. and some days even that seems too much.
Like your thoughts on the whole McDonalds thing. I agree with you 100%!
We took Elwood to McDonald’s for the first time when he was 11 months old. While I was trying to take the breading off the chicken nuggets, he reached over and grabbed the fries. Luckily, he has always been a good healthy eater, despite my lack of guidance. (I prefer chocolate and junk to carrots)
The ban on toys makes me nervous. I like help from places when it comes to making good decisions for my kids, but I don’t like personal choice being taken away.
And guacamole rocks!
Good, when you figure twitter out, you can school me on it. Great post by the way, right on target.
This was great, Galit, and made me pretty sure that I am not going to join the Twitter community…at least not today.
I am embarrassingly NOT in the know, and I know nothing of this plastic toy thing or the penis thing. I will have to look into this now and find out because I am curious. And I love your guacamole.
This is awesome! I was wondering how you were going to connect Twitter and guacamole! LOL I got on Twitter kicking and screaming. SO did not get it. But people in the know kept telling me it was vital to my writing career. And you know what? I love it! Glad you are there, too. 🙂
Great post, checking you out from twitter… see, obviously it’s good for something ;). I’m there, but very, very rarely.
BTW thanks for following me.
Just made some tonight! I do smashed avocados, lime juice and salsa.
I was very much against Twitter and Facebook but my husband forced me to get with the program! And now I spend even more time that I don’t have on social media!
Love the guacamole. Is there anything more delicious? 🙂
Great post…so funny and true! I have to admit, we indulge in the Happy Meal from time and time and it’s a fun treat! Completely true about it all starting at home. I couldn’t agree more 🙂
I love your writing style. Funny, witty, and smart 🙂
Oh this is so funny and true about Twitter and social media!
I have to admit, I enjoy taking my kids for a Happy Meal once in awhile, it’s a fun treat. And you are right, it all starts at home and what we do on a day to day regular basis. I love your common sense here!
Great post, great writing style 🙂
Great post! I so agree. Everything in moderation they always say. I think you presented that perfect and your guacamole looks delicious as well!
Congrats on joining in the social media craze and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Great photos of the little wonders, and of the guacamole, too! Yum!
Yup. Only YOU could get such a wide range of subjects in one blog post! 🙂
But I was so distracted by your adorable kiddywinks… too cute for words!
I love the fact that they are making healthy food and loving it! I found out the other day though, that the reason children tend to go off vegetables (except carrots) at around two, is that it’s a survival instinct kicking in. At that age, they are so mobile, they can wander off and put ANYTHING in their mouths. So Mother Nature intercedes and tells their bodies that anything not sweet is something to be spat out (hence the carrot exception), in case it might be poisonous! So you have to work extra hard to get them back on to veggies again.
Interesting, yes?!
x
I am no fan of Twitter; the whole point just evades me. I do keep trying though.
However I love guacamole. It is a good idea to try and involve the kids.
I had no idea Guacamole was so easy to make, I’m definitely all over this one as its so expensive to buy in the UK and you generally can only buy a little tub. Which lasts no longer than a piece of chocolate.
We make a lot of our meals together, Hamburgers, Pizza, etc and I can even get to top it with spinach for my son. I’ve found that we have way more fun making it and I get to decide what goes into it so its healthier too.
When I was pregnant with my kiddos, I got into a nasty habit of eating a Big Mac each week. I think it stuck, because both kids are obsessed McDonald’s, happy meals, and those silly toys we have all over the house. But they are the epitome of goodness aren’t they?
I’m not particularly a Twitter guy, but I know some of my friends are crazy about it. I really should give it a try sometime!
I really like your style! Very witty!
Welcome to the twitter universe. I still haven’t figured it all out. Said goodbye to MySpace a year ago. Love Facebook, and love guacamole! Thanks for the recipe! Love the pics!