Jumping on my soapbox

Normally my inspiration for a post comes from my family, my friends, something I've tried or tasted, but I guess it was only a matter of time before I was inspired to post as the result (or in response) to another blogger's post. I came upon this post in my usual morning rounds of some of my favorite food blogs. I was browsing posts at An Obsession with Food when I came upon a link to a vitriolic post regarding kid-food and picky eaters. I will not provide a direct link to the post because after checking out the site and the post, it was not a site I would frequent and I don't want to do anything to increase the traffic to this particular site (a shock-jock of bloggers), but it has made me want to climb on my soapbox. And so, humor me.

First of all, part of the reason I started this blog was to fill what I see as a void in our society (big job, huh?) that has been left by our not having the benefit of extended family and strong neighborhoods that provided "food mentors" for our parents and grandparents. I strongly believe that many of our food-related issues such as anorexia, obesity, allergies, etc. are contributed to by our reliance on convenience foodnot because we are lazy or stupid but because many of us have not been raised or taught to be comfortable with food, its preparation and enjoyment. That is why I wanted to create a cyber kitchen table that could help replacein small measure that resource to encourage a new generation to play with food.

That said, this post blasted parents for "giving in" to children regarding food and how parents who could not hold the line had no business having children. It is a post that shows an elitist, judgmental, and non-productive attitude that is exactly what I hope to fight. You can read my response to the post on Obsession with Food. I am posting here because I think there is a lot to be said for being part of the solution rather than part of the problem. I hope that you will not be intimidated by food, but will learn and experiment and enjoy. Encourage your children to have fun with food- that's what McDonald's does. You can make ethnic finger foods, teach your family to eat with chopsticks, serve dinner in front of the fire on cushions, making meals a fun occasion.
I want all readers to stop being intimidated by food and model that behavior for their children, family members, neighbors and co-workers. I don't believe that ridiculing parents who are struggling already with the many pressures of modern life and not enough support systems is helping. Are you a bad parent if you once in awhile serve your children chicken nuggets or a Twinkie? I don't think so, as long as it is an occasional part of a varied and healthy diet, not a daily occurance.

Let me know what you think.