No Junk Food

Its also been very hard to overcome my crappy addiction to these junk foods that were introduced to me in my childhood (pizza, fried foods, burgers, etc). So I definitely don't want my child to have to overcome the same addiction. We are trying to eat whole foods as much as possible, and of course, we are gluten free. 
In this journey, it absolutely amazes me how much I am judged for not giving my child junk food. In America, we are brainwashed to think it is almost child abuse to not give children pizza, burgers, ice cream, candy, cookies, crackers, cheerios, sugary foods of all kinds. These types of foods completely shuts down a child's immune system as well as the digestive system. Even I have to say to myself "No, Melissa, he is not missing out if I don't give him this unhealthy food". It can sometimes be really hard! 

It just hurts my heart as a person with severe digestive problems that have almost killed me (from a lifetime of eating food most people think is "acceptable") to see children mess up their digestive systems. That's all. My main complaint though is that I would like the restaurant establishment to offer just one healthy option, instead of all fried foods, mac n cheese, burgers etc, so that I can feed my child. And yes, I do take my own foods in for Aidan, but I know that won't last long before he'll want his own plate of food. Hopefully, we'll have the money by then to just order the adult plate for him with the healthy option. I just wish that was available in a smaller size on the kid's menu.

Being Labeled

"oh you HAVE to cloth diaper if you want to be an attachment parent"
"oh you can't go to workshops/camps/mothers day out if you want to be an unschooler"
"oh you have to eat all organic if you want to be holistic"
"oh your husband HAS to be the spiritual authority of the household in order to be a 'good christian'"
"oh you have to attend Sunday morning/sunday evening/tuesday night bible study/wednesday night fellowship in order to be a good christian"
"oh you have to listen to the *sucky* christian radio station"

basically, I believe in picking and choosing what works best with my family and our financial situation.

Also, just because I like bits and pieces of a movement, or certain articles, does not mean I subscribe to every single philosophy they spout, geesh! I even like some articles of Above Rubies, and I love her Raw Food cookbook. I even like Renee Ellison's Raw Food cookbook. I like some of the ideals in the Unschooling movement.  The Attachment Parenting movement.  Holistic Moms movement. But that doesn't mean that i like or agree with everything in their movements. hello.

So basically it makes me mad when people ASSume that if you like bits and pieces of a movement/cause/way of living that you affiliate with and practice every single theory, philosophy and idea of that group. And they truly don't understand why you would only do/like parts.

*caveat, my husband sounds I sound grumpy.  Blame it on low blood sugar. :)