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It's Not Brainwashing. It's Teaching!

"Mommy, why did he have a heart attack?" my 4-year-old asked me of an acquaintance we were praying for. In truth, I did not know the exact answer for that particular person. But I do know the answer for many, if not most, people who have heart attacks. And rather than brushing her off or giving a meaningless answer, I told her the truth. "When we eat foods that are bad for us, it makes it so that our bodies don't work well. People have heart attacks because they eat a lot of unhealthy foods. When we eat good foods, our bodies work well. And when we don't, our bodies stop working."

Her followup questions showed understanding. "Like french fries? And candy? Those make my body not work well."

"Exactly!" If we want our bodies to work well, we have to eat good, healthful foods."

Honestly, I had a twinge feeling that I was brainwashing her. Somehow, I have allowed society to make me feel like anytime I teach anything but the popular norm, I am brainwashing. But luckily, I push that feeling aside. If I don't teach my children the truth, no one will. And society will teach them lies--eat and drink whatever you want. Sit on the couch and watch TV or play video games all day. It doesn't matter. You can be beautiful and healthy. It's a lie. And I, for one, will help my children know what is true. I will teach them! And I know you will too.

Check out video 6 at http://greensmoothiegirl.com/videos/videos-page-1/ for ideas on teaching kids how to eat right.
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