how do I transition my kids to RAW?

[kellibelli]

I have three girls ages 4, 6, and 10. They are pretty resistant to change. I, myself, am just starting out raw and very inexperienced, but I have felt wonderful physically when I was having %100 Raw days. The first day I made a green smoothie...totally tasted terrific, but the girls were turned off by the color. The smoothie was for me, but I made each of them taste it and they agreed it tasted good...still it didn't pass the "ugly meter"...any ideas???

[SeaGrass7]

I totally get that the color turns them off. I was wondering though if anyone ever stops to really think about why green is such a turn off? Green is the color of healing and who doesnt feel great when looking at a beautiful green lawn or rolling hills? My favorite shirt is a bright green one. I always feel so good in it. Green is also the color associated with the Heart (chakra). So many are almost totally disconnected from this.

We have been deeply (unwittingly) programmed to think and believe some of the most ludicrous things!! Green ugly?

Just one idea: MAYBE the approach of logic with your (I am sure) very intelligent children could help? It is all about perspective...
also our own attitudes about HOW we think our children will respond BEFORE they ever do has a much stronger influence than we could imagine.

You could call them "emerald green delights". Before they ever even knew what you were making... Getting all excited about this special treat... they'll have a clue about the color upfront, but they will be imagining a very radiant color green....then when they get them, it wont be such a shock.
And you cant really argue with the taste! Green smoothis are rawsome!

THE COLOR GREEN HAS A MAGIC IN IT!

if your kids like to be silly you could give them a fun silly name like
"green rascals"
"Emerald beauties"
"emerald enchantments"
"tree pickles"

ok i am getting too silly?

well, there you go, let your kids make up a name and then they'll TOTALLy forget that they ever had an issue with the color!! (Once again- perspective!)

[Pierre]

How about adding some blueberries or strawberries?

[AJ Bodine]

Blueberries are a great idea! They turn everything blue/purple. Raspberries will also help with the color thing. I read somewhere else on this site that someone puts it in those plastic glass with lids so they can't see the color.

I've been feeding my son smoothies since he was 3 and he knows that greens build muscles. It's a big thing for him to get stronger, so that's what we really play up. He even helps me pick the greens that go in our smoothies.

When he's complained, I always tell him that other kids have to sit and eat big hot steaming plates of bitter spinach and he gets to have his mixed with sweet fruit that tastes yummy! He's the lucky one!

[Allison]

We transitioned our children to a raw breakfast first...fruit only. We let them have as much as they wanted, and at first they ate a lot, but now eat about two or three pieces before lunch. Then we transitioned their lunches. We required that they eat raw veggies at every lunch, and they had to eat them before they could eat anything else. Then we eventually got them away from the traditional sandwich and went to an all raw lunch. Then for dinner, they always eat a large salad first and then have some cooked food, if they want it. Several of our children rarely even eat the cooked portion.

When we first transitioned to raw, they would gag on the cauliflower, etc. Now they beg for it. In fact, I bought three heads of it today, and it will be gone in a couple of days. If your children are complaining, I'm sure there will be days when you feel like it's not worth it, but tastes DO change, and they will come to love it. As a matter of fact, earlier this year we adopted some children from Africa, and their diet consisted of cornmeal and white rice. They had never eaten a raw vegetable or even seen lettuce, but within a month of being here, several of them said salad was their favorite food. Just yesterday they were laughing, saying they couldn't believe they used to not like it.

Allison

[Lay-Lay]

plenty of fruit bowls....fun recipes they can help with.....one meal at a time.

[JennaBoBenna]

How about adding some blueberries or strawberries?

I second blueberries. Don't do strawberries because it will then be a BROWN smoothie and even I don't want to drink it when that happens :o :p

[Rawkinlocs]

I use strawberries and if you use enough of them, it will be red.

[SeaGrass7]

Allison,
Thanks for sharing that- it was very inspiring to me. Children are beautiful!

[kellibelli]

SeaGrass7...my girls always associate green with boogers... :( We will have to try associating green with more beautiful things like you said...in fact my middle girl loves emeralds...so we will go with that. As far as the blueberries and other fruits to mask the green color goes...that is a terrific idea!

[tvillemom]

I really want to transition my children to mostly raw. My 11 yr. old son is ADHD, and I believe he has a wheat allergy. I would love to get them to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. I love the tip about eating an all raw breakfast, and then raw veggies at lunch before your "meal"....that might work! Thanks.
Are there any good "kid-friendly" books out there to give more recipes that my kids could make on their own (or with alittle help)? They always are more willing to eat what they make!!
Wendi

[tvillemom]

By the way, I have 3 children ages 11, 9, and 6. Just so you know what I'm up against. :p (That's what they'll do to too many veggies!)
Wendi

[protea]

tvillemom,
Yes, I bought 2 books and both are great!
1. Raw kids by Cheryl Stoycoff
2. Eating without heating: favorite recipes from teens who love raw food by Sergei and Valya Boutenko
Good luck - I am also planning to switch my son to raw soon ;) .

[Spectatrix]

Are there any good "kid-friendly" books out there to give more recipes that my kids could make on their own (or with alittle help)? They always are more willing to eat what they make!!
Wendi
Storm and Jinjee at http://www.thegardendiet.com have an eBook all about raising raw kiddos. You can buy just that book for $10 or all of them (11 total) for $20.

[mistyfi]

I started my sons Nathaniel 7 & Ivan 5 when they were 2. They still eat other things.. but mainly raw - i think it's kinda easier if u dont try so hard... i have twin daughters Teanna & Ansley 2, now that they are about that age I started eating with them. Sitting on the floor with them - sharing my food.. now they just eat it.. they even want the green drinks... i think they just need a lil time to figure out what they like.. they will get over the color... in time... mabey if u let them make there own food they would be a lil more interested... also make sure to give them a variety of fruit and veggies... if they have a big selection they are bound to find something that they like...

[JEN]

My daughter is 3 and I started her out on fruit smoothies and added the green ones later. Her favorite is banana made from frozen bananas and almond milk...for a real treat we add some carob. She also likes nut cheese made from cashews and stuffed into mushrooms(dehydrated) and celery. She loves cucumbers and tomatoes together, applesauce, and granola. She still eats cooked too but some raw is better than none. Fruit seems to be the easiest to get her to eat so I make lots of fruit dishes. Maraws yummy apple cobbler is another of her favorites (recipe found at www.therawtable.com ). Someone posted a recipe for oatmeal that is made of 2 bananas, 1 pulse chopped apple, a little honey or agave and cinnamon all blended in the processor. Sometimes I add raisons and sometimes almond butter. She loves both. Here is the link to a blog where the whole family is raw
http://mawintheraw.blogspot.com/ Hope you enjoy!!

[Queen Shelley]

From an experienced Gramma here, 'Ants in a boat', 'ants on a raft', 'stuffed bugs/!! :eek: Let them make it, celery sticks (cut short for little ones) spread with almond butter (wooden or plastic knife for spreader, or back of a spoon) raisins lined up on top! Slices of bell pepper stuffed with pate. Cucumber 'boat' (the little round lemon cuc's). Flax cracker 'Raft' also spread with nut butter and raisins or Eggless Salad. Date 'Bugs'..ahem...(cockroaches) filled with an almond or other nut...rolled in 'snow' (coconut).

The grosser the name you create the better the 6-10..17 yr olds like it. They can get creative with names too. Let them play with their food creations. Set out several fruit choices for their smoothies and let them add...say 3 items for their own personal drink. Call the green stuff Gorilla food or say Ninja Turtle juice. They just need to be old enough to 'pretend'. Younger children will really think you put a turtle in their drink!

My grandkids call me 'Carrot Juice Gramma'! :p