Celebrating a Natural Connection

 

“Encourage your child to have muddy, grassy or sandy feet by the end of each day—that’s the childhood they deserve.” ~ Penny Whitehouse

 

As the summer heat wave rolls in, this month’s issue reminds me of working on Rovinski’s Farm as a child, where we planted and picked a variety of vegetables, including beans, corn, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, peppers and onions, which were sold from the farmstand on the corner of our street.

 

Growing up, we had a keen knowledge of and visceral relationship with the source of our local, natural food production. My siblings and I spent our days tending our family’s vegetable garden, and savoring the wild berries and apples that nature so generously provided directly from the trees. These experiences shaped our fundamental understanding of where our food comes from and instilled in us a deep appreciation for the Earth’s bounty.

 

The relevance of our experience as children in the ‘60s is evident in the compelling article in our Healthy Kids department, “Planting Seeds of Knowledge,” by Thais Harris, who delves into the growing disconnect between children and the origins of their food. This topic points to part of a societal evolution occurring within our lifetimes and highlights the importance of teaching children about food’s journey from seed to plate, emphasizing how this knowledge can foster healthier eating habits and a greater appreciation for our environment. Be sure to read this insightful piece to understand how you can nurture a more informed and health-conscious generation.

 

I highly recommend Jonathan Haidt’s thought-provoking book, The Anxious Generation. He explores the challenges that children face, particularly the adverse effects of growing up in an age of social media, and sheds light on how the decline of play-based childhood, replaced by a device-based mentality, has significantly impacted young minds. Understanding the perils of our digital era and the need for children to reconnect with nature and their food sources is crucial. Haidt’s book is a compelling read that underscores the importance of providing youth with opportunities for independent exploration and real-world interactions.

 

Connecting the dots between these two narratives can create a path forward. Encouraging our children to learn about food origins not only fosters better eating habits, but also provides them with a grounded experience in an increasingly virtual world. Making conscious changes now can have a big impact on kids’ and society’s futures.

 

Stay cool, enjoy this issue and support our advertisers, because they allow us to educate and inform as we continue to share the monthly invitation to feel good, live simply and laugh more.