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Author: Anna McQuinn
Illustrator: Anna McQuinn and Ben Frey
Published: 2008 Annick Press (on JOMB)
ISBN: 1554511224

Beaming boyhood bliss pops from zesty action-packed photography-and-paint collage as a spunky seven year old proudly presents the shared adventures and intriguing details of life with his very best bud, Jamal — who happens to be Somali.

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Both my mother and my mother-in-law were women wise beyond their nutritional years. Both were aware of the dangers of food additives, had daily vitamin regimes, and fed their children spoonfuls of cod liver oil. My mom practiced yoga in the early 1970's (Kareem Zebroff, anyone?). I grew up watching her move from down dog to eagle pose in front of our 12" black and white TV. She made blueberry muffins with wheat germ and whole wheat flour when no one in our community had ever seen or heard of muffins before.
My husband's mother was similar. She was a huge follower of Adelle Davis's books and practiced vitamin enrichment whenever she could. My husband fondly remembers slurping down the tiger shake his mother would whip up before he and his 5 siblings would go off to school. If contained stuff that would make today's kids gag. Homemade yoghurt, breads and an never-ending supply of fresh vegetables would adorn her table. His dad raised pigs. Not his primary job, but it was a good side business. Did you know that fresh bacon is grey not pink. I didn't either. Yummy.
These ladies knew the importance of diet. Not just any diet but a diet chock full of root veggies, whole grain products, non-animal proteins, etc. They raised us well. This is what I think of every time I feed my kids something from a box. This is what I think of every time I contemplate ordering take-out instead of boiling up a pot of carrots and potatoes.
I usually keep these thoughts to myself. My friends would argue that mothers are much busier today than in our mother's time. To that, I say...well, let's just say I don't agree. I believe my primary job as a mom, is to establish good eating habits for my kids now. To keep their taste buds innocent and free from the dark side that is fried foods, high fructose corn syrup and soft, mushy starches. Have I suceeded? No way.
Last month I signed up for Bob Greene's Best Life diet. My initial motivation was to lose a few pounds. I really got into the plan. I began to exercise more, switched out potato chips in favor of unsalted raw almonds, and started to measure my food portions. The longer I stayed on the food plan, the more I realized how far I strayed from my mom's vision.
Now, whole grains are back on my family's daily menu, meats are consumed once or twice a week, chicken has been rediscovered and sweets are an occasional treat. (Treat, being the important word here.)
I'm feeling great. I've lost weight. My kids are not complaining. I think mom would be pleased.
It only takes a little planning each day. The trappings of fast foods and frozen meals from Costco only happen because we don't know what else to do. I've been there.
My mom always said, "As long as you have porridge in the house (hot oatmeal for you Americans), you'll never go hungry."