CLEAN THINKING: Raising Kids to be "Color-Blind": Good or Not-So-Good?

In recent light of the George Zimmerman case in Florida, my heart has been saddened (once again) by the division in this country.  "Divided States of America" seems a more accurate description.

My family lives in rural town, America.  While there is EXTREME poverty and socio-economic diversity, there is little racial diversity where we live.  Sometimes this bothers me as I want to expose my children to ALL of God's creation. Not long ago, I heard myself say to a friend, "I'm glad my kids don't see color".  But as soon as I said this, it didn't settle within my spirit b/c I knew that wasn't an accurate description of what I really have taught them.  Rather it was a catchy phrase I've heard white people toss around as if it was a really positive aspect to their parenting.  But that phrase definitely went out the window when last week my kids and I were in Walmart and my daughter, with much excitement in her voice, said, "Look Mom!  She has beautiful brown skin!"  Color blind?  I think not.  But she was clearly CELEBRATING our differences which to me is far better than IGNORING them, right?

Which raises the question:
Raising Kids to be "Color-Blind":  Good or Not so Good?  

Sometimes our differences are what divide us instead of what brings us closer to one another. Even so, acknowledging them (our differences) is also a chance for us to celebrate those differences and to teach our children that beautiful skin (regardless of the color) is beautiful because, while it should not define them, it is very much a part of who they are.

I personally, don't have the goal of raising a COLOR BLIND child.  In my home, we choose to approach "race" differently...how?  By not PRETENDING like there is no such thing as "color".  That, to me, is just plain ludicrous.  But we most definitely do not FOCUS on COLOR...we focus on the HEART of people.  We talk about how beautiful God's creation is, how we all have differences that make up His gorgeous RAINBOW of humankind.  But underneath His "Rainbow", we're all the same...sinners who need Jesus.  As my missionary sister once said while living in Ghana, West Africa..."Everyone's poop smells the same!"  And Christ came to save ALL; His desire is to see ALL come to repentance.

We fear what we do not know.  So get to KNOW the people around you.  I mean, really KNOW them.   Get to the HEART of people.  Cultivate those relationships and open up the doors to communication.

No, I'm not raising my kids to "not see color"...we all 'see' color...so perhaps the goal shouldn’t be to be color blind, but to come from a place in which color is viewed as simply being a portion of the various parts that come together to make one whole person, and then EMBRACING that person for who and how God created them to be.

VITAMINS/MINERALS/HERBS...a few thoughts...

SUPPLEMENTS.  I'm always curious as to what people take and why.  Walk into the vitamin/mineral section of any store and it is OVERWHELMING to say the least.  How does a person know where to start?  What to take? How to take it?  Too many assume that since it is "natural" it is SAFE.  Well, eucalyptus is "natural" but too much can shut down the liver and one LICK of certain mushrooms can make you keel over.  Get my point?  But I have to say, the more I explore alternative natural treatments, the more I am in awe of God's creation.  His design is so perfect, so beautiful...For example, I never really knew why it was such a big deal that Baby Jesus was given Frankincense and Myrrh.  What's a baby going to do with some expensive oils?  Then I learned the benefits of these oils and I am SURE Mary used them often to combat viral and bacterial infections, clean scraped knee's, and overall keep her family healthy.

When seeking NATURAL ALTERNATIVES it is HIGHLY IMPORTANT that you SEEK OUT PROFESSIONALS IN THAT PARTICULAR FIELD.  Naturopathic Doc's/Certified Herbologists/Chiro's and Certified Holistic Nutritionist's are all wonderful resources.  (don't just ask 1 doctor, get several opinions)  DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  I cannot even BEGIN to tell you the amount of material I've checked out from our local library or the number of websites I've visited, all related to natural remedies.  It's a fun, fascinating endeavor, but it's WORK.  I have spoken w/ a doctor from each of the above fields, paid $50 for a phone consultation w/ a certified herbologist, and spoken w/ my OB/GYN (I have hormonal issues) and then made the most educated decision I possibly could.  Unfortunately, most general practitioners don't know very much about natural alternatives but you can and should always consult your doctor first and foremost.  Every now and then you'll find one who is very much open to natural alternatives and might even have some insight for you on the topic.

I want to make it very clear:  I AM NOT ANTI-MODERN MEDICINE.  There is MOST definitely a time and a place for it.  We use it in our home when necessary.  It saves people's lives every day.  BUT...when my kids have bad head colds, get stung by a bee, have chigger bites, or scratch up a knee, I don't grab OTC (over-the-counter) drugs right away.  We have the philosophy of always trying NATURAL FIRST.  We give it time to do its work and have learned patience.  Most always, natural takes longer.  It just does.  You have to re-train your brain in this matter b/c we, as a culture, want immediate gratification.   However, allowing your body to heal on its own naturally is so important HOLISTICALLY and really will in the long run SAVE you money as you experience better overall health and therefore, less doctor visits.

PREVENTION IS KEY.  The number 1 preventive "medication"??  FOOD!  If you eat RIGHT and WELL you will not get sick as often.  Period.  You eat processed crap and you'll feel like crap.  Period.

It's such a simple concept yet Americans (in general) do NOT want to change their diet.  People have chronic migraines, chronic joint pain, GI issues, shingles, fibre myalgia, etc and the one thing they won't explore is a change of diet.  More often than not, it is not even suggested by the medical field.  Just in the last month, I've heard of THREE personal accounts of people who had CLASSIC GI SYMPTOMS and/or chronic migraines and not ONE of their doctors suggested them go on elimination diets to see if they have allergies to certain foods.  This truly confuses me.  I don't understand why they aren't checking this FIRST rather than "last resort".  But I digress...

We (my family) are RELIGIOUS about taking our multi's in the colder months because  1.  We aren't eating as much fresh foods  2.  We are stuck indoors more often and therefore get less Vit D and are exposed to more germs. I admit I don't give my kids their multi during the summer.  But we are eating fresh herbs and grow our own fruits and vegetables, eating lots of wild blackberries and mulberries which are loaded w/ anti-oxidants and getting plenty of outdoor exercise!

I am still learning ALL the time about the best way to approach our healthcare.  I do tend to "buck the system" but in doing so, I don't want to become close-minded to the medical professionals.  (You can ask my sister who is currently in school to become a Nurse Practitioner...she gets phone calls OFTEN!)  But...in my natural alternative endeavor I want to be EDUCATED in every decision I make.  I TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY by gathering all the information I can from BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN and then doing what I feel is best for myself and my family.

Is it a ton of research?  Yes.  Is it overwhelming?  Sometimes.  But reach out to those professionals who are TRAINED and it will most definitely lighten the load.

And one more reminder:  even "good" endeavors can become consuming.  I learned the hard way how easy it is for this endeavor to become more important than my relationship w/ Christ.  Checks and Balances...stay balanced and open-minded...but more than anything you pursue, seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God...

FAVORITE 11 SUPERBOWL FOOD!

#1A:  Hot Wings

Ingredients

3 to 4 pounds chicken wings, split and tips removed ordrummers
1 cup of coconut oil 
1 cup Sriracha hot sauce
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Salt

For the Blue Cheese Ranch Dressing:

1 cup FAGE
1/2 cup buttermilk (use fat-free milk or unsweetened milk alternative and add 1/2 tsp of vinegar, let sit 5 minutes and gently stir)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic, grated
Salt and pepper
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
3 tablespoons fresh herbs such as chives, dill and parsley, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 450ºF.
Bring a large pot of water up to a bubble and par-cook the chicken for about 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
Combined blue cheese ranch dressing ingredients and reserve.
Place a small saucepot over medium heat and melt the Coc Oil. Whisk in the sriracha, white wine vinegar and salt until combined then set aside.
Place the wings onto a baking pan and roast 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Transfer the wings to a large bowl then pour the coconut oil and sriracha mixture over top and toss.
Serve with Blue Cheese Ranch Dressing alongside for dipping.

#1B)  SLOW COOKER HOT WINGS

CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE

#2:  French Onion Dip and Chips/Veggies

 2 - 2 1/2 cups of FAGE mixed w/ 1 package of Organic French Onion mix.  
Lays SIMPLY potato chips contains less chemicals and/or you can opt for Veggie Straws.  Better yet, REAL VEGGIES!



#3:  Restaurant Style Salsa

Click HERE for recipe.

#4:  Shrimp De Gallo

Click HERE for recipe.

#5:  Paleo Meatballs:  

Click HERE for recipe.  Serve on hoagie rolls w/ spaghetti sauce or slather w/ your favorite tangy barbque sauce!

#6:  No Velveeta Nacho Cheese Dip

Click HERE for recipe

#7:  Misty's Favorite Guac/Pico De Gallo

Click HERE for recipe

#8:  Hummus:  Traditional and Red  Bell recipes included.

TRADITIONAL Ingredients

• 3 cans (14.5 Oz.) Garbanzo Beans, Rinsed And Drained
• 1/3 cup Plus 1 Tablespoon Tahini or Almond Butter
• 3 cloves Garlic, Chopped, Or More To Taste
• 1/2 whole Lemon, Juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin, Or More To Taste
• Salt To Taste
• Fresh Herbs:  basil, cilantro or parsley (depending on what flavor you like best)
• 3 Tablespoons To 5 Tablespoons Cold Water
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Preparation Instructions

Combine chickpeas with all ingredients, except water and olive oil, in a blender or food processor.

Pulse until mixture becomes somewhat smooth and combined, but do not over mix.

Add water as necessary to facilitate blending. At the end, add olive oil and pulse no more than three times, just to incorporate.

Pour mixture into a bowl and stir to ensure mixture is combined. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to three days in the fridge.

RED BELL PEPPER HUMMUS RECIPE:  CLICK HERE.

#9:  No Bake Energy Bites

Click HERE for recipe

#10:  Middle Eastern Chicken Burgers

Click HERE for recipe

#11:  AIR POPPED POPCORN

Click HERE for recipe