It’s been three weeks of Feingold for Zander (and all of us). The first two weeks went fairly easily. Last Saturday I decided that I’d treat us all and get a few “off program” add ins for our home made ice cream. Sunday Zander had a cookie or two at Sunday school, ½ a doughnut, ketchup (natural salcylates – not a stage 1 food), soda (full of everything bad I’m sure), and then the splurge Sunday night. All were in moderation. This was great progress. HOWEVER…it’s apparent that moderation isn’t going to work for Zander at this point.
Monday was bad, the first bad day since about day 4 of the program. Tuesday was better. Wednesday at the park I found him with a family who were eating happy meals. The father was feeding him handfuls of goldfish. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to cry. I have thought it over and if this ever happens again I need to be sure the adult knows that it isn’t good to feed strangers children. Of course Zander was being a pest I’m quite SURE! He loves those…but really we were just recovering from Sunday. It’s obvious that those yellow little fishies are full of artificial color to say the least. Thursday was hard but we survived.
Today – Friday Zander found the countraband Oreos left over from Sunday night. I quickly told him we’d make “real cookies” for him. We discovered we were out of eggs. The older boys were doing school and I told the younger kids to load up and we’d go buy eggs so we could make some healthy cookies. Zander came out to the van with Oreo crumbs around his mouth. {Sigh} I learned from this that I will not be able to keep countraband food in the house….he finds it. {G}
We headed for HEB. I was hoping to find Rapadura. I didn’t. I then headed to a health food store. They had Turbinado. I bought it. The lady said that really Sucant, Turbinado and Rapadura are all the same…who knows…but it had to be better than refined white. I need to research this issue some more. While there I found Newman O’s – Oreo look-a-likes made with NO preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. I bought some. I also bought some licorice (that I loved and the three kids hated). They LIKED the strawberry fruit leather…then I realized that it may be organic but it had “strawberry flavor” added…..so definitely not good.
I finally finished baking the cookies tonight and was excited when Zander said, “Dad – come here – these are GOOD cookies”. I wasn’t sure they’d eat them. They had freshly ground wheat, turbinado, real chocolate (not the cheap stuff with vanillin) and oats in them. Thanks, Becky, from SHS for the recipe.
I also sliced up a bunch of apples, sprinkled them with cinnamon and started them in the dehydrator.
We are noticing that each time Zander goes off the program it takes about 2 – 3 days to regain the ground we’ve lost. It’s amazing to watch. He really, really does much better on the program. He is able to reason. He isn’t running to his room in anger. He’s wearing clothes. He isn’t chewing his clothes. He isn’t totally rebellious. He is self-controlled. He is potty trained (except for the bm part). He isn’t having melt-downs. He’s not even saying any of the mean things he’d begun to say to me. Ok, to be totally honest, it’s been 3 weeks since I’ve heard “I hate you” and I’ve got to tell you that any amount of extra work is worth the change in him.
It was so encouraging to me today to hear Mike and Jamin talking about the change they see in Zander when he is on the program. We are all determined to make this work for him. Mike even said that he wasn’t so sure about (well the gist I got was ) “my organic kick” but he had to admit it made a world of difference for Zander.
I'm training Zander and the other kids not to say "the food makes him bad" but the fake food makes it "hard for him to be good". He's still responsible but we are doing all we can to make it easy for him to respond.
We’re sold. We’re committed. I’m now trying to figure out what to order for the next co-op day. We order from Shop Natural. What makes it tough is that looking for “organic” isn’t enough…it has to be preservative free, artificial color and flavor free….and BHT and MSG free…..but things are much, much better. I’m wondering if it would be worth my effort to order direct from Shop Natural so that I don’t have to mess with driving to another town to pick up….but it is nice to be able to split big things with someone else….
Zander just came and found me and said, “Alright Mom, there’s something I have to tell you! I like your cookies.” Ah. A mommy moment.
3 comments:
One idea might be to order from them by yourself very other month. Probably a good idea to stick with the group to start with though, while yu get used to what you can and can't use and for the ablity to split with others until you know you like some things enough to buy a whole case.
This is such a very good report about Zander, awesome how well it is working and how you can already see what happens when he goes off the program. It won't be long before you're used to all the right brands and things on the diet and then I bet your shopping will be alot easier.
I don't know what to sy about the man trying to get out of paying for the damage HIS SON did to your van. I do not think he should get away with it just because of his profesion. It's not fair that you may have to pay some or all of it plus if he gets off he probably won't do any better at watching his child and what message does this send to the child? Well you know all that, it's frustrating, angry for you that there are people like that.
De'Etta,
I'm so glad the Feingold diet is working so well for Alex. I'm seriously considering it for my almost 4 yo. I told you before that Alex reminds me so much of him. No matter how much or how consistent I am at disciplining him he's still out of control.
As far as your van goes, I would insist that he pay for the entire thing. I would remain Christ like in conduct but remain firm that this was his child's doing and that you expect to be reimbursed fully for this. I would also maybe make a file and put the picture that you took from the day of the incident as well as all conversations that you had/have with him. I would just remain firm with him whenever you deal with him and let him know you expect nothing less than full responsibility for their actions.
And yes, your husband is a Pastor, a servant of God. All the more reason they should want to make good on their wrongdoing! This world is so mixed up!
Jen in Az.
Thanks for the tips, Jodi. The more I think about it the more I know that I could make the $250 order alone - if I had to. I buy a LOT of groceries.....and as I learn what we like I can get it cheaper from the co-op.
You are right - as I learn what items to buy it will be much quicker and easier. At this point it is all new....and scary when you are buying cases at a time. {g}
Jen, glad you are writing again. I've been missing you and worrying about you. I can't say enough good about this program and Zander...Alex....LOL
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