When Two Worlds Collide

When children enter our lives we begin a most incredible journey as they showcase the world  to us through a lens that is unblemished and simplistic in its analysis.  We are mesmerized by their complete innocence, incredible insights and desire to follow, without question. Children have much to teach us. By the time they become high school students, however, we have much more to learn. We’ve become smarter and have now entered the parenting Olympics.

We have the power and authority to influence our children as they grow and develop. Our unique family specific approach is the key to creating healthy, funny, caring, intelligent adults who are unimpressed by public opinion and ours, on occasion.  The expectations for them, as set out in the 'parent’s manual on parenting children', are plain and simple: "Be nice to each other, help out at home, save your money, and do your best in school, please." The directive is clear and simple. There is no confusion here... High school is on the horizon with all the privilege, awesome power and responsibility that come with it. It’s not all fun and games, however. ..."There’s something called consequences that are now a significant part of the adult package you so crave, understandably. As parents we have lived through the experience upon which you are about to embark. ..."You are ours legally and morally till you are 18 or sooner, if you choose. Please do not test or annoy us. We have the courage and wisdom to know what to do. We are your parents, with debt, a mortgage, a career of sorts, a strong relationship and access to alcohol to strengthen our resolve. Keep us laughing and do what is in your best interests, not ours."

"Grade 8 graduation has arrived. The decisions for your future life officially begin here, not later. Congratulations for the success you have achieved to date. Be humble in what you have attained, however. One hundred years ago this achievement would have been a milestone. Today it is simply expected, a rite of passage, the result of the modern age in which we live. High school awaits with all of its trials, tribulations, exciting transformations, and life re-alignment. It marks an incredible new beginning for you. During this tumultuous period, my job as parent is essentially finished. We are now on standby, awaiting your instructions, in our new role of advisor, counsellor, and an impervious and immovable rock that stands in your way, if the need arises." Remember, we matter, too. ... The power structure will implode, at times, but rebuild once again." 

Parents and teenagers live in parallel worlds where each individual moves in synchronized fashion. Sometimes, the two worlds collide. ...  Our teen sons were given a clear unrestricted view of the power they were about to wield. The things they could do to rock our world were limitless. We knew it. They knew it.  Respect for each other and and a bit of fear kept us all looking in a positive direction. My job now was to protect the family and what it meant financially, especially. Having been a special education secondary school teacher, parent volunteer and a wife of over 20 years at the time gave me the strength to charm and disarm as the situation dictated. The parental right to veto was ours till 'they' reached the age of majority. After that period, their stay with us was tenuous, as occupancy rules began to tighten, considerably. The returning university student is especially intriguing. "Is it package A or B that you desire?" ... "Each has its own unique characteristics, as you know.  So please pick, ever so wisely."

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Wonder(ful) Bread!

Recently, a product that had been absent from our family’s diet for over 14 years made a resurgence. Wonder Bread, a part of the Weston family brand, has now taken up an exalted position in our kitchen’s product line next to the brown rice, Teff and chick pea flours. Recent commercials brought its new formulation to my attention. A trip to the grocery store verified my disbelief. Wonder Bread was now devoid of the additives, preservatives and especially the high fructose corn syrup, the worst. Other brands with a “similar recipe” still hold on to the age old formula that, I guess, helps their bottom line, somehow. For us, the naive consumer, our bottom line always was, and continues to be about health.

 We buy food to thrive and survive. Without it we die. To paraphrase Michael Pollen, today’s grocery stores sell food- like substances, referring to the myriad of preservatives and chemicals found in foods that are processed. That statement was as unsettling to me when I first heard it as it is today. Could Wonder Bread be the starting point for bringing back healthier food into grocery stores? Could its reformulation sound the death knell for products made the ‘old’ way. It remains to be seen. The consumer is supposed to be king! Let us reclaim that power.

Wonder Bread was a feature of our lives in the fall of 1998. Our then 12 year old Yellow Retriever was 99 pounds and losing weight. He was dying. His blood had a Hemocrat level of 9, (it should have been closer to 15-21). He was taken to the small animal clinic, at the University of Guelph, for assessment. The doctors there were shocked that he was alive, never mind walking. Wonder Bread became the symbol of his longevity, and our treatment choice for our wonder boy. It was critical that he gain weight. At his stage of life, few options existed as protein was off limits to him. Other medical issues hampered an easy solution.  Actually, because of his age, size (125 pounds in his youth) and medical history he should have died long ago.

‘Chush’ began his daily morning ritual of 4 slices of Wonder toast, slathered with heart healthy Becel margarine, cut into thin strips. For 7 months, he thrived and had gained 15 pounds. Then, the moment we dreaded arrived and the smell of Wonder Bread “cooking” in the toaster no longer thrilled him. We said our good-byes.  Fourteen years later, Wonder Bread is back and hopefully a mainstay of our diet next to the rye breads, and homemade food. Its texture and taste makes for killer egg, chicken, turkey, ham, tuna and salmon salad sandwiches - bread crumbs and stuffing galore a by-product. Fancy sandwiches of a bygone era now take centre stage - crusts removed. Of course, the famous peanut butter and jam sandwich makes its own statement when made with WONDER bread.

For a brief moment in 1998, I simply did not care what our “Chush” ate, as long as it made him happy and fulfilled the doctor’s treatment mandate for him to gain precious weight. His wants and needs were paramount to our family. (He had outlived his prognosis anyway.) Now, it seems Wonder Bread does care. Is the elimination of the chemicals from its bread line history in the making? It is an excellent first step. Don’t stop there, Wonder bread. You must banish all chemicals, additives from another basic food we all buy: hot dog and hamburger buns. Your target audience, children, deserve it. We will all be watching.

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