McDonald's

My oldest son is 7. He is in first grade at a public school in Broward County, Florida.

Not surprisingly, I have many opinions on how the issue of food is treated in this school. Of course the lunches are pretty gross. Candy is used as a prize in the classroom, a concept I really do not support. Every time I have been to the school, the kids are offered only sugary, brightly-colored drinks, never water.

Last week even I was shocked. My son came home and told me that the class had a vote on what to eat at their end-of-the-year party. The winner? McDonald's. ok. I just listened to him. I didn't react. It's like I feel like I live on a planet with a population of one. What is McDonald's doing in the school????? Doesn't anyone else see that this is the epitome of so much that is wrong with this country?

My son was so cute. He said 'mom, I didn't vote for it. And I want you to send me lunch that day because I know it's gross and I don't want to eat it." I told him he can eat it. It's ok.

In over 7 years of being a mom it would be a lie to say I have never fed my children McDonald's. It did happen once. We were stuck at JFK airport in what ended up being a 27 hour flight delay. We went to the food area and I caved. I bought McDonald's. That, however, is the only time that has happened. No McDonald's, BK, Wendy's, nothing, nada, nicht. And I just do not understand how it is that an educator of small children can think it's ok to feed them such garbage AND to associate it with a fun activity.

On a related topic, I think there should be no corporate presence in the schools whatsoever. I know there is no money and these companies give money or proceeds or whatever, but just raise taxes like a civilized society and have the schools be a sanctuary. Don't feed my kids garbage, don't discuss religion, don't send messages favoring certain businesses. Teach them, keep them save and send them back to me. Thank you.

Does anyone agree with me??

hot dogs

This weekend we didn't cook much. Last night we had tickets to the baseball game courtesy of my husband's work. We each had a ticket (we being me, my husband and our 2 sons. The baby stayed home) and a food coupon good for one hot dog, one bag of chips and one soft drink. no substitutions.

Now I don't eat hot dogs. As a matter of fact I don't eat any 'red meat'. Personal choice. So I bought myself a boca burger at the game and that was that. Everyone else enjoyed their hot dogs. The American way, right?

Today we went to an organized picnic. What was there to eat? Hot dogs. Oh, and pb&j for those crazy non-hot dog eaters. So I, who usually pride myself on trying to feed my kids real food, especially on the weekends when we tend to eat together as a family for lunch, watched my sons eat more hot dogs. But I'm flex. I try to go with the flow. So they had hot dogs last night and today for lunch. They'll survive and they had a great time.

Thing is - - - - WTF that the assumption is that everyone likes and wishes to consume hot dogs? Or are they the only option sometimes because they're cheap and are they cheap because they're gross and if you saw how they were made you probably would not want to eat them? Ew. I know most people like them. And even though they may not consume them on a regular basis, they will at the occasional ball game or bbq. It's just really amazing to me that I found myself in the situation twice within 36 hours.

So I had pb&j and cole slaw for lunch.
And next time I go to a baseball game I just may pack a sandwich.

But tofu hot dog stands at the stadiums or the streets on NY?? Now there's an idea.

Any takers?