I just got done writing an email to Middle’s teacher explaining why I was hesitant to send him on an upcoming field trip to a farm.  My hang up is the lunch that will be served to every child with no exceptions or sack lunch options. It’s hot dogs and some other side dishes.  Is it really a news flash that children are more vulnerable than adults to the effects of toxins and other junk in everyday life? Yet, I see it happen over and over, the celebration of being a child revolving around junk food.  Happy Meals and candy are the American way. We have two specific holidays to either look for candy or beg for it.  No wonder why our children are health compromised.  The really sad part is their state of ill health is so prevalent that it has become the norm or “average” which has translated into “normal”.  Allergies, ear infections, asthma, eczema, chronic colds, ADD, ADHD, autism... what’s next, the “normalizing” of childhood cancer? Don’t get me wrong, my children are not excluded from this either.  My oldest has been experiencing signs of puberty really early and both Middle and Big have struggled with warts.  If I could change some of the things my kids ate or were exposed to in the past I would, but I can’t, so I’m going to at least do the best I can with the knowledge I have in the moment.  As for the hot diggity dogs... well, what can I say. The nitrates and nitrites in hot dogs are potentially as dangerous as cigarettes and I know no one would look at me weird for not letting my kids smoke.  Just some food for thought, Jule