Sunday, August 19, 2007

Response to a Comment

This is in response comments on my Johnson&Johnson post.

It makes me sad that apparently many of you feel that I am condescending in the way I write things on this blog. I dont understand, since Im usually writing against the FDA and large corporations, on behalf of our children, but if thats how Ive made you feel, I sincerely apologize.

I started this blog as a place to get out everything I was learning - it was driving me crazy having it all inside my head. I also wanted to help educate other moms so that they could make healther choices for their families like Im trying to do.

I started not knowing about trans fat, parabens, the dangers of plastics, etc. just like everyone else. Sacarasm that I sometimes use in my posts is directed ONLY at the agencies and corporations that KNOW things are dangerous and yet, because of money, continue to pass them down to consumers. It makes me FURIOUS that companies make choices they know will harm our children (case in point: Thomas the Train).

I cant take the passion out of my writing or my blog will be pointless. I will, however, do my best to write in a way that is encouraging to other moms who read. Again, please forgive me for the times that I have offended you.
- Rachel

4 comments:

mamashine said...

Thanks. The only reason I said anything is just because I do value your opinions, and I love that you're passionate about this stuff- and I'd hate for people to quit reading because they get offended for one reason or another.

You don't generally offend me, because you're very much like my mother. :) When I do get my feelings hurt, it's usually because you've hit a touchy subject with me- some product that I already feel bad about not eliminating. Which is totally not your fault- and you see I do keep coming back to find out more every time you post. AND started another blog kind of like this one, except maybe chewymama for dummies, because I'm way behind you on the learning curve.

keep it up. :)

rachelle said...

I enjoy reading your blog soooo much, Rachel. I was just thinking today, and this reminded me, of my journey. One example of the changes I've made is bread. I grew up eating a lot of white bread. My mom always ate wheat, but my dad preferred white so we usually at that too. As I got older, into high school, I started eating wheat bread. When David and I got married, I bought wheat bread. Just the plain old, cheap wheat bread. I thought I was being healthy. Then I remember reading online that "wheat" bread wasn't really wheat so you need to get 100% whole wheat. So for about 3-4 years I've been buying 100% whole wheat. THEN I read (hadn't really looked at the ingredients, I guess) that most 100% whole wheat bread has High Fructose Corn Syrup. So now I buy bread without that. My journey in other areas has been much the same...we can only change what we do when we KNOW about it...and when we know better we do better.

So, thanks for sharing all you're learning. It's so wonderful!

Alli said...

I love your blog, too, Rachel. I've been making small changes as I can. Like Kelli said, I'm in a completely different place in the learning curve and it's really frustrating to me because even though I know what's bad and what's best, often times, I can't do anything about it because of our budget. So it's really hard to read your blog, to go do the research and then still not be able to do anything about it (seriously, with a toiletry budget of $15 a month, I can't spend $8-$11 of it on CA baby, like I'd like to).

ANYWAY, do keep it up! I've learned a lot from you.

Rachel said...

Thank you for your kind words - I need them yesterday!

Let me just say again for the record that I am not perfect. I cant afford everything I want to get either so I prioritize and do my best. I definitely know how frustrating it is to have to get something that is less expensive but that you know is less healthy. What I do in those situations is just pray for that item and let it go.

Dh and I are always working on buying NO extras so we can afford our food budget - with the kids allergies we have way less choice than most.

Im still on the learning curve too. There are many way beyond me as well and Im learning from them. A lot of times I know a little, research for my blog, and learn a lot more. So Im learning with you :)

I do feel like the biggest hypocrite in the world when I eat trans fat (because of this blog) so slowly things like that are ending up on my "I never eat it" list but its a slow, slow process! When we go out to dinner or are at friends house, etc. I dont worry about it for second.

We are all learning - the most important part is that we do our best we can with what we know. Like Rachelle said - "Know Better - Do Better". You are all awesome moms and we are honoring God with caring for the little ones He has blessed us with, the best we can - whatever that looks like! :)