Yesterday we took our middle little GIANT to try on his Tuxedo, as he is to be the "Ring Man" (he coined this phrase because he did not like the title of ring bearer) this Saturday in my cousin's wedding. Afterwards we decided to take the little GIANTS to get a treat at the self-serve frozen yogurt shop called ZOYO. We decided it was the perfect opportunity to teach them that even with this new way of eating, every now and then, we can still get YUMMY treats!
Before we walked over to the yogurt shop I had a chat with the little GIANTS. I explained to them that this place would have lots of flavors to choose from, but that we were going to find the Gluten free/Dairy free flavors and that would be what we choose. If for some reason they didn't like those flavors, we wouldn't be able to eat any frozen yogurt. I also explained the topping bar to them and said that the same went for that, only Gluten free/Dairy free toppings allowed. The little GIANTS nodded their heads and said " Yes Mom" with a very surprisingly understanding and excited tone of voice! We held hands and were off to find our delicious treat with Daddy and baby little GIANT following behind.
We entered the shop and got our taste cups and yogurt dish in hand and ready to fill. As we looked at all the different flavors we found that most of them were Gluten free, but as suspected, not Dairy free. We kept looking. They asked if they could have Chocolate, the Root beer flavor, and Vanilla. I calmly told them that those flavors were not Dairy free and that we needed to keep looking. There was not one protest! At last, we had found it, the one and ONLY, Gluten free and Dairy free flavor. The flavor was Pomegranate Raspberry Sorbet. I filled their taste cups and in unison they said "MMMMMMM!!!!" So we filled up our big cups and then proceeded to the topping bar.
Now this is where I thought things were going to get hairy. I could picture a meltdown and tantrum in my very near future. As they looked at all the chocolate chips, candy, sprinkles, pretzels, cookie pieces, gummy worms and gummy bears, their eyes lit up! Again, I calmly explained that we needed to find the Gluten free and Dairy free things. So at the end of the topping bar we found lots of fresh fruit. The middle little GIANT and I decided on fresh strawberries and pineapple, while the oldest little GIANT chose cherries and strawberries (Daddy was the only one who put cookies on his sorbet, LOL!). We paid and then sat down to enjoy! Our youngest little GIANT took a taste and puckered up since it was a little tart, but then came back for more, and some more, and some more! I think he ended up eating more than me!
Our first outing trying our best to pick Gluten free and Dairy free was a success! Now, I know that the ingredients probably weren't organic and most likely contained some artificial sweeteners, but we're okay with that, in moderation. We want our little GIANTS to be able to enjoy being little GIANTS and for some reason going for ice cream (or in our case, frozen yogurt) is a mandatory part of childhood! This is something that we will only do every so often and on those occasions, will allow the few non "wholefood" elements. We don't want our little GIANTS to feel as if they've been deprived of things throughout their childhood to the point that they completely go over board when they're BIG GIANTS. We want to educate them on how they can find balance in eating this way and help them to see that they're not really missing out on anything. So far, it seems to be pretty well understood by the little GIANTS as they all left with smiles on their faces and our middle little GIANT with a purple pomegranate raspberry sorbet goat-t surrounding his!
As we proceed on this journey, I'm sure there will be days that don't end up as successful! But as we do continue down this path God has us on, we are committed to covering it in prayer. I've been praying even for the simple things like the little GIANTS taste buds changing and finding joy in eating these new foods and that the cravings for the old food would go away. God is faithful and we will continue to seek and follow Him while Living Life with 3 little GIANTS!
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