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These 3 neighborhood kids keep stopping by to use the phone then lingering ever since I lured them in with yummy snacks. (Wonder if their mom minds. Ha!)
I couldn’t very well have someone in my home without offering a snack or a tea, so I asked them one day if they wanted a banana or anything to eat. The youngest asked for candy. Tricky little guy. The tables turned when…
I asked him with VERY BIG EYES if he had ever tried a coconut from Thailand. I told him I could make a smoothie with it that tastes like caramel. Then I showed him where Thailand is and the knife (a cleaver) I would have to use to open it. His eyes got big too.
So, of course… he bit. Who wouldn’t? He had to stand at the bar to be far, far away from my cleaver. First I sharpened my chef’s knife, which the kids found just fascinating. Then I sliced off the top of the coconut and whacked it several times with the cleaver.
They all tried the water inside, which got mixed reviews. (This reminded me, I’d like to get some glass straws to have for situations like this – would have been much more fun to drink out of a straw!)
Next up, I poured the rest of the water in my blender. Then I scooped the white meat out with a spoon. I got the agave and told them how it comes from a prickly cactus.
Finally, the vanilla bean! That was a sight to see. I told them about how it comes from a pretty yellow orchid and how precious vanilla beans are. I showed them the beans inside, how there are thousands of them. But then I used the beans and bark because, well, why waste it when you’ve got a blender like a Vita-Mix?!
Add the scoop of ice, and bam, that is a drink no one could resist! But why should they? The young boy even got to turn the dial on the Vita-Mix, which he sure had fun with! As they were sipping and “mmm”ing I told them how when it’s really hot outside the water from this coconut takes away your thirst like water does, but even better! Kind of like Gatorade from a tree, I said.
I didn’t use the word “healthy” though, no way! I didn’t want to do anything beyond plant the seeds in a positive way.
One day, after those seeds have had the opportunity to grow a bit, I will tell them it’s healthy. But they just keep coming back for more. Ha! I need to make sure they are fully addicted before I let them know it’s healthy! Now that’s tricky! [Insert Evil Eva Mwuhaha laugh here.]
So, here is the the thing… There is nothing to be shy about with raw food. Just because it’s raw, doesn’t mean it’s tasteless. Just because it’s healthy, doesn’t mean it’s torture. It’s not tasteless or torture, not even close! So, no need to assume that kids will not enjoy it. In fact, the flavors are so rich and vibrant and often naturally sweet, that you may as well assume kids WILL enjoy it.
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PLEASE TAKE NOTE! Would you like to use this article in your e-zine or on your website? You can, as long as you include the below blurb and link to the newsletter along with it.
This article was originally found in Raw News Bites, Eva Rawposa’s free weekly e-zine for raw food lovers and anyone looking to feel great. You can get your FREE recipes and tips, and your free subscription to Raw News Bites, at www.uncooking101.com. PLUS you will receive a link to download Eva’s book “Around the World in 8 Easy Recipes” when you sign up, as your WELCOME GIFT!
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