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In harmony with nature and the human being

Since 1921 Green Parent TheWELCOME TO

Iam blessed to come from a family that takes its food seriously. When we all get together, conversation and laughter usually takes place around a large table filled with culinary delights. We all love to eat and appreciate good food. This is in the main because of the way my mother raised her children. Always passionate about the earth and green issues, she decided that we should become vegetarian when we were young. Veggie food was decidedly obscure then but Mum mostly made everything from scratch so it didn’t matter. I don’t remember knowing any other vegetarian children until my teens. We used to go to Cranks in Covent Garden for a special treat and it was like a whole new world of tastes and flavours. My mum was also into growing her own; she kept an allotment and many summer evenings were spent hanging out amongst the fruit bushes and bean canes, munching our way through vast quantities of homegrown. Being vegetarian during pregnancy it seemed natural that my own children would eat a similar diet when they were born. They just starting eating the curries and stews that we were eating and all went well until around the age of six when my eldest daughter refused anything that wasn’t pasta and pesto. That lasted for about four years by the end of which I was a bit of a wreck at mealtimes. Luckily she’s always been into raw veg and fruit so snacks were at least providing some nutrients. We’ve now entered a new phase of family dining and it’s become one of my favourite times of the day. As always we sit down and eat together at least twice a day (sometimes four or five times!), but now we eat greens and more from the garden, we share stories and troubles, laughter and silliness. We often prepare food together and everyone mucks in when it comes to getting dinner on the table and clearing away. We’re working on turning the washing up into a communal activity but, you know, baby steps… In this issue we have some great ideas for getting children involved in the kitchen and some inspirational ideas to try out, from gluten free bakes to a fabulous long fermentation bread recipe. Happy creating and eating!

Editor’s Letter

"We’re working on turning the washing up into a communal activity but, you know, baby steps…

Melissa Corkhill, Editor

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Zion Lights lives in the West Midlands with her husband, their one year old daughter and an assortment of pets and plants including composting worms. She writes on how to become an urban farmer in one of our main features this issue. Her favourite way to relax is “singing or writing in a green space with baby at my side - and a rooibos tea and chunk of vegan chocolate!” And her most exciting experience? “Giving birth to my baby girl. I wish I could do it all again!” The best place in the world for Zion is “wild camping in Dartmoor with my family and friends”.

Kathy Hurst has two children, Dylan, four, and Carys, three. Her parenting style is “continually striving to emulate my ever-patient mum who gave out love and cuddles in bucket loads. My most exciting experience was giving birth to my daughter. After the midwife was delayed, she was delivered by my grandmother – then aged 90.” In this issue, Kathy describes how her grandmother inspired her to take up dressmaking. And the best place in the world? “On a sandy beach, surrounded by my family, watching the children splash about in the waves.”

Alice Metcalf has a two year old son, Leo. She lives in Dorset with her husband and as well as being a freelance journalist, she plays the violin and runs her own string quartet. She writes for us on using the power of the placenta. What's your parenting style? “It is important that I am loving, caring, respectful and respected." Favourite way to relax? “At the weekend we have eggs and toast while reading the paper. It is my favourite part of the week.” Most exciting experience? “I was very proud to reach the top of Kilimanjaro - I never thought I could go six days without a shower!”

The Green Parent 3