126 The Complete Home Guide life stages

to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition 126

8
Life Stages

This chapter is a commentary on the natural development of the human

body, with emphasis on those times when healthy growth and
development may need extra care and attention — be it to ensure correct
hormone balance or sufficient nourishment of certain organs and systems.
All are aimed toward achieving a healthy and happy mind, spirit, and
body.

Childhood
Children are the new generation and should therefore be given guidance,
love, support, and appropriate protection to enable them to develop into
healthy and balanced adults. Children do not belong to parents but have
their own unique lives, yet parents are fully responsible for the unfolding
and nurturing of their development — some task!
One of the best gifts children can be given is that of good health. Good
nutrition is the basis of good health; it is the fuel that builds and sustains
the physical body and also influences emotional development.
Calcium, vitamin C, and magnesium are essential for growing children;
therefore consider food sources for all of these, like citrus fruit, walnuts,
parsley, and sunflower seeds. Superfood is pleasant-tasting if made with
fresh fruits and is full of essential nutrients. A daily cup of tea made from
nettle leaf, dandelion root, chamomile flower, or hibiscus flower will also
support children — in fact, any simple herb tea will be preferable to tea,
coffee, artificial fruit juice mixes, and sodas.
If you choose to bring your child up as a vegetarian, you must ensure
that you replace the nutrients that meat would have provided. Chapter 4
gives fuller information on all aspects of food and nutrition.

babies and toddlers

When feeding babies and young toddlers, it is always best to use a variety
of homemade meals. Some nutritious and easy recipes follow.

Breakfast
A good nutritional balance would consist of 50 percent ground organic
millet flakes (or cooked whole millet) and 50 percent fresh alkaline fruit
or vegetables — preferably organic, including apple, peach, banana,