Lollipops are very seductive. To watch someone suck a lollipop is to witness an intimate experience. I totally understand the appeal of lollipops though I've never really approved (the usual teeth-rotting-infantile arguments). I've always groaned inside when a shopkeeper cheerfully bestows one on Ruben. Once it's handed over I won't take it away. But if I see the hand roving towards a jar, I've been known to give some pretty mean eye-signals to avert the situation. And, I think, until today I had never actually bought him one.
However a little of what you fancy does you good; prohibition only increases desire. I believe that if you give your kids quality they will develop taste, sensibility and themselves become discerning. In Britain there is an excessive abundance of sweets and chocolates in every corner shop, and most of it is oversweetened, tasteless and synthetic. We consume more than anyone else in Europe. Occasionally some years the Irish beat us.
Anyway, so far my food policy is not to ban anything, but insist that we get versions without "chemicals", that are "the really good ones". This has evolved into a kind of food-hunt, to explore the best chocolate and confectionery shops in London ( Asterix & the Banquet was always my favourite Asterix and Obelix book). It's never our exclusive destination, but if a journey will swing near a "sweet spot", I'm happy to make a significant detour. Refusing crap sweets at other times is easier, because I do make good on these visits. Today we passed by Rococo Chocolates. I am now hooked on pure chocolate nibs. High as I write this. But Ruben just really wanted a peppermint lollipop. The big one. With stripes.
On previous occasions we've visited Montezuma's in Spitalfields (two lawyers turned Chocolatiers), Paul A Young (chocolate sculptures) at the Angel Islington and the classic Marine Ices Ice-cream Restaurant in Chalk Farm. Plus Leila's Shop always has great treats.
My boy lollipop - be do bee, do
He makes my heart go giddy-up
2 comments:
:)
i love the series of pics *
in the states stuff is oversweetened....
i was thinking about sugar the other day due to the comparison of store bought tomatoe sauces (bear with me)...in the states as compared to the ones i buy here...in the states it is so much sweeter...not to mention it comes in much bigger packaging...
there must be a reasoning behind this?
have a great sunday..
mary
We try to keep Noak away from white sugar. (We do not eat it eather.) But he is soooo interested in the sweet stuff though. Feel you have a very healthy approach to this Alix - as in most things you do with your son!
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