“This highlights a deeper issue in our community: We tend to be too trusting — gullible, even”

True Food [Big Food Wants You / Issue 944]

I enjoyed your article on processed foods and found it very informative. I wanted to mention a website that my pediatrician brought to our attention that can help consumers make better food choices. The website TrueFood (www.truefood.tech) lists 5,000 of the most common foods and rates them based on how processed their ingredients are. They then have a breakdown of all the ingredients in a food and explain the origin of each one. Not everything on it is kosher, but there are many foods that are, and it can be a helpful guide in general.

T.K.

Why the Surprise? [Big Food Wants You / Issue 944]

This topic has been eating at me for a long time, and I truly appreciate Family First for tackling it head-on and publishing honest, well-researched information. Finally, someone said it: “Healthy chips” is an oxymoron. I don’t care if it’s made from pea powder and rice — it’s still deep-fried!

The tone of the article came across as somewhat surprised — almost shocked —that the food industry is in it for the money and not genuinely interested in our well-being.

To me, this highlights a deeper issue in our community: We tend to be too trusting — gullible, even. I say this with love and understanding, because I believe it comes from a sincere, even holy, place. We want to believe that people are good and here to help. And in our circles, baruch Hashem, that often is the case.

But the broader world doesn’t always share those values. When it comes to what we bring into our homes, we must stay informed and vigilant.

Meira P.

High Fever [Living Room / Issue 944]

In your article about tips for navigating the ER, Dr. Aaron R. mentioned that he has never seen a fever above 104̊. I just want to share that my eight-month-old son had 106-degree fever for a week straight. We ended up going to the ER and they told us to make sure to keep the fever down. Just for context, he tested positive at that time for the flu, Covid, strep, a double ear infection, and shigella. I’m sure this doesn’t happen often, but it can happen. I had to make cool baths for him to keep the fever down when the Tylenol/Motrin started wearing off, and keeping him hydrated was a real struggle. It was extremely stressful, but we got through it.

Thanks for giving me a platform to relive that experience.

Anonymous

I Wish [Connections / Issue 944]

I enjoyed Sarah Chana Radcliffe’s response to a mother who was down about her inability to make her children happy. It was packed with practical and common-sense information for parents.

I’d like to add another tool I came across some years ago that can help parents cope with grumpy kids. It’s called “granting the child their wish in fantasy.” So, let’s say five-year-old Rivky comes down to breakfast and looks for her favorite cereal, corn flakes, just in time to see four-year-old Moishe pour the last portion of corn flakes into his bowl. Before she can protest, he quickly makes a brachah and tucks in. Rivky blows her top.

Rivky: It’s not fair! Moishe finished all the corn flakes!

Mommy: There’re other cereals you can have. What about crispy rice?

Rivky: I don’t like crispy rice. I’m gonna go to school hungry, all because of Moishe!

Mommy: Honey, I wish I could wave a magic wand and make a new box of cereal appear right now. Actually, I wish I could make five new boxes appear. No, ten.

Rivky, giggling despite herself: Twenty boxes.

Mommy: A hundred! Enough boxes for the whole street.

Rivky: We could open a cereal shop! Hey, can I have a banana instead, Mommy?

Mommy, sighing in relief: Sure!

Works like a charm.

R. Atkins QTS NPSLBA,

London, UK

One Day, You’ll Be Able To [Lifetakes / Issue 944]

Gila Roth’s article about how she felt ashamed she needed help after birth brought back such warm memories! Fifteen plus years ago, when my oldest daughter was in high school, she took responsibility for night-sitting the yummiest four-month-old baby whose mother was recovering from appendicitis. Every afternoon when his Tatty brought him over, we’d race to the door to greet baby Chaim (and be the first to hold him). For an entire month — including Purim when we made him a costume to match our family’s — he was our guest of honor. It was a privilege that my kids still speak about fondly!

Gila, you don’t need to feel embarrassed to ask for help. One day, when you’re able to, you’ll do chesed for someone else. And you’ll know to give them the feeling that they’re doing you the favor by letting you help out.

Elkie Kantor

Yerushalayim 

It’s a Wonder Drug [Real Life / Issue 943]

In this story, the narrator underwent a harrowing experience with treatment-resistant depression. Early in the story she said that Sertraline, the anti-depressant she was put on, is like paracetamol to a cancer patient. I take issue with this. It didn’t work for her, I hear, but it helps thousands of people daily, even some on a very low dose, suffering from depression. I was prescribed Sertraline by the same Nightingale hospital the narrator used for her alternative treatment. Please don’t discourage people from using an amazing drug.

Name Withheld

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 946)