If you look up any ‘healthy eating tips’ online, then you tend to see a lot of the same things. Drink plenty of water, have a colourful plate of food, and reduce your intake of things that saturated fats and processed foods. But in my experience, there is something missing; growing your own food.
For the past several summers, we have had an abundance of strawberries growing in our garden.
It started off with one small strawberry plant, and then year after year it just grew and grew. My children loved being out there over those peak months that they grow, and they would just grab the strawberries to eat, as well as picking them to then make something with them. We made smoothies, our own jam, sorbet, and plenty of strawberry filled goodness. We no longer have that strawberry patch after getting the extension to our house, so this summer it will be missed. There is something really important about growing your own fruit and vegetables.
Luckily for me, innocent have teamed up with Grow It Yourself for a campaign called The Big Grow. Now that we have some better weather, it has been the perfect time to be out in the garden and getting things planted. We have been planting peas over the past couple of weeks, and the children have enjoyed checking on them to see how things are going. They’ve each got a watering can, so have been making the most of using them and getting outdoors.
I know from our experience with the strawberries, and when the peas are fully grown, that the kids and I are much more aware of where our food comes from and just how long the process of growing food can be. I for one have been actively trying to reduce our food waste, and it is pretty crazy to think that you can throw something out that has taken someone (or yourself) weeks to grow.
But for the children, growing their own veg is a great way to help them better understand where their food comes from.
We have been talking about all of the things that these seeds needs to grow, and they both are the ones reminding me that they need watering. I hope that by growing some food themselves as children, it will make them be more mindful and conscious when they eat, as well as be more appreciative of the food that we have. From the things that have been saying to me, I know that they enjoy eating what we’ve grown; I just hope the healthy habits of eating plenty of fruit and veg (and growing it), will stick with them over time.
After two weeks…
You can sign up to receive your own Big Grow pack HERE and teachers can get their hands on free growing packs too. Really worth giving it a go! I think it is not only something fun to do with the children and encourage them to outdoors, but it helps them to take responsibility for something, as well as establish some good habits and get them learning all about Grow Systems.
Do you grow anything at home already? I like that you don’t need too much space to grow things like these pea shoots, so will work on doorsteps or windowsills if you don’t have much outside space. It would be great to hear what you think.
*post in collaboration with innocent. All opinions are my own.
I don’t grow anything as I don’t have a garden but I’d love to grow herbs and some vegetables when I move into a house x
It’s so lovely to see things grow. If you don’t have a garden, you could always use small plant pots inside and have your own personal supply of your favourite herbs!
We grow a few of our own fruit and veggies, strawberries and tomatoes have been most successful
Sounds great! Strawberries can be so expensive in shops so to have your own supply is great!
We love growing our own veg every year, it’s such a treat and the kids love to get involved. Also it’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I love the idea of reusing the cartons – that’s ace
Laura x
It’s such a good idea and kids loving trying it out!
Our ‘normal’ strawberries get eaten but slugs every year but we have lots of wild ones that grow in our garden. This year we’re trying to grow potatoes, tomatoes, beans and carrots. I’m going to go and have a look at the innocent scheme now though as it sounds like something my kids would enjoy 🙂
Sounds great, yes definitely look into the scheme!
I love the thought of growing your own food! I would love to have a garden one day but right now we are in a little apartment!
My children love growing things! I’d love a strawberry patch and growing peas looks like a cool idea too!
This sounds like a lovely campaign and a great way to get kids involved and teach them about Home growing.
I love that you can use the juice box to plant different kinds of veggies. I love the concept and I think it keeps the kids interested in helping out in the garden!
We don’t grow anything – but we’d like too! And how cute that you can use the cartons as planting pots for the seeds. So cute!
It’s a great idea. I think we are so divorced from where our food comes from it’s great to show children how things really grow.
My parents have been growing their own foods for years now and its something we grew up with but unfortunately living in the city I don’t have the luxury but this is important
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That’s why I can’t wait to have my own house and have a big garden. So happy to see that innocent are doing this, I’m a big fan of their drinks :D.
When I have a garden I want to grow some of my own vegetables as I love the idea of doing that x
I have recently started growing peppers inside and then onions, garlic and peppers in the garden and it’s exciting to see them grow and I can’t wait to eat them!
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I used to grow tomatoes as a kid with my mum and really enjoyed it but haven’t done anything like it in year, it’s super clever to use the juice cups for planting, what a great campaign from innocent!
How pleased does she look with her pea sachets, so cute! Funnily enough this year we bought some fruit plants including strawberries so maybe this is the start of our personal food garden. I love that you can grow the peas within the actual juice boxes
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Oh this is adorable, my kids would love to do this, I’ll sign up, thank you for sharing.
Its nice to have children involved in taking care of living things. I t gives them a sense of responsibility
I’m a big Innocent fan so I’m shocked that I haven’t heard about this yet! What an amazing idea. I love it.
I will try out this and see how it works,thanks for this great information,