It's Peanut, Butter, Jelly Time!!

 
Last night, I had a great idea while watching Family Guy.  Hearing Brian, the dog, sing "Peanut, Butter, Jelly Time" got me thinking.  How cool would it be to have a day where my kids - Peanut, Butter, and Jelly - got to express their ideas, thoughts, and concerns about topics I give them?

I decided to sit down with them this morning, and we had a chat about it.  They were all for it.  So, I came up with a few questions.  I decided to start off with something related to weight loss....being that is the topic (most of the time) on this blog. 

The questions were tough, but I was pleasantly surprised with some of their answers.  So, here we go...the first installment of Peanut, Butter, Jelly Time.

Me - What are your thoughts on the current childhood obesity epidemic?

Peanut - I think parents should help kids with healthy eating habits.  Give kids better foods, like more vegetables and stuff.  I think parents should be in charge of that, though, and maybe schools, but that's it.  No one else should be allowed to tell people what to feed their kids.

Butter - Parents should make schedules and plans for when and what their kids eat.  Parents could put it in the schedule that their kids can eat junk food once a week.

It's amazing how much this kid is just like me.  Did you hear that?  Schedules and plans!!  This kid is definitely mine.

Me -   Why do you think junk food should be eaten once a week?

Butter - So kids don't get too skinny.  They'd lose too much weight if they didn't eat junk food some times.

Jelly - When I go to school, I have to eat breakfast, lunch, and snack.  That's it.

*Giggles from Peanut and Butter*

Jelly - Shut up!  I'm talking to Momma!  This is important.

Me - What do you think about your mom always worrying about weight loss?

Butter - Do we need input from the Peanut Gallery?  *Giggles*

Peanut - *Rolls eyes at Butter* I think you've been slacking.  When you did do your walking and running and stuff, that helped me too.  It was kinda like Mom & Daughter time.  You should start planning your meals again - just less rice though, OK?  I can tell when you're starting to gain weight - you get stressed and angry more.  When you was losing weight, you were more laid back.

Me - Interesting.  You really think so?

Peanut - Yeah.  You were a lot happier when you was working hard to lose weight. In sarcastic voice:  Now, let's hear from High Cholesterol. *Giggles*

Butter - I like it when you eat healthier, like, we can have a healthier family, like, we go out and do more stuff.  Because when you're not eating healthy or exercising, like, we stay in the house more.  Also, well, I guess that's it.

Jelly - We can eat soup with ketchup  More juice.  You drink coffee. 

Me - What about exercising?

Jelly - Do we still have exercising?  Like push-ups?  Oh, and punching.  No.  I like Yoga better, Momma.  Let's do that.

Me - Do you think people worry too much about how they look?

Peanut - Yes and no.  I think like, honestly, you should care and not look horrible all of the time.

Me - Remember we're talking about weight loss.

Peanut - I know.  I think that someone who hardly eats and exercises all of the time - that's too much.  But, I think that people feel better when they eat healthy and exercise some.

Me - Are you talking about me?

Peanut - Yes.  Well, the part about feeling better - not the person who over does it.  That's definitely not you.

Me - *Evil look*

Butter - Yes.  People care too much because they are so worried about what they eat and how fat they are and stuff.

Me - So, people shouldn't worry about that?

Butter - I guess they can.  Just not so much. 

Jelly - They're pretty.  

Me - Who are?

Jelly - The people.  Sissy, and you, and me.

Me - Do you think we look good?

Jelly - Yes.  Gorgick.

Me - Do you think Momma is too fat?

Jelly - No.  You're pretty. Can I have a piece of chocolate?

Me - If you were put in charge of ending obesity, what would you do and why?

Peanut - I wouldn't charge so much to go to a gym.  The economy is bad so people don't have the time or money to go to the gym.  I would change that.  Maybe give everyone a raise that had to be used to go to the gym?  I would also raise the prices of junk food so healthy food was the cheapest option.  Then there would be no more excuses about healthy eating costing to much.  In schools, I'd give 45 minutes of more P.E. time - so kids were exercising more.  It would have to be cardio or running or something.  Actual exercise, no playing stupid games.

Butter - I'd put more healthy foods in restaurants, and less desserts.  I'm make fast food places use less oil, too.  Then people would have more healthy choices.  They'd still be able to have a dessert at a restaurant, though cause they ate a healthy dinner.  Oh, and I'd put healthier foods in gas stations - instead of Slim Jim's and stuff. So that way, people would have healthier snacks for road trips.  I'd keep the drinks the same - I guess.  I definitely couldn't take out the coffee - I don't want a road trip with you and no coffee.

Peanut - I thought of something else.  Parking lots need to be built further away from buildings.  That way people would have to walk more.

Jelly - Eat stuff like Goldfish.  Drink juice.  Have cups at the store for candy.  You like eat or drink a spray.  Stomp your feet more, and dance.

That's freakin' genius!!  I don't know where she got that from...but could you imagine eating and drinking through a spray?

Me - Anything you'd like to say about Peanut, Butter, Jelly Time?  Do you think you'd like to do it again?

Peanut - We got to give our thoughts without getting into trouble.  That was good.  I wanna keep doing it, as long as it's about different stuff.  This was kinda boring.  Maybe we could have a debate or something?  I wanna be on the debate team at school - this could be good practice.

Butter - I wanna keep doing it because I get to give my input.  I had to think a lot more.  It's kinda like good practice for school and stuff.

Jelly - Yes.  Because.

Me - Because why?

Jelly - Just because.  That is it.

Me - What topics would you like to talk about in the future?

Peanut - War, bullying,

Butter - Responsibilities, behavior,

Me:  Remember, this is supposed to be fun.  Are those topics you want to talk about?

Peanut - Oh, well, this wasn't really fun.  I mean, a fun topic.  How about TV shows, music, school?

Butter:  Books, cars, pollution

Jelly - Stuff we do, stuff I can write.  I wanna write it.  Can I write it?

Peanut - OK, I'm outta here.

Butter - Me too.

So there you have it.  It's very interesting to hear their perceptions on stuff like this.  I can only imagine what I could come up with in the future.  I don't guess it went too bad, for being a spur of the moment kind of thing.

I'm definitely gonna have to think of some fun topics to ask them about - any suggestions?  What do you think?  Could I possibly turn this into a regular feature on the blog? I guess we shall see.

OK, folks...in the words of my oldest:  I'm outta here.

Till next time. ;)

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