Natura Matris

The Birkenstock's and yoga pants should have been a giveaway. And the Burt's Bees lipgloss. I just thought Juliet was cool. I thought I was cool when I bought matching chapstick for me and my daughter. Juliet would never buy chapstick. She makes her own baby food and always has fresh fruit in her house.

I bought a bunch of reusable grocery bags, which I have used twice in six months. I always leave them at home or forget they are in the car. Not Juliet. She faithfully brings her canvas bags to the neighborhood grocery store. And she walks! I had my suspicions but they were confirmed today. She is the Natura Matris, the organic mom.

She is way past organic Rice Krispies and eco-friendly lightbulbs. I took my two youngest kids to the store today to get eggs to dye for Easter. I found the dye that comes with plastic cups you use to dye the eggs and then you throw the whole kit away. We head to the egg section in search of the cheapest dozen eggs sold. Making our way up the aisle, I can't help but notice the mom already carefully examining the egg cartons. She looks so healthy. And her kids don't have a free cookie clutched in their little hands, nor are they on their way up the sugar high curve. It was Juliet.

"Hi," I said reaching for the store brand eggs. "Getting ready for the Easter Bunny," I ask. "Yes," Juliet smiled. I look at her buggy. There is not a single item of junk food. My kids look at her cart like it's some alien spaceship. I'm pretty sure my son audibly gagged when he saw the broccoli. Thank goodness we didn't have our usual cart crammed full of frozen pizza and Cereal boxes all bearing some cartoon character or Disney star. That Hannah Montana cereal is good!

On top of her pile of reusable grocery bags, I see a recipe card for homemade natural egg dye. I hid my egg dye kit which I learned at home, contained not a single natural ingredient. "Do you see free range," Juliet asks. "Ummm, No." She then explained the importance of free range, even for egg related craft projects. I knew at that moment, Natura Matris.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries, "Isn't Spring Break flying by" and promised to get the kids together next week. As we left the parking lot, I saw Juliet loading her wagon. I imagine her dying her eggs with the color of organic green tea. We finished our eggs and although the dye contains many capital letters and numbers in its ingredients, it's hard to beat hot pink Easter Eggs with High School Musical stickers!