We have to recalibrate our concept of “normal.” Because we live in a society in which eating ice cream, birthday cake, rich desserts, and sugary snacks on a daily basis is considered normal.If you don’t stop at Ben and Jerry’s at the mall, then you’re missing out. And you’re giving your kids a joyless, stingy existence.It’s hard to take that stance when your kids are small. And it’s no fun being the spoilsport parent when all the other parents are indulging their kids.I asked Yael Zivan, now 17, to chat with me about her current sweet tooth, and what she remembers about our family transition away from junk food toward natural sources of sweet. We sat outside, so the birds gave us their two cents as well.