When you know better, you do better!

Since my son began school at the beginning of this year, I've become much more aware of how horrible the food is that the schools are serving. And from what I've seen in the media lately, our school lunches look better than a lot of the nation's in general. Personally, I went to a very small elementary school in the country where our lunches were completely homemade everyday, right down to the hamburger and hot dog buns. I was rudely awakened when I got to junior high. From that point on, I either skipped lunch or ate cake and milk. Healthy, right?

I pack Grayson's lunch, so I'm not really worried about him. I'm not thrilled that he is exposed to that type of food daily, but I'm far more concerned about the children on the free/reduced lunch plans that depend on the meal(s) they get at school for their nutrition. There is absolutely no logic in feeding any child unhealthy food, especially at the place they go to learn! I want to see whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, salad bars, less processed foods, more lean protein, less sugar and artificial flavors/colors, and more variety and color on the tray (which shouldn't be Styrofoam!).

I encourage you to watch this video and get involved in making changes. I've been emailing back and for with our school district's food services director, and I will be sharing more on that in a future blog. I feel passionate about this cause, and I hope you will join me. YOUR tax money is feeding our nation's children -YOU should have a say in what is being brought to the table. (Your tax money will also likely pay for their health care.) It takes a lot of voices for changes to be made, so let yours be heard.

I Heart Jamie Oliver!

As I have posted before, Jamie Oliver is a well known chef who is using his fame to help promote healthier eating in children and in schools. The following speech is quite moving and eye-opening. Our society seems to focus on the bad things that can happen to our kids - germs, kidnapping, homicide, etc. What we need to worry about is what we are doing to their bodies! Long video, but completely worth the time.



As parents, we are the ones who have to change this. Be passionate about it, make it a priority. Our kids are worth it. And remember - you're the parent...you make the rules!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

I'm really looking forward to this new show starting 3/26/10 on ABC. Jamie Oliver has been working for years to promote healthy eating habits in children, and I hope this show will have a big impact on our society.



The preview is so disturbing to me, but shows the need for this program and change!

Fed up with school lunches?

Thank you to my friend Elizabeth for pointing me toward this incredible blog. A teacher believed that school lunches weren't providing students with the nutrition they need and deserve, and therefore they aren't able to pay attention in the classroom. She has taken it upon herself to give up her normal nutritious lunches to eat school lunch every day in 2010, blog about it, and post pictures.

Fed Up: School Lunch Project
(I encourage you to read it all from the beginning!)

I hope her experiment will be a wake up call for parents and school systems. Let's not feed our children this processed junk! Advocate for healthier lunches (and breakfasts) in the school system - write letters, make phone calls, go to school board meetings etc. In the meantime, pack their lunch! Food is fuel, and our kids deserve the best.