Paradise greetings,
On Saturday while working at the rummage sale to raise money for the Vero Beach High School band's trip to play at Carnegie Hall over Spring Break, I overheard another parent say that 49 of 50 US states had snow! Extreme weather.
We have an extreme health situation on our hands that deserves extreme truth. Childhood obesity. Let's talk food. Let's talk rainbows. Let's talk variety, not volume. Let's talk truth. Extreme truth.
I am reading a book from the library. It's called "French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure." It's a great book. Mireille Guiliano first came to a wealthy Boston suburb as an exchange student, and while there she gained 25 pounds (she's 5'3"). When she returned home she was coached by the family physician how to make small changes and learn the habits of staying at a healthy weight for life.
Eating well is one of life's great pleasures. That's why I love to cook. Here's some tips from Guiliano's book which I also share whenever I teach: Take time to eat. Sit down to eat. Eat with new friends. Chew your food. Eat small meals. Eat healthy snacks. Stop eating when you are full. Smile. Eat the foods that are grown locally. Eat what's in season. Eat simply.
Parents must dare to care about their children's health. Parents must learn these lessons in order to provide the leadership, the knowledge, and the skills needed to feed their children. We are growing healthy kids...and parents, too. On March 2, Dr. William Elman, board certified pediatrician, will be the keynote speaker at Growing Healthy Kids' first Parent Workshop at Majestic Theater in Vero Beach. Call Allison at Youth Guidance at 772.226.3092 to RSVP. Let's pack the place. Come. Learn. Inspire. For free!
Growing Healthy Kids -improving the health - and lives - of children, one garden and one child at a time.
To your perfect health.
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids
