Paradise greetings,
This week's job is getting our teaching gardens planted. Last week I attended a workshop called, "Planning Your Spring Garden," by our county extension agent. She said it's time to plant lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, and other "cool weather" plants now.
So we're "springing" into action, digging in the dirt, and growing healthy kids! By Friday night, in my volunteer time the kids and I will have planted our "salad gardens" throughout the county.
At last week's salad party for the younger children who attend The Willow School, all the kids delighted in having salad using lettuce they had grown! They learned how to make a sharp vinegrette dressing. It was awesome watching them crunch down on fresh veggies full of vitamins!
By making small changes in what our children eat and teaching them how to eat healthy using fresh ingredients (let's see, we picked the lettuce, washed it, and 5 minutes later we were eating it - yes, that's FRESH!!) we will get them - and us - to healthier weights.
I am passionate about making a difference in teaching kids - and their families - that simple changes in what and how we eat and move restore the energy balance between the calories we eat and drink and the calories we spend. The way I see it, the more we collaborate, the bigger the results and the healthier the kids. It takes a Healthy Village to Raise Healthy Kids. How healthy is YOUR village?
Because I cannot stand by while obese children struggle with carrying 70 or 100 excess pounds, I am committed to being a voice for raising awareness among school personnel, after-school program personnel, and parents.
Let me know if you can help us plant the salad gardens in Indian River County this week! Go plant your own! And please send me a message and tell us what does YOUR favorite chopped salad contain? I'll forward all responses to The First Lady, Michelle Obama, so she knows we are ALL working - and playing - together in America's garden to get kids fit!
Growing Healthy Kids - one garden and one child at a time.
To your perfect health,
Nancy Heinrich
Founder, Growing Healthy Kids
