MOTIVATING KIDS TO TRY NEW FOODS is a challenge for
parents. At the first “Meet the Author”
program held at the Sebastian Boys and Girls Club, Growing Healthy Kids founder
Nancy Heinrich talked with kids about what inspired her to write Nourish and
Flourish, her new book for parents about what kids (and parents) need to
eat to stay at healthy weights. According
to Heinrich, “Parents pick up their kids from Growing Healthy Kids' education programs
and the kids can’t stop talking about the great foods they learned to
make. We kept getting requests from
parents to come up with a book for families to make it easier to eat
better. Their requests inspired us to write this book.”
In a frank discussion with the kids about inspiration,
Heinrich talked about the steps involved from taking an idea to a published
book that all the kids got to see up close.
Her discussion prompted lots of young hands to go up in response to her
questions to the kids about what ideas they have for writing their own books. She offered several tips such as identifying
a favorite pen or pencil to write with and taking ten minutes a day to write in
a favorite notebook or journal. Club Art Director
Ella Chabot-Policare, who invited Heinrich to conduct the first “Meet the
Author” program in November 2012, prompted the children to create artwork based on the Nourish
and Flourish theme. See below for the art of two Boys and Girls Club participants inspired by the first "Meet the Author" program:
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The best part of the "Meet the Author" program just might have been the snack
Heinrich made for the children from one of the recipes in Nourish and Flourish: Artichoke-
Lemon Hummus served with fresh celery and carrots. It was a big hit enjoyed by even the younger
kids when they saw the eyes of their friends light up with delight and surprise
as they had their first taste of the garbanzo bean dish and proclaimed it tasty
and delicious! Who knew it could be so
much fun to eat healthy!
Nourish and Flourish is available
at amazon.com.
NOTE FROM NANCY: We have a responsibility to protect the health - and lives - of our children. We can reverse, prevent, and halt childhood obesity. Be a role model for your children. Eat less sugar. Eat more breads and pastas with four or more grams of dietary fiber per serving. Drink water, not soda. Eat fruit and drink less fruit juice. Take walks with your kids. Love life. Your children will thank you. Their health and their lives depend on the choices you make for them.
