CHILDREN DIE IN SCHOOL LUNCH POISONING

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS 

�It should be emphasized that the problem of contamination with antibiotics in our foods and particularly in milk is a small one compared to our other current food safety problems which have arisen in large part as a result of technologic progress in food production, processing, and distribution in the processing of food, preservatives, antioxidants, colors, bleaches, flavors, coatings, drying agents, moistening agents, thickening agents, sequestering agents, �aging� agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, neutralizers, acidifiers, and sweeteners are used.� 

-- from a 1957 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration minimizing the risk from antibiotic contaminants in our food supply as reported in �The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson: On a Farther Shore� by William Souder

Today in India, dozens of children died from an insecticide in their free school lunches.   According to CNN.COM, �The poison was organophosphorus, a chemical that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is commonly used in agriculture.  It is a nerve agent related to sarin gas, which is commonly used in chemical warfare, the U.S. Health Department says.� Click here to read the CNN story.

Children in the United States are also consuming foods containing chemicals commonly used in food production that can be harmful, if not deadly.  As parents, it is time to talk to the Food and Nutrition Manager for your child�s school district, asking questions about what chemical are in the foods your kids are eating in their school breakfasts and lunches, how the foods are grown, and what additives are in the foods served to your kids. 

What can parents do?  Call your school district's Food and Nutrition Program Manager.  Here are some questions to ask him or her:

• How many chemicals, additives, preservatives, artificial food dyes, and chemical "stabilizers" are in the foods served to our children?
• How many teaspoons of added sugar are in the flavored milks served in public schools?
• What percentage of the vegetables and fruits served to children in the free and reduced meal program are grown in the state and what percentage are trucked/flown in from other states/countries?
• What percentage of the vegetables and fruits served to children in our public schools are grown chemical-free?
• What percentage of the vegetables and fruits served are GMO (genetically modified organisms)?  

In the county where I live (Indian River County, Florida), two in every three kids (66%) qualifies for the free and reduced meal program.  What that means is that 2/3 of all children eat most of their meals at their school.  My dear friend, Bonnie Swanson, who retired last December as principal of Vero Beach Elementary School, taught me about the �situational poverty� of her students� parents, who, through no fault of their own, were unemployed or underemployed due to the economic downturn of the past five years. What I learned from Mrs. Swanson is a lesson I will never forget because Vero Beach Elementary School is in the heart of Indian River County.  Many of America�s wealthiest Fortune 50 CEOs retire here because we live in �a slice of paradise.� Yet, children are struggling to thrive and learn each day because they are starving. 

The way I was raised, paradise is not supposed to include children who don�t know where their next meal is coming from, let alone whether it is filled with delicious, locally grown vegetables.

Mothers and fathers are the heart of the food revolution to protect the health and lives of America�s � and the world�s � children.

As a mother, I ask a lot of questions.  We trust that schools will provide healthy foods, not poisons such as sugars and foods laced with chemicals.  We want our children to thrive.  In light of the tragedy in India, it is time to change the questions we ask of our nation�s schools and the foods provided by the USDA. 

My heart aches for all the mothers and fathers in India making funeral arrangements for their children who died today because they ate their free school lunch. 

Chemicals are killing our children.  Ask questions.  Read food labels.  Find out about the foods your kids are eating at school or in snacks at their after-school programs.  Their lives may depend on it.  

Please say a prayer for the parents in India who lost their children today.  Act to ensure that the same thing does not happen here to our children.  Know your farmers.  Know where your food comes from.  

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc. 

WHAT IS KILLING OUR KIDS?

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

"We can make a commitment to promote vegetables and fruits and whole grains on every part of every menu.  We can make portion sizes smaller and emphasize quality over quantity.  And we can help create a culture � imagine this � where our kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them."

                                                                           

                              --Michelle Obama, First Lady

Jason told me that he is having problems with his eyes and his feet.  I asked him, �When was the last time you were screened for diabetes?� and he replied that it was more than 7 years ago.  Then he talked about his kids.  He said his son was �almost as big as I am.�  Then, his voice dropped and he added that his 15 year old daughter is also almost as big as he is.  He asked me how to help them.  I said, �Lead by example and help yourself first.  Act as if you are at a healthy weight yourself.  Let them know that you are changing what you eat and are going to eat 2 more cups of in season and locally grown vegetables this week.  Start changing one thing each week to get on the path to better health and a healthier life.� 

Can you guess what this is?

How do parents help their kids who are obese?  Health starts at home, in the discussions we have at the dinner table, in our attitude towards exercise and fitness.  Health starts in the kitchen, in the foods we prepare for and with our families. 

Childhood obesity is a problem because:

• Kids who are obese are more likely to be bullied
• Kids who are obese are more likely to be obese as adults
• Being obese increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, joint problems, high blood pressure and certain cancers
• Kids who are obese are more likely to suffer from poor self-image throughout their entire lives
• Kids diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can be expected to have a shorter lifespan of about 17 years than kids without diabetes

How do I help my kids get back to a healthier weight?

• Commit to making one change a week in your eating or fitness habits. 
• Write down your own health goal.  Be specific.  Use S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-specific).

How do I know if I am at a healthy weight or not? 

Start by looking at yourself in the mirror.  Do you like how your body looks?  How do your clothes fit?  Are they tight?  Do you have to buy new clothes every few months because you need a bigger size?

For most of us, we know if we need to lose some weight and some inches.  A good reference point is to determine your Body Mass Index (BMI).  For adults it is simply based on the relationship between our height and our weight.  BMI for kids (ages 2-19) is based on their height, weight, plus their age and their gender (male or female).  The BMI is not a perfect tool but it is a useful tool.  Find out your BMI number by clicking here.  

Click here for some great, kid-friendly foods and ideas that kids of all ages will love!

Let�s do something meaningful about our children�s health by showing them that we can about our own health.  Children need good role models and it is up to each of us to be that role model.  The consequences of ignoring obesity in America's children are too high and too extreme to ignore.   Act as if�..

A picture from my 4th of July vacation on St. Simons Island, Georgia last weekend!

The Growing Healthy Kids movement is about inspiring, educating, and improving the health literacy of Americans so we can reverse, halt, and prevent childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases in children.  Together, we can improve the health � and lives � of America�s children, one child at a time.

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.

5 REASONS TO DRINK WATER

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

"Water is involved in all body processes.  You need the proper amount for all those processes to work correctly."  

                    -- Dr. Jack M Guralnik

                        National Institutes of Health

WATER.  Most people don�t drink enough of it.  

Vero Beach, Florida 

Here are 5 reasons why you need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day:

GREAT SKIN.  Drinking water helps keep your skin moisturized.

TRANSPORTATION.  Water carries nutrients to where your body needs them.  It carries toxins out through sweat or urine. 

LUBRICATING.  All your muscles and joints need moisture and cushioning to work properly and avoid creating too much friction within the body. 

BOOST YOUR BRAINPOWER AND MOOD.   A hydrated brain is sharp and happy.

LOSE WEIGHT.  Drink water first when you think you are hungry.  Drink a glass half an hour before a meal. 

What's YOUR favorite reason to drink enough water?

The 4th of July weekend is all about enjoying picnics with family and friends, a dip in the pool or a trip to the beach (see my beach above), and the �oohs� and �aahs� of the fireworks.  Happy birthday, America!  Here is a delicious dip to make with your kids for your family:

SMOKY EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEA DIP

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 pounds eggplant, peeled and roasted (TO ROAST:  preheat oven to 350.  Peel eggplant and cut into halves lengthwise.  Place cut side down on an oiled baking sheet.  Roast 45 minutes or until tender.)
• 1 16-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• � cup tahini
• � cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons water
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 handful fresh parsley
• � teaspoon sea salt
• Fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Cut roasted eggplant into chunks, place in food processor with all ingredients.  Process until smooth.  Serve with your favorite chips and veggies. 

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.

GOOD FOODS FOR KIDS

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

�A is for apple.  F is for Fiber.  Z is for Zucchini.  Eat Your Alphabet. �

                                                        --- Nancy Heinrich

When I first wrote this line, I used it as part of our Eat Rainbows campaign to engage kids in the �funness factor� of healthy eating. Eating should be fun.  It can also be educational.  

Planning meals is always fun at my house.  Take today, for instance.  This morning, I juiced up some fresh Granny Smith apples, carrots, and ginger to share with my son.  It was so delicious and I drank mine quickly.  My son, however, sternly (was he joking??) said, �Mom, you�re not sipping it!�  He's right about taking time to enjoy your food.  Lessons from our children.  It was a great way to start Wellness Wednesday, carrot mustaches and all!

Tonight, I get to play in the Growing Healthy Kids Test Kitchen.  Zucchini is in abundance and I want to create a new zucchini cake recipe for our fall project at Gifford Youth Activity Center.  One of my favorite parts of the Growing Healthy Kids project is creating recipes that are fun AND easy to make, have �regular� ingredients, feature seasonal veggies, and best of all, taste delicious and are good for you!  If all goes well tonight, next week�s Wellness Wednesdays column will feature our new zucchini cake recipe. 

Fresh veggies (tomatoes, peppers, onion, and garlic) ready to roast in the oven! 

"F" is for Fiber.  Fiber is the nondigestable part of plants.  Fiber is not found in animal products.  Foods containing fiber are what we call the good carbohydrates.  Here�s my challenge for you:  keep a food journal for 2 days in the next week and record how many grams of dietary fiber you are eating.  You will have to read food labels and you will need measuring cups.  Most Americans eat far less fiber than they need.  Here is the basic guideline from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the USDA:  14 grams of dietary fiber per 1,000 calories consumed.  Most adults should aim for 28-35 grams of dietary fiber a day.   Vegetables and fruits have fiber.  Lentils and beans have fiber.  Flax seed (my personal favorite: Bob�s Red Mill Ground Flax Seed) is high in fiber as well as omega-3 fatty acids.  Lots of great recipes at Bob's Red Mill.

From apples to zucchini, eat your alphabet.  Eat several letters of the alphabet and mix up the colors.  Enjoy real food.  What are you doing for fun in the kitchen with your kids?  

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids

5 TIPS FOR SUMMER SOLSTICE, SUMMER SLEEP

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

�Sufficient sleep is not a luxury � it is a necessity � and should be thought of as a vital sign of good health.� 

    --Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS, Director

     Division of Adult and Community Health

     National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and 

     Health Promotion

Did you know�Summer Solstice � the longest day of the year - is June 21^st?   Here are some fun ideas for things to do with your extra daylight:

• Read another book with your kids. 
• Spend some time dreaming with your family. 
• Make a new recipe together.
• Take an extra lap around the block before the bugs bite.
• Write down a new goal for your family�s health.

Our �Growing Healthy Kids� movement is giving parents the resources to, you guessed it, grow healthy kids (and families).   Here are five of my favorite Summer Solstice tips for parents:

1. Make eating fun - have dinner together at least 4 nights a week.
2. Let the kids play with their food.
3. Show your kids how to use a small knife to cut vegetables, based on age appropriateness.
4. Drink 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water a day (keep a family journal for a week as a check).
5. Get enough sleep every night:

• Adults:  7-9 hours
• Adolescents 10-17 years old: 8.5-9.5 hours
• Children 5-10 years old: 10-11 hours
• Children 3-5 years old: 11-13 hours
• Toddlers 1-3 years old:  12-14 hours
• Infants 3-11 months old: 14-15 hours
• Infants Birth-2 months old: 12-18 hours

My advice for the Summer Solstice?  

• Sing your favorite songs at the top of your lungs.  
• Decorate your dining table with fresh flowers.  
• Dance in your back yard by the light of the full moon.  

Remember, as parents, it is our job to ensure that we teach our kids about the importance of a good night�s sleep.  Did you know that not getting enough sleep has been shown to prevent people from losing weight?  Be a good parent.  Lead by example.  Dance in the moonlight and celebrate the summer solstice.  Then sleep! 

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.

The movement to reverse, halt, and prevent childhood obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.  

P.S. Kid-friendly fun recipes for summer.  

SUMMER WELLNESS TIPS

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

"What we think we become."  -- Buddha

It�s finally here - every child's favorite part of the year � summer vacation!  

Time for summer fun!

Here are some simple wellness tips for your kids and you:

Visit your local farmer�s market before going to the grocery store.  Plan your meals around what is fresh and in season.  Locate a local farmer's market.

Set a goal to drink at least 5 8-oz. glasses of water each day. 

Eat dinner together as a family at least 4 times a week.  Let the kids help plan and prepare meals, using the �Growing Healthy Kids Eat Rainbows� rule as your guide. 

Carry a liter water bottle with you and finish it by the end of the day.

Limit TV to one hour a day.  

If you have a sweet tooth, eat naturally sweet snacks such as fruit, peppers, or natural peanut butter.  If you live in the southeast U.S., get fresh ground peanut butter in the deli section of your local Publix.  Try these recipes.

Plan for fitness:  one hour a day for kids, 1/2 an hour a day for you!  Learn about the benefits of regular physical activity.

Remember to keep a routine for sleep.  Getting enough sleep is crucial if you are trying to lose weight.  Learn how much sleep you and your kids need.

"Think healthy" as part of your strategy to be healthy!   

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.

3 TIPS FOR GETTING TO A HEALTHIER WEIGHT

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS

"Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have."                  -- Winston Churchill

This past week, the Growing Healthy Kids project has been teaching people of influence about healthy foods and fitness (see last week�s column about Instant Recess).  Our goal is simple:  to improve health literacy and prevent obesity-related diseases.   

Starting conversations about our relationship with food and fitness is fundamental to achieving this goal.  In a class last week for staff of a regional local food bank, I instructed a man how to cut tomatoes for the quinoa recipe we were preparing (see below).  I noticed that he was cutting off,and discarding, almost half of each tomato.  While I silently freaked out about how much he was wasting, I interrupted him and matter-of-factly said the tomatoes were hydroponically grown and had been harvested just several hours earlier that afternoon.  I asked him if he had tasted the tomato.  Of course he said no.  So I gave him permission to pop a slice into his mouth.  He did, then exclaimed with joy about how wonderful it tasted!  I simply asked him to respect the work and effort that when into growing the tomatoes I had brought for the dish he was learning to prepare and told him that at my house I am very careful about how I cut the core out of the tomato.  After he tasted this beautiful tomato, he totally changed how he was cutting them.  Health literacy is a beautiful thing!

The lessons I taught to the staff of the regional food bank are the same as those I teach to parents every day and eating good foods to prevent obesity-related diseases.  Getting to a healthy weight is easy when you use these 3 tips every day:

1. Eat less of the bad foods (foods and drinks high in sugar, fats, and salt) and more of the good foods (fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, whole grains, and lean proteins). Choose locally grown foods when available.

2.  Drink enough water.  Cut back on the soda and juice.

3.  Get enough sleep.  Adults need 7-8 hours, kids needs more.  

QUINOA is a great grain for kids!

Speaking of eating more of the good foods, here is my recipe for a simple, delicious, easy-to-make salad.  Quinoa (pronounced �keen-wa�) is the only grain which is a complete protein.  It is easily digestable and high in dietary fiber (yeah!!).

GROWING HEALTHY KIDS:  Our Recipe Collection

Quinoa Salad

INGREDIENTS:

• �        1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• �        2 cups water (or low sodium chicken-broth)
• �        1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
• �        1 medium zucchini, diced
• �        � red onion, sliced thin
• �        Fresh cilantro, parsley, or mint, chopped
• �        Salt and pepper to taste
• �        Juice of 2 lemons
• �        1/3 cup Braggs apple cider vinegar
• �        2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Combine quinoa and water in small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cover. Cook about 20 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Let cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled quinoa with remaining ingredients. Toss to mix thoroughly.

Serve chilled on a bed of locally grown greens.  This makes a great lunch for kids at school and parents at work!  

To learn how you can support your local food bank, go to click here.

In gratitude,

Nancy Heinrich

Founder, Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.