Flexitarians, Unite!

I am an unapologetic carnivore... which I know, goes against my environmentalistic ideals. But I can't help it. I do like a good steak. Also, I tend to just feel better when I focus on protein versus carbs. Granted, I know their are some vegetable-based proteins out there, but eggs, bone broth, and/or cheese best satisfy my breakfast needs to maintain my energy levels for the day... not to mention having animal protein during my other meals of the day.

Despite all of that, I've been doing a lot of thinking about the concept of "Meatless Mondays" or "Weekday Vegetarianism." Sometimes, this can be referred to as being a "Flexitarian." In fact, I was quite surprised at the number of resources on the subject I had stockpiled! It was a lot of "food for thought!" 😋

In case you are still wondering "What are Meatless Mondays?"--it's just what it sounds like. Here's a brief video from The Humane Society to explain it in more depth.


As this video shows (and the website does too), there are a lot of environmental impacts that could be had if all of us reduced our meat consumption by just one... or a few... days. Therefore, it's a worthy venture from an environmental standpoint to pursue.

Graham Hill has some good points here in his 2010 TEDTalk below, many of which mirror my still-carnivorous self. Graham poses the solution need not be a one-sided, binary, either-or situation of being meat-eater or not. He poses a 3rd option: "weekday vegetarian." Going "meatless on Mondays" poses a 4th. I don't think I'm at all ready to go full-on meatless 4 or 5 days a week, but maybe I could be a bit of a flexitarian. Could I do Mondays, or any one day a week?  Maybe. Or even: could I go 1 meal less a week?  Definitely! By looking at it fractionally on an individual level, we could potentially go make exponential growth on a societal level. It's worth thinking about.

Stay tuned for Part 2 (coming soon) for some more resources and recipes to try out to see if you are inspired to go meatless a meal or two (or even a day or two) a week.

Images from: https://steemkr.com/vegetarian/@donniechong/why-becoming-a-vegetarian, https://cindytherd.com/2017/11/10/flexitarian-diet-and-the-research-behind-it/
Videos from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpziz8cJMaI and https://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_weekday_vegetarian#t-225071

Post-Feathered Feasting: Chef Ann Thanks Michelle Obama: Gratitude #4

Coming off the Thanksgiving holiday, many of us are still enmeshed in leftovers of the day: turkey sandwiches, leftover potatoes (mashed, sweet, or otherwise), and pie slices for breakfast.  (Unless it's my house, where the pie plate deceptively was left out, yet erroneously empty! Curses you felonious children of mine!)

Food is still on many of our minds.

Given that, and the fact that I'm still chuckling over President Obama's puns and pardons of both Tater and Tot, the flight to freedom of the White House Turkeys, I'm struck by another moment of gratitude this Thanksgiving season. That is the one from Chef Ann Cooper's toast to Michelle Obama and all of the strides the current First Lady has made these 8 years on behalf of health and wellness for our children.

In case you don't know who Chef Ann is, she's become the National Renegade Lunch Lady, on a mission to get healthy foods in our schools, for our kids.



Making enormous leaps in school lunches since 1999, Chef Ann certainly pays some of the tributes to Michelle Obama and her legacy.  Some of the things she highlights that we should all be thankful to our First Lady include:

• Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act
  
• Smart Snacks in Schools Resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
• The Let's Move! Campaign
• Reworking the Food Pyramid to MyPlate
• For more, check out Chef Ann's "A Chef's Toast to Michelle Obama" from the U.S. News & World Reports from November 15, 2016.

From that toast, in Chef Ann's own words:

"None of this could have been accomplished without Michelle Obama's tireless dedication to childhood health. She's one of my heroes – she's a truly amazing advocate, a strong voice with true leadership and, as we've seen on numerous occasions, a powerful speaker. I'd like us all to raise a glass and toast the first lady. May we all support and grow the work that she began and forge partnerships with the new administration to further the health of our nation's children."

Cheers indeed!


#Wrong photo from my camera, using the LiPix app; Let's Move! logo from http://www.letsmove.gov; Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN0Rs14YJws

Happy New Year & New Year's Resolutions

New Years Eve is around the bend  As we enter into the "new" new year, this is the time that traditionally we all look at what's around us. It's that time to assess:  What is it you want to keep... and what is there that needs an iteration or two? Perhaps you are regretting that extra Christmas cookie (or twenty), or that extra cocktail (or more). Maybe you are taking note of which of your friendships enrich your lives and perhaps which relationships are ones its time to release. Habits & attitudes may need to be rebuilt, readjusted, and renewed. Here's a few of my inspirational suggestions for 2016:

For tackling your own resolutions, here are some handy resources that might simplify your plans of action for the year ahead:

Here are two links from my ultimate favorite life-focused inspiration:  Michael Hyatt.  I'd completely recommend his podcast series "This Is Your Life."  It's changed the way I move about in the world as it is frequently what I'm listening to in the car.  Here are two links specifically for goal setting:

• Michael Hyatt's blog post: How To Make New Year's Resolutions Stick
• Podcast:  Season 6, Episode 6:  How to Finally Achieve Your Dream:  Overcoming Your Toughest Goal-Setting Struggles
  Podcast: Season 4, Episode 8: Goal Setting For Beginners:  5 Principles for Setting Goals That Work.

According to StatisticsBrain.com, the #1 Resolution of 2015 was to lose weight.  Given obesity in America, I'd imagine we'll see the same for 2016.  If you were one of those who had too many sugar cookies over the holidays, here are some links to help on that front:

• FitBit Blog: 6 Tips to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick

• For a visual of how much sugar you are taking in, check out Sugar Stacks.  Here's just one example.  Sometimes the drinks you are leaning toward are more sugar packed than you think. Beyond beverages, you can also click through their links for sugar in snacks, cookies, deserts, and more.

• The Sugar Free Institute also has some good visuals comparing drinks across each other.

• Chef Jamie Oliver has long been a fan of healthier eating.  His Food Revolution show from several years ago gave some eye opening stats, facts, visuals & challenges.  His most recent brigade has been the documentary Sugar Rush where he spoke out on Obesity in the UK.

• Michael Pollan (author of "Food Rules") has a new documentary out: In Defense of Food.

In Defense of Food - Trailer from Kikim Media on Vimeo.

Whatever your goals for the year ahead, I wish you luck in pursuing them!  

Cheers to your new year.  Make it the best one yet!

Radical Resolutions image created using PicCollage for Kids, "In Defense of Food" trailer https://vimeo.com/135709265; Coke pictures from http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm

Diabetes Day: November 14

Slated half way between Halloween and Thanksgiving, today marks an awareness day:  World Diabetes Day.  In fact, November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

I wonder if that was by accident. I know I've added an unwanted pound or two the last few weeks as I raid my kids' candy cache from trick or treating. And I know that the tryptophan. carbo-loading, feast-fest Day o'Thanks' menu is in the making.

Here's a startling quote from Diabetesatlas.org (which is an excellent place to go for fact sheets and interactives)

"415 million adults have diabetes. By 2040 this will rise to 642 million."

Wow!  Those numbers are staggering.

Clearly there is a need for a little awareness so we can try to turn those numbers around.  I've written about our sugar-saturated & overly-obese society before.  When I look at the dates of my posts, the conversation hasn't changed much over the last five years.

World Diabetes Day is a global awareness campaign that is spear-housed by the International Diabetes Federation. Last year, over 100 countries had dedicated events to raising awareness in both the dietary and hereditary causes of diabetes, and how to handle life if you are afflicted with this chronic condition. This year, 323 events are scheduled in 76 countries. The first World Diabetes Day was in 2007.

Here is an infographic with some more eye-opening statistics:

To learn more about World Diabetes Day, check out some of the following resources:

• WDD World Events
• Ideas for how to get involved
• Facts & Figures & Even More Stats
• Diabetes Atlas
• Past European Campaigns
• Multiple Articles About Diabetes & Sugar at Food NDTV

Here are some recipes that can lead you on a

• Sugar-Free, High-Fiber Recipes to Celebrate World Diabetes Day
• Recipes from American Diabetes Association
• 20 Tasty Diabetic-Friendly Recipes from Health.com

Go forth this weekend with greater awareness, and a pause with the intention for a more mindful approach to eating.


Images from: http://www.idf.org/regions/europe/WDD; Infographic from http://www.eaglenews.ph/world-diabetes-day/

Hop on the H20 & Hydrate

It's summer time, and it's no surprise to anyone--it's hot out there.  What's the best thing you can do when you're overheated?  Hydrate!

Since Spring Break, I've been trying to do just that. Largely, my initial quest was for a healthier alternative to my major Diet Coke vice.  Word on the street is that my beloved Diet Coke is filled with all sorts of yucky stuff for you. Additionally, given that my main source of caffeine comes from that (and I'm not a morning girl nor a coffee drinker), that's been a hard cut to get down to just one a day! But I did (although I'm still not ready to go cold turkey yet).

Water boosts your energy. A majority of us are dehydrated (75% according to the infographic below). Often times we eat when our body is really telling us we are thirsty rather than hungry.  Here are two great infographics that might lead you to upping your intake too.  (Note to self: Grab from the tap rather than the mega "Big Water" industry of plastic-wasting, single-use bottled water!)

If competition is what gets going, you might want to check out 30 Day Water Challenge.  At that link you can get more details & some great accountability tools to document your water intake. I'm going rogue (though I could update my intake in my Fitbit), and just trying to travel with a class of water in hand!

How is water working for you?

Do you have any creative approaches to get that healthy H2O into your system?

Images from http://1111now.com/achieving-perfect-health-bashar/; "Miracle that is Water" infographic from http://organicolivia.com/2014/05/01/why-you-should-drink-hot-water-in-the-morning-homemade-strawberry-lime-aloe-water-for-detoxing-vitamin-absorption/, "Drink More Water" from http://www.pedometersusa.com/drinking-more-water.html; 30 Day Water Challenge pic from http://pepperscraps.com/30-day-water-challenge-64-oz-a-day/

Dishing Up Some Documentaries that are Definitely Food For Thought

We were blessed to have a 2 week Spring Break mid-March.  In part, it's done for travel opportunities.  Here at my house, we didn't go on any major exotic trip, but we did do some local day trips, a long weekend to Philadelphia, and then we enjoyed a week-long visit from my mom.  It was my kind of nirvana.

Also during that time, I managed to start a few health trends for myself, and I also watched a handful of eco-foodie films and documentaries.  Eye opening food facts galore!  After watching, in addition to upping my fruit & veggie intake, diminishing my daily Diet Coke consumption, and upping my water du jour, I've dropped more than a pound or two.

In addition to all of that, I creating the the following infographic about my five newest favorite films. I also linked it to trailers using the ThingLink website.  Click the icons below the movie posters to find the trailers to these flix.
 

Climate Change Rally 2014

September is a killer month for teachers:  back to school, back to business, business:  busy, busy, busy.

Add in, I'm a new teacher at a new school....it doesn't matter how many years you have been teaching, when it's all new, it's all CRAZY busy!!

But today, September 21st, needed a post.  It's International Peace Day, and it was the 2014 Climate Change Rally.

It's what's called a "demonstration for the planet."

Ben & Jerry's is a major environmental supporter, as they have been in favor of climate change help for over 8 years.  Here's a good video that sums it up, in a yummy, ice creamy sory of way;

s

As the pictures of the rally start to surface today, I think these sign-headlines are great:

"There is no Planet B."

"Forestn's Aren't for Sale"

"Jobs, Justice, Clean Energy."

And here's word from my favorite children's author:  Dan Gutman.

Dan Gutman

September 19 · Edited

Join me at 86th street and Central Park West on Sunday at 11:30am. 
One person won't make much of a difference, but ALL of us can.

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• You and 55 others like this.

But rumor on the street is that 310,000 people were behind it today. 

Way to go people!!
This is where we need to be.

Other good articles:

Kaylin Richarson:  To Protech the Future, We Must Make Our Voices Heard.

4 Animations That Show What is Going On With Our Climate.

'Largest-ever' climate-change march rolls through NYC

For a great photo montage slide show of NYC's rally, check this out.


Images from:  International peace day pcic from http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/.;  Climate change pic from http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/06/03/poll-huge-majority-americans-willing-pay-price-fight-global-warming , and https://www.facebook.com/DavidSuzuki/photos/a.80953228873.76577.5794733873/10152722272153874/?type=1&theater

How Eating & Health Go Hand in Hand

It's no surprise that eating and health go hand in hand.  Or hand in fork.  Or belt around belly.

This summer I took a class for my teaching certificate (ahh, continuing education and required credit hours).  The class was EDU 135:  Children's Health, Nutrition, & Safety.  As part of the class, I had to do up a PowerPoint on 5 related issues that affect children's health.  So, given I'm paying attention to my own health & nutrition this summer (always trying to lose a few pesky pounds), I went with the topic of "Health Problems Relating to Eating Habits."  The 5 in question:  dental caries (or tooth decay), hypertension (or high blood pressure), obesity, cardiovascular disease (or  heart disease), and diabetes.  The latter four are definitely hotbeds of health topics these days, especially in America.

May a little viewing help you bring around your own prevention!!

Dabrowka power point edu 135 for slideshare from Vicki Dabrowka

Each of the 5 has a video embedded in the presentation.  If it doesn't come up, just click the link per slide and it will open in another window.


Image from http://www.healthyezrecipes.com/healthy-eating-guide.html 

Food For Thought

It's been awhile since I went the health & nutrition route...and I miss my Jamie Oliver Food Revolution days. Here's some pretty interesting "food for thought!"  To supersize this infographic about caloric intake and supersizing, go to http://dailyinfographic.com/calories-infographic

Befuddlement Day: What Would Jamie Oliver Say?

I am a strong supporter of a lot of "Days."  There's Earth Day, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, World Water Day, Labor Day, Global Wind Day, Veterans Day, and more.  I even get the cathartic kick out of a little melodramatic soap opera every now and then by with NBC's "Days of our Lives." 

But I'm a little curious (perhaps even befuddled) about today's "food" day:  Mike Huckabee's proposed "Chick-Fil-A Day."

Unless you've been living under a rock the last two weeks, you can't help but to see the latest in bipartisan vitriol between Chick-Fil-A, The Muppets & Jim Henson Company, and all the Fox News (& other media) coverage and commentary about city boycotts, restaurant bans, and beyond.  Odds are you can't even scroll very far down your FaceBook news feed without seeing a rash of commentary on both sides of the political stance.  Here are two of my "favorite" pics I've seen there:

There is no question that there are seriously strong opinions at play on both sides.  But here's where I'm befuddled.  Promoting a "Food of Choice" day?  Encouraging all Americans to dedicate a day and go out and eat fast food to support your cause?  I can't help but wonder "What would Jamie Oliver think?"

[In case you are uncertain, Jamie Oliver is the fella who took on Huntington, West Virginia in the 2010 TV series "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."  Huntington was our American city that ranked highest in obesity.  Here in the past, I've written almost a dozen posts about Jamie Oliver and his quest to tackle the super-sizing of our waistlines .]

Here's what I personally think Jamie Oliver would say (& I haven't a clue--nor do I care--about his politics): 

Instead of boycotting or promoting restaurants, why don't Americans write letters to their congressmen.  Additionally, why don't Americas boycott calorie-infested, energy-empty food?  THAT might solve a whole feast of problems, starting w/obesity in America. (Pun intended.)

One of the commentaries I have heard is that the Chick-Fil-A argument is about our First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech.  Agreed.  I've also heard it is a matter of voting with our dollars.  Equally agreed.  How we, as global citizens, spend out hard earned money should be not only a vote for our political opinions (as is being argued here on Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A day), but also for our health.  And unfortunately, due to convenience and often cost we don't always economically-vote in a healthy manner.  (Case and point: which is cheaper--a bag of potato chips or a bag of organic fruits and veggies?)  More times than not, we are shopping with time, convenience, and "crap food" rather than shopping with "health" in mind.

I have been traveling for nearly the last 2 weeks.  During that time, I have frequented a lot of fast food joints.  Healthy eating hasn't been my top concern, but rather maximizing the time I spent with the people I was visiting.  I must admit though, I have felt that choice in my body (high levels of saturated fat and sodium aren't my friend), in my lowered energy levels, and with the numbers that are popping up on my scale in the aftermath.  So for me, I'm not going to be frequenting any fast food restaurant today.

 

All that being said, here is another reason

I think I'll be hanging out at home as well.

Images other than Facebook post pics I have run across: Food in Education" poster from http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/home; "The New (Ab)Normal" from  http://www.feedourfamilies.com/2012/07/startling-facts-about-weight-our-future.html, "Childhood Obesity" Infographic from http://infographipedia.com/childhood-obesity-a-norton-center-infographic-eating-disorder-pro.html

The Second Climate Crisis

Like the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup...It's two great tastes that taste great together.

That's how I feel about my latest new "dual find," which (much like a Reese's Cup), I found together.  In looking for Sir Ken Robinson's TED talk "Bring on the Learning Revolution," I found it mentioned/linked on the website Ecology of Education.


Sir Ken starts right in at about a minute, dozen seconds with this quote, which marries the heart of Green Team Gazette:

"Al Gore spoke at the TED conference I spoke at 4 years ago and talked about the climate change...You see, he's right.  I mean, there is a major climate crisis, obviously, and I think if people don't believe it, they should get out more.  But I believe there's a second climate crisis, which is as severe which has the same origins, and that we have to deal with with the same urgency....But this is a crisis of, not natural resources -- though I believe that's true -- but a crisis of human sources....Very many people go through their whole lives having no real sense of what their talents may be, or if they have any to speak of."  ~ Sir Ken Robinson                                                            

With humor, he jokes that perhaps one climate crisis might be enough for us, but too bad, both are here to deal with.

Sir Ken (a creativity expert) continues on with the commentary that unfortunately it is education that might be central to this crisis in that it is the item that essentially "dislocates many people from their natural talents.  And  human resources are like natural resources; they're often buried deep.  You have to go looking for them, they're not just lying around on the surface....Life is not linear; it is organic."

Even worse, he while he ties it in with Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution," he goes on to explain that the standardization of education is like a "fast food model of education, and it's impoverishing our spirit and our energy as much as fast food is depleting our physical bodies." 

Just as most TED talks can do, there's a lot packed in this 20 minutes or so to make you think!

Equally so...is it any wonder that I found it highlighted on Jason Flom's Ecology of Education? "Eco of Ed" is a multi-author blog that focuses not only on educational issues, but serves as a voice to open up the dialogue of educational trends, perspectives, and visions for all edu-minded individuals.  Another wonderful warehouse of engaging ideas, and a perfect TED companion.

Yep...two great tastes that taste great together...and a lot of good "food for thought" for the summer months ahead!!

Video from http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html;  Reese's photo from http://www.hersheys.com/reeses/products.aspx?ICID=RES1020#/REESE'S-Peanut-Butter-Cups

H = Healthy Eating #GETABC

H is for Healthy Eating (GTG's #GETABC Series =
Green, Education, & Tech*)


It's been awhile since I've written about food and the obesity in America crisis here at GTG.  No, it hasn't gone away--unfortunately, it's still here. A second season of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution this past year shows us that, as he tackled the school board, sugar in flavored milk, and a lot of other things in Los Angeles.  Truth be told, a walk in any mall in America will also prove the same point!

 

Another piece of clear evidence: the changes to the Food Pyramid...which, after a few modifications is now "My Plate."  Glad to see that the government's radar is on health and better guidelines from the USDA regarding dietary intake.  They even have interactive tools online to help you get on your way!

Chef Ann's "Healthy Eating Meal Wheel"

What I really like about this BESIDES the fact that the visual is perfect given it is so relate-able to our every day dining experience, is that it serves as a parallel to Chef Ann Cooper's "Healthy Eating Meal Wheel." Known also as "the Renegade Lunch Lady," Chef Ann (as her bio states) is a "celebrated author, chef, educator, and enduring advocate for better food for all children." She's on a mission, just as Jamie Oliver is, to get us all eating healthy, and she's starting it where habits start: with the young, and in schools. 

If you are tackling nutrition in the classroom, here are some great places to start:

--Both Chef Ann's and Jamie Oliver's YouTube channels.  

--Use the 2 visuals of the Meal Wheel and the USDA's My Plate as springboard teaching tools.  Students can compare and contrast them using a Venn Diagram.  To do this in the computer lab, head to an online version at ClassTools.Net.

--Check out The Food Revolution's site, particularly the "School Food" link.  Scroll to the bottom for a PDF of either the Teacher Tool Kit, or the School District Tool Kit.

--Not to be outdone, Chef Ann also has a "Curricula and Classrooms" page, with loads of links for teachers to use.

--As an aside...Here's a map from Chartbin ranking US states by the Fattest, of 2011.  Wow! 

via chartsbin.com
 

Letter H from http://www.123rf.com/photo_9776069_food-collage-for-catering-business-concept-art.html, USDA's "My Plate" pic from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ , Ann Cooper's Meal Wheel from http://www.thelunchbox.org/content/healthy-kids-meal-wheel.

*Note:  In an attempt to meld my pursuits of green, education, and technology, "GET" and this ABC series began...as did my twitter thread #GETABC.  To see the inception of #GETABC and give yourself a tidbit of background, go to GTG's True Confessions & Whirling Dervishes.

As Chef Ann states in the video on her home page, we can all do it, little by little, step by step. Another fine example of how 1 person can indeed make a difference.

2 Days to Season 2 ~ Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

"LA or Bust"....that could be the tag line for Jamie Oliver's second season of his "Food Revolution," which airs this Tuesday, April 12th at 8 pm EST (7 pm CST).  From Huntington, West Virginia, Jamie ventures forth, trekking to Los Angeles.  And....it's looking like he's got his hands full in this major metropolis.  Unfortunately, the LA Unified School District has not quite rolled out the red carpet for Jamie, so he's fraught with drama, at the "get-go!"

To get a sneak preview, check out this 9 minute short, probably from the premier episode of this year's second season which starts this week (Tuesday!). Then set your DVR or park yourself in front of your television set (Tuesday!) to remind yourself about "obesity in America" and how it is a leading cause to heart disease and health concerns for our countries' children.  Might make you want to think twice about that run through the "drive thru" of your nearest fast food chain.

Image from www.Amazon.com

Fighting Obesity: The Power Starts One Lunchbox at a Time

The Green Team Gazette often talks about about the many ways one person can make an impact.  Each one person, doing one thing, multiplied out through the 6.78 billion people in the world, can amount to a grand difference.

Once again...the power for change starts with one.

This time, the message is from Jamie Oliver (from last year's ABC TV show "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."  The reason for his message above is his acceptance of the 2010 TED Prize in April of this year.  His "One Wish to Change the World:"

“I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity.” ~ Jamie Oliver

TED, which stands for "Technology, Entertainment, & Design" is an organization dedicated to sharing worthy ideas on all 3 of those factors. If you haven't experienced some of the greatest minds out there, sharing their exceptional "more than two cents" wisdom through TED Talks, you need to head over to http://www.ted.com/ to check some out.

Also, just in time for back to school and the business of making lunches, Jamie Oliver has also released a toolkit with 5 downloadable posters on the following topics at http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution/toolkit

1.  I want to cook but don't know how to start. 

2.  I want to cook with my kids.

3.  Hard facts about flavoured milk.

4.  I want to change school food.
5.  Hard facts on sugar in drinks.

To learn more about Jamie Oliver's mission & the 2010 TED Prize, go to http://www.tedprize.org/jamie-oliver/.  If you can't access the video above, click the title or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIwrV5e6fMY&feature=player_embedded.

Food For Thought, The Return Trip

June 4th, 2010 just as schools were getting ready to get out, First Lady Michelle Obama called together a battalion of chefs to get them on board her "Let's Move!" campaign to fight for healthier food in schools and to work to lower childhood obesity.  Anyone can notice through a simple walk through Wal-mart or a nearby amusement park that obesity is on the rise, both for young and old.  

Michelle Obama has made "Let's Move!" a very personal project (http://www.letsmove.gov/).  So too has Chef Ann Cooper, who perhaps was at the June 4th White House event.  After reading "Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children" by Ann Cooper and Lisa M. Holmes, I see Ann Cooper as the American version of the United Kingdom's Jamie Oliver (of ABC TV's "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution").  

Starting her own revolution,  Chef Ann has made it her personal mission to advocate for children and to turn the lunchrooms into "culinary classrooms." On her website (http://www.chefann.com/), you can sign up for her newsletter as well as get ideas how to "up" the bar on your own school cafeteria's healthy-factor. Included in the links and resources, she also has past menus from different schools she's been involved with transforming.  If you're looking for some solid information and a load of healthy lunchtime recipes, this books is one to read

If you are wanting to do a little more than merely reading a book and changing your eating habits, here's your chance to do something. Let's Move! has teamed up with GOOD (a worldwide network of "individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward." as quoted from http://www.good.is/pages/whatIsGood).  Through this teaming, there's a nationwide contest inviting people around the country to design an "infographic" poster to help raise awareness on the issue of childhood obesity.  By creating a visually-informative poster such as this, Let's Move! and GOOD are looking for someone to encapsulate not only the state of over-eating in America, but also what we can do as parents, educators, and tax payers to promote a solution to this epidemic.  

For more information about this infographic contest, which ends July 6th, 2010, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/06/25/create-infographic-about-childhood-obesity-epidemic or http://www.good.is/post/project-create-an-infographic-about-childhood-obesity .  Winners will be announced July 20th, and will be showcased at both http://www.good.is/, www.LetsMove.gov, and the White House blog at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog

Whether you get to work creating your infographic or not, it's all definitely good "food for thought!"

Photo from First Lady Michelle Obama's June 2010 Facebook photo album with this caption: "First Lady Michelle Obama addresses hundreds of chefs from around the country during a “Let’s Move!” event on the South Lawn of the White House, June 4, 2010. The First Lady called on chefs to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition." ~Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy