Monday, March 22, 2010

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

So, I watched Jamie Oliver last night! He was in Huntington, WV. He visited an elementary school and a family home. It was amazing! Nutrition and specifically children nutrition is my passion! It was crazy to see what those children were eating in the school as well as at home and how the adults thought nothing of it. They actually opposed him being there at first. I find this issue a lot.

I have a Bachelors of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and have 4 years experience working with children and have seen it all. Children these days of all income levels think that a meal is fast food or frozen chicken nuggets and a snack is cookies and chips! A lof of adults eat the same way, so they do not see the problem in it. A LOT of people from what I have heard believe that "it doesn't matter what children eat, they are young". This could not be more wrong!

In this blog I wish to address many myths about nutrition for children and adults. I want to research the cost of eating heatlhy and see to it that all income levels can strive to feed themselves and their children better. I wish to educate further what Jamie Oliver is doing. I also would love to have discussions and feedback! This should be fun! Join in!

7 comments:

  1. Yay Mary! I'm sooo excited that you have a blog... especially about nutrition! I swore Jamie Oliver's show was this upcoming Friday, I'm so mad I missed it last wee :(

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  2. Mary, this is Beth(Olsen)Bernhardt and I'm so excited to read your nutritional info for kids! I have a beautiful little girl that is 21 months and I am passionate about being careful what goes into her mouth! :) I look forward to reading what you have to say! Thanks!

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  3. Thanks Leah and Beth!

    Beth!!!! Great to hear from you! I have seen pictures of your little girl and she is so very cute! Congratulations! I will be posting more info soon!

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  4. I am really intersted in recipes for stuff like homemade veggie nuggets and ways to help Olivia get into eating veggies in new ways. Fruits are sweet, so she likes them. :) Thanks!!!

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  5. So today at Gav's school it was picnic day. Basically, the parents pack the kids a lunch and they eat outside if it's warm enough and the parents can come bring a picnic too. So of course I went and ate w/ gav! I packed us all kinds of veggies and dips, hummus, and found these really good potato/lentil curl chip kinda things from trader joes (in charlotte). Gav said it was his favorite lunch ever! cute! I couldn't help but look around at what the other kids were eating. I am sure you know where this is going... mostly lunchables and some sandwiches. The kids whose parents forgot to send a lunch had pasta with salad and peaches. But the other 3 parents who came in brought in mcdonalds. I don't want to judge the other parents because I know we all do the best we can with what we know (and gav loves some fries and chicken nuggets this is no joke). Plus we want our kids to eat as a priority.... But I guess I'm just so much more aware now. And I think the 'treat' today was getting to eat somewhere new, not really the meal. Anyhow, I thought it was interesting!

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  6. Hi Leah...I like what you said about being more aware about good choices. My daughter loves chicken nuggets and fries as well (and me too for that matter!)and since we do eat meat, I don't mind eating them once in a while. I think what I'm realizing though is that I don't want to just make the easiest foods for her to eat. I want to put the same thought into good food choices as I do what she wears on a cold day or what she's exposed to from media/people!

    Mary, thanks for your words about livi. If you want to see more pics of her, visit our blog at thecrystalcoastbernhardts.blogspot.com :)

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  7. Yes! I taught preschool for almost four years (that is where this is all stemming from) and that is all I saw. I agree, you don't want to judge other parents BUT as you two know and I can imagine, your child is THE most important person! I mean, we make our own choices what goes in our bodies. The children at that age can't make those choices. They don't have money and transportation. Wouldn't you want to take the time to make sure they get the healthiest food. Being aware is the best..and that is the purpose of this blog and the millions of other ones out there. It is just getting the right people to read them and great Moms like you two to be examples. Liv and Gav (look how cute there names are together) will thank you later. You are giving them the best advantage to be healthy adults! They will remember these wonderful food choices you showed them! The McDonald's and Lunchable kids will remember their "fast" and "convenient" lunch choices too unfortunately. Ok so I need to stop and get back to work..but keep it up! I love discussions! Maybe I should have a kid real fast so I can practice what I preach :) haha!

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