OMG! When will we get it?

Sorry for the text lingo and somewhat sarcastic title.  But seriously, how many times and from how many sources do we (our collective society) need to hear the message that things need to change and improve in our schools - academically, nutritionally, in terms of discipline measures...  I could go on, but I think you can continue your own list.

I'm going to pass on ANY political commentary, and ask that any reader do the same.  The bottom line is that if  "75% of young Americans are ineligible to serve their country because they have either failed to graduate high school, engaged in criminal activity, or are physically or mentally unfit.1" (quote from Mission: Readiness http://www.missionreadiness.org/), not only are these young people not able to serve in the military, how well can they serve our country in business, health care, civil service, not to mention educating the next generation!

I do agree that our education system desperately needs to improve the nutritional value of foods served and made available during the school day, and that we must find a way to include daily physical activity.  We also need to make sure parents, guardians and caregivers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to teach and reinforce healthy lifestyle skills!

Once again, let's be sure that we are setting the best examples that we can for our communities.  Eat fresh, be active, encourage others.....   Hey, it's TV Turnoff week too, how's that going?

Maybe news like Mission Readiness will be the tipping point for positive change.  Thanks to the recommendation from my sister, I'm about finished reading "The Tipping Point".  I'll share more on that, after finals week!

Here's to Health!

TV Turn Off Week

Here is a quick idea for things to do next week instead of watching TV!  Happy bonding with the family!

A snowballs chance in...? YES!!

http://healthyschoolscampaign.typepad.com/healthy_schools_campaign/2010/04/an-open-letter-to-jamie-oliver-.html

This link to an open letter to Jamie Oliver from the Healthy Schools Campaign is a great example of what to do next in the efforts to improve school meals, and increase awareness of the critical issue of childhood obesity.  If you read my last post about being a snowflake, you'll understand the title of this... A snowballs chance in...!  Please comment to the open letter, my blog and make some efforts on your own.

This was my comment to the open letter:

Thank you Mark Bishop for putting into words what many parents have most likely been thinking since the Jamie Oliver series started! What do we do now? Not only do we need to continually contact our government officials, we must set examples at home. Are we? Are we preparing fresh, non-processed meals for our families and providing healthful snacks? If school lunches aren't meeting YOUR standards, pack a healthy lunch and explain why to the stakeholders. If revenues start to change, someone will notice in a hurry. It’s field trip season, let’s be sure we continue practicing healthy eating while our students are traveling this spring too. Thank you again Mark and HSC for what you do!

Be a Snowflake/ Be Socially Responsible

I hate to admit it, but I’m tired. I spent a lot of time this weekend working on a case study for my nutrition class on the EPIDEMIOLOGY OF OBESITY. Sorry for shouting at you, but DID you know that the obesity issue is being called an epidemic? It is. I’m feeling tired, because suddenly, the efforts of so many nationwide, and my own small attempts here in my small central Illinois town, don’t feel like they’re even making a dent in the issue. Don’t get me wrong, the fact that Jamie Oliver has a series on prime time television on Friday nights to start his food revolution is great. The fact that Mrs. Obama has become a champion for the issue of childhood obesity through her White House program, Let’s Move! is great. And, Ron Clark, the teacher who overcame great obstacles, became a Disney teacher of the year and now has a successful private academy, that’s great too.


But, come Monday morning, we are still here in our little town, feeling excited about the “cause” but also feeling very frustrated that there is great resistance to these efforts and we may be seeing little if any progress in our own town.

I want to share a story that one of my high school coaches told me, while we were playing golf a few summers ago. She said she used this analogy to motivate her athletes to work as a team. Imagine watching one single snowflake land on the windshield of your car that has the heater on. What happens? It melts quite quickly. Now imagine thousands or millions of snowflakes landing together. Could your car’s defrost melt them quickly? Doubtful. What happens when thousands or millions of snowflakes land together in a snowstorm or blizzard? Towns and schools are shut down and airline flights are delayed, just to mention a few things. Lots of snowflakes together are powerful.

Now imagine that you are a snowflake that is in a group of many other snowflakes wanting to make a positive change in your community. Get the idea? We need to work together as a team (snowball) to make positive changes in our communities. I’m not asking for new causes, just the usual ones:

• Buy, eat and serve healthful foods at home and school
• Schedules that include regular daily physical activity
• Leaders to embrace these efforts with an attitude of “it’s important, so let’s keep an open mind and find a way to make positive change.” Not, “it’s too hard, too much red tape, not enough money……”

This is getting long, so in my next several posts, I will address the three categories I’ve listed above individually. I’m pretty fired up about some situations that are happening right now and some resistance I’m encountering, so I will probably have several posts over the next week.

Will you be a snowflake with me? Here’s how you can join me.

1. Sign up to “follow” my blog.
2. Share my blog with others you know who are passionate about improving the eating habits and physical activity habits of yourself, your family and/or your community.
3. Finally, take a good look at your own efforts. Are you sending the right messages to your family and schools?

Thank you for letting me rant today and not closing this yet! Also, thank you for letting me talk about snowstorms after we have had such a beautiful spring weekend.