Its a known fact that our country has an obesity problem. Its something we see everyday (I write this with a handful of chocolate covered peanuts at my side). Everything that our children are learning though, they are learning from us. From the ease in which to make a quick unhealthy meal to your avoidance of eating anything that may have once grown in the ground. They are learning that watching TV and playing video games is more important than playing outside. they are learning lessons that are unhealthy and dangerous to their well-being.
I recently read about a school that had actually chosen to include a vegie bar and trim some of the processed foods and fats out of the schools meals. What a concept! You mean that they are actually going to feed the students in their care to eat healthier? To help encourage this new program with the students, they will be running an incentive program and be encouraging parents to get involved. You mean they want the parents to be involved in helping their own children learn valuable healthy lessons? What a shocker! The school will be having meetings in which parents can come and learn about healthier meal options and tips.
The inclusion of more focus on the physical schedules of the students will also become an important part of this new program. Again, teaching them young will help healthier choices become a "habit". Children are like sponges. Its been said many times. If we fill them with the right lessons and information now, they will suck it right on up and it will stay with them.
The future of our country is once again in our hands because it is our decisions and actions that affect thier furture and their lessons learned. What do you want them to learn from you? What kind of an affect do you want to have on them? How healthy do you want them to be? How much are you willing to do to ensure that they know what they need to know and can make the decsions they will one day make on their own in the most educated way possible? These our future! These are our children!
This won't work for everybody because a lot of people live in condos and apartments and such. But a lot of people could grow gardens if only they would.
My mother always planted a big garden and all of my brothers and sisters were encouraged (strongly) to help with it. It wasn't too much work because it was heavily mulched. Mainly, just before supper time we were sent on missions to gather a goodly part of what we were going to eat.
I guess this stuck to me because most of my adult life and in every home I have owned except one, I have grown a garden. In my current home, my garden is 12 x 50 and it grows far more food then my 3-person family can eat. I freeze some vegetables and some root vegetables keep pretty well in a dark cabinet in the garage. I'm still eating last summer's onions and I still have corn and beets in the freezer. But mostly I give away vegetables by the bag. Practically every day from mid-summer on, either my wife or I hauls a grocery sack full of veggies to work. This makes us quite popular. We grow: tomatos, peas, summer squash, zuchini, beets, corn, eggplant, grean and yellow beans, bunching onion, sweet onions, red onions, spanish onions, leeks, cumbumbers, bell peppers, green peppers, jalapenos, broccolli, yukon potatos, several different herbs and my favorite, artichokes.
My diet changes completely during the summer months and my grocery bill drops hugely and so does to some extent my weight. My garden costs about $100 to plant and I probably save $400 at the grocery store not counting all that I give away. I love the fresh vegetables. Beyond that, there is something very satisfying about growing your own food. It is about as close as I ever get to being spiritual. And it also is a very positive way to raise children. I bet eventually my daughter plants a garden too.
It's great that schools are doing a better job of teaching kids how to eat. Parents should too and a garden gives them a little appreciation of where food comes from.
This will eb first year in many that I will be able to have a garden and the kids will of course be a major part of it. Its something I want them to appreciate and respect for exactly what it is. A gift from the earth and the healthy thing to do!
You might also consider donating some of the vegtables to soup kitchens and such. Most donations are processed foods like top ramen, and when you're starving it's better than no food, I always feel bad for the recipients because they must get sick of it. With such a wide variety, I am sure your vegtables would be much appreciated.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tricia0711