Most parents agree, they wish their kids would eat more vegetables. As a matter of fact, poor fruit and vegetable consumption is a chronic public heath issue in this country. Although some progress has been made over the past 5 years, statistics report 88% of children DO NOT eat their recommended amount of fruit and 92% DO NOT eat their recommened amount of vegetables. Why be concerned? Studies link adequate produce consumption to:
• possible prevention of certain types of cancer
• reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• healthy weights and decreased risk of obesity
Unfortunately, kids who don’t eat veggies, grow up to be adults who don’t eat veggies. With the incidence of obesity at 60% in this country and childhood obesity becoming an epidemic, I say keep trying. There can be no better way to accomplish this feat, than having kids grow healthy, local food. This was the one of the activities included in Country Club of Landfall’s first annual health week ( April 2-5, 2012). Oh, and by the way, one of my favorite because it combined health with an opportunity for nutrition education. Kids met at the side of the Nicklaus Clubhouse to plant the plot prepared for them by Kids Club Director, Judy Mitchell, a.k.a. Miss Judy.
Miss Judy read picture books to the children, in preparation for what they were about to take part in. They learned about planting in rows and the importance of pulling weeds and watering!
The children answered questions and were almost giddy with excitement about their new garden.
They planted seeds including peas, carrots, bush beans and lettuce by digging troughs
and holes.
After planting seeds they gave a home to some plants including cucumbers, pumpkins, basil, and peppers. They even added marigolds to their garden to keep away the insects and learned about ‘companion planting’.
Wow! In one afternoon these children learned the safest, natural way to garden organically! I hope, as they return weekly to pull weeds and check on their garden’s progress, their enthusiasm for what they will reap remains high! I also hope that they will embrace my mantra, “healthy eating can be both fun and delicious“!
What do your children love to do? How do you help them connect their passion to healthy food?
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