Back To School (Part 1)
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
- Chef Ann Cooper’s Meal Wheel
We all want our kids to have the healthiest possible start in life. The new school year brings us a fresh reminder of that desire as we think about how the food our kids eat has a direct impact on their energy, their concentration and their willingness and desire to learn.
Manufacturers focus on creating food as cheaply as possible – many do this by adding or removing, substances to make the food last longer on the shelf, look brighter or more ‘perfect’, and be ready to be eaten in minutes. In addition they have added just the right amount of fat, sugar and salt to hook the consumer in and bring them back for more.
These priorities are not the same ones as those that have our interests at heart and help our children to thrive. They may provide the calories, but not nearly enough of the nutrients that our children need. The price might appear attractive at the register, but the longer term price of filling our kids with calories void of nutrients is very unattractive. It is this manufactured food and the lack of nutrition it contains that is the root of the obesity problem and other childhood illnesses.
Nourishing our kids means variety and balance with the best food that they can get: real food. Food that is natural and unprocessed.
The vegetables are fresh and organically grown and contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals that you won’t find in the chemically grown equivalents. The meat is sourced from animals that are raised on foods that are natural to their own dietary needs, and without hormone injections or antibiotics. The vegetables are central to our meals, whole grains become a staple, and meat plays only a small portion of our diet.
It is with this basic notion, that we are nourishing our children and giving them the best start in life.
Real food can be simple, it can be adventurous. It can be colorful and quick to prepare. It can definitely be delicious and it can also be fun! Come and see us for inspiration.
