Real Food

We send our kids to school to learn. Sometimes we forget that education is more than just about passing tests.

We love that so many schools around the country are trying to start their own gardens for teaching, as well as for eating. It’s amazing what can be learnt from growing a garden. There’s the science around growing: weather, plants, nutrition; there’s the sociology and history of how we used to live and how others live; there’s geography, the environment and sustainability; and there are also wonderful life skills around planning, organization and problem solving.

In our rushed lives it is often taken for granted that if we want something, we should get it immediately. How often are we frustrated when we don’t get what we want, NOW? Growing food is an amazing opportunity for the kids to learn patience, and find that the reward for their efforts is all the sweeter when they experience the thrill of eating something delicious that they have personally taken the time to create.

At Help Yourself, we also find ourselves super-excited about the opportunity of re-education in real food. We are very excited about the next generation reconnecting with where their food comes from and learning the importance of real food.

Getting the kids excited about their food is a joy to see. And even better that natural, organic, freshly prepared food, tastes delicious!

On Sept 7th, Labor Day Monday, Help Yourself, Cole’s Peace, and Mana Project will present an “Eat-In” as a part of Slow Food USA’s National “Time for Lunch” Campaign to bring real food into schools, instead of over-processed junk food.

The registered “Eat-In” will be held in Nancy Forrester’s Secret Garden, located on 1 Free School Lane, in the heart of old town Key West.

Nancy Forrester supports the Slow Food Movement’s “National Day of Action” with a Free Admission Open House. The “Eat-In” Garden hours are 10 AM to 5 PM, with midday 11-2:00 being the most communal “Time for Lunch.”

Bring your own picnic or to buy one from our restaurant.

The festivities include: Food demos, a farm stand, speakers, parrots, movies, musicians, performing artists, children’s “garden patch” (drawing and painting), raffles, a goodie bag, and more …

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.