Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

With March being National Nutrition Month, it's only right that registered dietitians

 have their own day (March 11)  during the month!

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

This group of dietitians visited our farm last year to find out how we produce safe,high-quality milk. 

Registered dietitians work in a variety of settings to provide nutritional information.

I'm thankful for the interest and educational training  registered dietitians have in helping clients of all ages in making nutritional choices that improve lifestyles ,boost health and especially for their efforts to reduce childhood obesity.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Tuesday morning found me celebrating with students   from Arkansas,Missouri and Oklahoma for the difference they have made in their schools by participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. The day was filled with fun activities to reward their successful participation  to motivate other students to

 "Eat healthy,get active and make a difference.".

 

The morning started with a 'get moving' activity,

 

 

a test of nutrition knowledge with lunch tray relay,

 

 

 motivational talks  by NFL referee Walt Coleman and retired NFL player Steve Conley,

 

                                                and lots of smiles and pictures to take home.

                                                         As a dairy farmer,mom and nurse,
     I'm thankful for the difference that Fuel Up To Play 60 is making in the health of our children.

2012 Nutrition+Physical Learning Connection Summit

Ten years ago the 16th Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, released the report about the need to prevent and decrease America's obesity epidemic. Food insecurity, poor dietary choices and lack of physical activity are still contributing factors that are being addressed by a variety of concerned groups and organizations. It's been stated that there is a growing amount of research that shows a link between proper nutrition,physical activity, and academic achievement. Now we need a plan to take our knowledge and research to  work through the barriers that keep preventing us from conquering childhood obesity.

For the next couple of days, the 2012 Nutrition + Physical Activity Learning Connection Summit will be taking place in Arlington,Virginia. The goal of the meeting is to identify knowledge gaps, draw meaningful conclusions, highlight practical approaches to leverage the current science and move the agenda forward on working with and through schools to enhance children's health and readiness to learn. This summit is presented by the GENYouth Foundation, in partnership with the National Dairy Council, National Football League, American College of Sports Medicine, and American School Health Association.

 

As a dairy farmer, I'm very proud to produce a nutritious product and support programs like Fuel Up to Play 60 that are striving to educate children to make healthy food choices and increase physical activity daily to ensure lifelong good health habits.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Beats Childhood Obesity

I didn't make any bets on which team would win or lose the Superbowl game, but I am investing my dairy farmer money with other American dairy farmers  to fight the battle against childhood obesity with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.   Since 2009, dairy farmers have provided  money for  the Fuel Up to Play 60 program designed to fight childhood obesity. Empowering students to "fuel-up" with nutrient rich foods and "get up and play" for at least 60 minutes each day will  work to fight obesity and  lead to life long sustainable health habits.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program provides tools and resources that are chosen by the students and teachers of participating schools to meet the wellness goals of each school. Key program elements (http://www.midwestdairy.com/) include:

• Free Fuel Up to Play 60 Quick Start Resources
• Interactive online Playbook with easy-to-do healthy eating and physical activity "Plays"-a collection of strategies that help students fuel-up with nutrient rich foods and get up and play for at least 60 minutes each day.
• Fuel Up to Play 60 challenges are provided through out the school year to keep youth excited and engaged in the program.
• FuelUpToPlay60.com provides program resources and serves as an online portal to share successes and learn from other participants.
• Incentives to motivate students,schools and Program Advisors to meet program and milestone goals and funds to help schools make lasting improvements in nutrition and physical activity.
• Rewards to recognize those who take action and encourage continuous program participation.

For more information about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program or learn if schools in your area are participating go to http://www.fueluptoplay60.com/. 

 I love  supporting the team that makes the pledge to --"Eat Healthy,Get Active and Make a Difference"!