Real Life Nutrition

By Carolyn Brown

You say you want a revolution? Well this is your weekend. We’re not occupying Wall Street this time (been there, done that), but there is another kind of uprising in the works. On Saturday May 19^th, Food Revolution Day is taking place around the globe. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a crazy rebel or anarchist to get involved. Food Revolution Day is an initiative from British chef and real food advocate Jamie Oliver. It’s a day of action for people who love food – so, everyone – to get together for food converstaion. It’s also an opportunity to connect with your neighbors and your community and pass along information, skills, resources – and definitely lots of recipes.

Why do something? Here are some freaky statistics to think about:

-       1 in 4 Americans visits a fast food restaurant daily.

-       In the last three decades, obesity rates of double for adults and tripled for children.

-       43 million children under the age of FIVE are obese. Whether this is true among your family/friends or not, it’s totally alarming and evidence of how real food is missing from our daily lives

-       Children who eat nutritious lunches have improved test scores and over 15% reduced absences. I’d venture to say this is true of adult productivity too.

-       People with healthier diets spend $1429 less per year in health care and medications… $1429 could provide a pretty sweet vacation.

So what do you do? Luckily you don’t have to do a hell of a lot; there are lots of pre-planned events taking place so all you really have to do is show up. Find one and get involved by meeting new people, chatting, and even learning a little (I know, a lot to ask of you on a Saturday). You can also host a party or ask your company or school to take part. Regardless, get your kids, families, friends and most importantly yourself into the kitchen this weekend!

So what are you going to do to celebrate Food Revolution Day?