At first, we were suspect. I originally started watching the program concerned that a celebrity chef was about to hit the public over the head with a bunch of suspect science regarding their food and how it is grown and prepared. For the most part, that didn't happen. Instead I came away encouraged that Mr. Oliver was truly trying to make a difference. Sure, it was a t.v. show. But by the end I was convinced that he was trying to use the show as a vehicle for his message, and not the other way around. The show spent much of the time looking at the school lunch program in a West Virginia town and trying to improve it. His goal -- replace the pizza, chicken nuggets, fries and flavored milk with more wholesome and balanced fare. Fresh veggies, fruits and meats prepared on site for the kids. And get rid of all the sugar and flavored milk (as much as a can of soda). While focused on the schools, he also spent a lot of effort educating the community about fresh, healthy food prepared and eaten at home with the family.
Amen, brother.
Our nation has an obesity problem. A full quarter of us fit that definition. We didn't get there overnight, either. Somewhere, between the working, running and texting we forgot how to eat. Think of it like a three-legged stool. WHAT we eat. HOW MUCH we eat. WHAT WE DO WITH what we eat.
Society has confused healthy eating with "Organic," "All-Natural," "Grass-Fed," "Low Fat," "Low Sugar," etc. For the most part it's not. Think back to how Grandma used to cook (o.k., maybe minus the lard). A variety of mostly fresh food prepared from scratch, eaten at home with the family -- and in moderation. For the most part our kids weren't obese, they learned how to cook and they knew where their food came from. And as a side benefit the family spent quality time together.
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