New Members - Kids in the Kitchen Projects

This spring, the New Members planned two “Kids in the Kitchen” events promoting good nutrition and healthy lifestyles to local children. “Kids in the Kitchen” is a nationally recognized health education program that empowers youth to learn the preparation of healthy meals and educates them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. For more information, visit kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org

Kids in the Kitchen YMCA Event - On April 17, 2010 half of the New Member class set up several tables at the Madison YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. One station featured sugar experiments where kids measured the sugar content of soda, candy bars and cereal. Kids also made healthy food crowns with images of nutritious food and stickers, and had a blast making their own trail mix out of healthy cereal, dried fruit, coconut and more. Children earned prizes at a beautifully designed bean bag toss teaching the value of fruits and vegetables. Parents and kids alike enjoyed delicious homemade smoothies while viewing a slide show and pamphlets promoting good nutrition and active lifestyles.

Kids in the Kitchen Neighborhood House Event - On April 24, 2010 the balance of the New Member class welcomed thirty-two children to the Neighborhood House in Morristown for a fun and educational afternoon of healthy eating and living. The children learned to “craft” a healthy plate of food, make a fruit pizza, sort foods into the pyramid groups, grow their own salsa and saw how much sugar is actually in a soda. They also enjoyed practicing yoga, playing “fruit” (a version of basketball “horse”), face painting and the ever popular fruit and veggie bean bag toss. The participants walked away with new healthy snack ideas, beverage choices and prizes.