There are a lot of amazing things to celebrate in September—the start of a new school year, cool Fall weather, apple season, and it’s the commemorative month for two causes aimed at getting our nation and kids healthy:
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Fruit & Veggies—More Matters Month
In the spirit of National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, we’d like to share, from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the six focus areas that studies suggest will have the greatest impact on preventing childhood obesity:
1. Ensure school foods & beverages meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans
2. Increase access to healthy, affordable food
3. Increase physical activity in schools
4. Use pricing strategies to promote purchase of healthier foods
5. Increase physical activity by improving built environment in communities
6. Reduce youths’ exposure to marketing of unhealthy foods
For more information and ways you can help support these policy changes, visit:
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Childhood Obesity
And to celebrate Fruit & Veggies—More Matters Month, make some of FoodPlay’s signature snacks with your kids!
Apple Smiles
Make a sandwich with fruit as the bread! Wash and cut an apple or pear into thin wedges. Pat dry. Then, put a slice of cheese or spread peanut butter in between the two wedges. Squeeze gently. You can even smoosh puffed rice cereal into the peanut butter between the two slices for “teeth”! Smile as you eat it, and say “cheese”!
Veggie Robots
Take me to your leader! Have a grown-up help you wash and cut-up different raw veggies into various sizes and shapes. Then, create your own veggie robot by putting pieces together with toothpicks. When you’re done, take your robot apart, piece by piece, and dip into salad dressing for a crunchy treat! Be extra careful with the toothpicks – don’t poke yourself!
For more fun snack ideas, download our Tickets to Fresh Adventures!
Please feel free to share some of your favorite fruit and veggie snacks to make with your kids in the comments section below!
Thanks and enjoy!
From all of us here at FoodPlay Productions
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