Green Little Fingers

When I saw the new campaign by a leading UK supermarket I felt like jumping for joy...no it wasn't a free supermarket trolley dash (though I have always wanted to do that!)...it was because of a topic very close to my heart. Something beneficial to help the future of our next generation understand more about food and nutrition. A way for families to develop their 'green fingers' together.

Things have changed remarkably in the last 10 years, I remember when I was at school, many years ago and vegetables and salad weren't even an option...factory made doughnuts, toxic blue fizzy drinks and every monosodium glutamate flavoured crisps you could think of ruled the canteens. 

Thanks to pioneers such as Jamie Oliver, awareness surrounding children's health has taken off and each day more and more emphasis is being placed on freshly prepared foods containing the good stuff...fresh fruit and vegetables. This is not to say the battle is over, the continued awareness, campaigns and education through schools, blogs and media help to create a fresh start for all children. I believe they deserve it.

Below are links to a great campaign, encouraging children to develop their green fingers, get into the garden or create a window box...educating them where food really comes from, creating a strong and healthy foundation in life. 

What would you like to see? 

A child thinking food comes from a plastic packet, that food needs to come in fluorescent colours and cooking is popping something in the microwave...

or 

A child growing up with nutritional awareness, confidence in the kitchen and passion for fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Lets help spread the word together...

Campaign: http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/money-matters/strawberry-window-garden.shtml

In depth Guide: http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/library/default/resources/crafty-garden-ideas.pdf

The Truth About Junk Food

Junk food that doesn't even decompose after 1 year?! Is this really what we want our kids to eat on a regular basis? 

One mother in Canada kept a burger and fries for one year and published the results in the press. Here are the before and after photos from the Daily Mail newspaper along with ingredients present in regular fast food burger buns and fries. The fresher the food the quicker it spoils, the more natural the produce the quicker it rots. Do we really want to feed children something that has added colourants and preservatives so that the food maintains its look even after 1 year? 

"If you don't recognise and understand the words in the list of ingredients, then you probably shouldn't be eating it." 

Jamie Oliver 

Jamie Oliver's TED Prize wish: Teach every child about food

Anyone who knows me knows that I love Jamie Oliver! He has been such a great inspiration to many people around the world, campaigning for better education about food and improving school meals around the world.

Another great Ted Talk, well worth watching!

However you needn't be a public figure to make a difference, this change is down to everyone. We can all help, we can all make a difference no matter how big or small. Even a small change such as changing that chocolate bar in your children's packed lunches a few days a week for some dried fruit or fresh fruit slices will start to get the ball rolling...

Notice how great it will be to see children grow up to be strong, healthy and happy!

Go Jamie!

• Do you believe that every child deserves the best start in life?
• Do you long to see a change in poor food quality in schools?
• Do you want to help but not sure how?

If you answered yes then please take a few seconds and scroll down to the bottom of this blog to sign Jamie's Food Revolution global petition. By signing we can use this global petition to pressurise the governments to make a difference.

Something so simple and we can then all help to make a change and bring better food standards to children's plates.

Let's spread the word!!