Happy Food Day!

Today is Food Day, a nationwide celebration and movement for healthy, affordable and sustainable food spearheaded by the one and only Jamie Oliver.  Love this guy and all that he does to improve food for kids and adults everywhere!

How can you celebrate Food Day? 

• Take the #EatReal quiz to see how your eating habits stack up
• Check out the Food Day recipes cards and cookbooks, with delicious creations from chefs like Dan Barber & Rick Bayless
• Enjoy a healthy, home-cooked meal using fresh, local ingredients

We are having friends over for a mid-week dinner of roasted broccoli and shrimp, (a great recipe I promise to post soon) and another rustic apple tart as we eat our way through that bushel of local apples. 

What will you eat tonight?  Do share! 

Stephen Ritz: A teacher growing green in the South Bronx

One of the most inspirational videos I have ever seen. Please watch this amazing Ted Talk by Stephen Ritz as he shares how he is revolutionizing the idea of local food at a South Bronx school. I just adore it. Go Green Bronx Machine!

Check them out on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.

For more #local food and vegetables news like this, feel free to follow my twitter handle @laurenlocally.

#FoodRevolution Day: May 19th

I somehow missed the build up to Jamie Oliver's #FoodRevolution Day scheduled for this Saturday, May 19th. I could kick myself for not staying on top of this better, but I suppose I've been a bit busy. 

Jamie has a TV show of the same name documenting his scary but vital his fight against childhood obesity and the drive to improve food quality in school cafeterias.  To sum it up, kids needs fresh, real food on their cafeteria menus as the sugary milks, frozen pizzas and carb-heavy frozen alternatives are not cutting the mustard. You can read more about here. 

Food Revolution Day...
 
Why: "Worldwide, obesity has more than doubled since 1980. For the first time in history, being overweight is killing more people than being underweight, and at least 2.8 million adults around the world die each year as a result of being overweight or obese." 

What: "Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers' markets. We want to inspire change in people’s food habits and to promote the mission for better food and education for everyone."

How: Search the site for a FoodRevolution event near you! Plan a last minute dinner party using only local, non-processed food! Donate to the cause!

So you have two days, that's right, just TWO DAYS to figure out how to celebrate your own #FoodRevolution Day this Saturday.  Next year, I promise more advanced planning. We're celebrating my mother-in-law's birthday and aside from the chips for her favorite dip, are aiming for a totally UN-processed meal!