Posted by Ali Kelley, Deputy Associate Director, Lets Move Outside on July 19, 2012
Can you believe that we’re half way through the summer? With many schools starting up again next month, there’s no time like the present to take off and spend an hour or more exploring the outdoors!
You don’t need to live near a beach or a national park to experience the joys of America’s great outdoors! There are places in every community – from bike paths and trails, to local parks, ponds and playgrounds – to get moving outside and have a little fun.
Posted by Marissa Duswalt, Let’s Move! Associate Director of Policy & Events on July 18, 2012
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Today in Philadelphia, First Lady Michelle Obama joined local elected officials from across the country to announce new opportunities to bring Let’s Move! to cities, towns and counties across America. Since she launched Let’s Move!, the First Lady has encouraged local solutions to solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Today, she announced opportunities for local elected officials to do just that through Let’s Move! Cities, Towns & Counties, an initiative that calls upon all local elected officials to work for changes that make their communities healthier.
“Reading is a way to travel in your mind,” said Cornell McClellan, the First Family’s Nutrition and Fitness Trainer, to over 130 students from DC area schools, camps, and youth programs at the first of ED’s four part Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series.
McClellan joined Secretary Arne Duncan and Sam Kass, assistant chef and senior policy advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives at the White House, to read and talk to more than 100 local children about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and learning over the summer. Students Jaden McDowell and Kylie Peterson, from DC’s United Planning Organization, had the honor of introducing the secretary and his guests to kick off the activities.
The winners of the Communities on the Move Video Challenge have been chosen! Since First Lady Michelle Obama announced the Video Challenge in February, Let’s Move Faith and Communities has been inspired by every congregation and community that submitted a video highlighting how they are promoting healthy lifestyles for kids. From putting on nutrition-themed puppet shows in Connecticut to advocating for safer play spaces in Colorado and preaching healthy living from the pulpit in Florida, the ideas in these videos demonstrate the commitment that communities across the country have to reversing the trend of childhood obesity within a generation.
Minutes after the opening of Trinity Elementary Community School Park (CSP) earlier this year, neighborhood women were briskly walking a new track with their children. Kids were playing soccer on a new grass field, a college recreation class organized interactive games, and a REI outdoor specialist was teaching youth GPS orienting. After five years of planning, hundreds of children, parents, grandparents, and neighbors joined dignities celebrating Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and People for Parks first CSP. A week later a similar scene was repeated at Vine elementary in Hollywood. A grant secured by PFP opens the Trinity and Vine on weekends, holidays and school vacations. Recreation enrichment activities are being organized.
Pull out the checkered tablecloth and celebrate summer by planning the perfect picnic for your family, friends and neighbors by incorporating healthy appetizers, salads and mains. Whether your plate is paper plastic or fine china, fill half of it with fruits and vegetables, and show your guest the importance of a well-balanced meal.
An abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables are in season so make sure that your plate is brimming with watermelon, raspberries and corn! And if you can't decide on what you want to make for future summer cook-outs, try the USDA's recipe finder for inspiration. Check out some of our favorite summer recipes:
We all have a role to play to ensure that our kids live the full, healthy lives they deserve. This includes everyone from moms and dads to CEOs and superintendents to mayors and community leaders. Earlier this month, the First Lady talked about how corporate leaders, in particular, can take steps on behalf of our children’s health when they realize that what is good for our children can also be good for business.
Getting children to do anything can be difficult, but some would say that dinner time is the worst. From asparagus to zucchini, many kids refuse to eat what we know is best for them and that's why we're sharing these 5 easy steps to help teach kids to make healthy choices.
What would you do if you received a mysterious box from the White House at your doorstep? Mitchell Elementary students found themselves asking the same question when a large, brown package arrived with a return address of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
