Dear Dr. Susan,
 Greetings! In
the last few months, we've helped to host multiple "Two Angry Moms" screenings,
most recently in Santa Barbara, CA; Columbus, OH; and here in Westchester
County, NY. Kate Adamick (pictured with me, right) was in Santa Barbara;
she's working with the supportive Orfalea Foundation
to improve things there (thank you!) It's a fascinating journey every time--both
encouraging to see folks passionate about improving their kids' health, and
saddening to see just how bad school food can be. While in CA, I visited a preschool that had the most amazing food policy:
they forbid "never foods," such as candy, soda and cake. They discourage
cookies, sugary drinks and fruit rollups. They encourage healthy muffins
and fresh fruit. And the kids still have fun on their birthdays! If
only our government could be so firm in their stance. There's an amendment
to the farm bill, (S.771/H.R.1363) known as the Child Nutrition Promotion
and School Lunch Protection Act, attached as part of the proposed Harkin-
Murkowski amendments to the Farm Bill currently in the Senate. For some
states, the legislation would be a step forward, ridding schools of high-fat,
high-salt foods. For other states (like RI, TX, NJ, CT and CA), which already
have or have plans for soda bans, this federal legislation would be a step
backwards, allowing what they've aready decided to change out. (To read
the New York Times article, click here). In any case, the amendment might be considered a step in the right direction by some; we think it's not far enough. We
at BSF will continue to provide you with as much infomation as possible to
make good food decisions for your children. Toward that end, we've put together
some special holiday cookie recipies for our members that you can feel good about making and sharing together. Happy Holidays! Dr. Susan Rubin, Founder, Better School Food |
What's New at BSF
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You asked for it, we created it: a Healthy Snack List
for you to use with your children and share with your school community.
We've also provided some information along with our list that can be used
as a tool for discussion. Enjoy.
We've also created new fact sheets
for our members: one on gluten (see right sidebar) and one on MSG. Monosodium
Glutamate ("MSG") is a man-made ingredient, an additive, commonly used to
enhance and intensify the flavor of foods. Many of us associate MSG with
its use by Chinese restaurants. Many of us don't realize how widespread
MSG is in our food supply and how dangerous it is to our children. At a
recent Two Angry Moms screening, a pediatric neurologist commented on one
of the children in the movie who said "healthy food can taste bland." She
stated she felt it was because of additives like MSG that we were losing
our taste for real food. So keep it real and stick to fresh, whole foods!
For specifics on gluten and the additive MSG, please join BSF today.
   
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FoodNews:
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| Artificial Food Additives May Increase Hyperactivity in Children. These were the results of a study
done in the UK that was published in The Lancet 9/6/2007. Scientists confirmed
what parents long have known: behavior is affected by food.
The
evidence from a four-year $25 million study into organic food also confirms
that organic food is indeed healthier than conventionally grown food. The
European-Union-funded study found that:
- Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
- Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
- Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants
The
researchers obtained their results after growing fruit and vegetables and
raising cattle on adjacent organic and non-organic sites. Their results indicate
that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of
people who don't eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables
a day.
Currently our society places the empasis on calories
consumed. These studies confirm that it is not just the calories, it's the
quality of the ingredients.
Source: Timesonline
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Community Spotlight: Aspen, CO
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Concerned parents of children at the Aspen Elementary school wanted to improve
school lunch and the environment and thought that bringing in local and organic
fare would be the right solution. They created the "Aspen School Lunch Initiative"
with the goal of instilling nutritional and environmental literacy in children.
With help from the founding member and Education Coordinator at Slow
Food Roaring Fork Katie Leonaitis, six weeks was all it took for the installation
of ready-to-plant beds. Katie helped raise funds, design the garden, round
up excavators, carpenters and volunteers to make it happen. Additional beds
and a compost system will go in in this spring.
Aspen's students
will plant seeds and nurture, harvest, and prepare and eat the food they
helped to grow. They'll learn about their role in the cycle of life, all
while re-connecting to food. Keep up the good work in Aspen!
For more information about this topic, visit BSF's new school gardens page. |
Events
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- How to avoid the "Sugar Blues" class by Dr. Susan Rubin
January 10 in Bedford, New York from 10:30 to Noon
Fee: $10
To register email: info@betterschoolfood.org
Our next two BSF Teleconferences have been scheduled!
- February 7, 2008 @ 1:00pm EST.
Featured guest speaker: Mimi Edelman, Organic Gardener, Consultant & Horticultural Therapist Topic: School Gardens. The Power of Gardens and How to start a garden at your school.
- April 10, 2008 @ 1:00pm EST. Featured guest speaker: Maya Shetreat-Klein, Pediatric Neurologist
Topic: The connection between ADD/ADHD and food.
Dr.
Shetreat-Klein will illustrate with some case histories the significant improvements
she has witnessed in some of her patients.
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Disclaimer
Information in this newsletter is not intended as medical advice or
information to replace the services of a health care provider. Any
medical question, general or specific, should be addressed by a
qualified health care professional. Any application of the
recommendations set forth or implied is at the reader's discretion and
sole risk. Better School Food does not advocate any particular way of
eating. |
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Our Mission
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Is to raise awareness of the connection between food and children's health, behavior and learning.
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Support
Better School Food
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IngredientFacts
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What is Gluten?
Gluten is the key protein in wheat, barley and rye.
Gluten is one of the top 5 reactive substances found in the foods we eat today. Gluten sensitivity affects possibly as many as one in ten people, often with no digestive symptoms at all.
Symptoms of Gluten sensitivity can include:
Upper respiratory tract problems;
Malabsorption causing fatigue;
Diarrhea, constipation, bloating;
Depression, ADD, Chronic fatigue syndrome and behavioral problems in children.
You can find a list of items and ingredients that contain gluten on our BSF Ingredient Fact Sheet.
This and other BSF research sheets are available to download for BSF members on our website |
The Documentary about the Movement
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BSF Picks
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Recent Books
The Art of Simple Food Notes, Lessons, and recipes from a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters
Good Calories, Bad Calories Challenging The Conventional Wisdom on Diet, Weight Control, and Disease by Gary Taubes
Fish Forever
The Definitive Guide to Understanding, Selecting and Preparing Healthy, Delicious,
and Environmentally Sustainable Seafood by Paul Johnson
Super Natural Cooking Five Ways to Incorporate Whole & Natural Ingredients into your Cooking by Heidi Swanson
Recent Movie Release
It is a feauture documentary about 2 friends, one acre of corn, and the subsidized crop that drives our fast-food nation.
Video clips:
The Daily Show
Dr. Rob Riggle investigates the number one frosted killer of our children: Cupcakes!
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BSF Blog
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It's the tip of the iceberg..
Playing the calorie game
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Links We Love
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Healthy Soil … Healthy Food … Healthy People ©
This very informative and inspirational website is one of the great resources listed on our new School Gardens page.
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Food Facts
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One of the biggest quandaries in the obesity issue today is that some people are obese on normal amounts of food.
Source: Death by Supermarket by Nancy Deville
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About BSF
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About Better School Food
Founded
in 2005, The Coalition for Better School Food (BSF) is a nonprofit
organization dedicated to improving school food for a positive impact
on children's health, behavior and learning.
BSF founder Susan Rubin,
DMD, HHC, is a dentist, holistic nutritionist and parent of three who
has been advocating better school food for over a decade.
BSF gives parents inspiration, information, and resources to help improve school food. |
Contact info:
287 E. Main St. #231
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