By Lauren Fishbach | Co-Founder, Delia's Center for Special Needs Kids
Dear Friends,
All of our programs at Delia's Center are critical for our kids: educational tutoring, counseling, speech therapy, socialization, art and drama, and, of course proper nutrition. We have always given serious consideration to the importance of food to assist in healthy brain development, improve behavior, and boost overall health. Locally grown and homemade foods had long formed the foundation of our children's diets. However, things have changed over the past couple of years. I was shocked (as was our CEO, Laura Larkin) last spring when seeing that some of our kids had put on weight. Then, when returning in September, I couldn't believe my eyes! So many of the children, from those who are just 7 or 8 years old to the pre-teens and teens, had gotten rounder with a number of them approaching being overweight. "How is this possible"?, I asked. As you've probably guessed, the answer was simple. Fast food had come to Barlad.
Seeing what has happened, renewed our commitment to serving nutritious meals, snacks, and fresh juices to the children. Are french fries irresistible? Well, yes. Teaching the kids to have balance and understand the importance of what they eat has now become even more critical. Our Wellness Director approaches this task by not only serving good food but by including the children in preparing healthy snacks.
It's an uphill battle when the fast food culture changes things but we are doing our best to combat it! Enjoy the photos and let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions for fun, simple recipes to prepare with the kids! (lauren@deliafoundation.org)
As always thank you for your kindness and support!
Best,
Lauren
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