Farm to School

My reading assignment for my contemporary food movements class today was on "farm-to-school"(FTS) initiatives. This made me think of when Kath spent time in middle school cafeterias! The article I read focused on two cases in Pennsylvania one in a rural environment and one in an urban environment. The initial goal of FTS was to bring local, healthful food to K-12 students. This would call their attention to their surroundings, help them become more familiar with the culture of their area and strengthen school relationships with local farmers.

However after these initiatives were put into place parents and faculty members of the schools realized that much more could be achieved from FTS, such as addressing issues of nutrition and obesity in children. Several arguments were made in favor of these programs promoting health such as...

• They will be able to set healthy "food traditions" in place such as cooking real meals as opposed to the fast food and quick fix world we so often live in
• They can promote proper nutrition because the food the farmers will be most likely to provide will be fruit and vegetables
• It gives the schools a gateway and a link to incorporating a health curriculum  that would include wellness and nutrition 

Some people are worried that choosing to focus on the health aspects of FTS will take away from the original goal of strengthening ties with local farmers... "we can get fruits and veggies anywhere if that is the concern" type argument.  The other concern is that perhaps there are bigger health issues that need to be addressed in teens like self-esteem and eating disorders (operation beautiful reading group??). 

Have you heard of FTS initiatives or similar programs? What do you think of the focus on health vs. the focus on community? Would you invest if your local school had a program like this? Any other thoughts? 

Attempting moderation is key

Good morning blog world! I woke up this morning to my standard routine, snack, workout, shower/get ready, breakfast. The only problem this morning was I was A) WAY hungrier than normal upon first waking up ( I believe that you should be hungry for breakfast when you wake up but this was beyond normal breakfast hunger) and B) I had no clue what I wanted pre-workout or for breakfast! I normally plan as I fall asleep because my mornings tend to be a little rushed but I guess nothing was calling to me last night.

Anyway first thing was first, I knew I needed a more satisfying snack than normal so I dug through my bar stash and came out with a peanut butter power bar.

Normally I would only have this while on a long run. I wasn't too happy with my highly processed and high in refined sugar choice but sometimes it's alright if your body needs just some quick, filling fuel... plus it was DELICIOUS!

Friday is my "do what you feel and don't push too hard" workout day because Saturday is my long run, and I was feeling pretty good today! I did 40 minutes on the ET with speed and reverse intervals and then some full body strength only using body weight for lower body focusing a lot on chest and back, killer!

I then rushed back to my room where the only word in my head for breakfast was "fast!" So I finally settled on....

Two whole grain waffles topped with a delicious yogurt mix (1/2 cup plain greek, 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder, 1/2 mushed banana, cherry extract, cinnamon, truvia packet) and about 3 tbsp of trailmix because the salty was calling out to me!

leftover yogurt mixture for extra dippage!

Along with apple cinnamon green tea in my fave mug! "Ladies who Lift" =)

Always eaten at my desk with a side of homework or blogs!

This is where the message of moderation comes into play, these as well have an extensive ingredient  list and I was debating with myself because they could have easily been replaced with raw oats or wheat chex. But they were fast and what I truly wanted to I went for it anyway! Sometimes things happen, you have what you want and you do better at the next meal, no point in stressing! 

I'm off to pack lunch and go to class, see you later!

Peace!

Caitlin

The start of something new...

So, this is my blog!

Hi! I'm Caitlin, a 19 year old college sophomore at Beloit, College in the "beautiful" town of Beloit, WI! I have been a food blog reader for some time know and because of my passion for fitness, nutrition and everything wellness related I have decided to start one of my own!

I hope this blog will track my workouts, current half marathon training, the food choices I make in a college environment and my education! I am a health and society major with an english minor. For more info about me and what I want from this experience please see "the journey", and my about me page!

I chose to title this blog "The Permanent Life" because that is what I believe a true healthy lifestyle needs to be. Of course everyone will have ups and downs but for the most part it must be a lifestyle choice. When I first set out on my journey to health I remember my boyfriend at the time saying "your on such a healthy eating kick". I knew then that is not what I wanted it to be or what is was.  I believe many people fail to maintain healthy lives after doing weight loss programs because they are not taught to change their lifestyle which in order to maintain a healthy life you must do, PERMANENTLY.

So that's my semi-brief introduction, hope to talk to you all again soon, goodnight!

Coconut Veggie Stir Fry over Spaghetti Squash

For two HUNGRY servings

3 pieces seitan chicken chopped with splash of the “broth” (you could also use tofu or a meat if you want)

1 medium Sweet Potato cubed

about 1/3 VERY large onion

about 6 mushrooms chopped

1 tsp minced garlic (or one minced clove)

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

throw is all in a pan and stir occasionally until the broth evaporates

Mix together…

1/2 cup light coconut milk

1 tsp agave nectar

1 tbsp rice vinegar

Top veggie mixture with sauce and serve over grain of choice

It’s also DELICIOUS over spaghetti squash!

Pre-heat your oven to 375

Cut and clean the sqaush, bake RIND UP for about 30 minutes

Put the squash in the oven, then start the stir fry, everything will time out very nicely!