ROCK - Reduce Obesity in Central Florida Kids

01/10/2017

Action for Healthy Kids is making it easier for schools to fundraise in a healthy and successful way, ditching the wrapping paper and candy sales of the past!

This SuperFit School Challenge raises more money, incorporates healthy habits into the school day, AND culminates with an awesome obstacle course challenge for students.

What now? Bring this info to your school! To the PTA, to the HST (healthy school team) or even directly to the Principal!

Wishing you a happy New Year and happy, healthy fundraising in 2017!!

The evidence is clear – kids who eat healthy foods and are physically active in school gain lifelong healthy habits and are better learners! So kick the candy and wrapping paper sales to the curb and implement a healthy fundraiser that your students will love and will raise more money

12/15/2016

Does your school host a Girls on the Run program? If not, they are open for Spring Site registration NOW! Check out their website for more information. You can also sign up to volunteer and become a running "soulmate".

Share a fun experience that you've had with GOTR or another run/walk program in the comments!

We had so much fun this fall that we're ready to do it again in the spring.

Site registration is now open. gotrorlando.org/start-a-site/

Girls on the Run 3rd-5th grade / Heart & Sole 6th-8th

12/12/2016

Looking for a fun way to get active? You're in luck! One local yoga studio is bringing the community together in happiness and health by offering free yoga classes from December 13th to the 24th!!! What a great opportunity to check out Firefly Yoga and all they have to offer you and your family! :)

12/08/2016

The "School Garden Field Trip and Empathy Tour" is a fun way to bring the community together to witness the great things going on in our own backyards! Stops included Healthy Eatonville Place, Dommerich Elementary's garden and food program, the garden project at Morningstar School in College Park, and the 4Rivers Farm Project at Ocoee High school! Check these programs out! Thank you Edible Education Experience!

12/07/2016

When you empower students to use their voice, great things happen. These kids are hungry for change! Check out this non-profits website for some inspiration! http://appetiteforchangemn.org/what-we-do/

Appetite For Change is a North Minneapolis nonprofit organization that uses food as a tool to build health, wealth and social change. Directed By Chancellor ...

11/21/2016

"Schools by themselves cannot solve the most serious health and social problems." That's where the Healthy School Team (HST) comes in, and Florida schools are leading the way to healthier school environments! Florida's unique success in engaging stakeholders through district SHACs (school health advisory committee) and school HSTs has been showcased by its 43 districts that were awarded the Florida Healthy District award!! Have you engaged with your local SHAC or HST? http://www.fldoe.org/schools/safe-healthy-schools/healthy-schools/building-a-healthy-dis.stml

11/08/2016

Have you ever ordered a meal with a side, only to hear the follow up question "What soft drink would you like? It comes with one!" My typical response is "No thanks! I'm good with water" which usually gets me a look or two and another "Well, it comes with the combo...but ok..."

When did it become the norm to have a soda or other sugary beverage with every meal? Well, one study suggest that if we uncouple the soda from the combo meal, teens especially will consume much less sugary beverages. Will food companies go for it? Probably not, but we CAN arm ourselves with knowledge and information to make the healthy choice. What if we empower our teens and youth to "say yes" to water? What if parents, teachers, and others led by example, choosing water?

Will you "say yes" to water? Just like a smile is contagious, so, too, can a healthy choice be! :)

Researchers want chains to stop including the beverages with meal deals to reduce calorie intake

11/01/2016

Florida's beautiful "Fall" weather is the perfect excuse to get out and get active! Check out this awesome "Active Fun" search tool that is specific to Central Florida. It offers some REALLY great suggestions based on where you live, your budget, what type of environment you are looking for, etc. Use it! Share it! Post it! How are you getting out and active this season? Share in the comments :)

Check this out: FindActiveFun.com.

10/27/2016

This site offers an awesome platform for schools and youth organizations (any group with a tax ID number) to create an online team page and raise funds as part of any type of health and wellness event (walk-a-thon, daily running challenge, event, etc).

If you already have events like this going on at your school, why not add an online component where parents and community members can support your school? 75% of the proceeds collected online go directly back to the school and the additional 25% go back to national initiatives that support exercise during the school day!

If you know of any other great resources like this, please share! Many fundraising companies sell unhealthy products, don't promote a healthy lifestyle, and often take a large cut of the funds raised!

Help Active Kids Do Better With This Healthy Fundraising Option. Launching soon for the 2015-2016 school year.

10/25/2016

The serene and beautiful Bill Fredrick Park at Turkey Lake is hosting this years Step Out Walk! Bring your friends and family to walk, run, or skip to the finish line and learn all about what is going on in Central Florida to support our community, and each other, in steps to a healthier life!

Will you Step Out? If so, leave a comment here and we will reach out to you for a special post on why YOU are stepping out to stop diabetes!

It starts with YOU! Take the lead, fundraise for a cure. Together we can Stop Diabetes.

10/20/2016

The Edible Education Experience at Orlando Junior Academy is something to buzz about! "Through an edible education experience, life-skills are taught to a diverse community of students and families enabling them to grow their own food and cook delicious, affordable, nutritious meals. Integrated into each experience is the joy of learning, the benefit of activity, and time to express gratitude for God’s abundant provisions." And this is all happening right in College Park. Sign up for their newsletter to learn about Chef Nights, volunteer opportunities, and to find out when the grand opening of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Kitchen House & Culinary Garden will take place!!!

09/28/2016

Add a farm-to-table perspective to the classroom. Explore how milk and other nutritious foods make their way to your students’ homes and school lunches. http://ow.ly/AddL304F7Ur