My hubby introduced me to a television show that I am absolutely HOOKED on now.

The show?

Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution.

Sure there are some things about the show that I would call “fluffy” and “exaggerated” but I think the concept of the show is absolutely brilliant (and thus I let the fluffy stuff slide).

When we stop and think about the current state both Canada and the United States is in (just to name a few locations) it is absolutely heart breaking.  Obesity and type 2 diabetes are at an all time high and they are on the rise unfortunately.  Our children are growing up in a convenient fast food filled world and most aren’t being taught or shown proper health and nutrition habits.  If our children are being raised in that environment the current obesity and type 2 diabetes epidemics will inevitably worsen as the cycle will continue.

When I decided to get healthy I made a commitment to change my family tree so my kids would not end up like I did:  Eating garbage food and too much of it, using it as an emotional crutch and ending up having to lose a disgusting amount of weight once I gave my head a shake and realized that life didn’t have to be that way.  My weight-loss battle was/is not just for me.  I did it so I could give my family the best ME possible and I think that’s why I relate to Jamie’s food revolution so much.

Basically Jamie’s goal is to educate people on what they are eating, to get people thinking about what’s in their food AND where it comes from.  Obviously you can tell why I love this show   If you are a consistent RFKW reader you will have experienced my soap box rants related to this very subject.  I love you guys dearly for reading them

This season Jamie is working to get into the school system to see what they are feeding the kids AND he has so far worked with one independent fast food establishment to try and implement healthier food and cooking methods.  In doing this he is hoping to cause a domino effect, having more and more schools and fast food restaurants take steps to providing healthier food for everyone.

The independent fast food restaurant was especially interesting to watch because at the end of the day we all know it’s all about profits.  Fast food joints have a responsibility to get customers their food, get it to them fast AND make a gross (as in disgusting) profit while doing it!  Quality and nutritional value of food almost always takes a backseat because what really matters is bringing in the $$.

Jamie made an interesting point that admittedly took me back a few steps until I understood his reasoning behind it.  He believes fast food could potentially be part of the solution to our obesity epidemic.  At face value that sounds @$$ backwards but it’s really not when you stop to think about it.

Fact.  We live in a fast paced world and it’s getting faster every day.  When we want something we generally can get it almost instantaneously…ESPECIALLY when it comes to food.  People are busy and there are many days in which the only meal options they have are to run and pick up something quick for the family.  If that’s the way life is for the majority of people there is absolutely nothing wrong with that BUT rather than feeding people into their early graves, nourish them with healthier and more natural ingredients!  Food can still be fast, convenient, healthy and delicious!

Jamie ISN’T saying “Don’t eat hamburgers” or “You must only eat salad with fat free dressing on the side(of course) and rice cakes for those days when you really want to splurge.”  He IS saying (to summarize) “Eat the burgers, shakes, ice cream sundaes or whatever suits your fancy, in moderation of course, BUT eat WHOLE, NATURAL foods!  Don’t settle for food that sounds like a science project gone wrong!”

If the food can sit on your desk in a sealed bag and still have ooey gooey delicious whip cream and soft cake around it 3 months later, well, maybe it’s time to start thinking about what’s in the food to keep it “fresh” for that long

Now I know this T.V show is a “reality” t.v show, that certain aspects of the show have to made to look worse than they are purely for dramatic effect and that you absolutely cannot believe almost anything you see on t.v but I don’t think this is far off from what’s actually happening today.

It’s really astounding to see how many obstacles Jamie consistently runs into when dealing with the school system.  They absolutely do not want him in their cafeterias snooping around at what they feed our kids day in and day out.  He is such a goldmine AND he’s willing to come in and make things a little healthier for our kids.  Where is the downside to this?  At one point he was just standing and looking into the cafeteria (from a WINDOW!) and he was told to walk away. He cannot even talk to kids about the food they are being served for breakfast and lunch and he cannot cook healthier food options for the kids (as it would look like he is trying to compete with the cafeteria…that could be avoided if he was allowed to work WITH the cafeteria staff…no?).  After being completely shut out he receives one consistent reason as to why this is happening.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with the food that is being served.  Interesting.  It could just be me but if you’ve got nothing to hide you wouldn’t be making such a huge effort to keep everything hidden.

In one episode Jamie held a parental meeting and had them bring their kids’ cafeteria served breakfasts/lunch from that day.  It was devastating to watch.  Coming from someone who does not have children yet I can tell you that for a brief moment I put myself in those parents’ shoes.  To rely on the school system to feed your children doesn’t seem like such a terrible idea but upon seeing the food those kids brought in from school that day, well, it left me so very sad for them…And scared to think about what life would be like if I sent my kids to school with a $5.00 bill!

Pre-packaged and processed EVERYTHING! Macaroni and cheese, pizza pops, pop tarts, bearclaws and donuts, chocolate milk to be poured on top of sugar filled CEREAL!!! soda, chips, etc, etc.  I will say that we did see an apple!  But let’s face it, if I am a kid and I have the option of eating a vacuum sealed pre-packed donut or an apple, what am I choosing?  Not the apple I can tell you that for sure!!!

Now, I don’t think every school cafeteria is this extreme in the food they feed their kids (or at least I hope not!) but I certainly believe there is enough questionable food items being served to be a cause for concern.

What Jamie is trying to do is absolutely necessary and I truly believe he will be successful eventually.  It’s a daunting task and he certainly won’t be a favorite of many people but I think if he persists and people stand behind him, a change can be made.

Here’s hoping a change will be made or so help me I just may go into the business of making lunches for those kidlets!!

Today I started my day laying in bed listening to the rain.  I did have every intention of working out but I ran twice yesterday and needless to say, laying in bed was fantastic.  I did get up to workout but Jeff unplugged a bunch of computer/tv stuff downstairs on the weekend and didn’t plug it back in and so I twisted my rubber arm and went back to lay down.

Breakfast was a delicious jar full of layers!  Shredded wheat & bran spoonfuls, blueberries, banana, strawberries and yummy homemade granola.

I ate my breakfast while catching up on some favorite blogs that I’ve been neglecting.  I’M SORRY!  I LOVE YOU! 

Lunch today was a pita halved and stuffed with super garlicky hummus, a grilled portabella mushroom from Sunday (as seen below)

Along with some tomato and cucumbers.  Evidently I forgot my romaine which made me slightly sad but that’s OK. It was delicious nonetheless.  Sprinkled with some balsamic vinegar!  I’ll catch you on the flip side sweet leafy greens.

On the side were some more blueberries and strawberries.

Well I am going to go finish my workday, get a sweaty zumba workout in, make some sushi and write an exam on food allergies and intolerances!  I’m a month and a half in and over half done this course.  Technically I have to be done in January but I’d like to be done with this one by the time September rolls around so I can start the next one!  Correspondence schooling kicks butt cheeks.

Have you ever seen Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution?  What are YOUR thoughts on it?

Tags: Cereal, Fibre Pitas, Granola, Hummus