Edible Education focuses on healthy nutritional alternatives that take advantage of local food products.

In our continuing series on healthy, nutritious eating and in response to many reader’s questions about teaching kids the value of healthy eating, we explored Edible Education and what they have to offer.

Edible Education

Edible Education offers hands-on lessons for healthy living and they are in the business of teaching important nutritional, food source, and cooking information to everyone. They focus on supporting family health through healthy food choices and they support teachers, organizations and farmers.

Thanks to Edible Education, there is a source for exciting food preparation that is based on basic skill sets, etiquette, and delicious menu preparation. In 4 week sessions, people of all ages – including kids – learn about healthy nutritional choices. The classes help them learn about healthy eating for life by creating simple recipes and meal plans.

With sessions based on age categories, Edible Education makes it easy to teach kids new skills too:

• Tator Tots – ages 5-7
• Petit Prep – ages 8-11
• Apprentice – ages 12-16
• Adults – all

Eat Green Monkey too!

And now, Edible Education is also teaming up with Green Monkey, a local organic, wholesome option offered by this specialty business which provides school lunches, business catering, personal catering, weddings, small social gatherings and more. Green Monkey focuses on teaching children and adults about the benefits of making healthy, nutritious choices and using local produce, meat and other foods to prepare delicious, appealing and fun meals. Together, Edible Education and Eat Green Monkey offer an incredible array of services and education to prepare our children for a healthier future.

Watch for more information on these two innovative businesses that are making healthy nutrition an everyday choice. Be sure and visit their websites to learn more.

And don’t forget to contact Green Monkey for all of your catering needs (specializing in groups of 20o or less, including as few as 10!). You’ll be glad you made the call once you taste their tantalizing menu options. Whether you’re hosting a kid’s birthday party, an adult-themed party, a fundraiser, or just socializing with friends, Lisa Granger and Lynn Tauchen at Green Monkey have what you need.

Green Monkey makes school lunches healthy, nutritious and fun!

With summer approaching, we’re getting lots of questions from Richmondmom.com readers who want to know how they can make meals and snacks more nutritious all summer. We turned to Green Monkey mom and Head Chef, Lisa Granger, for answers. It’s evident that Lisa is passionate about her work because she truly believes in healthy, organic, nutritious eating for all ages.

Lynn Tauchen, who is also Lisa’s sister, started the business because she saw a need for kids or moms who choose not to purchase school lunches but want a healthy alternative – and a convenient alternative for moms too.  She collaborated with Lisa who has lots of experience as a chef. Together, Lisa and Lynn have created an incredible alternative for healthy eating in Richmond.

We sat down with Lisa and learned a lot!

RMOM: Where does the name “Green Monkey” come from?

Lisa: It’s really an idea we came up with to express the importance of organic and green living, along with a fun name that kids can relate to. We felt that kids would relate to some type of animal. We thought about lots of animals — chickens, goats, cows — but ‘monkey’ was the one that stuck and the business quickly became known as “Green Monkey”. That’s why we say “eat green monkey” (www.eatgreenmonkey.com).

RMOM: What makes Green Monkey so successful?

Lisa: Our business has grown by 75% this past year and we’re excited. We see eating as a social experience and we make it fun for kids too. We listen to what kids have to say and when they say they love a particular sandwich or food we serve, we make a note of it. If we find that they don’t like a particular sandwich, we modify it to find what makes it appealing to them. Our business is serving healthy, nutritious foods and we do that by partnering with our kids and moms to find the most flavorful and healthy options possible. Oh, and we make it convenient and affordable!

RMOM: How important is organic vs. non-organic foods?

Lisa: From our perspective, it is very important. Organic contains lots more nutrition and maintains nutritional value. If parents can buy organic, it’s a good idea because food is natural, with no additives and no pesticides or other harmful substances used during the growth and processing of foods. But if parents decide not to purchase organic for any reason, they can still offer fresh fruits, real veggies, and as many raw products as possible. Some people believe that organic and healthy cooking takes more time but actually it doesn’t. Cutting up fruits and vegetables in kid-friendly sizes, storing them in fun containers in the refrigerator, and making them easily accessible makes kids want to choose them. Kids eventually start looking for apple slices, melon balls, strawberries, blueberries and other easy to eat foods on the “snack shelf” of the fridge. They also love walnuts, peanuts, and almonds which are power-packed (and assuming there are no peanut allergies!).

Now is the perfect time to try organic with local farmers markets where you can purchase fresh, organic produce and meat at great prices. Summer is the perfect time to start introducing children to fresh foods that keep them energized and healthy. It’s also a good idea to take them with you to the farmers market so they see where their food comes from.

RMOM: What are some ideas for nutritious foods for summer that moms can prepare ahead of time, or prepare for picnics, beach outings and other events?

Lisa: We prepare hundreds of meals for kids in school all year long. We have learned that kids will eat most anything when it’s prepared in an appealing way – and that may mean hiding some of the ingredients!  The favorite sandwich of our school kids is a sandwich made of multi-grain bread, peanut butter, banana slices and honey. It’s packed with sustainable energy and kids love it. They get fruit, protein, whole grain and more. You can even add apple slices. This is a big request for school lunches.

Wraps are a great way to bulk up the veggies without kids realizing it too. One of our most requested wraps includes a wheat wrap with hummus (we make our own hummus, but store-bought works fine) and finely chopped veggies. Throw it all in the wrap and roll it up the day before if time is a factor.

Another great option is a Mediterranean tuna sandwich. We served it at school this week and kids loved it. Use spinach instead of lettuce for greater nutrition and antioxidants, add tuna, chopped red peppers, balsamic vinegar, fresh herbs and it’s a delicious meal.

RMOM: What about beverages?

Kids will drink water if you offer it to them and that’s the main beverage they should consume. You can infuse water with natural juices, or squeeze lime or orange in it. Even watermelon slices and cucumbers make it fun and flavorful. Keep a clear picture in the fridge where it’s easy to reach and kids will choose it when it’s filled with colorful fruits. Or keep individual reusable bottles of water with fresh fruit handy. Most importantly, get the “artificial flavor” off their tongue by giving them natural flavors. Agave is made from a plant and it’s a good choice as a sweetener when you use sugar. Even better – use honey to sweeten decaffeinated tea for a refreshing drink.

Green Monkey is Growing

Green Monkey is experiencing phenomenal growth as parents everywhere recognize the value of nutritious meals during school and summer months too. Green Monkey is also ramping up their catering for business lunches, parties, teas, and more.

Summer Camp

They offer a summer camp for 7 weeks that starts during the last week of June. It’s 4 days each week for ages 8-11 and 12-16. It’s a great way for kids to learn cooking skills and the importance of healthy eating. Kids come each day to learn and cook – and they have fun doing it. They take home what they’ve made which makes it even more fun. The cost is $130 per week, but you do not have to sign up for the entire 7 weeks to participate.

Parents can also learn more by calling or emailing Lisa with questions any time. She provides in-home teaching for parents to help them create a healthier, more organic kitchen too. For just $50 an hour, Lisa will come to your home, evaluate your pantry and fridge, show you how to prepare foods that are nutritious, and help you create a plan for healthier living. She’ll teach you how to do things such as cut-up apples and other fruits so they don’t turn brown, or vegetables that stay crisp and fresh for days.

Lisa explains it this way, “Eating is a social experience and it should be fun. That’s what we try to teach at Green Monkey – eat healthy and enjoy the experience.”

Watch Richmondmom.com for more on Green Monkey as we explore the work Lisa and Lynn are doing with the Henrico School Systems to increase the nutritional value of school lunches too. You may be surprised at what you learn!

Visit Green Monkey and always remember to “eat green monkey” for healthy, nutritional value of everything you put in your body. And don’t hesitate to contact Lisa with your questions at 804-502-5422 or [email protected]. She can even make your next family get-together easier and more delicious by preparing healthy foods for you and your family!

Maybe Richmond grandmoms do know something!

In response to one Richmond mom’s question about childhood obesity and healthy eating tips, we got some great feedback.  Even if your children aren’t overweight, it’s important to teach them healthy eating habits early.

Here are some great tips from some of our great Richmondmoms and grandmoms:

1. I only allow my children to have a cup of juice if they have already had a full 8 ounce glass of water. This encourages them to drink water. I also dilute juices with 1/2 water or seltzer-water. They like the “fizzy” drink with seltzer so that seems like a treat to them.
2. We have a healthy snack shelf in our refrigerator that contains cut-up veggies and fruits, along with low-fat yogurt cups and sugar-free jello. We keep other healthy snacks on this shelf and when they want a snack, they know where to find it. We do the same thing in the pantry – a healthy snack shelf for the kids. Instead of buying individually packaged snacks though, I buy economy size and then put them in single-serving, reusable (eco-friendly), sealed bags.
3. When my kids ask for a snack, I tell them they have to have one item from the fridge first – that’s because we only keep healthy foods in the fridge. No sweet treats, sodas, or processed foods. This makes it easy for them to find something nutritious and filling. They’re usually full and don’t ask for the “pantry snacks” as often.
4. Farmer’s Markets make all the difference in our family. We stock up on whole grain foods and wholesome treats made with fresh ingredients – no processed foods with high sugar, white flour and other unhealthy ingredients. We love summer at our house because we have lots of farmer’s markets to choose from and they make delicious, wholesome, healthy and organic options for the entire family.
5. It’s all about fun – we let the children help prepare most meals and snacks and when they get involved, they enjoy the food more. The older ones can help cut up veggies, while the younger ones enjoy pulling grapes from the stem or pulling caps off of strawberries. And they all love mixing, pouring and stirring! We talk about what goes into their food while we’re cooking so they’re learning healthy information and learning to cook – AND as a bonus, they’re learning to measure, count and other things that teach them math and reading!
6. Change where you eat as much as you change what you eat! We eat in the kitchen around the table, but we also eat at the picnic table outdoors weather permitting, or in the park, or other places. We take our lunch to CMoR, Maymont Park, the Richmond Metro Zoo, or anywhere else we go. Forget about McDonald’s when out and about! And the little ones love it when you change up their plates – use colors, shapes, sectional, and different sizes. It makes eating food more fun and they’re inexpensive.

These are great tips for our Richmond moms and grandmoms — but we need to hear from you too. Let us know how you teach children to eat healthy and nutritiously so we can share it with our readers.

Email me at [email protected] and put “healthy eating” in the subject line, or leave a comment below.

Keep the ideas coming!

Farmers markets offer good organic options.

READER QUESTION: Are organic foods really that different?

RMOM: As Richmondmom.com continues to search for healthy, nutritious alternatives for families, we discover more and more concerns. Who knew there was so much going on in our food?

A recent review of data by the CDC revealed that more than 325,000 people are hospitalized each year in the U.S. as a result of food-borne illnesses and 5,000 die. Salmonella, Listeria, and Toxoplasma are responsible for 1,500 deaths annually according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 200 known diseases are transmitted through food.

What?

Food kills people every day?

One of the biggest concerns with the food produced in the U.S. is that the FDA reports that 80% of antibiotics in the U.S. go to livestock – not humans! That means that antibiotics are going into our food and flowing into our water systems too. The primary purpose of antibiotics for livestock is to keep them healthy because they are confined in filthy, cramped quarters.

Even more alarming?

More antibiotics are fed to livestock in North Carolina alone than are given to humans in the entire U.S! That is based on a professional peer-reviewed journal, “Medical Clinics of North America.”

In another journal, “Applied and Environmental Microbiology”, it is reported that 70% of hogs on one farm studied were infected with MRSA – a deadly infection for people that has become much more resistant to treatment than ever before.

So, what can parents do to better protect the health of their children and themselves?

Start here:

• Buy local and organic whenever possible.
• Always wash your hands before preparing any type of food.
• Wash foods thoroughly before preparation.
• Always wash hands before and after touching raw meat.
• Don’t use the same cutting boards for meat and vegetables.
• Avoid wooden cutting boards for meat since they can absorb many germs and unwanted products of the food.
• Keep all food preparation surfaces clean and sanitized before, during and after food preparation.
• Avoid any meats that include antibiotics.
• Provide children with organic milk (unless otherwise recommended by a doctor).
• Even vegetables can be infected with e-Coli and other germs since everything eventually finds its way into our water systems – purchase organic but handle with care, even if you’re a vegetarian.

Kate Semp has provided valuable information about farm to table options for Richmond families. You can also learn more about what’s in your food in this article. You may also find some great tips in this article about Richmond’s Green Monkey lunch and catering business that focuses on organic, fresh and natural foods.

Don’t leave your family’s health to chance. Be proactive when it comes to making food choices and always handle food in a safe, sanitary environment. Teach children the importance of washing fruits and vegetables before taking a bite and focus on local, organic foods whenever possible.

Now you have the facts to help you make a decision about whether or not organic is really worth the price.

Green Monkey creates healthy nutritious lunches for kids of all ages.

Q:  My son is considered “obese” and I’m looking for supportive resources. Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the US and I can attest to the fact that it is not an easy issue to deal with. My child’s pediatrician is helpful, but do you have other tips to help us deal with the problem?

A: You are correct that childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the US. For many years, we have watched portion sizes increase, meals from fast-food restaurants become more acceptable and routine, and processed foods filled with sugar, fat and other unhealthy ingredients infiltrate our lives. Congratulations on recognizing the problems this presents for your son and trying to do something about it early.

Richmondmom.com has several ideas that might be helpful. Combined with your pediatrician’s recommendations, and a good fitness plan that incorporates healthy nutrition and activity into your son’s daily life, you can win the battle.

Consider these options

Green Monkey – this is a healthy alternative to normal, higher fat cafeteria meals, and it can be a good alternative to save you time when it comes to preparing nutritious meals. Green Monkey delivers fresh, nutritious meals to your child’s school, ensuring a good balance of healthy, wholesome ingredients. Visit the website for more information.

Mom’s Treehouse - you didn’t say how old your son is, but there are many healthy fitness programs and plans offered at Mom’s Treehouse. Check out what they have to offer, and visit the center to find out if Rachel and her team have some tips to help you. There may be an opportunity for you and your son to participate in exercise classes together which sets a great example for him. Mom’s Treehouse also has a nutritionist who may have additional tips and information.

American Family Fitness – American Family offers lots of support and encouragement for kids of various ages. They offer lots of camps and clinics during the summer months, along with other classes throughout the year. They have an indoor swimming pool at some locations, and plenty of options for kids to learn about health and fitness. Visit their website and learn more.

Romp ‘N Roll – a great place for activity and fun at the same time. This may be just what your son needs to get him moving and exercising. Take along a friend or two and the activity really gets going!

Dream Dinners makes it easier to create healthy meals.

Dream Dinners

 Healthy meals prepared for the month ahead make it easier to stick to a nutritious eating plan, and helps avoid fast-food and high-fat meals that are prepared at the last minute.

 - although many moms think this is just for their benefit, Dream Dinners offers benefits to the entire family. Busy schedules have us running in every direction. Take advantage of Dream Dinners and let your son help you choose healthy ingredients and healthy meals — and prepare them together ahead of time to ensure you both eat healthy.  Dream Dinners has several different options for services available. It’s definitely a win-win situation.

Hopefully, these resources will help you find some of the information and help you and your son need. This is a challenging issue, but with a desire to succeed and access to qualified resources, you won’t face it alone. Good luck and keep us posted on your son’s progress so we can share your story with other Richmondmom.com readers.

Dear Richmondmom.com: What do Richmond moms do on Twitter, and why should I consider making it part of my bigger life?

Richmondmom.com: Ah, my mama friend. . .. your eyes have yet to be opened to the wonders that Twitter will bestow on you. At the urging of a client, I began Tweeting this spring. I had no idea what was in store for me, and MAN has it been fun.

Think of Twitter as a giant, electronic party in which you are able to pop in and have a cocktail at any point. You can listen in, respond to others, or completely begin a conversation of your own, all without leaving the comfort of your own loud, cluttery home (we’re assuming your home is like ours). If a diaper needs a changin’, well you can just walk away from your PC, blackberry or iPhone to knock out your motherly duties, bestow needed band-aids, or kiss boo-boos as necessary.

Why, you ask? Well, Richmond moms, like all moms, need a social outlet. Let’s face it, being at home with kids 24-7 is NO easy task, nor is working in an office all day, so no matter what your situation, this is a fun, friendly outlet for you to meet other interesting people on the net in a non-threatening manner, and you’ll probably learn a lot, too. Because Twitter is limited to 140 characters it suits our ADHD-plagued society very well, and the good news for you is that most folks HAVE to get their point across succinctly.

We also find that it’s fine entertainment for those less-than-thrilling moments in life like waiting in the dentist’s office, waiting for a soccer game to start, or even to act like you’re responding to work emails while your mother-in-law, husband, or (insert common annoyance here) is droning on.

If you have a business, it’s a great way to create a presence. If you’re into meeting new, fun people outside your social circle, there are in-person meetings called “tweet-ups” and even a Social Meda Club of Richmond (follow @smcrva) at which you can find other Richmond Tweeters. Who to follow? That just depends on if you’re looking for good humor, information, or other moms. . search around and use the hashtag #rva to find locals.

Want to check it out? Start by following me, my Twitter “handle” is: @Richmondmom. AKA: Where hip Richmond moms tweet. I’ll try not to bore ya. Tweet ya later!

Love, Richmondmom.com

If you are looking for a great place to throw a party, Richmond is your town! Here’s some great places for a bridal shower, special birthday or just because!

For great atmosphere and service, you can’t beat Bin 22 @ Betsy’s. Any small party (the place is pretty small) will be cozy in a set of sofas and benches in a living-room environment. I recently hosted a special birthday for a friend. I called ahead, and the owners were very accommodating. They even allowed us to bring our own table decorations! Although not a private room, the servers were friendly, the appetizers delicious and the wine fabulous. Don’t miss the Spanish white wine served in a special pitcher designed to be poured directly in the mouth—a very fun drink for the honoree! Other wine/coffee/appetizer places to consider: Café Caturra in the near West End, Barrel Thief in Short Pump or on Patterson.

How about tea? Afternoon tea at the Jefferson Hotel in Downtown Richmond is a perfect spot for that special occasion. The ambience is grand and the service impeccable. If you prefer a smaller gathering, don’t miss Carytown Tea. The owner, Patricia Adams, is a gracious hostess who offers full tea service with advance notice, for up to eight guests.

If you would prefer a full meal, several restaurants offer private seating. Check out Shacklefords’ in the West End or Can-Can in Carytown for different options that include a meal.

Richmondmom.com readers: have you hosted a great party for your girlfriends somewhere in town? Well, share the wealth!