While mindlessly catching up on my TiVo treasures last night, I came across an episode of Oprah that featured Jamie Oliver & his new ABC show Food Revolution. His worthy project is needed more now than ever, and his message is so true:

I believe that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals, and that every family deserves real, honest, wholesome food. Too many people are being affected by what they eat. It’s time for a national revolution. America needs to stand up for better food!

You live in an amazing country full of inspirational people and you have the power to change things. With your help, we can get better food into homes, schools and communities all over America and give your kids a better future. Sign the petition to save America’s cooking skills and improve school food. It could be the most important thing you ever do for your family. America’s health needs you now!

America is plagued by obesity. This is a national issue, not so much a global issue. It was astounding to return home after spending several weeks in the UK, only to be quickly reminded that obesity is a raging problem here. You can almost forget about obesity due to lack of exposure to it in other places.  Jamie Oliver shared some footage collected at an elementary school in West Virginia that shows kids being fed pizza for breakfast (?!), followed by greasy chicken nuggets and french fries for lunch. He makes excellent points that the food revolution has to start now, and with the children. The future of America. First Lady, Michelle Obama, is also very in tune with the alarming childhood obesity epidemic. She has launched the Let’s Move campaign to bring attention to this rising problem in order to support parents in making healthier, more educated choices for their families. The philosophy:

Let’s Move will give parents the support they need, provide healthier food in schools, help our kids to be more physically active, and make healthy, affordable food available in every part of our country.

Join First Lady Michelle Obama, community leaders, teachers, doctors, nurses, moms and dads in a nationwide campaign to tackle the challenge of childhood obesity. Learn more and join us.

Both Michelle Obama & Jamie Oliver are onto something big. It’s called PREVENTION. And it needs to start at a young age. People tend to forget that if we make healthy choices now, there will be less need for corrective surgeries, blood pressure medications, and diabetic diets in the future. Prevention is much cheaper than correction or treatment, and it would greatly reduce the strain on healthcare. Talk about reform! We, as Americans, should take responsibility for ourselves: put down the cigarettes, stop eating ourselves to death, and engage in some regular form of physical activity. Jerry and I know how expensive it is to buy fresh and healthy foods at the grocery store. We know that it takes dedication to get up and get moving. We know that the common culture is based around potato chips, burgers, and fries. It’s easier to watch TV and chill on the couch than it is to run on the anti-pedestrian streets and sidewalks.  But it’s worth it. We only get one body and one chance at living the best life we possibly can.

I am inspired, and I hope you will be too.