Many educators would agree that students should understand their bodies and what they put in them. High school teacher Michael Rosales not only agrees, but also takes steps to engage his students in the fundamentals of nutrition education.

Even with his busy schedule teaching Science, PE and coaching football at Sacramento's Florin High School, Mr. Rosales makes time for at least one day to discuss healthy eating habits in his science classes. When I asked him why, he says nutrition is a valuable part of a child's growth and development that is often over looked in  education, "I take time to add this into my curriculum because I feel it is so important".

What do you like about Activity & Eating?

I like that it combines both healthy eating and physical activity, because they go hand in hand. It's quick, very informative and appealing to the students. Everything I need for the lesson is provided for free and I like that I can turn to the Dairy Council of California for additional resources like handouts for students and for parents.

In a world of quick fixes, temporary solutions and unrealistic recommendations, it’s nice to see health and wellness advice shift towards positive and practical solutions. Today marks the official start of the 19th annual Healthy Weight Week, with the goal being to “celebrate healthy diet-free living habits that last a lifetime.” During the week, people are encouraged to "improve health habits in lasting ways: to eat well, live actively and feel good about themselves and others." With a mission and goal so closely matched to our own healthy lifestyle approach, here's how Dairy Council of California is supporting wellness now and well beyond Healthy Weight Week.

Talking the Talk

We are fortunate to be able to educate millions of Californians each year by partnering with schools, health professionals, workplace wellness coordinators and community leaders. I can speak for the rest of our staff when I say that each one of us personally believes in the value of nutrition education, optimal wellness and positive ways to create healthy habits. But like most people, we also need daily motivation and inspiration to stay on track with our own personal health and wellness goals. As a way to mirror the work we do to improve the health of those in our communities, we make it a priority to promote wellness within our work environment as well. 

Walking the Walk

As we start the New Year we'd like to share with you an email that we received from a third grade teacher:

I am a 3rd grade teacher for special education students in a self-contained classroom in Irvine.  This is the first year I introduced your entire 3rd grade curriculum.  Today was parent teacher conference day and a parent shared the following:  

She eagerly shared that she felt the lessons were life-changing and powerful. She commented that the program is so successful that her son ate some vegetables he would never have considered prior to the teaching.  Mom went on to say how much this has impacted their eating habits since her son talks about the pyramid and healthy foods at almost every meal.  He even asked about the calories and stated the sugar content in an unhealthy snack.  

Thank you for bringing this wonderful curriculum into our classroom.  It truly is changing lives.

Patricia L. Young

Laguna Hills, California

Hearing stories like these from teachers is very rewarding and encouraging. Thank you Patricia for the email and to all teachers that are taking the time to teach health to children in schools.

Maureen Bligh, RD

Project Manager