The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. (AJLI) will launch its third annual Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen education initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition this March, in conjunction with National Nutrition Month in the U.S. and Canada. The well-established initiative, which helps communities across four countries address the consequences of childhood obesity and poor nutrition, will continue to help youngsters learn about healthy eating and involve them in the preparation of their own meals and snacks. Exclusive kids media partner, Cartoon Network, will support the program with on-air public service announcements, League-wide distribution of grassroots event-activation kits and an online animated educational game tied to the network's "Get Animated" pro-social platform.

Rambo on steroids, Vending machines with pot

The Herbal Nutrition Center in Los Angeles has installed a 24-hour medical marijuana vending machine, according to an Associated Press story. But, before Californians get too excited, they have to have carry cards authorizing marijuana use for medical purposes in order to access the vending machine.

More Missy, literally: The former Portsmouth resident and lady rapper/producer is going 3-D. Disney Studio's did it up with a music video that combines her two songs.

Senator Harkin Responds To Bush's Backward-Thinking Budget Proposal

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today discussed the impact President Bush's budget proposal would have on Iowans and Americans. Harkin leads the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee as well as the appropriations subcommittee that funds health and education initiatives - both jurisdictions received major cuts in Bush's budget.

“It is clear that Iowans and Americans are desperate for a new direction for our country. Regrettably, President Bush's budget proposal is more of the same, pushing our country backward as he has for the past seven years," said Harkin. “He proposes deep cuts to programs that Americans rely upon, programs that protect our seniors, educate our kids and strengthen communities of every size. While slashing programs for low and middle income families, the President insists on extending his tax giveaways to the wealthiest Americans.

Dietary exercises take students from brainstorms to brain freezes

There was a whole lot of slurping going on at Franklin School on Thursday. And there may have been a few children suffering from brain freeze.For the second time this year, lunchtime was turned into a lively nutrition lesson as kids participated in a "Mix It Up" activity focused on the benefits of eating fruit. Their reward for paying attention? A frozen 5-ounce serving of a "strawberry whirl" or "pomegranate paradise" smoothie from Jamba Juice."It doesn't just taste good, it tastes really good!" said first-grader Raghav Bangalore.During each lunch session, students were randomly assigned to one of six tables and asked to brainstorm different ways to eat a banana, apple, cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries or pomegranate.Fifth-graders Kole Bartley and Kieley Trempy found themselves sitting at the "pomegranate table." They said they loved pomegranates and described the taste as between sweet and sour."You have to eat the seeds," said Kieley, to nods of agreement from Kole.

The Vegetarian Who Won't Eat Vegetables?

Our resident natural nutritionist Vardit Kohn offers some cunning tips.

Raisingkids member's problem
My daughter is nearly 14 and has been a 'vegetarian' for about three years. The problem is that she does not eat vegetables! I try to give them to her but she makes excuses like she is full or not hungry and I can tell that she doesn't like them. Her diet is made up of quorn, fish, cheese, pasta and junk food (crisps and chocolate). She also refuses rice. She will not eat breakfast and seems to have no interest in food, forgetting to eat. I don't understand what is going wrong! She didn't have any problems with food as a small child. She doesn't appear underweight but claims that 'food is boring'. She doesn't show the symptoms of anorexia or bulimia but is simply
disinterested in eating.

Nutrition Moves Up on Mom's Purchasing Agenda

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Nutrition has moved up on mom's shopping list, as three in four moms (74 percent) consider the nutritional content of foods they purchase for their children more now than they did two to three years ago, says a new survey from Ronzoni(R) Smart Taste(TM). Furthermore, two-thirds (65 percent) of moms are more concerned now compared to two to three years ago about their children's nutrition.

However, the battle between nutrition and taste rages on as parents are actively seeking healthier foods they can be sure their kids will like. According to the survey of approximately 1,000 moms with children ages 5-17, nutritional content is the number one factor considered when buying grocery products for their children (27 percent), but mom's desire for nutrition is followed closely by her child's preference (22 percent).

AINA makes a school subject out of gardening

He could not make a connection between the carrot in his hand and the orange cubes in a frozen mix of peas and carrots.

"That's kind of scary, that kids these days have never tasted or seen" a fresh carrot and think food comes from the supermarket, says Betty Gearen, co-director of a new program called AINA in the Schools.

The Kokua Hawaii Foundation originated the AINA program, whose name means "land" in Hawaiian, and also is the acronym for its mission: Actively Integrate Nutrition and Agriculture in Schools. The program is now in effect at Waialae Charter and Sunset and Aikahi Elementary schools for the second year.

The AINA program has turned the garden into a classroom for 200 or so kids at Waialae. "They just love us -- they give us hugs" when they see Gearen and her helpers coming for bimonthly lessons, she said.