No accidents and Sourdough Starter

Well, there was a bit of a problem this week….

There was a mistake on the Pilot Program flier that I didn’t catch-the dates! Ah! The three days this week are not on the flier. Granted, on the parent release form and all verbal communication, it said 10 days and I verbally said this week had three class dates, but on the flier and on the front of the D5 binder, this week’s dates were missing.

So…

Many kids were on vacation or had other plans. I have heard from all the parents and everyone was so sweet. Skipping most of the details, here is how we’re handling this and here is the big silver lining.

For the remaining 5 days, the kids will come in earlier each day. We will intersperse the remaining information (the rest of the first four programs) into the day as we’re cutting and chopping and having a great time in the kitchen. It just might be the best way after all. This is the way I taught at my cooking school-nutrition education while they’re in the kitchen- but with D5 I was thinking that perhaps they’d learn all the information so they make informed decisions in the kitchen. Wasn’t meant to be that way I guess! The way-because of the dates error- that we’re teaching, is the way I have always taught. How about that?

I am really looking forward to cooking with the kids on Monday. Here’s what we’re going to prepare while we talk about various aspects of health:

Sourdough Bread (the starter is started!)

Chicken Stock

Veggie Stock

How to cook beans (they will have soaked in Kombu overnight)

Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce

Ranch Dressing

Tomato Soup (I learned to make in Italy) that we’ll have with our warm bread.

 

Fun! I am so excited!!!

 

 

Great feedback

Pilot Programs are just that-a way to gather feedback from the kids about the program and to ‘tweak’ permanent programs.

We’ll see how the next 8 days progress, but my thinking is that interspersing Culinary with the first four programs might be more interesting for kids. The thought process for the current format was that they would understand how their choices affect what they eat before the get into the kitchen. One parent thought her child would like it better if the nutrition information was mixed in with the kitchen-time. It’s too early for know for sure, but this is feedback thus far.

More soon!

And now to our regularly scheduled programming…Locally and in Boston

Hi all!

Although we have 9 more classes in the Pilot Program, we are already thinking ahead to the first ‘regular’ program. I have heard from several parents already wanting to know when the next classes will begin! If you are a kid and want to attend the next program or if you are a parent and want to know the same thing, the best way to make sure you or your kid can attend before the class fills is to sign up on the home page for our newsletter. Once a month I will give you an update.

If you happen to live in the Boston area, I will most likely be there to teach the program the end of July. Probably the 24th through the 31st. We’ll be national a tad sooner than we thought, but we’re thrilled!

We have our very first official long term corporate partner. We’ll have an announcement soon-after we work through some details. Also, we have collaborations with many established (and really incredible!) organizations helping kids. I can’t wait to tell you. Keep checking back!

 

 

 

Fish and Chips?

So, the Culinary Program is 142 pages and includes everything from basics like stocks and sauces to brown rice sushi and roast chicken. All of this and the kids want one more recipe added -just one more, please!!!- What is it? Fish and Chips. Who knew?

Since Friday I have thought about this quite a bit. Fried food is something that most kids eat way too much of. That said, this is a potential learning opportunity. If you eat fish and chips-and I admit I love them too and eat them maybe twice a year-then you have to cook them properly and in the right kind of oil that can handle the heat without damaging the fat. Also, what else is on that plate? I’ll tell you what…coleslaw and steamed green beans with fresh tomato slices-another lesson.

DirectionFive is based on what the kids want to learn to be healthier. Fish and Chips isn’t exactly healthy, but….if they want to eat fish and chips, there is a way to prepare them so they don’t soak up all the oil and of course, I will stress that this is a treat, not the norm.

I spent an hour or so this morning researching deep fat fryers. I read all reviews and this is the one I would like to have-it won’t be used a lot, so it will last for many years.

Will one of you please purchase this for us?

https://www.emerilstore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=42EW701

Please let me know!

 

What a great day!

 

Yesterday was incredible. It was day 1 of the Pilot Program and we have 10 kids (one is missing in this photo)-5 boys and 5 girls, who are fantastic! The binders with the five health programs turned out beautifully (thank you to Sprint Copy Center in Sebastopol) and kids and parents were impressed.

 

 

Tanya Scott, our Program Director, an incredible volunteer, Mackenzie Rich, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the kids and we all look forward to the next class on June 24th!

Next week brings more fundraising and networking.

We are all so proud!

Patty

 

 

Today is the day!

It’s finally here! Today is the beginning of the Pilot Programs for D5! The binder look fantastic and are filled with a couple surprises for the kids!

I’ll post a photo of the kids later and write updates after each class with what the kids have to say.

Have a great day! I’m going to!

Mostly, thanks to all of you who have made today possible. I’m a teary mess as I write this. Today is here because of so many of you who have helped to make our vision a reality.

All the best,

Patty

 

Friday is almost here!

We have a full class on Friday, I am very happy to announce.

Tomorrow we assemble the binders with the five programs and finish some last minute details.

Mackenzie Rich, a young woman I have known for some time and who is a Nutrition Educator, is going to assist in the class. Mostly, she is going to take notes as I teach and interact with the kids. What were their comments? Did they need more information or less? Since these are the Pilot Programs, this is a very important component.

I look forward to meeting the kids and parents that I have not met in person yet, and saying hello to kids and parents I have known for years.

It will be a great day, I’m sure!

D5 Article

Here is the link to an article which came out in the local paper about D5. We really appreciate our local paper’s support!

https://tinyurl.com/3fzvd2s

Here it is as well:

Sonoma West Times & News > News

Patty James on a mission to help kids learn about nutrition

GIVING DIRECTION — Patty James is mobbed by kids in Las Vegas at The Boy’s and Girl’s Club. James recently returned from a cross-country trip to find out what kids think about nutrition. She will be sharing her findings during a series of programs through July. – Photo provided
by Laura McCutcheon
Sonoma West Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, June 2, 2011 3:10 PM PDT
Sebastopol’s Patty James is back in town and ready to deliver what she promised fans when she took off in her RV last year to travel the country to interview youth from all walks of life about their health.

While on the road, the nutritionist, certified chef, speaker and cookbook author submitted the data as she gathered it to Sonoma State University, where it was analyzed and made into an 89-page report. James and her advisory committee have since used the report’s findings to create health programs for children ages 6 and up.

And now it’s time to get started.

Five more students (teenagers only this time around) are needed for the pilot programs beginning this month, as are underwriters to pay for associated costs.

Students are not charged to attend the health programs as DirectionFive feels that health education should not just be available to only those who can afford to pay for it, James said.

The DirectionFive Health programs debut June 10 at Santa Rosa’s Chop’s Teen Club and will continue throughout the month of July.

“I promise you the kids will have a blast. They will learn what kids locally and all across the country said they wanted to learn; from how our cells work to making pizza,” said James, DirectionFive Health founder and director. “They are going to learn a lot and it will affect their health in a positive way the rest of their lives,” she said, adding, “These programs are starting in Sonoma County, and will be based here, but DirectionFive is national in scope.”

After the pilot programs, DirectionFive Health will apply for grant money to help fund future programs, James said.

“These pilot programs are absolutely essential. We can’t obtain grant money until we do the pilot programs, and we have room for five more kids,” she said. “We also need money to fund the pilot programs for the binders of information they will receive, the aprons, the food for culinary, etc. Additionally we need kitchen equipment, gift cards to local grocery stores, and more.”

The DirectionFive program is made up of five components. The first course, or class, will teach participating youth about the connection between nutrition and disease; basic metabolism and requirements of nutrients; weight control issues; how to understand nutrition labels on packaged foods and so on.

The second course will focus on the mind-body connection. “The mind-body connection suggests that you can learn to use your thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical responses and change mind-sets that no longer serve you or don’t feel right for you,” James said. “It also suggests that your body’s physical reaction to various stressors can affect your thoughts. It’s a loop,” she said.

Hence, stress, sleep, and depression are all addressed in this program.

Students will also learn about the body and earth connection. As part of the body/earth program, students will learn about how their food choices affect the planet; how toxins affect their bodies and the earth; and the difference between local foods and food that has traveled to get to their plates, among other things.

Fitness also comes into play during this five course program.

“It’s one thing to say, ‘you need to exercise,’ but it’s another to know how exercise affects your body. When you understand what is happening in your body when you do exercise and understand how your body is affected by not exercising, movement becomes more important,” James said, summarizing what this segment is about.

Last, but not least: The culinary program, which lands students in the kitchen preparing meals and then some.

“In the culinary program all aspects of the five programs will be discussed as they learn to cook. Why are we using brown rice instead of white rice? How does the choice of a free-range egg affect the nutrients, therefore their bodies’ health, and the earth’s health? What about humane treatment of animals?” James said.

Sanitation and safety, knife selection, kitchen equipment are also addressed in the culinary program.

Most important, students will all learn how to make pizza, among other basic recipes.

“Pizza was by far the meal of choice for many kids,” James said.

The program dates are as follows: 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 and 24; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 6, 7, 8, 11,12,14,16 and 18. All classes will be held at Chop’s Teen Club, 509 Adams St., Santa Rosa.

For more information or to donate to the programs visit www.directionfive.org. Donations can also be sent to DirectionFive Health, P.O. Box 1915, Sebastopol, CA 95482.

Laura McCutcheon can be reached at laura@sonomawest.com.

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