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Faith Wollner: Posted on Sunday, February 26, 2012 9:35 AM
This past week, I was invited back to high school visiting the school lunch program. Not only was the food prepared fresh, with whole grains, snack are baked not fried with fresh vegetables and fruit. The best part was a commitee of students that are now actively involved with the program. They are offering suggestions and other ideas for healithier menu fare. It is so refreshing to see the students involved after all they are eating the food and should be involved in the process. I was there with the food services provider, the principal and a reporter for our local newspaper and a photographer. All the equipment in the cafeteria is energy efficient, from freezers to stoves. I feel so blessed that I was able to begin the change a change to better health and wellness for everyone. Yes, you can get involved with your child's school. Not just on the academic level but the nutrion level as well. Contact your school food services provider, principal and share ideas and suggestions. Our children are the future, their growing bodies and minds need proper foods to fuel their growth and development. Get involved, get active! .
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Monday, November 07, 2011 2:32 PM
Today, I had the pleasure of revisiting my local high school - and meet with everyone involved for the school lunch program. Wow, I was impressed with all the wonderful changes that are now in place. Healthy snacks, baked not fried. Fresh fruit choices, healthy whole wheat wraps, and signs giving suggestions on healthy fare to choose from. All the selections are cooked and prepared with everyone's healthy habits in mind. There is even a student commitee that submits suggestions on the lunch fare. Also, I heard there is a suggestion for "Latin food" that is so awesome. This lunch program should be a model for all others to go by. I am very impressed with all the wonderful changes and all the hard working people who make it possible. Be proactive with your child's school. take more interest in what they are eating as well as their education. Both go hand in hand. What feeds the body feeds the mind.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Friday, August 05, 2011 12:18 PM
While I was recently shopping at my local market, I noticed something interesting. Right next to the produce section was a large display called "Local Route" referring to produce bought from a local market. Well, this was a a wonderful step in the right direction. Finally my market was buying produce from local growers. But upon further investigation, local referred to New Jersey. That's right, New Jersey otherwise known as the "Garden State". As a former New Yorker, I know quite a bit about the place. It is not local to Connecticut. Traveling from Connecticut to New Jersey takes hours and it's not a simple commute. Traffic over the Turnpike, through the other major highways to get here to Connecticut is not what I would consider local. To voice my concerns, I penned a letter to Stop and Shop asking them why they did not consider Connecitcut farmers for local produce, or even Massachusetts, where Stop and Shop is located. A few days after writing, a gentleman contacted me and we had a lively discussion. I told him it was great having this produce but why was it from New Jersey? He told me it was becuase the other places they contacted where not large enough to fill the orders for all the stores of the chain. If something similar is going on in your area, know that if you really want to buy local buy from your farmers market. It's summer now and there are a variety of markets all over the state. You can check online for markets in your area. When the store says it's a "Local Route" check to see how local it really is. If you see this at your local market write to the corporate headquarters, email, call get involved. We are the consumers and when our voices is heard people listen.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Saturday, June 11, 2011 8:51 PM
Hi, I have been residing in my community for about 20 years now. My local market has obviously changed to a great degree. When I first moved here it was just a small local store.Then the word "super store" became a new mantra for any supermarket in order to compete as a money maker. I have noticed changes that make me raise my eyebrows. They have started to place soda, chips, cookies, cake and other junk food items not just right in front when you enter, but as you walk into the store on the outside as well as right between the entrance way. I think the best one is the display of cake products right across from an inhouse Dunkin Donuts. How ironic is this? The entire shop has become one large arena of sugar, quickie carbs, and other unhealthy fare. It seems to me the only thing on the mind of managements of this place is "profit" from big sugar.There was an enormous display of soda that reached from the floor almost to the ceiling. I just joined a CSA (community sellers association) I get the most wonderful organic produce the local farmers market will be opening next week. It is such a shame that the store has taken such a downward spiral.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2011 1:23 PM
Hi, everyone, I want to hear from you. How have my blog tips helped you? Did you try something new on your menu? Have you tried any of the excercise or healthy habits tips? Please let me know. The first 10 people who respond will receive a free 15 minute holistic health session.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2011 1:40 PM
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Saturday, April 23, 2011 9:53 AM
Moms, do you know what your children are eating? We are always going to parent teacher conferences to find out how our children are doing in the classroom, but what about what they are consuming in the lunch room? Is the cafeteria food processed? Is it loaded with fats, added sugars and fillers? Are there enough fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains? Is the fare cheap processed, food? My daughter told me about the food at her high school: the soup was overly salted, with a layer or oil floating on the top. The bagels were soggy, there was a lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. I heard similar complaints from several of the administrative staff. I decided to take action. As a health educator I met with the school food services provider and the principal. We discussed what needed to be changed, and how we can bring healthy,nutritious food to our children. Moms your children are the future of our society. Food effects their growing minds and bodies. They cannot concentrate in the classroom without healthy food to meet their needs. Moms yes, you can make a difference in your child's school. Speak with the principal, the food services provider, and let them know that you are not only interested in their academic achievements but their nutritonal needs as well. Speak up and be proactive. Our children are the future. Let's make a future that's a healthy one for all.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 7:27 PM
 . Hi, I had recently worked with the school lunch services provider for my daughter's high school. We made wonderful changes to the lunch menu. The bagels are no longer soggy, the soups are no longer oily and over salted, and the pizza crust is whole wheat. Still there is a long way to go. Today, I heard from a young girl and her mom, about the lunch program on the elementary school level. This school both of my children attended many years ago and back then the food was fine. Things have changed. The young child spoke about the chicken served at lunch; it was clearly not cooked properly. When she picked up the piece of food it was undercooked and raw. She complained about the food, but it was served again on another occasion. This is clearly a health hazard. I spoke to her mom and introduced myself. I told her to speak up about this at the next PTA meeting or go before the Board of Education. When my children attended this school the lunch menu was fine and there were no issues. I will be contacting the principal of the school as well as the food services provider. Our children are the future of our world. We do so much for their education and academic excellence but we are seriously failing them when it comes to their nutritional intake. If you have any issues with your child's school program, speak up. Contact the principal, attend your PTA and Board of Education meetings. Let them know this will not be tolerated. When we fail our children with improper nutrition we fail our children on all levels.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 5:59 PM
Today while driving I noticed a large bus from a local nursing home facility. As it turned the corner at the traffic light, I saw where it wound up. In front of a "Baskin Robbins" Ice Cream Store. This really left me thinking.Seniors who reside in these homes are obviously on restrictive diets. No salts, no added sugars. Many of them are on medications for a variety of aliments. Why would they be going to a place that serves sugar? I happen to know this particular faciltiy and have volunteered there on several occassions. Many of the residences need special care from doctors and nurses for basic daily activities. Why are they eating an unhealthy food? This reminds me of a story a friend told me that the seniors from a local center could not come down to the studio for fitness because they lacked transportation. Well, at the end of the week a bus from the senior home place showed up and all the seniors went into the eatery next door. Now, what does that tell you? They can afford transport to eat,but not for healthy activity. Let me know what you think!
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Friday, March 25, 2011 6:22 PM
.Organic foods are grown without pesticides or growth hormones. To know you are buying organic, when you shop at your local market, check that the tag starts with the number "9" indicating its organic. Non-organic foods can contain growth hormones, or GMO. If you have a local organic market shop there to buy your produce, or frequent your local farmer's market for produce in season. Another way to ensure you're getting organic, is to join a local CSA (Community Sales Association) I joined one in Shelton Connecticut called "Stone Garden Farms". You buy in bulk and you can share the bounty with family and friends. When you buy organic it is not only healthy, but you are supporting farmers who grow produce respecting the land and the environment. When you shop at your local market ask for organic foods. You have the buying power to choose what you and your family eats.
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Sunday, February 20, 2011 6:22 PM
This video is to address the issue of Nutrition in the Schools. Our Children are our number one priority. We have to be more involved with not only our children's education, but to be proactive with their health
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Saturday, February 19, 2011 12:40 PM
.Do you ever wonder where your food comes from? So many products today are shipped in from various parts of the globe. When items are shipped it adds to the cost of the food. Some items are even picked before they are even ripe then injected with hormones so when it arrives at the store it is ripe and ready to sell. Tomatoes are one item this process applied to. When you shop at your local market look to see where the food was shipped from. Some items that are not in season are grown in hot houses and are being forced to grow unnaturally. The best way to shop is to buy locally grown produce. Visit your local farmer's markets. Supporting your local growers is essential for the best and freshest items. There is no added cost from shipping and handling. Also, join a local Community Share Association (CSA). I just joined one called Stone Garden's Farms which is located in Shelton, Connecticut. Look online or ask about one in your community. You can join with family and friends to share the freshness of life!
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:44 AM
Do you feeling tired in the afternnoon? Are you lethargic, do you suffer from headaches, mood swings? Weight gain? Are you jittery? Do you have trouble concentrating? Are you plagued by headaches? All these ailments are the direct effects of sugar in your body. Join me for a lecture with timely ways on how you can eliminate sugar from your diet. I am offering holistic health counseling for a one week trial session on how to change your eating habits. I will guide you on healthy food choices for your busy lifestyle at home and at the office. RSVP on Meetup.com on Thursday March 17th at 7:00pm. The link word is WelcomeOm to bring you to my lecture. The cost is $10. 712-432-3900 Phone
Conference Access Code: 796905#
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Monday, February 07, 2011 8:31 PM
.Hi, when you are looking for a product in the store sometimes you will see The American Heart Association logo on the front of the product. This is a falsehood. The AHA has guidelines for healthy eating and living. Sugary cereals and snacks have the AHA endorsement on their packages; it is a lie. According the the AHA website they do not endorse or recommend any products. The AHA is being payed to slap their logo onto a package of foood, whether it's healthy or not. Please check the link below for futher information.
Allow me to assist you with holisitc health coaching. Let's discuss together a plan to improve eating choices and healthier habits for a healthier, happier you!
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Friday, January 14, 2011 3:58 PM
Our children are the future of our society.
Today's youth are more obese than any generation has been before. Lack of proper nutrition, after school programs for physical fitness are always first to be cut on town's budgets. It is up to us parents to see that the meals served at school offer healthy alternatives so they can make healthier food choices. So many times cheap, processed foods are the norm due to monetary budgets. But at the expense of our children's health this is unacceptable. Please visit and sign my petition on petitionspot.com to improve school lunches. Together we can make a difference for everyone.
Yoga Training: Individual, Group and Corporate
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 12:49 PM
Please sign my petition on petition following the link below.
Our children are the future they deserve the best. School lunches need to be improved for everyone health and well being. This generation of young persons is more obese and inactive then another other. Let's get together and become activist for our children's health! Next Thursday, I will be featured on Trumbull Public Access Channel 17discussing this subject matter. I will let everyone know what time.
Yoga Training: Individual, Group and Corporate
Reiki Sessions
Looking and Feeling Beautiful
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2011 6:29 PM
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Sunday, January 09, 2011 1:51 PM
Improving School Lunches is of utmost importance for our children.
More children today are becoming obese more than any generation. At times the school lunch is the only daily nutrition for some children. The foods offered can be full of added sugars, fats, calories, additives, and chemicals. These foods are cheap and therefore accessible for school children and school budgets. Children need to focus in the classroom. These chemicals only add to lethargy of students, making them jittery and decreasing levels of concentration.
Our children deserve better; they are our future.
I recently spoke with the principal and food services director of my town's local high school. After I had written both of them letters based upon conversations I had with students and faculty we met and agreed that changes had to be made to take steps in improving the fare at the cafeteria.
I have heard now that there is a full serve salad bar. There is also fresh cantaloupe which is served as a side. There are also more vegetarian choices, a veggie burger is now on the menu it's fresh not frozen.
All it takes is you to take more than just an interest in your childrens' school. Be attentive to all aspects of your child's education. Get involved, write letters, be a proactive participant in your child's school.
Yoga Training: Individual, Group and Corporate
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Monday, December 20, 2010 2:25 PM
Allow me to assist your corporate office with a wellness program.
I can assist your employees with healthier food choices, and exercise programs. In our fast paced lives we tend to eat on the run, or at our desk, in the car. Together we can take the steps towards healthier lives. Healthy employees are more productive less absent from work. Doctor and hospital visits cost the American workforce millions of dollars in lost revenue and manpower. Let's work together for our greatest asset, our Health!!
Yoga Training: Individual, Group and Corporate
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Faith Wollner: Posted on Friday, December 03, 2010 3:47 PM
Hi Westport Connecticut,
The old saying goes - "One Person Can Make a Difference" . Today I was invited to a meeting at my daughter's high school with her principal, and the woman in charge of the cafeteria food program. I had written her a letter based on the findings from my daughter, her friends, and administrative staff that the lunch program needs a lot of improvement.
Well, today, I got a tour of how the food is prepared, and saw a lot of the improvements that have been made so far. There is a full service salad bar, and fresh vegetarian burgers, (not frozen) or packaged. We had a very fruitful dialogue on many issues concerning ingredients, and how to improve the soup (its overly salty) and there is a packaged item that does not list the nutritional items.
Be proactive, get involved with your child's school, talk to the principal on how you can make changes to assist your child and fellow classmates in healthier food choices.
Our number one concern is our children, they are the future of our world - let's get together and make it a healthier one for all of us!
Yoga Training: Individual, Group and Corporate
Reiki Sessions
Looking and Feeling Beautiful
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