Thank You for an Unforgettable Summer!

Dear Fit2cook4Kids Campers and Staff,

WOW! I can't believe it is already September and time to head back to school, or in my case start my new job! It feels like last week we were at our first camp session in Greenville, ready for an exciting summer! I can't wait to hear how much all of you are enjoying the new school year. I hope you are sharing all of your healthy tips with your classmates and families.

This summer has truly been an unforgettable experience for so many reasons. I've learned so much from each and every camper and staff member. Each person brings something unique to the table. I am so impressed with the work ethic and maturity you all possess. It excites me to see so many students passionate about their health and fitness. This also reassures me that we really can change our younger generation and create this kind of excitement throughout our country.

Karen, thank you for inviting me into the Fit2cook4Kids family with open arms. I couldn't have found a better program to partner up with during my year of service. You have taught me so much about children's wellness, the Miss Rhode Island experience and about life. I am grateful for everything you have done for me to help me along the "Rhode" to Miss America.

I can't wait to continue working to prevent childhood obesity within the schools this year. If my new friends are anything like my camp friends, I know it is going to be an exciting school year! I hope you find your new healthy skills helpful and continue to use them at home and promote them within your schools. You are the healthy ambassadors of your generation!

Thank you for an AMAZING summer! I can't wait to hear about all of your successes. I will be bringing all of you with me in spirit on the Miss America stage in January.

Be Healthy and Happy,

Kelsey Fournier
Miss Rhode Island 2012

Fit2cook4Kids: Campers share their experiences with Diabetes

I am so impressed by the courage and maturity these campers possess. As part of their social skills training, they presented many topics throughout the week to their peers ranging from health-related topics, cooking experiences, nutritional information to personal stories. They presented with ease, enthusiasm and understanding of the material being presented, leaving me to believe that they will ace their first job and college interviews! 

Kelby and Logan were two campers who really captured my attention. Both openly presented on their personal experience of living with type 1 diabetes. Their courage is inspiring! They were able to explain diabetes in a way that any age group could understand by comparing the role of insulin to a locked door and key.  They shared how they found out they had diabetes and the thoughts that went through their minds when they were diagnosed. They explained their daily difficulties and the maintenance needed for, as one camper put, "to stay alive". They showed the class the tools they used to inject insulin and how they check their blood sugar. 

As a health educator, I thought I knew a great deal of information about diabetes but I learned even more from listening to them share their personal experiences.  Kelby and Logan have taught me something new and I know others could learn a great deal by listening to those who live with diabetes.

Black Bird Farm visits Fit2cook4Kids

"You are what you eat" 

This is a phrase that many have probably heard, but do we actually consider what it means? The root of understanding this popular quote is understanding where your food is coming from. If the phrase "You are what you eat" has any truth, then it is vital to know what exactly you are eating.

At Fit2cook4Kids, we find it very important to teach the campers the importance of supporting local farmers and knowing where your food comes from. Most Americans have never met the farmer who grew the food on their plate or the methods used in the preparation process. By purchasing local produce, meat and dairy, you can find out exactly where your food is coming from, how it was prepared and many times even meet the farmers who grew the food themselves. To help the campers understand this concept on a personal level, Ann Marie Bouthillette from Black Bird Farm in Smithfield, RI came to visit to share her stories.

At Black Bird Farm, the Bouthillette family humanely raises all-natural, hormone-free, pasture-fed, 100% Black Angus cattle, 100% pedigreed American Heritage Berkshire pigs and organic, free-range Rhode Island Red eggs. The great thing about the Bouthillette family is they can tell you anything you would want to know about the animals, whether it be the pedigree, when the animal was born, what it was fed, how it was raised or when it was harvested! Black Bird Farm can assure you that you are receiving high quality food with no chemicals of any sort! No hormones are ever injected or fed to their animals. They have farm stands where you can buy their products straight from the source and even offer cooking classes! Classes can be helpful to learn how to prepare different cuts of meat and prepare side dishes using local produce.

The campers learned so much from listening to Ann Marie talk about the farm and her practices. It was a great way to create a personal connection between the food on their plate and where it comes from. It is evident when listening to Ann Marie speak that she cares deeply about the animals on their farm and their well being.

For more information about Black Bird Farm, visit their website

Lunch Time with Stephanie Chafee: RI First Lady visits Fit2cook4Kids

It's Friday morning, the final day of camp, and the campers were busy cooking up another delicious meal. This time, they are anticipating an exciting visitor. Rhode Island’s First Lady, Stephanie Chafee, an advocate for children's wellness throughout the state, came to visit Fit2cook4Kids. The campers couldn't wait to show Mrs. Chafee everything they learned all week at camp.

They greeted our special guest at the door, showing off by confidently introducing themselves, shaking hands while making eye contact, exactly as they had practiced earlier in the week.  What the campers didn't know was that they were about to get another helpful lesson on etiquette…table manners. Mrs. Chafee explained that they should always practice table manners and proper etiquette. She said, “If you were to ever have dinner with the Queen you would want to be prepared!”

The campers learned so much from Mrs. Chafee, like when to start eating, how to use silverware, how dishes are served and removed from the table, and about removing elbows from the table. What valuable lessons our First Lady shared! She told them that table etiquette is an important skill that is needed when entering the workplace. Mrs. Chafee suggested that they should practice their etiquette weekly at home in order for it to become second nature. As a result, they will feel comfortable in any social setting. Soon enough they will be ready to dine with the Queen!

Mrs. Chafee was so excited to see all of the healthy dishes prepared by the campers. After lunch was over, it was time for the campers to teach Mrs. Chafee. She experienced her first game of TeaTime©, a game that makes you think before you speak. They taught her how to play, and about the rules that went along with the game. I have to say, Mrs. Chafee was one of the best TeaTime©, judges I've ever seen.  She really gave the campers detailed questions that challenged them to work even harder during their final game where they showed off their advanced level of TeaTime©, skills. The First Lady expressed how much she enjoyed the game and her plans to play the game at home with her family.

Having our First Lady, Stephanie Chafee, at Fit2cook4Kids was surely a spectacular ending to a successful summer at camp. With her extensive involvement in children's wellness initiatives throughout the state, she is a wonderful role model. It is encouraging to receive support from those who represent the Ocean State and know that Fit2cook4Kids summer camps are make a difference among children in Rhode Island.

Back to School on The Rhode Show!

On the last day of Fit2cook4Kids summer camp, I was invited to return to The Rhode Show for a back to school food making segment. This time I brought special guest with me,  Isaac Carlson, a second-year Fit2cook4Kids camper and aspiring chef.  Issac got to show Rhode Island his creativity with making healthy snacks!

We were both so excited we couldn't wait! We started brainstorming on Wednesday about what we were going to demonstrate on the show. We decided to consult with the other campers because who knows what students like best for lunch more than the students themselves! The campers came up with so many great ideas and it was hard to narrow it down. The general consensus was that a healthy trail mix would be a great snack to make on air. We had to devise a healthy school lunch that kids would enjoy eating, and followed the school lunch guidelines. We came up with a healthy morning snack and lunch that incorporated all of the five food groups while making sure that at least half of the meal was fruits and vegetables.

Finally Friday morning arrived and before we knew it we were on location waiting for our turn on camera. When it was time for Isaac's segment, he was spectacular! He was a natural on camera and very entertaining. It was evident from watching Isaac that he loves to cook and wants to pursue a career in the culinary arts one day. The camera crew was so impressed, they said he was better than some of the professional chefs that come on the show. They invited him back for another segment. Watch out Rhode Island, Fit2cook4Kids has the next Emeril Lagasse at camp! We even have some behind the scenes footage from the episode. For the actual Rhode Show segment, you can click here!

Don't forget to try our delicious snacks and lunches we made on the show!

Healthy Trail Mix: 

• Great on the go 
• Can include any ingredients in your kitchen
• Can be portioned out into bags for the week
• roasted sunflower seeds 
• dark chocolate chips 
• Craisins 
• granola 
• almonds 
• cashews 
• For children with nut allergies, low sugar cereals can be replaced ie. Cheerios

Sample Lunch Box

Morning snack: 

• Yogurt parfait
• Low sugar plain or Greek yogurt
• Granola 
• Chopped fresh fruit (any seasonal options)

Lunch: 

• Whole wheat tortilla wrap with:
• Sliced cucumbers
• Baby spinach
• Roasted turkey/chicken
• Hummus (to replace mayo)
• Cut raw veggies (variety of colors) with either:
• Hummus
• Peanut/almond butter