HEALTHY PLATE

A healthy plate - an awesome lesson in great nutrition.

I look all over the place for homeschool, outdoor ed and other inspiration. The majority of my nutrition ideas come from KERF - I just love this RD and her take on food. My healthy plates pictured here are similar to this style, but simplified. In general, that is my rule of thumb - get back to basics, the closer to whole foods the better. KERF frequently shows trips to whole foods, where you can just look around and see a multitude of wonderful choices. We live in an area where this is just not possible - boondocks of Northern CA.

It all started for me back in the early 90s. I volunteered in Pescadero CA for an environmental camp, as a counselor to a lively group of 5th graders. One particular afternoon, we hiked for miles to reach the shoreline and when we reached our destination we pulled the makings of lunch out of our packs. This was the first time I had every experienced a bagel with cream cheese and jam. I have never forgotten the wonder of such a simple meal - with a backdrop of the pacific ocean and seals playing on the sand. This poignant experience was all Outdoor Ed and a Healthy Plate combined.