FoodED - Balancing Health and Indulgence: Creating Holistic Food Options for Children

Balancing Health and Indulgence: Creating Holistic Food Options for Children

07/07/23 • 35 min

On this episode of FoodED, host Lana Elgart sits down with special guest Hillary Drinkell, a former Montessori teacher and administrator, who now focuses on holistic health coaching, yoga, and Ayurveda through her business, Empowered Well-Being for Success. They discuss the importance of food in education and the challenges of promoting healthy eating habits, particularly in schools. Hillary highlights the significance of seasonal cooking and eating, explaining how it aligns with a healthy lifestyle and connects us with our natural environment.

Timestamps

[00:01:13] Montessori educator transitions to holistic health coaching.

[00:06:33] Balancing physical and emotional well-being through yoga.

[00:10:31] Garden curriculum integrates science, food, and nutrition.

[00:16:19] Food challenges and the importance of teaching healthy habits.

[00:20:34] Educate kids, teachers, and parents for health wellness.

[00:22:30] Psychologist said change is difficult after 12 years old. Mindfulness activity helps kids notice taste.

[00:25:31] Seasonal eating is important for children's education.

[00:31:02] Healthy bodies, happy lives.

[00:32:10] Take care of the body like cars.

Connect with Hillary Drinkell

Website: https://hillarydrinkell.com/?page_id=133

Timestamps

[00:01:13] Montessori educator transitions to holistic health coaching.

[00:06:33] Balancing physical and emotional well-being through yoga.

[00:10:31] Garden curriculum integrates science, food, and nutrition.

[00:16:19] Food challenges and the importance of teaching healthy habits.

[00:20:34] Educate kids, teachers, and parents for health wellness.

[00:22:30] Psychologist said change is difficult after 12 years old. Mindfulness activity helps kids notice taste.

[00:25:31] Seasonal eating is important for children's education.

[00:31:02] Healthy bodies, happy lives.

[00:32:10] Take care of the body like cars.

Connect with Hillary Drinkell

Website: https://hillarydrinkell.com/?page_id=133

Previous Episode

Kosher Food in a Jewish Classroom: The Intersection of Tradition and Education with Dean Goldfein

On this episode of FoodED, Svetlana Elgart, the host of the show, sits down with Dean Goldfein, the head of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School in the San Francisco Bay area, to discuss the role of food in the classroom. The school has been around for several decades and has 150+ students in grades K-8. It's a community Jewish day school that does not have any particular denominational affiliation, but roughly half the families are affiliated with a particular denomination of Judaism.

The school keeps kosher to an Orthodox modern standard because some families in the community are traditionally religious. The podcast explores the latest research and best practices in food education and aims to create a school environment that promotes thriving food education for all students.

Timestamps

00:02:14 A community Jewish day school with no denominational affiliation, Hebrew Judaics make up approximately 30% of the day, with a focus on humanities and critical thinking skills. Speaking modern Hebrew is emphasized due to its importance among half of the global Jewish population.

00:04:18 The school was founded with a diverse community and a strong math program. Israeli food development was also discussed.

00:07:59 The Torah has sections on what Jews can and cannot eat, including pork and shellfish. Goldfein now keeps to kosher provision protocols and does not mix milk and meat. He sees it as a way to be respectful of tradition and aware of what he's eating. There may not be any real nutritional or health benefits.

00:12:11 Working in a community school, Goldfein understands the challenges of catering to different Jewish dietary practices without excluding anyone. Living traditionally observant in San Francisco is difficult due to the limited availability of kosher options.

00:14:22 Hot lunch program with healthy options and limited meat. The school community struggles with sugary snacks and cultural traditions.

00:19:34 School offers a hot lunch program Tue-Thu, with rotating options & vegetarian alternatives. Kitchen open Mon/Fri for hands-on nutrition lessons.

00:23:09 Schools prioritize physical and mental wellness, with a focus on movement and outdoor activities. Encouragement to avoid prepackaged foods, setting limits on ordering out, and promoting healthy home-cooked meals.

00:27:08 Health, wellness, and movement in school are important.

00:29:09 Closing remarks: promote student success.

Connect with Dean Goldfein

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-goldfein-979ab14

Website: https://www.ccjds.org/about/administration-and-staff/

Next Episode

A Holistic Approach to Learning, Nutrition, and Fitness with Miss Lainie

On this episode of FoodED, host Lana Elgart invites special guest, Miss Lainie MA, to discuss the lack of focus on nutrition and healthy snacks within the educational therapy business and traditional schools. Miss Lainie, who runs Core Education Academy, emphasizes the importance of avoiding heavy sugar and sodas, and highlights the need for education on how proper nutrition benefits the body and learning abilities.

Core Education Academy follows a holistic approach that prioritizes nutrition, fitness, social and emotional learning, as well as academics. Miss Lainie believes that public schools should also prioritize these aspects and acknowledges the current problem within the education system. She appreciates efforts like this podcast to address the issue and believes that by sharing and raising awareness, more people will recognize the importance of holistic education.

Timestamps

[00:02:25] Customized, multisensory educational therapy for all ages.

[00:05:34] Limited sugar, healthy snacks for improved learning.

[00:07:31] Understanding the importance of health education.

[00:11:01] Revamp curriculum to educate kids on nutrition.

[00:15:41] Academics, SEL, and life skills classes weekly.

[00:20:10] Partners in health’s impact on education.

Connect with Miss Lainie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miss-lainie-barbieri-28750211

Lanies Learning: http://www.lainieslearninglane.com/

Core Education Academy: https://www.coreacademy.net/aboutcore