Food Revolution: Episode 4

Food Revolution: Episode 4

A heart warming episode that began with a challenge: for Jaime Oliver to teach 1000 members of the Huntington, WV community to cook a simple dish in one week. At the forefront of the challenge lay a bet with local DJ Rod, the self-proclaimed most obstinate opponent of the food revolution. After a visit to a funeral home with Jaime and a meeting with local community members who have been affected by obesity either personally or familially, Rod begins to realize the impact that obesity has on the lives of his fellow citizens. Jaime's cooking classes attract the 1000 necessary individuals to win the bet, including the mayor of Huntington as well as the governor of West Virginia. Rod closes the show by cooking the 1000 dish, and proclaims his alliance with the food revolution.

Compared to the previous 3 episodes, this show was predominantly light-hearted and feel good. It highlights the importance of a community mindset and coming together. The citizens of Huntington have lived in a culture that supported poor dietary choices. A significant shift is happening at all levels of community support for Huntington. Without this strong community support, change was not likely to happen.

Look at your community. What dietary and health lessons are being perpetuated? What needs to change? Do you need to begin with your neighbor, friends or family, or do you need to take larger steps by contacting the local media, community leaders and/or politicians? Ask yourself how you can best help your community with its own Food Revolution.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Episode 3

Food Revolution, Episode 3: The Kids Share Their Stories

Jamie Oliver continued his efforts of connecting the community of Huntington, West Virginia together in a battle against obesity by making healthier dietary decisions.

This episode was largely about incentive. Jamie established a team of teens to work in his kitchen and learn first-hand how to cook healthy dishes. Each of these teens had a unique reason to begin their own food revolution. Marisa's father passed away due to obesity related issues when she was 13; Brittany has battled obesity her entire life and her health issues have led to doctors telling her she may not live past her 20's; and Ryan has dealt with anger management issues and is looking for a way to give back to the community in a positive way. These teens have seen the devastating effects of poor diet contributing to disease and early death for their family members. They are striving to stop the cycle of poor quality of life, and recognize that their incentive is to get healthy by changing their lifestyle and the lifestyle of those around them.

These healthy striving teens are presented with an enormous task: to cook for 80 adults who will potentially contribute financially to making large scale systemic changes to the way food is managed in the school district. With some minor hiccups here and there, they manage to prepare a meal that is a success! Little do the adults know that the teens made the meal in its entirety. When Jamie first informs the room that he did not make their dinner, they are shocked, which provides the most poignant moment of this show yet - a chance for the teens to share their stories with those in the room. Stories are met with tears and applause from the adult audience, and a state senator even pledges his allegiance for making large scale sweeping changes to help the community in change efforts.

Incentive. The big take away from this episode. The teens find motivation to better their health and their lives. Adults find motivation to contribute monetarily to aid the district with providing healthier school lunches. State representatives learn that their constituents are demanding change, and find the incentive to promote that change. Incentive at all levels.

What incentive do you have to follow your own food revolution? It could be something small, such as not being out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs. Or being able to have a better quality of life with your family. Or more energy. Or less likelihood of developing significant health related concerns. Find the incentive to change your lifestyle and take the first step today.

Start by signing Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Petition.

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Food Revolution: Episode 2

Episode 2: Food Revolution

Jamie Oliver's 2nd installment of Food Revolution centered around continued education regarding diet and subsequent health for the community of Huntington, West Virginia. The culture of resistance that he encountered in the first episode was still very much present, however, you start to see small shifts in attitudes, incentives, and behaviors at all levels. Parents begin to recognize the nutritional value of what is being fed to their children at school is not conducive to good health. Teachers begin to recognize the importance of simple tasks, like modeling the appropriate use of forks and knives as well as helping children be able to properly identify fruits and vegetables. Families begin to recognize accountability amongst themselves. Perhaps the most poignant moment of the episode involved a family testing their teenage son for diabetes, which he was not diagnosed. Following the test this father and son converse about the long term health concerns that will affect this young man; diabetes, heart disease, and shorter life expectancy. The father asks his son to not only work on his own behavioral change, but also to help keep his father accountable in losing weight as well.

Accountability. The key lesson learned from this episode. For your own Food Revolution to be successful you need accountability. Families need to support one another with maintaining behavioral changes. As much as parents need to help children, children need to help parents. Parents need to question school lunch menu decisions and verify that what is being served has nutritional value. Partners need to question each other with shopping habits and meal choices, ensuring that what they are providing is conducive to health.