I'm a wrapper

Today was absolutely draining.  But awesome too.  It was the last installment of "Thankful Thursdays" at my high school, the last healthy snack giveaway of March, Nutrition Month.  It was epic.  Not really but that's what I called the wraps I made - epic healthy wraps, totally ripping off/spoofing the epic meal time guys. We made romaine lettuce wraps, stuffed with quinoa, feta, shredded zucchini, red peppers, alfalfa sprouts, avocado slices and hummus with pumpkin, chia and sunflower seeds mixed in.  It was pretty fun to watch the kids actually look surprised at how good they were.

We also made apple-lemon-ginger-carrot juice, which is an energy-booster.  Most kids loved it, and even those who gagged were proud of themselves for trying.  For dessert, we made coconut macaroons, which turned out delicious.  Shredded and dried coconut, dates, agave syrup, cocoa and raspberries.  A bit of flax meal to bulk it up too.  They were quite popular.

I decided that since I'd only had girls helping me in the previous giveaways, I would get some of the older guys involved and give the food away in their hangout spot, an open space in between two hallways.  I had promoted the "Epic Healthy Time" event quite a bit, and although I expected more kids to come running at the bell, I was once again reminded about the importance of process.  The kids that actually took part in preparing these foods are the ones getting the most out of it.

There they were, in my cluttered office, 4 goofy teenage boys: all either chopping vegetables, tag-teaming at the juicer, hand-smooshing the macaroons, making Pauly D. impressions or just smiling and enjoying the process (Ok, enjoying being out of class too, but I'm pretty sure they were fairly present).  I managed to slip in a few facts about the foods we were preparing and made a connection or two, so I felt good about the mess I later cleaned up.  I'm referring to the awful mess in my office, nothing bad happened.  There were just a lot of dishes and apple-carrot fiber all over the place.  Luckily I pre-recruited someone to help me out.

I guess I'm trying to put myself in their shoes.  I really can't though.  I wonder where food fits into on their priority list.  Somewhere way after girls, in between toe jam and homework?  No idea.  The three older guys became friends at the gym, and one drinks smoothies on Sundays.

At the very least, I introduced these high school kids to a few options.  There's only so much one person can do right?  It's entirely up to the individual to try something on their own, and I think improvements and change come in tiny incremental steps.  Pick up some lemons next time you do your groceries.  Squeeze a half into your glass of water.  Explore the wonderful world of seeds and sprinkle some onto your salads.  Buy a new fruit.  Find something you like and keep at it.  Soon it'll become part of your daily rituals, or habits, and that'll open the door for more change to come.

I find in the past when I've tried to drastically change my diet from one day to the next I've been very unsuccessful and get really hard on myself for failing.  It doesn't need to be all or nothing.  Small changes can lead to quantum leaps.

Adam's apples and acne,

Katie