It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Mix a combination of strawberries/blueberries/peaches or any of your favorite fruit
2. Combine fresh fruit with 1 tablespoon of sugar
3. Cover with your favorite granola and bake until bubbly

But the latest report that Richmond is one of the 10 Fattest Cities was more than we could swallow!

According the Daily Beast, Richmond makes the top 10 fattest cities with:

• 29.4% of population is obese
• 9.9% of population has diabetes
• 50.2% of population exercises frequently (so almost 50% don’t!)
• 58.1% of population eats produce regularly (and more than 40% don’t!)

While we know that obesity is a national problem, we also know that we have the information, education, and resources to do something about it. Richmond is home to dozens of 5k and 10k races, sporting events, and year-round activities.

So why are we so over-weight?

Most of the time, it comes down to a simple process. It’s all about the calories consumed and the energy expended to burn calories. And of course, portion control is one of the best ways to manage weight and overall health too. Even sugar doesn’t make you obese when you consume it occasionally and in small quantities.

Green Monkey School Lunch programs focus on healthy, organic, natural foods that are high in fiber, nutrients, and vitamins, and low in sugar, sodium, and unhealthy ingredients. We avoid foods that contain pesticides, hormones, and unnatural additives. And we make sure kids get a balanced meal for lunch every day — and that includes an occasional sweet treat now and then!

Let’s turn the image of Richmond being one of the 10 Fattest Cities into one of being THE healthiest and fittest city! We can do it — one smart bite at a time.

Nothing at Green Monkey!

Here’s what we use in Green Monkey lunches. Our meats come from animals that are:

• Raised without Antibiotics
• Have no Added Growth Hormones
• Not fed Animal By-Products
• Fed a vegetarian diet
• Raised on farms that employ sustainable farming practices and mini-mize environmental impacts
• Raised in a responsible, humane manner

Pineland Farms Natural Meats

We get our meats from Pineland Farms Natural Meats, that prides itself on producing the highest quality NATURAL BEEF that is simply delicious, tender, and melt in your mouth flavorful!

Now that’s fresh and healthy. No worries about hormones, antibiotics, or unnatural ingredients. Thanks Pineland!

You’ll love our delicious new Taquitos and salsa that are now an option on the menu for a limited time. If kids like them, they’ll be a new feature on our 2012-13 school choice menu too. Check them out and let us know what you think.

Have something else in mind?

We want to know about that too. Tell us what’s delicious to you and we’ll make it happen.

Enjoy Mexican style!

We have created four (4) special menu options just right for ages 2-7 and they are the perfect choice for parents who want their kids to live a healthier lifestyle by sending them to Goddard too.

Now they can enjoy fresh, healthy food from Green Monkey every week.

Check out their web page on our site to learn more about their lunches and be sure to tell your friends who may be interested.

Free Bird!

Do you know what’s in the chicken we prepare at Green Monkey for your school lunches?

Nothing!

No hormones, no antibiotics, no animal by-products, no artificial ingredients.

Just fresh, healthy chicken!

We only use fresh chicken in every meal we prepare. Our most popular provider of organic, fresh chicken is Free Bird. Chickens are raised on Amish family farms in Pennsylvania certified to at least Step 2 Animal Welfare, which means they come from an enriched environment with no crates, no cages and no crowding – and a bale of straw or two for chickens to hide behind and climb on when they want to roam and play.

Chickens we use are:

• free from antibiotics
• free from hormones and animal by-products
• free range
• humanely raised
• organic, vegetarian diet
• commitment to sustainable agriculture

Thanks to Free Bird for making possible for us to bring you the freshest, healthiest and MOST delicious chicken available. What else would you want in your child’s lunch?

Breakfast Appreciation

$10 per person (minimum order of 10)

• Heart Shaped Strawberry Basil Scones w/Fresh Strawberry Cream
• Assorted English Tea Sandwiches to include Cucumber & Watercress & Smoked Salmon
• Cheddar Cheese Straws
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Lunch Appreciation

• Strawberry Fields Salad w/Mixed Greens, Local Goat Cheese & Toasted Walnuts, Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Rosemary Thyme Pan Seared Chicken Breast
• Wild Greens Focaccia
• Mini Chocolate Torte

If you’re interested in ordering for teachers at your school, give us a call and we’ll make it happen.

Now there’s something in Richmond that allows parents to learn more about helping children live healthier, happier lives. Bully is a documentary that reveals much about bullying and helps parents see how they can make a difference. Bully is playing through Thursday April 26, 2012 at Westhampton Theater in Richmond.  Click here to see show times and buy tickets.

In addition, Richmondmom.com and Commonwealth Parenting are hosting an interactive town hall meeting that provides valuable information and resources for parents. The event is May 17, 2012.

Take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about this sensitive topic of bullying and participate in the town hall meeting to gain more insights into making a difference. Seating is limited to 50 and you can register online at this link.

For more information, please call 804-545-1272.

These menu items are great for lunches or snacks anytime. Order some to keep on hand for school lunches or busy days when you don’t have time to prepare lunch. Grab an Energy Pak before or after you head out to the gym, or stash it in a backpack for a kid’s lunch or dinner.

You’ll find:

• Green Monkey Signature Orzo Salad: Orzo, Red Peppers, Zucchini, Feta Cheese, Red Onion, Basil, Parsley, Mint, Lemon, Dijon, Olive Oil, Shallots, Garlic, Salt, Pepper, Pine Nuts. This is one of our most popular choices from moms and dads!
• Mediterranean Tongol Tuna Salad: Tongol Tuna, Canola Mayo, Paquillo Peppers, Carrots, Black Olives, Parsley, Salt, Pepper, Red Onion. Tuna salad like you’ve never had before!
• Green Monkey Energy Pak: For a delicious lunch or hearty snack packed with lots of food for sustained energy. The Wild Greens Energy Pack includes wild caught albacore tuna salad, hummus, organic mixed greens with goat cheese and toasted walnuts, fresh local organic herb vinaigrette, and mini slices of whole wheat pita – a balanced selection for anytime! These are fresh for up to 4 days – order a pack of 3-4 for the week and have school lunches ready for kids or grab one as you head out the door for work or other activities. A delicious time-saver!
• Chickpea Salad: Garbanzo Beans, Lime, Zucchini, Feta Cheese, Cilantro, Garlic, Salt, Pepper. A real energy boost!

Watch the website often because our offerings change and you’ll find more to love on RELAY Foods and Green Monkey every week.

Visit RELAY Foods and choose Green Monkey!

Children who learn to eat healthy meals and snacks will improve their fitness and energy levels, and have what it takes to help them power through their day.

1. Avoid junk food by keeping it out of the house and the pantry. Don’t purchase cookies, candy, chips and other high fat foods that are just empty calories.
2. Include more grain even in meals and snacks. Add whole-grain bread with a spread of peanut butter and drizzle with honey, or include pretzels with cheese sticks, or whole-grain cereals with cherry tomato slices and shaved Parmesan.
3. Always go for raw vegetables with fat-free ranch dressing or hummus (which is included in many Green Monkey lunches too!).  Spread peanut butter on apples, celery and whole-wheat crackers.
4. Breakfast is the first and most important meal of the day. Add whole-wheat toast and scrambled eggs with a side of fresh fruit. Serve boiled eggs or whole-wheat cereal with milk. Avoid sugary, sweet cereals, pastries, and other unhealthy foods.
5. Include a delicious snack or extra treat in lunch that includes fresh fruit. Bananas will keep well if you cut them into slices without peeling them – and kids love pulling off the tiny peel.
6. Make it easy for kids to eat a healthy snack by making it easy for them to find them — and reach them. Cut up vegetables and fruit and store them in plastic containers or bags on a lower shelf of the refrigerator. Use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes out of apple slices, watermelon, canteloupe, or other similar fruits. Stock a lower shelf of the pantry with healthy snacks that you have per-measured in appropriate serving sizes.
7. Provide younger kids with fun bowls and plates that make it fun to eat healthy food. A section-plate for kids offers them a way to separate fat-free Ranch dip from crunchy vegetables for fun dipping.
8. Don’t assume that snack time is just a time for crackers and quick bites. Some kids enjoy scrambled eggs, a turkey and cheese roll-up, or some other substantial snack — balanced meals can be served any time of day.

Make every bite of lunch and snacks count by including nutrition in everything kids eat. And remember to always set a good example by letting them see you eat healthy too!

Eat fresh…Eat healthy….Eat Green Monkey!