School Lunches Around the World

I read a very interesting article on Upworthy on how American lunches stack up against school lunches around the world.  It's interesting to see the difference in what children eat and what kind of nutrition is offered.

American lunch: Fried popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, peas, fruit cup, and a cookies.


Spain: Shrimp over brown rice and vegetables, gazpacho, whole grain bread, an orange, and fresh bell peppers.


Ukraine: Mashed potaotes with sausage, borscht, cabbage, and syrniki.


Greece: Chicken over orzo, stuffed grape leaves, tomato and cucumber salad, fresh oranges, and Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds.


South Korea: Fish soup, tofu over rice, kimchi, and fresh vegetables.



Brazil: Fresh mixed vegetables, black beans and rice, salad, bread, and baked plantains.


France: Steak, carrots, green beans, brie and fresh fruit.


Finland: Pea Soup, beet salad, carrots, bread, fresh berries, and pannukakku.


Italy: Fish on arugala, pasta with tomato sauce, caprese salad, baguette, and grapes.


The organization that headed this project of viewing school lunches is called Sweetgreen. 
They are committed to helping student choose healthy choices for lunch with their in school lunch program. They've also conducted workshops in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and New York City on fitness and sustainability.

While each picture doesn't represent all school lunches.  A variety of pictures were received and they reconstructed an accurate blend of what is offered.  To me it's interesting to see the variety offered in other countries like Italy, France, Brazil, and Greece.  I know I would have traded my school lunch for theirs in a heartbeat!

In contrast it was interesting to look at the pictures of lunches posted on Twitter from students across America.  It seems the new food restrictions on calories and other nutrients has really reduced the choices for many.  Some of the food looks absolutely disgusting.

Below are some examples of what was sent in.



Buzzfeed did another article with pictures of authentic school lunches around the world.  I'll add some of those pictures below.  Again it's interesting to see the variety.





Above: Japan



Above: Korea

 France

 Sweden

 Czech Republic

 
Singapore

 Kenya

 Honduras



Slovakia

 UK



Taiwan

 Ghana

 Chile

 Philippines

 Estonia

 Brazil

 China

 USA

It's interesting how many countries have nutrient dense school lunches.  It's also curious to see how little some children are fed.  Some children only receive seasoned rice, porridge, or only avocados.  While lunches in the United States are filled with fat, preservatives, and sugar there are other children who receive a healthy choice but it's only one food and doesn't offer anywhere near the amount of nutrition they require. 

Sources:

• http://www.upworthy.com/these-school-lunches-from-around-the-world-should-embarrass-the-us?c=tkp1
• http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/teens-are-sarcastically-tweeting-thanksmichelleobama-with-th#.hhdBnNRBR
• http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/what-school-lunches-look-like-in-20-countries-arou#.gvAOw6jOj

Taking your Kids Toys Away.

I'm not a parent however I think one day I would like to be.  I enjoy educating myself on homeschooling and ways to raise children.   I read a really interesting article about what happened when a mother took her 2 daughter's toys away.

I admire parents who are able to teach their children true values in this over commercialized world that drives us to constantly buy stuff.  In an effort to be more frugal I've tried to cut many things from my life.  I don't have TV and really I feel better for it.  I do have Netflix and on occasion I may also have Hulu Plus for a month or two.  Both services together cost lest than basic cable and on Netflix I don't have to deal with commercials.  It's bliss!  

Right now I have too much stuff.  I found this mother's story inspirational despite not having children currently.  I've wanted to and need to go through my house and just get rid of as much as I can.  I don't need all of this stuff. 

The mother in the story decided to basically strip her daughter's bedroom.  She removed every toy and even their plush pottery barn comforter. She started and after a few minutes without prompting her daughters joined her in the removal process. The room was just basic, clean, and uncluttered.

Now instead of constantly cleaning their room they can read or color or play games involving their imagination together.  The girls actually say they enjoy not having so many toys because now they can just play and not really have to clean.

She didn't throw their toys away, in fact she kept some in a tub and would allow them to occasionally play with one toy at a time.  The mother noticed that instead of fighting over things her children fought rarely.

Before the removal they had went on a family trip to Orlando, Florida and the girls often asked for things. One of the girls was fixated on Build-your-own-dinosaur and they basically had to divert her attention to make her realize all of the great things they did.  On their most recent outing after the purge her daughters looked but didn't ask for things.  The girls were just content in being in the moment and could fully take in what they were experiencing.  

Maybe less is more?  I do think it's better to raise children without materialistic expectations.  I can tell you without a doubt in my mind I remember more times I had fun playing outside in the grass or in the creek than playing with any single toy. 

Here's the original article if you would like to check it out:
http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/