Work-frazzled moms probably serve it to their families every day for breakfast (or even for lunch). Now, this no-fuss humble staple is the stirring topic of a global conversation initiated by British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver who eggs us on to join his ultimate omelette challenge.
“This ultimate fast food can be a perfectly balanced nutritious meal, depending on what you put in it,” the thought-provoking challenge reads. “But what does your choice of fillings say about you and where you’re from?”
The down-to-earth, food-smart Jamie invites everyone to start sharing their egg-citing takes on this well-loved dish on their social media platforms with the hashtag #FoodRevolution!
Not too long ago, Jamie lighted the fire of a Food Revolution to fight global childhood obesity. He posed this burning question: Did you know that we’re currently facing an obesity epidemic with 42 million children under age five either overweight or obese across the world?
Jamie sent this urgent message around the world: “Access to good, fresh, nutritious food is every child’s human right, but currently we’re failing our children. Millions of kids are eating too much of the wrong food, while millions more don’t get enough of the good stuff to let them grow and thrive.”
Jamie was not laying it on thick when he said that the next generation would “live shorter lives than their parents, if nothing is done to rectify these alarming statistics.”
Dad to four lovely, healthy kids, Jamie traces the culprit to children’s easy access to cheap fast foods. School lunches are not helping any, as these do not offer healthier choices, too. Coupled with unhealthy food, less and less children are engaging in active play as they spend more and more time with their gadgets or tablets.
On a bright note, the flame of change has been lit. For instance, in the UK, the School Food Plan has made cooking lessons and food education a compulsory part of the curriculum. In Japan, food education has been part of the curriculum since 2005. In Mexico, all schools promote healthy eating through compulsory nutrition education.
The Food Revolution has sparked, well, a welcome upheaval. “After a lot of hard graft and campaigning, I’m thrilled that the UK has joined France, South Africa, and Mexico in introducing a sugary drinks tax,” Jamie discloses. “In Canada, I’m expecting big decisions from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on public health — I think he’s the man to do it. In Australia, the tax has been grabbing headlines and I think the public is ready to support it. And later this month, myself and my Foundation are joining many other incredible organizations at the World Health Assembly to urge governments to act in the fight against child obesity and undernourishment.”
Recently, we got this invite from Jamie to sign up and be counted. “First of all, I want to say a massive thank you for your ongoing support — you guys have been instrumental in shouting about the need to teach every child about good food, in turn helping them to be healthier and happier. Next week, on Friday, 20 May, we’re making a big noise about the global Food Revolution, with our fifth annual day of action, Food Revolution Day, and I wanted to briefly update you on what we’re planning in order to ensure that 2016 is a breakthrough year.”
More than a one-day wonder, the Food Revolution is an ongoing global movement “to inspire meaningful, lasting change in the way our children access, consume and understand food.”
To keep us in the loop, Jamie has launched the brand-new Food Revolution news hub. “When it comes to food news, this is your go-to place for daily updates, new information and stories from across the world,” he says. “We want to inspire and encourage you to make better, more informed decisions around food and, in turn, empower you to support and push for positive change in the wider food industry.”
Jamie promises to make it fun (and funny as only this sassy chef can dish out), really newsy (for the nosey) and inspirational, something that will make you comment and interact.
Truly, the health of our future generations literally lies in our hands. Now, that’s exciting but scary, says Jamie, who notes, “Never before has it been so easy to spread and share information, to provoke debate, to lobby governments and to harness our buying power as consumers in such a way that big business and industry have to change their practices for the better.”
Last Friday, at 10 a.m. (UK time), Jamie Oliver kick-started a relay of live videos on his own Facebook page with dollops of cooking, advice, debate, and fun. Then, 10 countries took over, each hosting its own event headlined by each country’s famous culinary celebrities: Australia, India, USA, Kenya, Canada, Tanzania, Germany, Netherlands, Nigeria, and Brazil.
Imagine people across the globe just celebrating and sharing the joy of good food! Indeed, Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution has sparked a flame in people’s hearts.
* * *
In our part of the globe, moms were celebrating, too, as a new healthy, easy-to-serve drink landed on our supermarket/convenience store shelves: Mott’s 100% Original Apple Juice, filled with the same 100-percent apple fruit goodness that people can enjoy anytime anywhere.
“We at Fly Ace are very happy to partner with a globally renowned brand like Mott’s in bringing world-class products closer to Filipino homes. Our exclusive partnership with Mott’s and the introduction of the handy Mott’s Apple Juice in can will let more Filipino families enjoy delicious and healthy 100% apple goodness every day at home and even on-the-go occasions whether at school or at work,“ asserts Fly Ace Corporation general manager Ramon Daez.
Mott’s Philippines’ official brand ambassador and mommymundo.com founder Janice Villanueva tells all modern moms to serve meals that are full of health benefits, especially something their kids will love. “After learning that Mott’s 100% Original Apple Juice only has three ingredients, which are water, apple juice concentrate, and vitamin C, I knew that it’s the kind of pure apple juice we’ve been looking for,” says this mom who’s a firm believer in the age-old saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
As an added treat for mommies, nutritionist-dietician Cheshire Que has come up with recipes using Mott’s 100% Apple Juice to add flavor — and nutritional value — to a family’s daily menu: a tasty, zesty, apple-licious spaghetti with lots of grated sayote and carrots and reduced amount of salt; savory crepes that boast a layer of French flavors; tete-a-tea cookies using unsalted butter; a belly-warming and crusty Fruity Trio Blend with a cinnamon kick, using apple juice, freshly squeezed orange juice and lemon juice with honey served hot. Now, who can resist such a juicy offer?