Vegetarian Star

Tavis Smiley is the latest celebrity to add his name to the growing list of those who support The Healthy School Meals Act, which would allow schools in the United States to incorporate more vegetarian entrees and more dairy free beverages in their lunch programs.

Tavis has written a letter to U.S. Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.) supporting the Healthy School Meals Act, H.R. 4870.

“I would like to ask for your help in empowering our nation’s children. I’ve been a radio talk show host for years, and I’ve always aimed to be a voice for the disadvantaged, the persecuted, and all in need of help. Children today need assistance gaining access to more healthful food, so I’m asking you to join me and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in supporting the Healthy School Meals Act, H.R. 4870.”

“Millions of children from low-income families receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program. African-American children and Hispanic children are especially likely to benefit by receiving meals through this program. But we must work together to ensure that our schools offer the healthiest food possible.”

(more…)

Possibly Related Posts:

• Best Vegetarian Stories Of 2015
• Yotam Ottolenghi Gives “Plenty More” Vegetarian Recipes In New Book
• Benjamin Zephaniah Advocates Plant Diet For New Year’s Resolution
• Sam Simon Offers Sealers One Million For Government Buyout
• Meatless Mouthful–Rick Warren Praises The Plant

Colorado representative Jared Polis revealed his suggestions to put more vegetarian and non-dairy options in school lunches could cost around $50 million a year, but insists the benefits would outweigh the costs in health care savings.

Polis was in Denver, Colorado recently promoting his bill, The Healthy School Meals Act.

“One of the things I’ve always been dismayed by is the nutritional value of the meals schools serve,” Polis said.

He also emphasized the importance of offering non dairy options to the 10-20% of children who are lactose intolerant.

Although the National School Lunch Program requires schools to always offer cow’s milk, a 2004 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act and National School Lunch Act allowed schools to offer non dairy alternatives as long as they were equal to nutrition in milk.

However, the USDA does not cover any additional price difference, and as a result, schools aren’t able to offer alternatives like soy or rice milk.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Basketball legend John Salley recently went to Congress to throw his support for the Healthy School Meals Act, H.R. 4870.

The bill, that would offer more plant based proteins and non dairy beverages in schools, currently has 51 co-sponsors in Congress, according to Afro.

Salley is eager to see these items on the menus, even if meat is still served besides them.

“It’s important for folks to know that I’m not against meat, I’m for fruits and vegetables, just like I’m not against war, I’m for peace,” Salley said.

Currently, in some schools, it may be better to send a child to McDonald’s for lunch.

A USA Today investigation found that many fast food giants like Jack in the Box require more rigorous testing for pathogens in meat used in their restaurants, testing it up to 5-10 times more than the USDA does for school lunches.

Or try packing some cat chow in the lunchbox.

Chicken normally only acceptable for pet food was also routinely accepted by USDA standards.

Just another reason to forgo the “mystery” meat, where unknown substances don’t just refer to animal parts.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

The most unhealthy school lunch sitting in the cafeteria these days is beef and cheese nachos.

Given the amount of animal fat, cholesterol and dairy in such a meal, it’s easy to understand why.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine analyzed the school lunches on menus from 18 elementary schools across the country and found meatloaf and potatoes, cheeseburgers, cheese sandwiches and pepperoni pizza didn’t trail far behind the beefy nachos.

A bill introduced by representative Jared Polis, the Healthy School Meals Act or H.R. 4870, is trying to change this.

If passed, it would provide funds to school districts to purchase healthier items and place more vegetarian entrees and non dairy beverages on the menus.

H.R. 4870 can’t come soon enough!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Woody Harrelson and his wife Laura Louie have written to Congress, asking them to support H.R. 4870, a bill that would incorporate more vegetarian lunches and non dairy beverages in school menus that is otherwise known as the Healthy School Meals Act.

The longtime vegetarians wrote, “As parents, we ask you to support HR 4870, the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010. We know from watching our own children grow up that eating habits children develop early on stick with them for life. All too often, young people are offered processed meats and cheese and other greasy, high-fat, high-cholesterol foods.”

“The Healthy School Meals Act will help children develop better eating habits, provide healthful plant-based options that naturally contain no cholesterol, are low in saturated fat and high in fibre, enabling schools to reach high nutrition standards easily. The legislation gives schools the incentive and ability to address the health problems that are harming our children and overburdening our health systems.”

The bill was introduced by representative Jared Polis, who lost a significant amount of weight after making changes to his diet and has expressed concern for the childhood obesity epidemic.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Dr. Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine has recorded an advertisement that’s being broadcast in Washington, D.C., urging viewers to tell Congress to support H.R. 4870, The Healthy School Meals Act, which could potentially give schools the ability to offer vegetarian meals for lunch everyday.

Dr. Barnard uses a laboratory graduated cylinder to show the amount of saturated fat in a hamburger versus a veggie burger.

That’s some bad chemistry, man!

Watch the clip, and if you haven’t already told your representative how you feel, it’s time to do so now!

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Last week’s 10 Things I Hate About You featured Kat Stratford winning one for the team by getting her school to offer Meatless Mondays.

However, the student council member she teamed up with to get it passed didn’t tell her he was going to set up a pepperoni pizza stand on the same day declaring war on the vegetarian movement.

Ah, politics.

There is real progress happening in schools, however, to make vegetarian meals the norm, and the South Florida Miami-Dade school district has offered these for a long time.

Recently, the district added three new options to its menu: faux chicken nuggets, veggie burgers and hummus platters.

And no, kids aren’t pitching tents on the football field offering cold cuts to counteract this.

“We’re offering these items on the menu, and not seeing trays and trays go into the garbage can,” said Penny Parham to the Miami Herald, who oversees food services in the district.

If passed, the Healthy School Meals Act, H.R. 4870, introduced by representative Jared Polis, will offer school districts across the nation to test the introduction of vegetarian foods and non dairy beverages into their menus over the next couple of years.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro

Amanda Beard, gold medal Olympic swimmer who posed in a very provocative PETA ad against fur, is once again taking on the activist role.

She, along with Olympic soccer goalkeeper Hope Solo and gymnast Nastia Liukin have written to members of Congress, asking them to pass the Healthy School Meals Act of 2010, H.R. 4870.

“I work with young swimmers around the nation to help them overcome obstacles and set high goals,” writes Beard, 2008 co-captain of the U.S. women’s Olympic swimming team and winner of seven Olympic medals.

“But these young athletes face one tough challenge no young person should have to struggle against—the meals they’re served at school are often swimming in fat and cholesterol.”

Beard’s entire letter may be read here.

The Healthy School Meals Act of 2010 was introduced in March by Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado and aims to curb childhood obesity and is supported by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

The Act would introduce healthier items, which include regular vegetarian options, in school districts around the country.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
• Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
• Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
• Controversy Over Pro-Vegeterian Curriculum In Schools
• Ellie Goulding Creates Protein Bar “Everlasting Joy” With GoMacro