March 29, 2012

Today in class we started talking about food security. We talked about what food security was and how it affects those in our world today, especially those that we would have never thought about....

Who do you think of when you think of people who are food insecure? Would you think about your next door neighbor or a co-worker?

Your answer would be probably not... Most people when they picture people who are food insecure think about unemployed individuals and those that are not trying to help themselves. But in fact many people around us are food insecure. I would have never thought that people who have full-time jobs would be food insecure. It is scary to think about all those individuals that have to go to food banks and soup kitchens to get a meal because they can not afford food for every meal. In the news they are saying how unemployment is decreasing but in fact it has not really decreased. The rate of unemployment is affecting millions of Americans. It is hard for me to believe how so many Americans are food insecure and can not afford to eat at every meal when you look on the television or read a magazine you see all of the celebrities that are making millions of dollars for just a show or movie. How can some people in the country be making so much money they don't even know what to do with it while others are struggling to even eat. Our societies perceptions of things are greatly skewed. I know that some celebrities do help out and donate to organizations around the world but what about our country? Some people are more worried about feeding children and individuals in other countries when there are so many people going hungry right here at home. If Americans just spent some of that money that they spend to have all the newest technologies or upgrading to get a larger home and gave some of that money to help others in need. Those people in need just need a little bit of money to feed themselves...that is all. It is shocking how peoples perspectives are now a days. People are worried more about having "things" instead of worrying about the more important things in life. Everyone always wants to have more than the person next to them. Or "things" really more important than saving lives or people being able to eat?

Food insecurity should not be as widespread in this nation like it is....

Educating individuals may be the best way to help decrease food insecurities. By educating people we can make them more aware and we can teach people ways to help decrease their food costs. Some of these ways are things that we used to all do long ago....Gardening :)

March 27, 2012

What is Community Nutrition? 

Community Nutrition is about teaching individuals in your community about the different aspects of nutrition. Nutrition involves all the food and beverages that people consume and the vitamins and minerals (nutrients) within those foods and how they affect our bodies and health. Nutrition even involves how substances are digested and metabolized within our bodies, which allows us to figure out which nutrients are bodies need and which nutrients are harmful to our bodies. Community Nutrition helps us to educate those around us so that people are able to better their lives by consuming healthier options and learning which foods/beverages are good for us and which are not. 

Learning outcomes for this class? 

By taking this Community Nutrition course I hope to learn more about the different ways in which community nutrition is used. There are all aspects of community nutrition besides just the education that is received through community centers. I am also excited about actually planting and tending to my own garden. Being in college and living in an apartment makes it hard to grow your own produce which I have always wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. When I was younger my parents had a vegetable garden and I would help my mom with it and I loved picking the vegetables once they were ready. Since I have not tended to a garden since I was little I am excited to get to do it again. I also hope to learn more about which produce items need to be planted during every season. I think this is very helpful information for anyone who wants to have their own garden like myself. 

Having your own garden and growing your own produce is a great way to get outside and enjoy the weather and it also helps to cut down on some grocery bills, especially if you are like me and you love all fresh produce and eat a lot of fruits and vegetables!!! 

I'm looking forward to learning more about community nutrition and how it affects us and the people around us :)