Monthly Archives: November 2017

Nutrition

For a Well Rounded Diet Eat CPB*

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*CPB: Corn, Pumpkins, Beans

Once upon a time people scavenged for food instead of going to the store and buying it. Then, instead of wandering around all day until finding something to eat, people started growing their own food. At Ryves Up!, kids are learning this important skill. Theoretically you can grow whatever you want, but apparently if you are from the Midwest you only know how to grow corn. Not to worry! Corn is actually better for you than what you are eating nowadays.

https://gifrific.com/hamster-eating-corn/

The kids at Ryves Up! grow corn, pumpkin, and beans together since this combo can create a thriving garden. These three foods just happen to create a thriving diet too (as much as a diet can be “thriving”). Researchers believe that changing your diet from the current standard American diet to include mainly pumpkin, corn, and beans can help reduce diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Basically, if you want to live forever eat some corn, pumpkin, and beans.

With the sheer amount of corn grown today providing carbohydrates, it is almost the perfect food to feed humankind. Unfortunately, like everything, it falls short in a couple categories. Corn lacks lysine and tryptophane (to save you the trip to Google these are essential amino acids) and riboflavin and niacin. These nutrients are provided by beans (thanks beans). Pumpkins provide Vitamin A and their seeds provide fats to round out the diet. Ryves Up! exposes the kids to the tactics of growing the parts of the power trio diet, which you can learn more about yourself at Mother Earth News.

Gardening

Community Garden

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Most people know what a garden is, but just in case you don’t, it is defined as a piece of ground used for growing flowers, fruit, or vegetables. Gardens are usually for one household and not shared with neighbors. But a community garden is just that. It’s a public place where several people can use the land to grow their own produce, especially when a living space like apartments or condos don’t have land to cultivate fresh veggies.

 

Community gardens are becoming so popular that there is actually an association to help them grow! The American Community Garden Association. They aim to promote all of aspects of “community food and ornamental gardening, urban forestry, preservation and management of open space, and integrated planning and management of developing urban and rural lands.”

Benefits of a Community Garden

  • Saves money on groceries
  • Limits packaging and transportation costs of moving produce from farm to store
  • Increases economic value
  • Healthier food because you know everything that goes into making it
  • People who grow their own vegetables are more likely to eat more veggies
  • Being outdoors can improve productivity and also aid with stress, mental fatigue, blood pressure, ability to recover from injury/illness
  • Crime prevention
    • If people are interested in taking care of their plot in the community garden, they’re less likely to be out committing crimes
  • Adds beauty to the surrounding area
  • Heightens resident’s awareness of nature and its many benefits, even outside of just gardening
  • Filters rainwater by the microorganisms that live in the soil
  • In larger cities, community gardens provide a spot of green in the concrete jungle of the streets and buildings

 

Here at Ryves Up! we have seen a large increase in parent involvement because kids are excited to share their fresh produce with their families and even try more new foods. The Earth is more beautiful and healthier due to the diligent, yet fun work of the kids. Families involved with the program are saving money on groceries at the store. Ryves Up! is definitely making a difference!