The Kids Cook Monday

We're all learning about GMOs, especially with non-GMO Day on 10-10-101. I've learned that our children are even more susceptible to the potentially harmful effects of genetically modified organisms in the food supply than adults. According to Jeffrey Smith, author of the landmark book Seeds of Deception, "Children's bodies develop at a fast pace and are more likely to be influenced and show the effects of genetically modified (GM) foods."2

Children are also up to four times more prone to allergies than adults. Since one of the risks of GM foods is potential allergic reactions, and since children's allergy rates are skyrocketing3, this makes it even more important to be careful about what we feed our kids. One way to ensure your youngster is eating right is to cook with them on Monday nights. The Kids Cook Monday is a movement and a website that helps you do just that.

As you know, Down to Earth participates in the rapidly spreading Meatless Monday phenomenon4, discounting selected meat substitutes and ALL VEGETARIAN Preferred Brand items at up to 40% off every Monday. It's a great way to improve your health, save money and help the planet. The Kids Cook Monday is under the same umbrella, as part of the Healthy Mondays campaign.5 The concept is simple: The Kids Cook Monday is a weekly opportunity for families to take health into their own hands by cooking with their children. The Kids Cook Monday website provides examples of kid friendly meatless recipes and video demonstrations along with nutrition and safety tips – making it easy for families to cook and eat together every Monday.

When kids pitch in making meals, they’re empowered to consider the portions, the vitamins and the nutrients of what they’re eating. And since the family that cooks together eats together, parents can check in with their children during dinner. As you can read elsewhere in this newsletter, avoiding GMOs is a smart move. Share this knowledge with your children! Evidence links family dinners to healthier life choices:6

  • Research from Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse suggests that kids who eat family dinners get better grades in school, develop communication skills and are less likely to try drugs.
  • The American Dietetic Association found women who cook regularly consume a more nutritious diet than those that eat out often.
  • Pediatrics found kids who ate dinner with their family regularly were less likely to be obese.

Cooking also reinforces skills to help kids succeed, like math, teamwork and following instructions. So start your week off right and make eating right a family night! If you want to get involved with The Kids Cook Monday, please contact Joey Lee at jlee@mondaycampaigns.org.