aletha mcarthur is the program director, teacher specialist and founder of new growth family centre...
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Aletha McArthur is the Program Director, Teacher Specialist and Founder of New Growth Family Centre Inc. in Mount Forest, Ontario. She is a teacher from the heart and has demonstrated her compassion and expertise working as a Special Education and Behavior Specialist in schools in Wellington-Dufferin for more than 25 years. She successfully utilizes the Post Stress Model principles (Post) and the Collaborative Problem Solving approach (Greene) in her Therapeutic Day Program classroom for extreme needs children and youth and in her Coaching Programs for parents, caregivers and educators. She confidently delivers her own unique balance of firm yet caring educational strategies in a Therapeutic Learning Environment that is safe, structured and supportive. She believes that early intervention is the key to meeting the needs of children with complex trauma and related challenges. She is dedicated to ensuring that all children, especially those who have experienced early trauma, and their families, get the support they need to enjoy learning and reach their full potential. Find out more at www.newgrowthfamilycentre.com
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Information about food choices for families in a world of food fads,
energy drinks and child focused marketing.
Relax !
I’m not the food Nazi, nor am I here to enlist you to become one.
I am here to share what I’ve learned and am still learning, to get you thinking about your food choices so that you can make better informed decisions in your own family especially for children.
Don’t Panic !
“They” know better so we trust “them”
“Wrong”
Fact
You are what you eat physically which includesthe brain.
* Bill Nye Video Nutrition
FactKids eat what they’re given and develop tastes that remain forever.
•Whale Fat•Soft boiled eggs•Arrowroots
What’s your “comfort food”?
The Brain is part of the body.
•thinking•emergency responses•emotions•problem solving
•memory storage•knowledge base throughout life.
“LEARNING”
What if the brain is handicapped, slowed down, tampered with, damaged?
The whole control systemfor the full power of thatperson is limited.
Lab test Story
What if the handicap, the slowing down, the tampering, the damage was caused by something as simple as malnutrition ?
What would you do about it?
2011 Lamborghini
Food = FuelWater = Oil
What are food fads?
What’s on the table ?
Can I trust what’s sold in grocery stores?
•History of processed foods•Chemists vs Cooks•Packages vs Portions•Processed vs Prepared
Labels let us down so
become an expert !
What about school lunches?
•Lunch in the mornings--Not!•“See Food” Diet•Home Packaged Meal•Home Restaurant Dining
What about energy drinks?
•Stimulants + •Sweetness +• Colour +•Chemical flavour
=•Dependency•Addiction•Brain altering •Mood swings•ADHD symptoms and more
Energy Drinks are replacing water and food.
Cocaine for Kids!
Recovering addicts refer to them as
A look at addictionsEarly tastes, eating patterns, mealtime experiences allbecome habits.
•Fast Food lifestyles•Addictions•Eating disorders
What does malnutrition look like in our hometown?Tired, Grouchy or
•Lethargic•Sad•Spacey•Erratic•Itchy•Clingy
Cold
•Irritable•Plump and puffy•Pale•Dark circles under eyes•Whiney•Unfocused
What about medications ?
Multiply all of this by 100 and see me later.
Yes it can be done!
How can I improve ?
8 year old
•Clean up the house gradually•Introduce new tastes•Prepare food for the child •Use the “See Food” Principle• Refer to the Lamborghini•Take charge
12 year old•Include the child in all aspects of change.•Clean up the house gradually•Introduce new tastes•Prepare food for and with kids•Use the “See Food” Principle•Refer to the Lamborghini•Take charge•Make cooking a sensation
16 year old
“Food For Thought” list
Food For Thought1. Explain the importance of healthy food to the
adults first and then the whole family.2. Use the Lamborghini Story- food is fuel and
water is oil.3. Keep it simple- less process, less package4. Savour the Flavour—the aroma, the texture, the
presentation5. Have restaurant meals at home—a dining
experience6. Start your own Food Fads. Be a trend setter family
7. Make cooking an activity for all –make memories8. Keep staples for short order meals9. Do the Math—home vs. frozen products vs. restaurant10. Cook in quantity to plan ahead11. Introduce “water breaks” and water as the main drink12 Read labels, ask questions and look up food information for yourself—become the expert!
13. Share ideas--recipes and information tidbits with others14. Start you own Food Group15. Ask for recipes from someone over 60 who is healthy16. Take charge in your own home17. Start small and notice the difference
Where do I get Support for nutrition information ?Local Family Health team 519-323-0255Web Sites
Health Canadawww.hc-sc.gc/hleat-aliment/index-eng.php
Canada’s Food Guild- The Basicswww.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/index-eng.phpHealthy Canadianswww.healthycanadians.gc.ca/init/kids-enfants/food-aliment/index-eng.php
Family Doctors-healthy informationwww.familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy.html
Kraft Canadawww.kraftrecipes.com/home.aspxPart of a Healthy Breakfastwww.shreddedwheat.ca/
New Growth Family Centre Inc.211 Birmingham St. West.Mount Forest, Ontario N0G2L1519-509-6432www.newgrowthfamilycentre.com
NEW GROWTH FAMILY CENTRE INC. 211 Birmingham St. West Mount Forest, On N0G2L1www.newgrowthfamilycentre.comPhone: 1-519-509-6432EMAIL: [email protected]
TO BOOK SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS EMAIL: [email protected]
Ask us about in-service Staff Training and Field Placement opportunities for Teachers, EA’s, SSW at New Growth Family Centre Inc.
Programs offered At New Growth Family Centre Inc.
Adult Coaching Programs
Respite Learning and Activity Program
Respite Support Day Program
See our brochure for full Details or visit our web site at www.newgrowthfamilycentre.com