eat smart, WHAT?

My oh my!

It has been a long time since I have posted. I know I know, blogging really does not take up that much time. However, being the perfectionist that I am, I do not like to blog unless I've said everything that I want to say and have had the chance to edit it. I'm not doing that this time, so bear with me.

In the last blog post, I mentioned that I was working on a project but didn't say what it was.

Over Christmas break, I was on the South Carolina Department of Agriculture's website and I found a link to a site called "Eat Smart, Move More SC" (which I will refer to as "esmm"). The name intrigued me so I looked further into it. As I scrolled up and down, I noticed that the website had a number of alarming statistics about the poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and obesity in the state of South Carolina. I went on to read about the resources and tools that the organization provides counties within South Carolina. So far, nine counties in SC have established chapters. I looked for Oconee, the county that I grew up in, and did not see anything. If Oconee County doesn't have a chapter, then why not start one? The need and resources are there.

I got in touch with the Executive director of esmm who told me a little bit more about the organization and put me in touch with the Region 1 County Health Educator. I met with her and we came up with a game plan to get this thing started. Next, I started networking and figuring out who all to get involved. The third person I talked to was not interested, but gave me some great contacts. I called the first number that he gave me and got a positive response about starting a chapter of esmm. Bingo. He is the school superintendent for district 1(Oconee County). This morning, I met with the executive director of a previous health organization, the school superintendent, and the county health educator. Together, we came up with a game plan and a focus area. As it turns out, we are going to try to launch a farm-to-school program in Oconee.

Three people on board, a mission, and a plan. YES!

Wanna check out the organization? http://eatsmartmovemoresc.org/

We also have a FaceBook event page at http://www.facebook.com/events/215839741834356/

God is so good. Every day, he encourages me through the people that I talk to and his word. Right now I am reading in Isaiah and learning more about the character of God. Even though the Israelites sinned over and over, he constantly gave grace and mercy to them. At the same time, his holiness and justice cannot tolerate sin. No if's, and's, or but's about it. The sacrifice of his son was the ultimate nonprofit, public act of love that we can possibly imagine.