Sebastopol’s Patty James is back in town and ready to deliver
what she promised fans when she took off in her RV last year to
travel the country to interview youth from all walks of life about
their health.
While on the road, the nutritionist, certified chef, speaker and
cookbook author submitted the data as she gathered it to Sonoma
State University, where it was analyzed and made into an 89-page
report. James and her advisory committee have since used the
report’s findings to create health programs for children ages 6 and
up.
And now it’s time to get started.
Five more students (teenagers only this time around) are needed
for the pilot programs beginning this month, as are underwriters to
pay for associated costs.
Students are not charged to attend the health programs as
DirectionFive feels that health education should not just be
available to only those who can afford to pay for it, James
said.
The DirectionFive Health programs debut June 10 at Santa Rosa’s
Chop’s Teen Club and will continue throughout the month of
July.
“I promise you the kids will have a blast. They will learn what
kids locally and all across the country said they wanted to learn;
from how our cells work to making pizza,” said James, DirectionFive
Health founder and director. “They are going to learn a lot and it
will affect their health in a positive way the rest of their
lives,” she said, adding, “These programs are starting in Sonoma
County, and will be based here, but DirectionFive is national in
scope.”
After the pilot programs, DirectionFive Health will apply for
grant money to help fund future programs, James said.
“These pilot programs are absolutely essential. We can’t obtain
grant money until we do the pilot programs, and we have room for
five more kids,” she said. “We also need money to fund the pilot
programs for the binders of information they will receive, the
aprons, the food for culinary, etc. Additionally we need kitchen
equipment, gift cards to local grocery stores, and more.”
The DirectionFive program is made up of five components. The
first course, or class, will teach participating youth about the
connection between nutrition and disease; basic metabolism and
requirements of nutrients; weight control issues; how to understand
nutrition labels on packaged foods and so on.
The second course will focus on the mind-body connection. “The
mind-body connection suggests that you can learn to use your
thoughts to positively influence some of your body’s physical
responses and change mind-sets that no longer serve you or don’t
feel right for you,” James said. “It also suggests that your body’s
physical reaction to various stressors can affect your thoughts.
It’s a loop,” she said.
Hence, stress, sleep, and depression are all addressed in this
program.
Students will also learn about the body and earth connection. As
part of the body/earth program, students will learn about how their
food choices affect the planet; how toxins affect their bodies and
the earth; and the difference between local foods and food that has
traveled to get to their plates, among other things.
Fitness also comes into play during this five course
program.
“It’s one thing to say, ‘you need to exercise,’ but it’s another
to know how exercise affects your body. When you understand what is
happening in your body when you do exercise and understand how your
body is affected by not exercising, movement becomes more
important,” James said, summarizing what this segment is
about.
Last, but not least: The culinary program, which lands students
in the kitchen preparing meals and then some.
“In the culinary program all aspects of the five programs will
be discussed as they learn to cook. Why are we using brown rice
instead of white rice? How does the choice of a free-range egg
affect the nutrients, therefore their bodies’ health, and the
earth’s health? What about humane treatment of animals?” James
said.
Sanitation and safety, knife selection, kitchen equipment are
also addressed in the culinary program.
Most important, students will all learn how to make pizza, among
other basic recipes.
“Pizza was by far the meal of choice for many kids,” James
said.
The program dates are as follows: 1 to 4 p.m. June 10 and 24;
and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 6, 7, 8, 11,12,14,16 and 18. All
classes will be held at Chop’s Teen Club, 509 Adams St., Santa
Rosa.
For more information or to donate to the programs visit www.directionfive.org. Donations
can also be sent to DirectionFive Health, P.O. Box 1915,
Sebastopol, CA 95482.
Laura McCutcheon can be reached at la***@so********.com.
