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Oahu Village Children and Teens Gather Around Aprilanne as She Teaches Nutrition Through the Use of Colorful Foods.

San Francisco Bay Area Author Aprilanne Hurley set out on a mission to teach nutrition to the mothers and children in a transitional village on the Island of Oahu…and came home with a lesson in the power of the human spirit.

It was all smiles and giggles as some 30 Oahu village children gathered around Aprilanne to learn about healthy food choices as part of Hurley’s “Eat a Rainbow” nutrition program.  Hurley designed this 4 module course to teach at-risk parents and children about making healthy foods choices through the use of color.

“We had an amazing day of learning, food, and fun,”  Hurley offers, adding, “and while all of the children were excited and thrilled to see the many colorful foods presented, the younger children got extremely excited when they saw they were going to have orange juice.  It broke my heart.  These children, most of them previously homeless, shared a glimpse of the amazing resilience they have no matter what adversities life brings.   Their beautiful innocence, and sheer exuberance for the little things in life like orange juice and fruit – will stay with me forever.”

With Weinberg Village Waimanalo’s Director Holly Holowach’s catering expertise in the kitchen – we served over 60 village members a tasty recipe from Hurley’s Party Girl Diet book for the main course:  Cavatelli & Broccoli.  This super healthy dish was made with fresh steamed broccoli, braised dark meat chicken, chopped garlic, and curly shaped pasta to attract the Keiki’s interest.   

Holowach offers, “the families at the Village really enjoyed Aprilanne’s visit.  The mothers were so attentive during her class and appreciated learning her tips on how to create healthy bodies through eating fruits and vegetables and adding more colorful foods to their diets.  The children loved the food, especially the fruit and yogurt. “

Holowach adds, “the parents are still talking about how much they liked the Chicken Broccoli pasta dish!  Several of them have read Aprilanne’s book and were so thrilled to meet her!  Mahalo to Aprilanne for coming to the village and sharing her love of healthy eating and good nutrition with our families.”

We covered The Party Girl Diet’s Top 10 Foods for Health & Longevity, and the importance of eating breakfast, healthy fats, fruit, vegetables, and fiber.”  The health benefits of daily exercise was also emphasized.”

Hurley’s “Eat a Rainbow” Party for the Keiki (meaning children in Hawaii) started off with a colorful “pupu platter” consisting of fresh veggies and tomato salsa. The fun kicked into high gear with dessert – as Aprilanne launched a “hands-on” food project with the Keiki – who all thoroughly enjoyed learning how to make their own fresh fruit kabobs with a wide assortment of colorful fruits.  Honey and cinnamon was mixed into plain – non-fat greek style yogurt to create a healthy fruit dip for the kabobs.

“It was spectacular,” Hurley beams, and so rewarding to know that by the end of our “Eat a Rainbow” Keiki Party – the children tasted as many as 9 different colors through the assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables in the dishes we served.  It is interesting to note that it was the first time many of the children tasted some of the vegetables and fruits we presented – which are very common foods to us on the mainland.”

“I look at my nutrition work in Oahu as planting seeds for a future free of obesity,” Hurley notes.  “Even if just one mother or child takes what they have learned about healthy eating through my nutrition program to heart ~ I am one step closer to ending the fight against obesity.” A Special Thank You goes out to Holly Holowach Director of Weinberg Village Waimanalo – who has been an integral part of this project.  It is because of Holly’s passion and commitment to see an end to homelessness in Hawaii that brought Aprilanne to Oahu, and the many hours of time, talents, and resources Holly has invested to see this project come to fruition for her village are appreciated beyond words…Mahalo!

A warm thank you also goes out to Holly’s dedicated staff who graciously supported and assisted us throughout the day – Mahalo!

100% of the net-proceeds for all Party Girl Diet books sold in Hawaii during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week support the Weinberg Village Waimanalo’s L.E.A.P Fund – an Enrichment Program for the Children.

Aprilanne Hurley is a Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, Author of The Party Girl Diet, and Registered Natural Foods Chef with The First Lady’s Chefs Move to Schools Initiative. The First Lady’s Chefs Move to Schools Initiative.