Have you ever worried about your child’s unhealthy eating and exercising habits?  If so, you are not alone – today, approximately one-third of all children in the U.S. are considered to be overweight, and childhood obesity has leapt to the top of the pile of health concerns for many American parents. 

At Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown parents can worry a little less this summer while their children learn healthy eating, exercising, and general lifestyle habits at Hilltop Hanover Farm’s HealthBarn Summer Camp.

HealthBarn USA was created by nutritionist Stacey Antine to address what she said she believes is one of the main causes of childhood obesity. Antine attributes most of the childhood obesity problem to the fact that we don’t teach our children to live healthy lifestyles because, between over-processed foods and disproportionate amount of time spent on recreational computer, video games, and TV, we’ve lost our connection to nature.  

"I was getting my masters at NYU, when I saw kids come in and get weighed then sit in front of food modules," she said. "I thought if we could just educate them about how to live healthy lives, we would have a better chance at making it stick."

HealthBarn USA teaches children to re-connect with nature.

"Kids love it," Antine said. "It’s a hands-on program where the kids play in nature, learn how to grow an organic garden, and then cook nutritious meals with what they grow."

In addition to teaching kids about healthy eating, the program includes environmental projects in which campers learn to be stewards of the environment, as well as to enjoy the outdoors with activities such as outdoor yoga and hiking.

Antine explained, “It’s all about teaching them to create a healthy lifestyle.” 

Rick Fisher, Vice President of Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm, said they added the HealthBarn Summer Camp because program provided an "outstanding opportunity" to enhance the Yorktown community’s access to the farm.

"HealthBarn is extremely unique – it teaches social awareness, gardening and farming skills, culinary arts, and ways to eat and become healthier," Fisher said. "We are extremely excited to bring the HealthBarn program to the Yorktown community."

Hilltop Hanover Farm’s HealthBarn Summer Camp kicks-off Monday August 1.  The camp is opened to Yorktown residents between the ages of 5 – 12 years, and consists of four themed sessions, each lasting a week. Each session ends with a finale for campers and their families to attend:

Week 1:  Be Green; Friday Finale – Trash-n-Show

Week 2:  Be a Chef; Friday Finale – Healthy Café

Week 3:  Be a Farmer; Friday Finale – HealthBarn USA Farm stand

Week 4:  Be Adventurous; Friday Finale – Fun & Healthy Kids’ Picnic

Here’s a sneak peek at the healthy lifestyle habits the campers will learn this summer: 

The 7 Healthy Habits of HealthBarn

1)      Eat your fruits and vegetables

2)      Eat breakfast

3)      Get a good night sleep (kids need between 8-10 hours per night)

4)      Exercise

5)      Make family meals a priority

6)      Brush and Floss

7)      Recycle and compost

Here is how you can make Creamy Broccoli Soup at home, the same one campers will be making:

"This broccoli soup is creamy and delicious and in just one cup it is a good source of vitamins A and C, and calcium and iron," Antine said. 

Ingredients:

3 cups, broccoli florets

1 medium onion, diced small

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon whole-wheat flour

2 cups spring water

2 medium white potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

1 cup low-fat milk

¼ teaspoon sea salt

¼ teaspoon ground pepper

½ cup chives, chopped finely

½ cup Cabot 50% Cheddar Cheese

Directions:

1. Wash broccoli and cut stems only leaving the broccoli heads; then cut into florets and set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, sauté onions and garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat until theonions are soft and translucent, approximately 5-10 minutes.

3. Mix in flour and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring often. Then gradually add water and continue tostir until water comes to a boil, approximately 5 minutes.

4. Add broccoli and potatoes. Bring broth to a simmer, cover and let cook for 20 minutes or untilbroccoli and potatoes are tender. Turn heat off.

5. Using a hand blender, puree soup until creamy (or work in batches using a blender, but be carefulbecause the soup is hot!).

6. Add milk, sea salt and pepper and stir well.

7. To serve, spoon 1 cup of soup for each of the 6 bowls and top with cheese and chives.

Makes approximately 9 servings (1 cup serving)

Nutrition Facts per serving: 130 calories; 4g fat (2g sat fat, 1g mono, 0g trans fats); 10mg cholesterol;17g carbohydrate (3g fiber, 4g sugar); 8g protein; 160mg sodium; 15% Daily Value (DV) vitamin A;120% DV vitamin C; 15% DV calcium; 10% DV iron.