July 10, 2013 | 13:50 | Public Domain
First Lady Michelle Obama thanks mayors and other local officials engaged in Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties for their work, and encourages more local leaders to champion children's health in their own communities.
The White House
Office of the First Lady
South Court Auditorium
1:41 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) Thanks so much, everyone. Good afternoon. Please, rest. I know they've got you working hard, which is good. I like that.
Well, welcome. I want to start by thanking a few of the staff folks here who have been working so hard -- Sam, David, Dr. Koh, for all of their work to help make Let’s Move Cities, Towns and Counties such a tremendous success.
I also want to thank everyone here today from the National League of Cities for all of their leadership on this effort. We could not have done it without this organization's leadership and steadfast support.
I also want to thank our friends from Kaboom. I've done a lot of Kaboom-building in my many years of living, and I can say that every experience is meaningful and impactful. So I want to thank you all for the work that you do, as well as The National Association of Counties, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
And of course, I want to thank Nancy for that very kind introduction and for everything she’s doing to help young people in Moscow, Idaho, lead healthy, active lives. We are just so proud of everything that you're doing. It's truly amazing. And there are so many community leaders just like Nancy who are here today, and we appreciate you taking the time and making this a priority -- leaders who have stepped up on behalf of the health and well-being of our next generation. The most important part of our lives in this society is our children, and you all have demonstrated that by putting them top on your list.
So my first job here today is just to say thank you, really. It's as simple as that. Thank you. You do not have to do what you're doing. So it means a great deal, not just to me personally as the First Lady, but to all those kids that are living in your communities who are counting on all of us to get this right. Thank you. Thank you for everything you’re doing for our young people. Thank you for all the work that you do day in and day out to make your communities stronger and healthier.
And let me tell you, I know that it is not easy to be you, to do what you do. You all are pulled in so many directions. You’re dealing with tighter and tighter budgets. You’re working to keep your local economies humming and your neighborhoods thriving. And of course, you're trying to keep everyone safe.
Yet even with all of that on your plate, you all have still made the health of our young people a priority. And you’re doing it in new and innovative ways that touch so many parts of your communities.
For instance, last year in Missoula, Montana, they created Let’s Move Missoula – a coalition of city and county agencies, hospitals and nonprofits, and the Chamber of Commerce. And so far, they’ve set healthier standards for all the vending and concessions in public space throughout the community. They’ve given all their fourth and fifth graders access to free open gyms with programming from the parks department. Sixth graders in that community get a free yearlong membership to the YMCA. And this summer, they’re promoting an Unplug and Play Outside campaign to do one of my favorite things -- not popular in my household -- but reduce screen time and increase physical activity.
And in Knox County, Tennessee, they’ve worked with the city of Knoxville to create a bike and share program for the kids in that community. They’ve printed new maps that promote dozens of miles of wonderful bike trails and routes, and they’ve created a walking school bus -- and I've heard more and more of this kind of walking school bus happening all over the country -- so that kids can get exercise on the way to school, kind of like we did when we were growing up. You remember the miles of walking you did with a sweet potato in your pocket? (Laughter.) We all heard that story. My mother repeated it just yesterday. (Laughter.)
And that’s what Let’s Move is all about. That’s what we're really trying to do here. It’s about people all across this country coming together to take action to support the health of our kids. We’ve seen it happen in cities, towns and rural areas across the United States.
And we’re proud to announce that in just the past year, more than 330 elected officials have committed to making their city or town a Let’s Move community, and fulfilling the five community-wide goals that Dr. Koh outlined earlier. That means that more than 56 million Americans are now living in a community dedicated to improving nutrition and physical activity for our young people. And that’s a good thing. (Applause.) Yes, absolutely. That is a very good thing.
So, like we have to do everything, together, we are making real progress on this issue. And not many people would have guessed that we'd be this far when we launched this initiative several years ago, but the fact is, though, that we still have a long way to go. We still have work to do.
And that brings me to my second job here today, and that is to ask you to keep doing what you're doing. It's as simple as that. You all are at the forefront of this work, and we need you to continue to lead the way as we work to end our country’s epidemic of childhood obesity. We are in the right direction, but we need more activity. We need more leadership.
We’re certainly encouraged that obesity rates are starting to decline in places like New York and in Mississippi. I was proud to visit some of the schools there who have made tremendous progress in the -- throughout the state of Mississippi because of this kind of leadership.
But we also know that that this is a challenge that simply can’t be fixed in a year or two, or even 10. And I get this question all the time -- what's the cutoff when you think this will be over? And this is -- it took us a lifetime, generations to get here, and it's going to take us just as much time to turn this around.
So I want to ask you all to double down on this initiative, just to push a little bit harder on what you're doing. We need you to take the ideas and programs that you learn about here today and think about ways to adapt them for your own community if you're not already doing it.
We need you to bring more people to the table on this issue –- more faith leaders, more doctors and business owners, more principals and teachers -- and, of course, more and more parents. Because at the end of the day, the parents are the ones who make the decisions about how to guide their nutrition and physical activity of their kids in the home.
And we need you to reach out to leaders in neighboring communities. You all are here today because you are leaders. You're setting the bar very high, and we are counting on you to be that model for others, for other communities trying to figure this out. So partner with some of your colleagues on new programs whenever it seems like it's going to work. Ask them to join you and become a Let’s Move community.
And as you’re doing all this, trying to save your cities and balance budgets and take care of your own selves at the same time -- because you all are leaders in your own right. I’m always impressed when I see a community leader who has made some significant steps in their own personal lives and have become that role model in their cities.
But as you’re doing all that, it’s important for you to know that all of us here at the White House on my team, me personally, obviously, we are supporting you every step of the way. Change can be hard, and you guys are bearing the brunt of the changes that you’re trying to make. And sometimes it’s helpful to know that you’re not alone in this.
We will be working continuously to make your jobs a little bit easier. We’re going to be working with food companies and restaurants who are offering more healthy options to families so that when they go into a restaurant they have some decent choices. We’ve got ready-made programs and frameworks that you can apply in your communities -- new programs like Let’s Move Active Schools that I’m sure you’ve heard about, and Let’s Move Active Schools provides training and technical assistance to help incorporate physical activity into students’ daily routines.
And we’re also proud to announce today that after you leave, we’re going to give you access to the wealth of local data from a new report just released by Dr. Chris Murray from the University of Washington and Dr. Harvey Fineberg from the Institute of Medicine. I want to thank both of them for all of their hard work on this landmark research, which you’ll hear more about -- research that makes clear that poor nutrition is the single-greatest cause of preventable diseases and ailments in this country -- the single-greatest cause. Simply what we put into our bodies -- seems obvious, but we still resist that truth. Bigger even than smoking or high blood pressure is what this data will show.
Dr. Murray and Dr. Fineberg are going to talk about all of this in more detail later this afternoon so you can get a better idea of what this data presents for you. But the key here is that the data from this report goes all the way down to the county level, which means that you’ll be able to see which issues are affecting your communities the most. And that means that you’ll be able to connect the dots a little bit better, more efficiently, between your community’s nutrition and its rates of diabetes or heart disease. You’ll be able to see how much physical activity the people in your communities are reporting. And once you have all this information, you’ll be able to make more effective decisions to really focus your resources and programming to find solutions that fit the needs of your community.
So we’re going to do everything that we can to give you as much information and support as you need to make this work a little more easy for you, because in the end we know that you all are the ones who can make the biggest difference on this issue. There is a reason why we focused on you all -- you guys are on the ground here. You guys are the people who are touching people’s lives every day. You have the power and the platform to bring leaders from across your communities together around this very issue.
And we’ve seen the kinds of results that you can get when you do what you do best. We have seen families empowered with better choices. We have seen kids across this country growing up healthier. We’ve seen entire communities coming together to take control of their children’s health. We’ve seen it. I’ve traveled the country -- it is the best and most fulfilling thing that I could be doing as First Lady.
But you all are the reason why I am more confident than ever before that if we continue to make progress on this issue and we keep working together, I know that we will be able to give our kids the bright and healthy futures that they deserve. So we want you as empowered as you can be, and hopefully the rest of this afternoon will bring you more resources and support.
So roll up your sleeves, folks. We’re just beginning this journey. And I am confident that if we keep doing what we’re doing, we are going to end this epidemic, and we’re not only going to make our kids healthier, but, as we see with the data, our communities are going to be stronger. Our costs are going to go down. It’s going to make a vast improvement in this country, and hopefully we can be a model for the rest of the world.
So high hopes, high bar, but you all have just been phenomenal and I know you can do it. So good luck this afternoon. I’m going to go hang out with the President and give out some awards. (Laughter.) But I expect you to work hard and ask lots of questions, and share with one another, and we’re going to keep bringing you back together to find ways that we can continue to help you.
So congratulations and keep up the great work. Thanks so much. (Applause.)
END
1:56 P.M. EDT
July 09, 2013 | 21:27 | Public Domain
First Lady Michelle Obama welcomes junior chefs and their parents to the 2013 Kids' State Dinner at the White House.
East Room
12:22 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, guys. (Applause.) Thank you so much. You all, rest yourselves. I know you've been waiting patiently. Coming to the White House, it's a big hassle, isn't it? (Laughter.)
You guys should really know that this is what it's like to be a part of an official state dinner. We set this event up and we mirrored it exactly to what people experience when we host world leaders. We were in this very room -- that receiving line you had to sit through -- stand through, we do that. So it takes a little patience being at the White House. But you guys are phenomenal. We are so proud of you all.
I want to start by thanking Haile. Gosh, girl, I mean, you're -- I have had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with this young lady, and every time I am with her, she is that poised, that gracious, that bright, that inspiring. And you did it again. (Laughter.) You did it -- I am so proud of you for setting an example.
And I know you couldn’t do it without -- I know you want -- go ahead and cry -- (laughter) -- because I would be crying right now. We're very proud of you. And Haile is an example for all of you, what your little, powerful voices can do to change the world. So we are very proud of you, babe. Thanks for being here.
I also want to thank Tanya, as well, and everyone from Epicurious for supporting this event and inspiring thousands of children to get creative and get cooking with their parents. We couldn’t have done this event without you all. You all have been amazing partners. To me, this is an annual event so I hope you get your work shoes on and we're going to get started for next year.
I also have to thank one of my dear friends and essential partners in this effort to get our kids healthy and active -- Secretary Tom Vilsack, from the Department of Agriculture. (Applause.) Thank you. You've been an awesome partner. None of the changes that have been made could have been done without your leadership. And it is something that I know you've been focused on your entire life and I'm just grateful for the support and leadership that you've shown.
I also want to thank all of the staff members from both the Departments of Agriculture and Education for all the work that you all do. And we've got many representatives here. Can you guys stand so that the kids at your tables know who you are? These men and women in suits and ties and jackets and stuff -- they do the hard work every day. (Applause.)
And a little later on, we're going to have a special guest -- a wonderful young woman by the name of Rachel Crow, who's going to be performing here today. She's got an awesome voice. She was involved in the X-Factor. She's very cool. She's going to be here to entertain.
But I also want to join in thanking all the parents who are here with us today -- the parents, the grandparents. And I know out there somewhere are teachers and educators who are also inspiring these young people. Thank you for bringing your kids here today. Thank you for loving them, for supporting them, for encouraging them. I know we've got one grandma in the room -- yay to the grandmas in the room. We love the grandmas. You guys are amazing. Kids, let's give your family members a round of applause. (Applause.)
And most of all, I want to thank and recognize the stars of today's show -- the 54 winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge! Our stars. (Applause.) Yes! Just take a look around -- especially over in that corner over there. (Laughter.) That is what we call the press. (Laughter.) They're here for you, and there are a lot of you all here today. They don’t show up like this for just anybody. I mean, I tell you, sometimes there are just a few of them over in a little corner -- (laughter) -- but today, they're all out in full force because of you.
You all, you come from every corner of our country. Every state is represented here today -- go, every state! You all have created nutritious, delicious dishes inspired by the MyPlate nutritional guidelines for healthy meals. And you all stood out among a pool of more than 1,300 submissions for this contest.
So this was no easy task. If you deal in statistics and odds, the odds were pretty tough getting one of these seats at this table. So you should be very proud of yourselves.
And that’s why this is truly one of my favorite events that we have here in the White House. I mean, we do a lot of cool stuff here. We’ve got singers and stars and world leaders, but this, probably throughout the entire White House, is one of our favorite events because we get to see how talented and creative and brilliant all of you young people can be. And then we get to show the world.
And we don’t just get to see it, we get to taste it. (Laughter.) Just listen to some of the delicious, nutritious dishes that these kids dreamed up: “Banana’s Black Bean Burritos” -- (applause.) Yes, let’s hear it. (Laughter.) Okay, moms, you guys are going to have to cheer it up for your kids because they’re so nervous. I know you’re thinking to yourselves, my kids talk so much, but then they came here to the First Lady and they didn’t say a word. (Laughter.)
“Confetti Peanut Ginger Party Pasta.” (Applause.) “Pan Seared Mississippi Catfish on a Bed of River Rice.” (Applause.) That’s my guy -- catfish loving. “Bring It On Brussels Sprout Wrap.” (Applause.) Bring it on! “Slam-Dunk Veggie Burger.” (Applause.)
And then there are the “Fun Mini-Pizzas with Veggies and Cauliflower Crust.” (Applause.) Listen to this, all of you -- we’re going to be eating that here because all the dishes here are among those that were submitted. But this recipe was submitted by Olivia Neely from Kansas. And let me just tell you something, Olivia’s crust is gluten-free and it is made of cauliflower, egg, low-fat cheese and spices.
And when Sam Kass -- who is the Let’s Move Executive Director and Assistant White House Chef -- tasted it -- is Sam here? There’s Sam Kass. Sam didn’t -- he didn’t believe that there wasn’t any wheat in it. He was skeptical. (Laughter.) The health guy was skeptical. (Laughter.) So skeptical that he walked down to the kitchen and asked the chef whether they’d slipped in some wheat to make sure that the crust tasted right. But they told him, nope, no wheat; just the ingredients Olivia put in the recipe.
So we have seen that when kids like all of you get involved in creating your own healthy meals, the results can really be amazing and delicious and fun. You’ll come up with ideas that none of us grownups ever thought of. You’ll find new ways to get your families and friends to eat healthy and try new foods.
I know that all of you have been motivated by different events in your life, different people in your life, even, to cook healthy and to make changes. And some of you might even start your own online cooking show maybe. Maybe you’ll start making appearances on local TV newscasts. I know some of you have already started doing that -- like Amber Kelley, our winner from Washington State. Amber, where are you? (Laughter.) You slipped right under my nose. You’ve been making the TV rounds? Pretty spectacular.
But that’s really what drives Let’s Move -- the energy and imagination that’s inside each and every one of you in this room. We know that if you’re able to eat healthy foods, if you have more opportunities to get up and active -- because that’s all part of it, we all know that, got to get up and move -- and if you’re surrounded by parents and teachers and community leaders who encourage you to live healthier lives, then there’s no telling what you’ll achieve. There’s no telling.
That’s why we’re working with businesses across the country, like Epicurious, to find new ways to promote healthy eating. It’s why we’re working with schools and health professionals to teach you about making good choices not just at home, but in school as well. Because we know sometimes you get to school, you lose your mind, right? (Laughter.) We're working on that. It’s why we’re working with restaurants and food companies and grocery stores, so that you have healthy options that give you the energy that you need to succeed in school and in life.
Because in the end, Let’s Move isn’t just about what happens in the kitchen or at the dinner table. It’s also about what happens after you fuel up with those right foods. It’s about making sure that your body can be strong and healthy, and your mind can be ready to learn and explore and dream, today and for years to come. That's really what this is all about. This is about giving you the foundation to fly high and dream big.
Right here in this room, we’re already seeing what can happen if you’re making healthy choices, because as Tanya mentioned, this group is full of student leaders, not just student chefs. You guys are members of your student council. We have some Odyssey of the Mind finalists in this room. We've got Spelling Bee champions in this room. We have volunteers who serve throughout their communities.
Lydia Finkbeiner from Indiana donated half the proceeds from her lemonade stand to a children’s hospital. And Liam from Wisconsin -- where's my guy, Liam? Where are you? There's Liam with his bowtie -- started an organization called Harvest Ninjas to raise awareness about childhood hunger. And I know that there are so many more examples like this -- I heard a few of them during the receiving line -- of all the wonderful things that you guys are doing in your lives.
So the point is that none of us knows what’s next for all of you; none of us knows how far you can go. All of that is really up to you. And it's about eating healthy, but it's also working hard in school. Because my second question is, how are your grades? Are you working hard?
But we do know that if you keep dreaming up new ideas, if you keep eating healthy and getting active, then you’re going to make your communities and your country stronger than ever before. You really are. You all are the future. Each of you has so much promise and so much potential. As 8-year-old Nicholas Hornbostel from Colorado said, “I really want to be a cook and an engineer and be president, too.” (Laughter.) That's an outstanding list. (Laughter.) That’s what this state dinner is really about. We really want you guys to realize your dreams.
And as I always say when I have kids here, I want you to think, if you can walk in this room and sit at these chairs, and be in front of these cameras, and meet the First Lady of the United States, then you can do anything in the world. You really can. You can do anything you want in the world.
So your next task is to pass it on. You've got to keep passing it on. There are a lot of other little kids who would love to be in this room and they can't, but you can bring them here. You can share your thoughts and ideas. You can do as Haile has done -- become a leader. You guys are more than equipped to do it. You guys are already doing it.
So keep working hard, all right? You guys promise me that? Do I hear some promises going on here? You guys are hungry, aren't you? (Laughter.) All right, I know when we have hungry children in the room. Well, you guys have a great time. Eat well. And I can't wait to see what you're going to do with your lives in the years to come.
I love you all. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)
* * * *
MRS. OBAMA: It’s okay to eat with your fingers. (Laughter.) The First Lady has said that it is okay. Parents, okay? (Laughter.) Don't make them eat with a fork and knife. Just pick it up. (Laughter.)
Now, the second surprise is that there is someone else here who wanted to say hello -- a dear, dear man in my life, someone who I love deeply, who is the wind beneath my wings -- (laughter) -- who is just a very awesome world leader -- the President of the United States, Barack Obama. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, everybody! (Applause.) Everybody, have a seat, have a seat.
Now, first of all, usually at a state dinner, I get invited. (Laughter.) So I don't know what happened on this one -- somehow the invitation slipped through somewhere. But it looks like you guys are having fun.
I wanted to come by, first of all, because everybody looks very nice -- you guys all got dressed up. Second of all, I hear the food is pretty good. (Laughter.) And I want to say I could not be prouder of the work that Michelle has done, her team -- Sam Kass and all of you have, I really think, lifted up the whole fact that food can be fun, it can be healthy, and that when you combine it with the work that Michelle has been doing and I know all of you are involved with, with Let's Move, eating healthy, living healthy -- you are setting up habits that are going to be great for your entire life.
And you're setting a great example for your classmates, and I suspect you’re setting a good example for your parents, who sometimes may not always be eating as healthy as they’re supposed to. So you're really making a difference in all the communities and all the states all across the country. We could not be prouder of you.
And we're really proud of you winning this challenge -- because, frankly, I'm not a great cook and -- I'm not bad, but I don't do it that much. It’s hard to find the time. But when I do cook, I'm following a recipe. And to think that all of you have invented all this fabulous food just shows how creative you are and it shows that food that tastes good can be healthy, too. Because I think sometimes we get thinking that if it’s good for you then it must be nasty. (Laughter.) Now, I'll admit that there’s some things that are good for you that don't taste very good. (Laughter.) But it’s usually because -- no, it’s usually because they’re not prepared right.
So I will just tell you a story. When I was a kid -- I'm now older than most of your parents, which is kind of depressing -- but my family, when they cooked vegetables they would just boil them. Remember that? And they’d get all soft and mushy, and nobody wanted to eat a pea or a Brussels sprout because they tasted horrible because they were all mush. And broccoli, it would be all mushy. And now I actually like vegetables because they’re prepared right. And so you guys are getting a jump on things because you're figuring that out earlier.
So I just want to say to all of the young people here, keep it up. You guys are going to set a good example for everybody all across the country. Because you’re eating healthy, and you're out there active and you’re playing sports, and you’re out on the playground and doing all those things, not only are you going to have a better life, but you're also helping to create a stronger, healthier America. And that saves us money. It means people are not sick as much. It means that our health care costs go down. So everything that you’re doing really is having an impact beyond just fixing a good meal.
And for parents, I want you guys to learn from the example of your children and keep working on these good recipes.
So I hope everybody has fun. Again, I couldn’t be prouder of my wife for this whole initiative, but I’m also thankful to all of you. And I will come around to the tables just to say hi to everybody. But I don't want to be too disruptive, so everybody kind of stay in their seats. I will come to you. (Laughter.) And I won’t be able to take individual pictures with everybody because I’ve got a few other things going on right now -- (laughter) -- but my White House photographer is going to be following us around, so he’ll be taking pictures while I’m shaking hands with everybody, and everybody will be able to get copies. All right?
Now, one last thing I’ll say -- Michelle never said to me I can just pick up something with my fingers at a state dinner. (Laughter.) So --
MRS. OBAMA: And you can't. That's not -- we’re not doing that.
THE PRESIDENT: So that's not fair. (Laughter.)
All right, thanks, guys. (Applause.)
END
12:50 P.M. EDT
July 09, 2013 | 24:58 | Public Domain
Sam Kass, Executive Director of Let's Move! and Senior Policy Advisor on Nutrition, talks to young chefs about their winning Healthy Lunchtime Challenge recipes at the Kids' State Dinner at the White House.
The White House
Office of the First Lady
East Room
12:22 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you, guys. (Applause.) Thank you so much. You all, rest yourselves. I know you've been waiting patiently. Coming to the White House, it's a big hassle, isn't it? (Laughter.)
You guys should really know that this is what it's like to be a part of an official state dinner. We set this event up and we mirrored it exactly to what people experience when we host world leaders. We were in this very room -- that receiving line you had to sit through -- stand through, we do that. So it takes a little patience being at the White House. But you guys are phenomenal. We are so proud of you all.
I want to start by thanking Haile. Gosh, girl, I mean, you're -- I have had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with this young lady, and every time I am with her, she is that poised, that gracious, that bright, that inspiring. And you did it again. (Laughter.) You did it -- I am so proud of you for setting an example.
And I know you couldn’t do it without -- I know you want -- go ahead and cry -- (laughter) -- because I would be crying right now. We're very proud of you. And Haile is an example for all of you, what your little, powerful voices can do to change the world. So we are very proud of you, babe. Thanks for being here.
I also want to thank Tanya, as well, and everyone from Epicurious for supporting this event and inspiring thousands of children to get creative and get cooking with their parents. We couldn’t have done this event without you all. You all have been amazing partners. To me, this is an annual event so I hope you get your work shoes on and we're going to get started for next year.
I also have to thank one of my dear friends and essential partners in this effort to get our kids healthy and active -- Secretary Tom Vilsack, from the Department of Agriculture. (Applause.) Thank you. You've been an awesome partner. None of the changes that have been made could have been done without your leadership. And it is something that I know you've been focused on your entire life and I'm just grateful for the support and leadership that you've shown.
I also want to thank all of the staff members from both the Departments of Agriculture and Education for all the work that you all do. And we've got many representatives here. Can you guys stand so that the kids at your tables know who you are? These men and women in suits and ties and jackets and stuff -- they do the hard work every day. (Applause.)
And a little later on, we're going to have a special guest -- a wonderful young woman by the name of Rachel Crow, who's going to be performing here today. She's got an awesome voice. She was involved in the X-Factor. She's very cool. She's going to be here to entertain.
But I also want to join in thanking all the parents who are here with us today -- the parents, the grandparents. And I know out there somewhere are teachers and educators who are also inspiring these young people. Thank you for bringing your kids here today. Thank you for loving them, for supporting them, for encouraging them. I know we've got one grandma in the room -- yay to the grandmas in the room. We love the grandmas. You guys are amazing. Kids, let's give your family members a round of applause. (Applause.)
And most of all, I want to thank and recognize the stars of today's show -- the 54 winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge! Our stars. (Applause.) Yes! Just take a look around -- especially over in that corner over there. (Laughter.) That is what we call the press. (Laughter.) They're here for you, and there are a lot of you all here today. They don’t show up like this for just anybody. I mean, I tell you, sometimes there are just a few of them over in a little corner -- (laughter) -- but today, they're all out in full force because of you.
You all, you come from every corner of our country. Every state is represented here today -- go, every state! You all have created nutritious, delicious dishes inspired by the MyPlate nutritional guidelines for healthy meals. And you all stood out among a pool of more than 1,300 submissions for this contest.
So this was no easy task. If you deal in statistics and odds, the odds were pretty tough getting one of these seats at this table. So you should be very proud of yourselves.
And that’s why this is truly one of my favorite events that we have here in the White House. I mean, we do a lot of cool stuff here. We’ve got singers and stars and world leaders, but this, probably throughout the entire White House, is one of our favorite events because we get to see how talented and creative and brilliant all of you young people can be. And then we get to show the world.
And we don’t just get to see it, we get to taste it. (Laughter.) Just listen to some of the delicious, nutritious dishes that these kids dreamed up: “Banana’s Black Bean Burritos” -- (applause.) Yes, let’s hear it. (Laughter.) Okay, moms, you guys are going to have to cheer it up for your kids because they’re so nervous. I know you’re thinking to yourselves, my kids talk so much, but then they came here to the First Lady and they didn’t say a word. (Laughter.)
“Confetti Peanut Ginger Party Pasta.” (Applause.) “Pan Seared Mississippi Catfish on a Bed of River Rice.” (Applause.) That’s my guy -- catfish loving. “Bring It On Brussels Sprout Wrap.” (Applause.) Bring it on! “Slam-Dunk Veggie Burger.” (Applause.)
And then there are the “Fun Mini-Pizzas with Veggies and Cauliflower Crust.” (Applause.) Listen to this, all of you -- we’re going to be eating that here because all the dishes here are among those that were submitted. But this recipe was submitted by Olivia Neely from Kansas. And let me just tell you something, Olivia’s crust is gluten-free and it is made of cauliflower, egg, low-fat cheese and spices.
And when Sam Kass -- who is the Let’s Move Executive Director and Assistant White House Chef -- tasted it -- is Sam here? There’s Sam Kass. Sam didn’t -- he didn’t believe that there wasn’t any wheat in it. He was skeptical. (Laughter.) The health guy was skeptical. (Laughter.) So skeptical that he walked down to the kitchen and asked the chef whether they’d slipped in some wheat to make sure that the crust tasted right. But they told him, nope, no wheat; just the ingredients Olivia put in the recipe.
So we have seen that when kids like all of you get involved in creating your own healthy meals, the results can really be amazing and delicious and fun. You’ll come up with ideas that none of us grownups ever thought of. You’ll find new ways to get your families and friends to eat healthy and try new foods.
I know that all of you have been motivated by different events in your life, different people in your life, even, to cook healthy and to make changes. And some of you might even start your own online cooking show maybe. Maybe you’ll start making appearances on local TV newscasts. I know some of you have already started doing that -- like Amber Kelley, our winner from Washington State. Amber, where are you? (Laughter.) You slipped right under my nose. You’ve been making the TV rounds? Pretty spectacular.
But that’s really what drives Let’s Move -- the energy and imagination that’s inside each and every one of you in this room. We know that if you’re able to eat healthy foods, if you have more opportunities to get up and active -- because that’s all part of it, we all know that, got to get up and move -- and if you’re surrounded by parents and teachers and community leaders who encourage you to live healthier lives, then there’s no telling what you’ll achieve. There’s no telling.
That’s why we’re working with businesses across the country, like Epicurious, to find new ways to promote healthy eating. It’s why we’re working with schools and health professionals to teach you about making good choices not just at home, but in school as well. Because we know sometimes you get to school, you lose your mind, right? (Laughter.) We're working on that. It’s why we’re working with restaurants and food companies and grocery stores, so that you have healthy options that give you the energy that you need to succeed in school and in life.
Because in the end, Let’s Move isn’t just about what happens in the kitchen or at the dinner table. It’s also about what happens after you fuel up with those right foods. It’s about making sure that your body can be strong and healthy, and your mind can be ready to learn and explore and dream, today and for years to come. That's really what this is all about. This is about giving you the foundation to fly high and dream big.
Right here in this room, we’re already seeing what can happen if you’re making healthy choices, because as Tanya mentioned, this group is full of student leaders, not just student chefs. You guys are members of your student council. We have some Odyssey of the Mind finalists in this room. We've got Spelling Bee champions in this room. We have volunteers who serve throughout their communities.
Lydia Finkbeiner from Indiana donated half the proceeds from her lemonade stand to a children’s hospital. And Liam from Wisconsin -- where's my guy, Liam? Where are you? There's Liam with his bowtie -- started an organization called Harvest Ninjas to raise awareness about childhood hunger. And I know that there are so many more examples like this -- I heard a few of them during the receiving line -- of all the wonderful things that you guys are doing in your lives.
So the point is that none of us knows what’s next for all of you; none of us knows how far you can go. All of that is really up to you. And it's about eating healthy, but it's also working hard in school. Because my second question is, how are your grades? Are you working hard?
But we do know that if you keep dreaming up new ideas, if you keep eating healthy and getting active, then you’re going to make your communities and your country stronger than ever before. You really are. You all are the future. Each of you has so much promise and so much potential. As 8-year-old Nicholas Hornbostel from Colorado said, “I really want to be a cook and an engineer and be president, too.” (Laughter.) That's an outstanding list. (Laughter.) That’s what this state dinner is really about. We really want you guys to realize your dreams.
And as I always say when I have kids here, I want you to think, if you can walk in this room and sit at these chairs, and be in front of these cameras, and meet the First Lady of the United States, then you can do anything in the world. You really can. You can do anything you want in the world.
So your next task is to pass it on. You've got to keep passing it on. There are a lot of other little kids who would love to be in this room and they can't, but you can bring them here. You can share your thoughts and ideas. You can do as Haile has done -- become a leader. You guys are more than equipped to do it. You guys are already doing it.
So keep working hard, all right? You guys promise me that? Do I hear some promises going on here? You guys are hungry, aren't you? (Laughter.) All right, I know when we have hungry children in the room. Well, you guys have a great time. Eat well. And I can't wait to see what you're going to do with your lives in the years to come.
I love you all. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)
* * * *
MRS. OBAMA: It’s okay to eat with your fingers. (Laughter.) The First Lady has said that it is okay. Parents, okay? (Laughter.) Don't make them eat with a fork and knife. Just pick it up. (Laughter.)
Now, the second surprise is that there is someone else here who wanted to say hello -- a dear, dear man in my life, someone who I love deeply, who is the wind beneath my wings -- (laughter) -- who is just a very awesome world leader -- the President of the United States, Barack Obama. (Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, everybody! (Applause.) Everybody, have a seat, have a seat.
Now, first of all, usually at a state dinner, I get invited. (Laughter.) So I don't know what happened on this one -- somehow the invitation slipped through somewhere. But it looks like you guys are having fun.
I wanted to come by, first of all, because everybody looks very nice -- you guys all got dressed up. Second of all, I hear the food is pretty good. (Laughter.) And I want to say I could not be prouder of the work that Michelle has done, her team -- Sam Kass and all of you have, I really think, lifted up the whole fact that food can be fun, it can be healthy, and that when you combine it with the work that Michelle has been doing and I know all of you are involved with, with Let's Move, eating healthy, living healthy -- you are setting up habits that are going to be great for your entire life.
And you're setting a great example for your classmates, and I suspect you’re setting a good example for your parents, who sometimes may not always be eating as healthy as they’re supposed to. So you're really making a difference in all the communities and all the states all across the country. We could not be prouder of you.
And we're really proud of you winning this challenge -- because, frankly, I'm not a great cook and -- I'm not bad, but I don't do it that much. It’s hard to find the time. But when I do cook, I'm following a recipe. And to think that all of you have invented all this fabulous food just shows how creative you are and it shows that food that tastes good can be healthy, too. Because I think sometimes we get thinking that if it’s good for you then it must be nasty. (Laughter.) Now, I'll admit that there’s some things that are good for you that don't taste very good. (Laughter.) But it’s usually because -- no, it’s usually because they’re not prepared right.
So I will just tell you a story. When I was a kid -- I'm now older than most of your parents, which is kind of depressing -- but my family, when they cooked vegetables they would just boil them. Remember that? And they’d get all soft and mushy, and nobody wanted to eat a pea or a Brussels sprout because they tasted horrible because they were all mush. And broccoli, it would be all mushy. And now I actually like vegetables because they’re prepared right. And so you guys are getting a jump on things because you're figuring that out earlier.
So I just want to say to all of the young people here, keep it up. You guys are going to set a good example for everybody all across the country. Because you’re eating healthy, and you're out there active and you’re playing sports, and you’re out on the playground and doing all those things, not only are you going to have a better life, but you're also helping to create a stronger, healthier America. And that saves us money. It means people are not sick as much. It means that our health care costs go down. So everything that you’re doing really is having an impact beyond just fixing a good meal.
And for parents, I want you guys to learn from the example of your children and keep working on these good recipes.
So I hope everybody has fun. Again, I couldn’t be prouder of my wife for this whole initiative, but I’m also thankful to all of you. And I will come around to the tables just to say hi to everybody. But I don't want to be too disruptive, so everybody kind of stay in their seats. I will come to you. (Laughter.) And I won’t be able to take individual pictures with everybody because I’ve got a few other things going on right now -- (laughter) -- but my White House photographer is going to be following us around, so he’ll be taking pictures while I’m shaking hands with everybody, and everybody will be able to get copies. All right?
Now, one last thing I’ll say -- Michelle never said to me I can just pick up something with my fingers at a state dinner. (Laughter.) So --
MRS. OBAMA: And you can't. That's not -- we’re not doing that.
THE PRESIDENT: So that's not fair. (Laughter.)
All right, thanks, guys. (Applause.)
END
12:50 P.M. EDT
July 04, 2013 | 08:45 | Public Domain
This week, the First Family traveled to Africa, for a three country, four stop visit that started in Dakar, Senegal and ended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa sandwiched in between. There were drums and dancing, crowds and ceremonial pomp and circumstance, meetings, forums, summits and town halls, and moving trips to both Goree and Robben Islands.
This week, the First Family traveled to Africa, for a three country, four stop visit that started in Dakar, Senegal and ended in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with stops in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa sandwiched in between. There were drums and dancing, crowds and ceremonial pomp and circumstance, meetings, forums, summits and town halls, and moving trips to both Goree and Robben Islands.
First Lady Michelle Obama participates in a Google + Hangout on education at the Sci Bono Discovery Center in Johannesburg, South Africa, June 29, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
After seven amazing days, we’re finally back home. I hope you enjoyed following our journey, and I hope that you’ll be inspired to continue learning about Africa.
We visited only three of this continent’s countries on our trip, but there are so many more, each with its own rich history and culture. In each of these countries, there are young people just like you who are working hard to get an education and dreaming about their futures just like you are. And I have to tell you, after meeting so many of these young people this past week, and seeing how passionate, determined and talented they are, I feel more confident than ever before about our future.
As these young people -- along with young people in the U.S. and around the world – step up to become the next generation of leaders, I’m convinced that you all will rise to the many challenges we face and move our countries and our world forward for generations to come.
Thank you again for joining me on this journey!
Michelle Obama is First Lady of the United States
Kicking Off Our Trip to Africa
June 26, 2013 - Washington, D.C.
An Example to Follow
June 27, 2013 - Dakar, Senegal
Visiting Goree Island
June 27, 2013 - Goree Island, Senegal
The White House
Office of the First Lady
54 Kids to Attend "State Dinner" at White House on July 9
To Celebrate Nutritious, Delicious Lunchtime Dishes
Update: Singer Rachel Crow to Provide Entertainment
Washington, DC – First Lady Michelle Obama, Epicurious, the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture announced the winners of a nationwide recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches as part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative. The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” will recognize 54 winners, representing all U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia, who will attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House hosted by Mrs. Obama on July 9. The group will join the First Lady for a healthy lunch, featuring a selection of the winning recipes and a performance by singer Rachel Crow, followed by a visit to the White House kitchen garden.
“Our Kids’ State Dinner is one of my favorite events of the year, and the kid chefs who come from around the country never cease to impress and inspire me with their creativity and ingenuity. I’m counting down the days until the winners join me at the White House to celebrate these healthy and delicious meals that kids everywhere will love,” said First Lady Michelle Obama.
For the second consecutive year, The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids’ “State Dinner” invited a parent or guardian to work with their child ages 8-12 to create a lunchtime recipe that is healthy, affordable, original and delicious. In support of Let’s Move!, launched by the First Lady to help solve the problem of childhood obesity, each recipe adhered to the guidance that supports USDA’s MyPlate (at ChooseMyPlate.gov) to ensure that the criteria of a healthy meal were met. Entries had to represent each of the food groups, either in one dish or as parts of a lunch meal, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy foods, with fruits and veggies making up roughly half the plate or recipe.
The second Healthy Lunchtime Challenge, originated by Epicurious to promote healthy eating among America’s youth, received more than 1,300 entries featuring wholesome, tasty ingredients, including salmon, black beans and ground turkey. The winners and featured recipes include:
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges that included: Tanya Steel, Epicurious editor-in-chief; Sam Kass, Executive Director of Let’s Move! and Senior Policy Advisor on Nutrition; Dr. Robert C. Post, Associate Executive Director, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA; Susan Winchell, Assistant General Counsel for Ethics, USED; Sam Myers, Jr., White House Liaison, USED; Mike Curtain, CEO of DC Central Kitchen and The Campus Kitchens Project; and two Washington, D.C.-based children who are graduates of Share our Strength’s Cooking Matters program. For a behind the scenes look at this year’s judging, click HERE.
The full list of winners and recipes can be found online at recipechallenge.epicurious.com. Additionally, a free downloadable and printable e-cookbook of the winning recipes, including nutritional analyses and photos, will be available in July at the contest site, epicurious.com, letsmove.gov, USDA.gov, and Ed.gov.
“This year, we received very sophisticated recipe entries from all over the country that featured healthy ingredients like salmon, Greek yogurt, and ground turkey, which made it a delicious challenge to select the finalists,” said Tanya Steel. “Each recipe also included anecdotes explaining the importance of healthy eating. The insight from the kids who entered the challenge demonstrates that today’s youth understands the need to strengthen their bodies and minds with the most wholesome ingredients available. We are, once again, incredibly thankful to Mrs. Obama for joining Epicurious to continue to raise awareness for the importance of healthy eating for future generations.”
“Healthy eating can help spur academic success,” said Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education. “And it’s exciting that our young people have harnessed their creativity to come up with fresh, new recipes that are nutritious and healthy. This competition is just another example of how kids can rise to any occasion—whether inside or outside the classroom—when challenged.”
“The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge makes healthy eating fun and educational, and I am inspired every year by the creative efforts of these kids to create healthy recipes,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By taking steps today to help our young people adopt healthy eating habits, we’re not just improving their health in the short term – we’re giving them important tools that will last a lifetime.”
The children’s arrivals on July 9 through the East Wing/Booksellers will be pooled press and the First Lady’s remarks at the lunch will be open press. Members of the media interested in covering this event must RSVP to FirstLadyPress@who.eop.gov with their full name, date of birth, social security number, gender, city and state of residence and citizenship by Wednesday, July 3, at noon ET.
July 02, 2013 | 2:48 | Public Domain
Go behind the scenes with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as they visit Robben Island. From the 1960s through the 1990s, this Island housed a maximum security prison. Many of the prisoners there were activists who worked to bring down Apartheid, the South African government's policies that discriminated against people of color including Nelson Mandela and current South African President Jacob Zuma. Narrated by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. June 30, 2013
