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Schools

Encinitas Mothers Helping Kids Have a 'Healthy Day'

The pair launched a program at Ocean Knoll Elementary that aims to teach children about healthy eating habits.

Students at Ocean Knoll Elementary School will get a nutritional boost beginning this month with a healthy snack provided by Jimbo’s. . .Naturally in partnership with the Healthy Day Fund. The fund was founded by local mothers Mim Michelove and Camille Sowinski.

Jimbo’s made the donation through the Coastal Community Foundation, which adopted the Healthy Day Fund as one of its participating nonprofits last fall. 

“Jimbo’s…Naturally! is excited to partner with Healthy Day’s Healthy Snacks program because we are committed to the importance of healthier choices for our children,” said Kelly Hartford, director of marketing. “We will be supplying organic produce and other organic snack items.  Our first snack delivery will be locally grown organic navel oranges from Stehly Farms.  These local organic oranges burst with flavor and are sure to excite the kids’ taste buds, while nourishing their minds and bodies!” 

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In providing healthy snacks, Michelove and Sowinski hope to educate students, and their parents, about the health benefits of organic foods and how to incorporate them into a daily diet.

“Our goal is to help children and parents understand that whole foods are delicious, fun, colorful and convenient because they come in their own packaging,” said Michelove, smiling. “It’s especially important while a child is developing because it impacts their brain, bones and general health including their mental health.”

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Michelove says their ultimate goal is to eliminate childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

“They say you develop diabetes,” she said. “I say you choose diabetes.”

Michelove explained that a healthy snack combines a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat. Examples include homemade trail mix (popcorn, pretzels, seeds and nuts) or fruit served with nut butter.

“We also want to provide individual servings of dried apples to the school, in case supplies of fresh fruit run low,” Sowinski said, adding that parents learn that eating organic can be affordable if it’s seasonal and locally grown.  

Michelove and Sowinski also recognize that their program creates an opportunity to introduce new varieties of produce to children who, in turn, can share their enthusiasm with parents who do the grocery shopping. The Healthy Day Fund also publishes a Healthy Corner newsletter that provides snack recipes and health tips for families.

The two friends, now partners, come from diverse backgrounds. Michelove was a photographer for rock groups such as Aerosmith and Boston, while Sowinski studied environmental law, before deciding to have children. The met in 2009 when they participated in the Green Team, an effort by the Encinitas Union School District to make schools “greener.” Michelove’s son, Adin, is a third-grade student at Ocean Knoll Elementary. Sowinki’s son, Luca, is in second grade, and daughter, Sophia, in fourth grade at La Costa Heights Elementary.

Michelove and Sowinski have also started another nonprofit, Healthy Day Partners, which provides complete resources from grant writing to professional expertise to schools interested in starting programs in environmental education, pollution prevention, wellness and gardening used to grow organic food for charity.

“Kids today don’t know where food comes from,” Michelove explained. “School gardens teach them about nutrition and provides an opportunity to get their hands in dirt. They also learn about growing for others and social responsibility.” 

The Healthy Day Fund and Jimbo’s. . .Naturally will host a booth with interactive games that teach kids about nutrition and organic snacks during sponsored by the Downtown Encinitas Merchants Association from, Jan. 22-28. In the spring, they’ll be participating in Encinitas Foodie Fest: Celebrating Sustainability.

For more information, contact Mim Michelove at (714) 329-1349 or mimsfamily3@gmail.com or Camille Sowinski at (760) 613-2696 o camillelofaro@hotmail.com.

Donations to the Healthy Day Fund can also be made online at coastalfoundation.org

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