Michelle Obama Answers Questions on Let's Move Video

Michelle Obama Launches Chefs Move June 4

It's Sam Kass! Chefs Move brings chefs to schools. Read more. Watch a live stream of the launch at 12:30 pm here.

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Michelle Obama Speaks at Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas

Michelle Obama spoke yesterday at Red Rock in Las Vegas. Here is an excerpt (transcript):

But more importantly and something that we focused on a lot, now that it’s summer time, is that we need to substantially increase the amount of physical activity that our kids are getting not just in school but outside of school, as well, and that's why I am very excited about the launch of this program, “Let’s Move Outside.” Very clever, right? “Let’s Move Outside” -- I love it. (Laughter.)

And it’s a collaborative effort with the Bureau of Land Management, with National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. And as you’ve heard, we just want to encourage kids to use the resources that are available to them. I mean, that's part of the point of this, is that activity doesn’t have to cost a thing. Read the whole speech.

Michelle Obama Kicks off Let's Move Lawn Series Video

Transcript.

Michelle Obama Launches a Program Matching Chefs to Schools

Calling all chefs. Sign up here.

As communities and organizations get behind the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, one group that could have a tremendous impact on the health and well being of children is the Nation’s chefs. As part of her effort to turn policies into practical solutions for America’s families, Mrs. Obama is calling on chefs to get involved by adopting a school and working with teachers, parents, school nutritionists and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition. By creating healthy dishes that taste good, chefs have a unique ability to deliver these messages in a fun and appealing way to the larger audience, particularly children.

The “Chefs Move to Schools” program, run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will pair chefs with interested schools in their communities so together they can create healthy meals that meet the schools’ dietary guidelines and budgets, while teaching young people about nutrition and making balanced and healthy choices. With more than 31 million children participating in the National School Lunch Program and more than 11 million participating in the National School Breakfast Program, good nutrition at school is more important than ever.

“Many children consume as many as half of their daily calories at school and as families work to ensure that kids eat right and have active play at home, we also need to ensure our kids have access to healthy meals in their schools,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “We are going to need everyone’s time and talent to solve the childhood obesity epidemic and our Nation’s chefs have tremendous power as leaders on this issue because of their deep knowledge of food and nutrition and their standing in the community. I want to thank them for joining the Let’s Move! campaign.”

“Chefs and nutrition experts can play a critical role in addressing the childhood obesity crisis, and they are welcome partners as we work together to improve the overall health and nutrition of America’s children,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “By passing a strong reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, Congress can provide important resources to improve school cafeteria equipment and expand training opportunities for chefs, school food service personnel, and nutrition experts in our schools, because they will be on the front lines of improving school meals for our kids.”

“School cafeterias are the frontline for fostering a healthy lifestyle for children,” said Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “This initiative is a creative and vital opportunity for children to learn and practice healthy habits. When partnerships between schools and the broader community are created, everyone wins.”

Chefs interested in signing up can do so by going to www.letsmove.gov and clicking on the “Chefs Move to Schools” button. In coming weeks, chefs will be paired with a school in their community that is interested in using them as a resource.

Michelle Obama's Speaks on Childhood Obesity Task Force Plan

Read the report here.

Michelle Obama on Let's Move Feb. 9

Update: Michelle Obama is live at 12:39 pm eastern.

I can't believe people are criticizing a childhood obesity campaign. Some folks just don't have enough to do. I have to say though, the Obamas sure are competitive when it comes to their children. Watch Michelle Obama's interview with GMA's Robin Roberts here. I like what Michelle says about bipartisanship. People can laugh about the fact that republicans keep biting Obama's extended hand, but eventually, if enough hand extending is done in daylight, Americans will get a good look at the trolls and maybe they'll get outraged about the republicans' troll activities.
Obama speaks on the campaign:

Michelle Obama Kicks Off Anti-Childhood Obesity Campaign at YMCA

She spoke at a YMCA in Alexandria, Va. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. Judith Palfrey, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics were also there.

Michelle Obama's First Year Summed Up: Family

Update Jan 4: MichelleObamaWatch, mentioned in Robin Givhan's story, takes issue with Givhan. Good to see.

Everything that Michelle Obama has done in her first year as First Lady has revolved around one thing: Family.

Whether it be feeding the family healthy meals or taking care of military families, or visiting schools to let kids know that education is important, or leading healthcare forums for women, who often head families. Most importantly, she served as a role model, setting an example for what good parenting looks like.

But none of that was good enough for Robin Givhan of the Washington Post, who said Michelle spent too much time behind the lectern and wasn't focused enough. Givhan's story is all over the place trying to make a point that Michelle Obama has been scattered. It's apparent to me that Givahn hasn't observed well enough because if she had, she would draw all the points together and be able to conclude that Michelle Obama's agenda is all about families--educating them, getting them healthcare, feeding them properly.

Michelle Obama is one of the most dynamic First Ladies that we've ever had. She's redefining the role of First Lady.

Givhan's story just doesn't do Michelle any justice. The entire story is dull, really. Givhan is supposed to be a good writer but for some reason, this story really fell short for me. I think you get the point. Maybe it's because Givhan is a fashion reporter and the totality of Michelle Obama is far more than what she's wearing.

But instead of doing a little of this and a little of that, instead of merely being a fine hostess with a warm handshake, history expects, perhaps unfairly, that a first lady will select a signature project on which she will focus and that will become her legacy once she leaves the White House. After satisfying her role as mom in chief and settling daughters Malia and Sasha into their new school and home, Obama's approach to events has been scattershot. WaPo

The story leads to the conclusion that Michelle Obama is going to focus on childhood obesity, which has already been reported this summer. Givhan's story didn't add any depth or give us any new information:

In 2010, observers will finally be able to stop guessing about Obama's priorities. She plans to focus her energy next year -- to be neither wife nor first lady, but simply leader. "I am where policy and people intersect," Obama has said. She will dig deeply into a single issue: childhood obesity.

She will continue to amplify policy that is coming from the West Wing; she will continue to fill the traditional role. But the concern for childhood obesity is an outgrowth of the garden, the healthy-living events, the mentoring initiatives and her own interest in fitness. (See: her arms.) In 2010, the first lady will lead the charge to improve the health of the nation's children. And, perhaps, she will come out from behind the lectern for good.

Klobuchar on School Nutrition Bill and Obesity

See the school nutrition bill here.

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