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A Typical Day: Transplanting to our Garden

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Field Trip to Enterprise Farm

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Click on the image to expand the recipe book to the full screen.

Use the arrows to turn the pages. Enjoy![/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1488627265966{padding-top: 70px !important;padding-bottom: 101px !important;background-color: #20b346 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/cDtY0oeBVK4″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text]

End of the Year Party

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For the End-Of-The-Year Party, the children created their own recipes and prepared the book above for their parents. The book contains letters to the superintendent and their principals recommending healthy recipes for their school lunches. You can see the wonderful recipes that they enjoyed making during their Real Kids Real Food Club Meetings.

Presented with a bountiful table filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, the children were invited to brainstorm and create dishes for their parents.

With support from Marcus Gorman and Brian Axelrod, who led the team with program director Betsy Bragg, the children were free to create and create they did!

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Many loved the idea of making guacamole: “ I love touching the food,” said Kaylie. They teamed up to squeeze the lemons, mash the avocado pulp and add the other ingredients, which they later put back inside the empty avocado shell. Others loved making the smoothies they have grown to love, using the Vitamix blender and an array of colorful fruit. There were also salads and a few dessert items.

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Quotes from Real Kids Real FoodParticipants

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Parents and children loved the gathering, which also included traditional cooked foods. Several parents were inspired by the offer by Gorman
to create their traditional dish flavors with the raw and plant-based diet ingredients.

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][edgtf_testimonials category=”rkrf” number=”3″ show_title=”yes” show_author=”yes” show_position=”no” show_featured_image=”no” author_color=”#b2b2b2″][vc_empty_space height=”72px”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_width=”grid”][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][edgtf_tabs style=”vertical_tab” title_layout=”without_icon”][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=” Week 1 Intro & Ninja Smoothies”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 2 Eating a Rainbow Part 1 & Guacamole with Veggies”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 3 Eating a Rainbow Part 2 & Leafy Salad”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 4 Fun-damentals of Food Natural vs. Processed”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 5 Fabulous Fiber & Applesauce”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 6 Powerful Proteins & Kale Chips”][vc_column_text] [/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 7 Phat Fats & Carob Mousse”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 8 Learning to Read Labels & Linguini Zucchini with Marinara Sauce”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/vJwvYzM8LBM”][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 9 Holiday Party”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/MqXOtYotoRg”][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 10 Worm Composting & Dehydrating Banana Chips & Flax Crackers”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/RGxSV3EttJI”][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 11 Holiday Gift Making”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/3OSbtsC-Fok”][/edgtf_tab][edgtf_tab icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” tab_title=”Week 11 Holiday Gift Making”][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/3OSbtsC-Fok”][/edgtf_tab][/edgtf_tabs][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1488778041510{padding-top: 70px !important;padding-bottom: 60px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Real Kids Real Food Staff

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Please join our wonderful group of volunteers and staff

[/vc_column_text][edgtf_separator position=”center” color=”#333333″ border_style=”solid” width=”50″ thickness=”4″ top_margin=”25″ bottom_margin=”27″][vc_empty_space height=”42px”][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4705″ team_name=”Betsy-Bragg” team_position=”Optimum Health Solution/ Real Kids Real Food Director”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4707″ team_name=”Marcus Gorman” team_position=”Lead Teacher”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4708″ team_name=”Brian-Axelrod” team_position=”Lead Teacher”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4710″ team_name=”Stacey Butler” team_position=”Intern Salem State”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4711″ team_name=”Carlyn-Friedberg” team_position=”Volunteer”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4712″ team_name=”Aaron-Darrell” team_position=”Intern Bunker Hill Community College”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4714″ team_name=”Danielle-Gilde” team_position=”Volunteer”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4715″ team_name=”Miryam Wiley” team_position=”Photographer”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4712″ team_name=”Ali Soucy” team_position=”Intern”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][edgtf_team team_type=”main-info-below-image” team_social_icon_pack=”” team_image=”4718″ team_name=”Nicole Mello” team_position=”Graphic/Web Designer”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1488782070263{padding-top: 70px !important;padding-bottom: 70px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Our Volunteers’ Feedback

Emily McNamara – Intern

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Provided me with new information about healthy lifestyle choices” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Practice speaking in front of crowd.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Gave me practice with organization skills through lesson planning.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Learned healthy raw vegan alternatives.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Practice with meal preparation.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Gave me hands- on experience working with children.” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4728″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Aron Thiim- Real Kids Real Food Intern:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Reinforced my conviction that our lifestyle choices are paramount to leading a healthy way of life.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Enhanced my public speaking abilities and confidence, while learning how to effectively deliver information to a multi aged group.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Fostered better organizational skills and the ability to take initiative with many tasks at once.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Improved social perceptiveness through learning how to work with children of different abilities and backgrounds.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Adapted to the challenges faced and transcended difficulties by learning to accept criticisms and advice, thus bettering my active listening skills.” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4735″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Tayler LaHaise – Real Kids Real Food Intern

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Taught me an invaluable lesson about what it means to live a fit and healthy lifestyle by teaching the children eye-opening facts about sugars and fats, as well as diabetes and obesity.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Helped me work on time management, organization, leadership, and communication skills.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Gave me the opportunity to gain a hands-on experience with working with young children in an inner-city environment.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Taught me about planning, organizing, and managing lesson plans and putting them into effect.” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4727″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Ailish Dennigan – Intern

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Increased my organizational and communication skills, and health knowledge.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Allowed me to work directly with the kids with a hands-on approach and witness first hand the changes that the program is making in their lives. The kids’ energy is contagious and I love seeing them get excited about the recipes and activities that we do each week.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Exposed me to the behind-the-scenes workings of a non-profit, and the power of collaboration across programs.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Altered my personal approach to healthy living and reinforced my interest in health education.” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4732″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Katie Sullivan- Trainor
Eat to Thrive Intern:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Achieved my personal weight-loss goals, and fostered an overall healthy relationship with food” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Provided opportunities for networking and engaging in the raw food community” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Developed meaningful and lasting relationships with fellow participants” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Improved social perceptiveness through learning how to work with children of different abilities and backgrounds.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Adapted to the challenges faced and transcended difficulties by learning to accept criticisms and advice, thus bettering my active listening skills.” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4729″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Brian Axelrod- Eat to Thrive Intern

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Empowered to be a leader” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Challenged my organizational skills” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Allowed me to develop my lesson planning abilities” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Inspired me to create my own juicing business with a kickstarter raising $7,000 to refurbish at trike for selling wheatgrass and sprouts and also have a robust group of peers to act as teachers for support” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Became a lead teacher of Real Kids Real Food” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Became an Optimum Health Solution volunteer staff member” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Inspired to raise money to take a water ionizer to a South Indian raw food community called Satchitananda near the Bay of Bengal where I spent my Lesley College Junior Year Abroad ( major in Global Studies and Holistic Health)” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”52px”][vc_row_inner content_width=”grid”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4733″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Sarah Steinberg- Intern

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Strengthened my administrative organizational skills, focusing on tasks such as email correspondence, newsletter editing, and maintaining social networks.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Introduced me to educational health standards in regards to writing lesson plans for Real Kids Real Food” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Introduced me to healthier lifestyle” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Inspired me to want to work with inner city children and families spreading awareness about healthy options in everyday life.” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Thank you for the wonderful experience that taught me so much about myself, and not only how I can live and feel healthier, but also how to empower others” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4743″ img_size=”full” style=”vc_box_border”][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]

Real Kids Real Food Instructor and intern:

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”12px”][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Gained self confidence and the ability to think quickly on my feet” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Improved public speaking and communication skills” icon_top_padding=”5″][edgtf_icon_list_item icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”fa-check-square-o” icon_size=”14″ icon_color=”#20b346″ title=”Learned about advanced planning and developing comprehensive lessons to meet educational goals” icon_top_padding=”5″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row content_aligment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1488794586872{padding-top: 70px !important;padding-bottom: 101px !important;background-color: #eeeeee !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Testimonials

Rosa, 10

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]My favorite thing about Real Kids, Real Food was the Family Culture Event, where families had to bring different foods from their culture. We had the event in the big room and a lot of families came. My friends Nevaeh and Ronaldo helped me make two different kids of fruit smoothies. We put strawberries, bananas, and mango in one of them, it was so delicious. Linda brought brocoli zetti and it was so good. It made me like broccoli a lot more.

[expander_maker more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]We did some really hard and fun things like trying to find apples, carrots, and ginger in our garden. We found everything but the ginger, it was under the dirt. We learned so much from Real Kids, Real Food like how to eat healthier.[/expander_maker][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Tracey Stearn -Mystic Learning Center Staff,

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]I joined the Mystic Learning Center in November, coming from an after school program in Havril. When I started seeing kids at my new program eating healthy snacks I thought it was so weird. I mean these kids were asking for humus and fruit and didn’t make sense until I saw Real Kids, Real Food come in. It started to make more sense when I saw how they interacted

[expander_maker more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]with kids giving the healthy options and alternatives.

We got spoiled by the program at our Christmas family potluck when they provided the appetizers, which all of our family members thought were amazing.

By the springtime, I grew so attached to the program that I decided to enroll in the instructor Betsy Bragg’s Raw Foods certification course. From there we started making big changes to our nutrition program. Our kids are truly enjoying eating healthy foods.[/expander_maker][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

James Holton Fox-Mystic Learning Center Staff

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]My first introduction to Real Kids Real food was during the fall of 2012. I had just started working at the Mystic Learning Center and was still unfamiliar with the many partner organizations that were teaching classes every week. I found the focus on healthy vegan snacks refreshing in the face of processed sugary snacks and junk food that children are accustomed to.

[expander_maker more=”Read more” less=”Read less”] To the children’s surprise I went for the somewhat exotic foods right away. My love of Kale chips and fresh carrots further cementing my place as a “weird” adult.

Throughout the year while working with Real Kids Real Food, I saw many children become accustomed to and enjoy many healthy eating options they may have been previously unaware of. The program introduces a culture of conscious food preparation,appreciation of healthy alternatives to common foods, and a “try it, you’ll like it.” attitude that is important for picky eaters to embrace. After several months I noticed children enjoying and choosing healthy snacks that they might have scoffed at the previous fall. Real Kids Real Food has helped broaden the children’s culinary horizons.

I noticed that many of the children enjoyed the food preparation aspect of the program. This seemed to be their time to really shine. The children experienced lots of learning through active participation and were proud of the meals and snacks they produced.[/expander_maker][/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]

Jacob, 6

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”22px”][vc_column_text]My favorite thing about Real Kids, Real Food was making smoothies. I got to put bananas and strawberries to the blender all by myself. The smoothies were so good. I now like smoothies more than I like candy. Now I make smoothies at home. Real Kids, Real Food was so much fun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Mystic Learning Center-Real Kids Real Food