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By Mary V. Carver, P.H.Ec
As a Professional Home Economist, I support the need for mandatory Family Studies courses in Ontario elementary and high schools. Current Ontario Family Studies (FS) education morphed from curriculum once known as Home Economics. Lessons are well-designed to nurture individual and family development through food, nutrition, parenting, financial literacy, fashion, and consumer education courses. Such deeply empowering lessons help students to become strong, healthy, independent contributing members of society. Students who receive credits in FS are better prepared to leave home, manage personal finances, eat nutritionally (and economically) and in time make wise consumer choices for their own families. As a parent and former teacher, I wonder if we have become so focused on getting students ready for college or university, that we forget to prepare them for life. Most people agree that everyone needs basic household management, cooking skills and nutrition knowledge – the core values of ‘Home Economics,’ why then, is the subject not given higher priority?
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By: Michelle J. Kwan, BFA, BASc Candidate
While the increased use of technology in the workplace may have significantly boosted office efficiency, it has inadvertently decreased national physical activity levels. According to the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) completed by Statistics Canada, only 15% of Canadians meet the physical activity guidelines. Based on results of the fitness tests, ‘Canadian adults face health risks due to suboptimal fitness levels’, the study concluded. Sadly, it appears that the majority of Canadians spend most of their waking hours in sedentary pursuits. Research suggests that the combination of zero physical activity and high screen time results in the greatest negative impact on health and quality of life. A sedentary lifestyle, which includes sitting, using a computer, and/or watching television for much of the day with little or no vigorous exercise is associated with increased risk of premature death, hypertension, coronary heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Thank you to Ontariofresh.ca for sharing their post 10 Reasons to Buy Local.
By: Madeline Ritchie, Program Assistant 1) Locally grown food tastes and looks better. There is no comparing tomatoes that ripened on the vine two days before with tomatoes that ripened in a truck a week earlier. 2) Local food is often better for you. The shorter the time between the farm and your table, the less likely it is that nutrients will be lost from fresh food. 3) Local food supports local families and neighbouring businesses. The agri-food sector is a huge economic driver in the province and supporting those who play into this sector helps keep our whole economy strong. |
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