Healthy Meals for Special Needs Romanian Orphans

Buna Friends!

Did you know that in June, trees in Barlad are laden with the most delicious cherries? Yes, the sweet cherries but also a tart, sour cherry that is not as common for me in the northeastern U.S. During one of our visits, we were fortunate to be in Romania during cherry season and it was a treat that I won't forget!  

Fresh strawberries are also abundant at this time of year and our kids at Delia's Center can't wait to eat them!  I love to see the children enjoying the fresh fruit served at meal times by our Wellness Director, Coca. Coca has both types of cherry trees on her property in the rural village of Tutova and brings newly picked cherries to the children.  She has an amazing summer vegetable garden and we are the happy beneficiaries of delicious produce!  Coca's tomatoes are the best!  Good nutrition is so important to our kids, so many of whom started life malnourished and whom today are not always receiving the nutrients they require for optimal brain development. Our summer lunch time meals mix the goodness of fruits and vegetables with protein and dairy -- there is always a selection of foods to tantalize the children!

We are grateful for your onging support that makes our nutrition program possible. This program was launched through your help and with a multi-year grant that unfortunately could not continue due to the financial difficulties of the sponsor. If you are not already a monthly supporter, please consider becoming one! Consistent care is what makes a difference for our kids and, as you know, we operate on a very lean budget. Food is so important and costs are always rising -- we do our best to ensure that meals and snacks are packed with nutrition. 

Enjoy the photos and your summer!  Please email me at lauren@deliafoundation.org with ideas or questions!

With gratitude,

Lauren

Links:

• Delia Foundation website
• Facebook page !

Dear Friends,

All of our programs at Delia's Center are critical for our kids: educational tutoring, counseling, speech therapy, socialization, art and drama, and, of course proper nutrition. We have always given serious consideration to the importance of food to assist in healthy brain development, improve behavior, and boost overall health. Locally grown and homemade foods had long formed the foundation of our children's diets. However, things have changed over the past couple of years.  I was shocked (as was our CEO, Laura Larkin) last spring when seeing that some of our kids had put on weight. Then, when returning in September, I couldn't believe my eyes! So many of the children, from those who are just 7 or 8 years old to the pre-teens and teens, had gotten rounder with a number of them approaching being overweight.  "How is this possible"?,  I asked.  As you've probably guessed, the answer was simple. Fast food had come to Barlad. 

Seeing what has happened, renewed our commitment to serving nutritious meals, snacks, and fresh juices to  the children. Are french fries irresistible? Well, yes. Teaching the kids to have balance and understand the importance of what they eat has now become even more critical. Our Wellness Director approaches this task by not only serving good food but by including the children in preparing healthy snacks.  

It's an uphill battle when the fast food culture changes things but we are doing our best to combat it! Enjoy the photos and let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions for fun, simple recipes to prepare with the kids! (lauren@deliafoundation.org) 

As always thank you for your kindness and support!

Best,

Lauren

Links:

• The Delia Foundation website
• Facebook Page for The Delia Foundation