Monday Motivation: $30,000 Grant Promotes Healthy Eating

By: Erika Tallan Email

Posted: Mon 8:04 AM, Aug 20, 2012

It's not what you'd expect to be served up at the fair.

Sheridan Swotek, a 4H Ambassador, is teaches a simple granola recipe to fairgoers with one simple goal in mind.

"To really focus on getting them to eat healthy and exercise and hoping that it becomes habit and something they'll take on for the rest of their life," Sheridan Swotek said.

She's doing it with the help of a $30,000 grant.

"The Eat Healthy Grant is a grant that United Healthcare piloted across the country last year in partnership with 4H," Jeni Hanselman with United Healthcare said.

Nebraska was one in 10 states awarded the grant with hopes of reaching 4,500 kids and teens.
Then each person is asked to take a pledge toward a healthier lifestyle: to drink more water, eat more fruits and veggetables everyday, snack healthy and exercise more.

Sheridan Swotek practices what she preaches.

"I find myself eating a lot healthier now that I know more," she said.

And she hopes others catch on too.

Sheridan and her 4H group will be at the Nebraska State Fair on August 26th in the exhibition hall.

There will also be two teen summits in Omaha and Lincoln where the group will go more in depth about eating healthy.

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