GRAPES!

I never thought a bag of grapes could make me so happy. As many of you know, AHA has been working to promote the Sports Snack Game Plan. The plan is a movement to promote healthy snacking after sports games across Wake County and beyond. As someone who deeply believes in the AHA mission, I make every effort I possibly can to create a healthy environment. The sports snack game plan is a great tool to help change our culture of cookies and sports drinks after practice.

For two years I have been trying to work with my daughter’s soccer team to adopt the plan. I have honestly had moms laugh in my face when I have suggested fruit as a snack. Last year, I took the time to cut watermelon on a particularly hot day, and a couple of kids would not even eat it! I feel badly for my daughter when everyone frowns at her snack and asks where to find the cookies.

Whenever the “snack list” comes out, I always go first. My theory is that I can set the tone with my healthy snack and give the parents my cute little hand out as I give the kids the snack. Unfortunately my theory does not always work. So- you might be wondering what grapes have to do with it. This Saturday was my chance… new season, first snack, here we go again!  I went to the store and spent a total of $7.49 for grapes and Capri Sun Roaring Waters. I proudly packed my snack in my rolling cooler, and set out on my mission. As the final handshakes were over and the coach announced, “Mrs. Aiken has the snacks,” my stomach flipped. Would this Saturday be different??? YES! VICTORY! SMILES! THANK YOU’S! EVERYONE TOOK THE GRAPES! Better yet, two parents THANKED ME for starting the season off on a healthy note. 

We can make a difference in the health of our community, we just need to be brave enough to put ourselves out on a limb and persistent enough to never give up. I am sure this is not the end of the story, but a small victory provides me with the will to carry on!  I hope each of you will go make a difference however you can, and I hope you will share your success stories with AHA! 

I have never loved grapes so much in my life.