S. Tucson gets center teaching healthy eating, keeping slim

Cassie Burruel, left, with the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, joins program coordinator Cheralyn Schmidt ahead of Saturday's opening of The Garden Kitchen. Outdoor vegetable gardens are among the offerings at the new community center.

S. Tucson gets center teaching healthy eating, keeping slim

Instructional specialist Louisa O'Meara, left, tests a recipe for pumpkin pancakes at The Garden Kitchen. Cooking classes and gardening demonstrations will be available at the newly equipped facility.

S. Tucson gets center teaching healthy eating, keeping slim

Program coordinators Jenn Parlin, left, and Cheralyn Schmidt tend to a vegetable garden. Growing and eating healthy food is encouraged.

S. Tucson gets center teaching healthy eating, keeping slim

Program coordinators Jenn Parlin, left, and Cheralyn Schmidt tend to a vegetable garden. Growing and eating healthy food is encouraged.

South Tucson gets center teaching healthy eating

A former Mexican restaurant in South Tucson is now a taxpayer-funded public community center with an anti-obesity focus.

Message of healthy eating grows at south-side school

Challenger Middle School students, from left, Gabriela Jasso, Lizeth Nava (bending down) and Leslie Valenzuela are in harvest mode at the school's garden. They had just pulled some fresh carrots.

Message of healthy eating grows at south-side school

It all starts with a seed. Jonathan Moreno empties a packet to distribute seeds to members of Roots and Shoots.

Message of healthy eating grows at south-side school

Miguel Rodriguez, 12, left, and Patrick Robles, 11, plant cucumber seeds as David Kelch, right, rakes over previously planted squash seeds in the community garden at Challenger Middle School, 100 E. Elvira Road.

Message of healthy eating grows at south-side school

The school's garden has yielded a substantial bounty, all geared toward giving students healthier eating options.

Message of healthy eating grows at south-side school

David Kelch and Jonathan Moreno are among the budding gardeners at Challenger Middle School whose labor is bringing healthy results to the south-side school.

Girl wins White House contest

President Obama talks to Haile Thomas of Tucson during first lady Michelle Obama's Kids' State Dinner. Obama said Monday that he's usually invited to state dinners, but he "had to crash" this one.

Girl wins White House contest

Haile Thomas

Girl wins White House contest

Haile's quinoa, black bean and corn salad, as prepared and plated in the White House kitchen.

Recipe by Tucsonan, 11, earns her a seat at Kids' State Dinner

Haile Thomas, was one of 54 pint-sized chefs invited to the White House's first Kids' State Dinner hosted by Michelle Obama on Monday.

Mind your peas and cues with Miraval approach

Caption unavailable

Mind your peas and cues with Miraval approach

Guests who stay at Miraval Resort & Spa often marvel at the food and how it manages to be both healthy and taste good.

Kids create fresh meal, snack ideas

In the past year, Haile Thomas has met First Lady Michelle Obama, delivered the keynote speech for a national group dedicated to ending childhood obesity, launched a website to inspire young girls to live a healthy lifestyle, helped revamp the kids menu at Acacia and spearheaded an April 21 …

Schools health push finds logical ally

Flowing Wells High seniors Makayla Anderson, left, and Tori Harmon inspect greenhouse tomatoes grown as part of an agricultural program at the school. Members of the advanced class act as greenhouse managers, inspecting the work of the beginning class.