Get Checked and Get Fit

Chef Talk with Dierbergs

One of the main goals of NFL Player Chris Draft and the Chris Draft Family Foundation is to empower and encourage children, and parents alike, to make smarter choices about nutrition and physical activity by getting “Fueled up to Play.”  Draft did just that and more on Saturday, September 26, as he took what he calls “Chef Talk” on the road to the West Oak Dierbergs Shopping Center in Creve Coeur, Mo.  Draft, along with Sally Burns of Dierberg’s BEE Healthy program, presented “Cooking like a Winner” to fifteen area boys and girls, grades 2-5, providing them with helpful tips and encouraging them to lead healthy lifestyles.

During this event, Draft assisted the youth with cooking some tasty foods and sharing some of his own favorite, fun ways to get moving.  As he and the children prepared nutritional, kid friendly meals, such as A-B-C Chicken Noodle Soup, Magnificent Macaroni & Cheese, Mini Meatloaves and School Bus Strawberry Bars, he offered a few easy tips to staying healthy like, being sure to eat a healthy breakfast; being active; getting plenty of sleep; and drinking lots of water.  Draft did not neglect the parents in this event, as he shared with them the importance of cooking meals as a family.

“By cooking dinner, or any meal, as a family, it not only allows you to be a role model to your children to lead healthy behaviors, but also provides that precious quality time that so many families miss out on due to work schedules, after school activities, internet, etc.,” Draft said. “Preparing a 10-minute meal together each day will add over an hour of possible missed opportunities as a family each week; and believe it or not, five minutes here and there can go a long way.  Also, a family that cooks together will eat together, and ultimately grow together.”

Overall, the evening was a huge success for all involved, especially the children. They were able to enjoy the best of both worlds by preparing and eating a great nutritional meal along side one of their favorite NFL Players.  One of the very satisfied parents, Shannon Veltrop, mother of participant Eli Veltrop stated,
“My husband knew that Chris would be a good role model for the children and we both knew that this would be something Eli would enjoy,” said Shannon Veltrop, mother of participant Eli Veltrop.

Eli, who would like to be a baseball player when he grows up, already has a few healthy practices which include eating his “lucky apple” before each of his baseball games. Now, he’s even more equipped on the importance of staying healthy and fit.  Each participant of the evening also received a T-shirt, hat and an autographed Chris Draft informational card. 

The class itself was just one of many that will be offered throughout various local communities as an extension of the Draft Family Foundation’s Draft Day, a life changing experience that centers on teaching families how to lead healthier lifestyles.  For more information on an upcoming Draft Day event in your local community or to find out how you too can get “Fueled up to Play” visit www.chrisdraftfamilyfoundation.org or www.fueluptoplay.com.