Happy Haile's Healthy Inspiration
Date: 14-01-2015
Author: Haile Thomas
Source: Haile Thomas
Inspirational Arizona Girl's Healthy Message
Haile Thomas, from Arizona, USA is a dedicated and passionate health advocate for youth. An 8th grader at The Gregory School in Tucson, Arizona, Haile's mission is to engage, inspire, motivate and educate her peers about healthy eating, cooking and living.
Haile is the founder and program director of the HAPPY Organization, and serves on several advisory boards, including the Canyon Ranch Institute Life Enhancement Program and Chop Chop Magazine. She is a Certified Healthy Living Ambassador with the Tucson Village Farm, and also served for 3 years on the Youth Advisory Board supporting the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Haile is one of the first 8 young chefs featured on season one of Rachael vs Guy Kids-Cook-Off on Food Network, and serves as Health Ambassador for Hip Hop Public Health and the WAT-AAH Brand.
Public Speaking
Haile has spoken at several major events including:
Boys & Girls Club of America Triple Play Summit (2014)
Clinton Foundation's Closing the Gap in Childhood Obesity Forum (2014)
Hip Hop Public Health's ~ Songs For a Healthier America Album Launch (2013)
Deepak Chopra’s Sages & Scientists Symposium (2013)
Epicurious & Let's Move ~ Healthy Lunchtime Challenge & Kids State Dinner (2013)
Clinton Foundations Health Matters Conference (2013)
Partnership for a Healthier America Summit (2011)
YWCA’s 25th Annual Women’s Leadership Conf (2013)
Arizona Healthier Generation Summit. (2011)
BEYOND Tucson (2013)
TEDXKIDS@BC (Vancouver, Canada (2011)
TEDX Tucson (2011)
Haile was a guest in First Lady Michelle Obama's Box (Haile pictured with Michelle Obama) at the 2013 State of the Union Address, representing Let's Move. She was also the 2012 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner from Arizona, and was invited to introduce the First Lady during the 2nd Annual Kids State Dinner held to honor the 2013 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners.
Haile is active in her community as the co-founder of the HAPPY Organization, which is partnered with the YWCA Tucson to improve the health and wellness of Arizona youth and families through education, outreach, and advocacy about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. Haile also hosts several community events, including her annual Global Youth Service Day events, H.E.A.L (Healthy Eating, Active Lifestyle) Festival – where children are engaged in fun physical activities, gardening, and nutrition education and the Healthy Belly Community Dinner & Wellness Fair.
Haile is the Jr. Chef Advisor for Hyatt Hotel’s “For Kids By Kids” Menu which is served in all Hyatt properties in North America and the Caribbean. Other notable corporate and nonprofit partners include the YWCA Tucson, Whole Foods Market Tucson, and MySocialCanvas.com. Haile is a contributing writer for Edible Baja Magazine, Polish Magazine, and on Vans Natural Foods Blog, sharing healthy recipes and encouraging her peers to learn to cook and explore new food and flavors. Haile is a shining example that one is never too young to make a difference in the world. She inspires and motivates her peers, showing them that with passion and dedication everything is possible.
The HAPPY Organization
The HAPPY Organization's mission is to improve the health and wellness of Arizona youth and families through education, outreach, and advocacy about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. And, while we work to support all youth in receiving and engaging in proper nutrition education and fun physical activity, we have a particular focus on under-served communities and at-risk youth. We also empower youth to become change agents around healthy cooking and physical activity initiatives in order to have a greater impact on the health of our entire community.
Teen Vegan
Haile has, for the past 4 years, been on an awesome adventure to inspire healthier generations! Haile says "I've done so serving on several youth advisory boards including the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Tucson Village Farm, Chop Chop Magazine, and serving as a Jr. chef advisor to Hyatt Hotels and their For Kids By Kids Menu. Currently I work through my HAPPY Organization, which offers healthy cooking classes and fun physical activities to kids in my city. I also speak at national and local health events, and do community cooking demonstrations. This work has even given me the incredible opportunity to meet several of my culinary idols, and even the First Lady and President of the United States."
"But at the heart of my advocacy, my adventures began in the kitchen with my mom when I was around 5 years old. Since that time, I've tried, created, and loved many amazing dishes from cuisines around the world. Basically, I've been a pretty adventurous eater! BUT, six years ago my dad was diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes and since that time our family has been on a mission to embrace healthy habits. This focus not only helped my dad completely reverse his diabetes, but also lead us to embrace a plant-based way of eating! It's been an amazing journey so far, and i've learned so much about food and new ways to nourish my body. It's been a culinary adventure for sure, and one that I am super excited to share with everyone who enjoys good food, that is also good for you!"
"So, my mission is to continue to inspire healthier generations, through my work in my community, through motivational speaking, and continuting to support and work with organizations with similiar missions. And, by being creative in the kitchen, exploring seasonal ingredients, trying new and different plant-based foods, and sharing delicious and nutritious recipes that everyone (regardless of your dietary preference) can enjoy! So, I invite you to join me on my culinary adventures as the Teen Vegan, become a "veghead" and have fun on this journey right along with me!"
Congratulations Haile on all that you have achieved. Your story will inspire many young people who wish to follow your awesome advice and will hopefully encourage them to appreciate that healthy eating is a huge and integral part of a healthy lifestyle. Best wishes for continued success from all the team at EduzineGlobal.com
Massive thanks to Joshua's Heart Foundation for introducing us to Haile.
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Date: 14-01-2015
Author: Haile Thomas
Source: Haile Thomas
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