Nutrition 101: Choose Life! Review

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Nutrition 101: Choose Life, by Growing Healthy Homes, is a unit study in that it encompasses all ages from toddlers to adults, covers a wide variety of subjects like science, anatomy, biology, nutrition and health. It answers the questions:
  • How does food affect the human body?
  • How does food impact my health as I age?
  • How can I help my family make good choices?
This six-unit program explores these questions and more by engaging students of all ages with hands-on experiments, projects, reading and writing assignments, and easy recipes.

The purpose of this "curriculum-for-all-ages" is to help families understand that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made and that food -- good and bad -- does effect the body."

The program reinforces (or introduces) biology by discussing the major body systems in six units:
  • The Brain and Nervous System
  • Digestion and Elimination
  • Respiration and Olfactory
  • Muscular and Skeletal Systems
  • Cardiovascular and Immune Systems
  • Endocrine System and Emotions.
Each unit contains four chapters focused on the function and dysfunction of the system and the nourishment needed for optimal health. There are also unit study guides and an extensive appendix with lots of information and resources.

This e-book is 448 full-color pages! But, it is also available on CD and in print.

While it was easy enough to read on screen, with colorful illustrations and a pleasing layout, I opted to print the WHOLE book after perusing through the book and reading the first chapter! I liked it that much and could see us getting a lot of use out of this one!

Price:

$79.95 CD Rom
$99.95 book
$129.95 book and CD Rom

For how complete and informative this curriculum is, I thought this was a reasonable price. I like having the e-book version so that I can print additional pages as needed. 

The following is a video testimony about the curriculum,


Additional information and customer testimonials are available on the product page and you can view sample pages to see more.

Our experience:

The first unit we covered, the Brain and Nervous System, proved to be informational and interesting. We loved learning more about the brain and especially loved all the good brain foods we learned about.

Chapter 1 included a section on "What is the Brain?" along with discussion questions, activities, resources and a "Power Recipe"~

Guacamole!

The intention behind the Power Recipes is to apply the knowledge of how our bodies work and how food affects it by getting into the kitchen.

We began with avocados, and even did an experiment on ripening them. We placed an avocado in a paper bag with an apple, and left the other on the counter next to it. We were surprised to see the avocado in the bag ripen much quicker.


My kids had fun preparing and assembling the ingredients. They all helped and Nathan learned to use the garlic press for the first time. While we made it, we talked about how avocados are good for your brain and that is why we call them "brain food."



It was the best guacamole we have ever had! I have made it several times since then ~ it is brain food after all and full of good fats!

In Chapter 2, we learned about Brain Health and Nutrition. We learned about brain health issues, fats, omega fatty acids, good sources of Omega-3's and 6's and how to choose the right supplements for your brain. We also covered some discussion questions, did some activities and made another "Power" Recipe ~

Greek Salad



This recipe included olive oil which is a good "Brain Power" fat that our brain needs. Yummy!

For Fun ~ Brain Teasers


One suggested activitiy in Chapter 2 is to challenge your brain with a brain teaser ~ I found a wooden one and let the boys give it a try. We also did a test to see how quickly our brain reacts - a reflex activity for chapter 3.

In Chapter 3, we learned all about the nervous system. We learned what nerves are, the parts of the nervous system and what they do and what reflexes are.

We are on Chapter 4, Nervous System Health and Nutrition and plan to continue with this!

What I like about it:
  • The illustrations - lots of vivid and colorful illustrations and labeled diagrams.
  • How the material is presented. Each chapter includes information, fun facts, and "Word Power" definitions.
  • The discussion questions - lots of great questions to stimulate conversation about living a healthy lifestyle. Scripture references are included and tie nicely into this curriculum.
  • All of the hands on activities suggested!
  • That is is multi-age. Activities are suggested for elementary and secondary students giving you a variety of options to choose from for a wide variety of ages. The information does seem geared towards older children, but I was able to scale it down to teach my little ones the basics.
Overall, I really like this curriculum and looking through the rest of the book, I think this will be a great addition to our studies this year!

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8 comments

  1. Excellent. I need not say more. Well, OK I will-now that is some review! :0)

    FM Sheri

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  2. Well Done Chel -
    Now I really think I need to add it to my home school curriculum...
    I like seeing how much the boys get "into" their food..... :)

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  3. This looks like a really great curriculum. My boys would love this. Thanks for the review!

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  4. The video was so helpful, Michelle. The young boy in the reddish shirt reminded me of my son in about 2-3 years-very demonstrative in his expression, and it was fun to see that.

    I think this would be great to do with a couple of families, and I did like how the video showed the varying age groups. Now I think we'll definitely have to add it in for next year as my daughter is really getting interested in the kitchen. My son is interested in the kitchen results. Both needs would be met! : ) Blessings!

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  5. Love your thorough reviews! How much time per day/week are you spending on this? I have a few that I think would really enjoy this.

    Blessings
    Leslie

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  6. This looks wonderful. I'm looking for something for my daughter to use, but unfortunately, like this one, they are all quite expensive. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I love following your blog and am so pleased to see your family enjoying Nutrition 101!

    Blessings,
    Laura Hopkins
    co-author of Nutrition 101

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