I recently had an opportunity to attend the Ziploc FreshOver Event in NYC and meet (gasp!) the one-and-only Rachael Ray. She’s partnering with Ziploc Brand for The Great American FreshOver Project and is so very passionate about her role; it was very inspiring to see first-hand.

Walking into the FreshOver event was fabulous – all over the room were Rachael’s FreshOver recipes! It was like walking into a food fantasy! Fresh vegetables, delicious cheeses… the aromas were sensational. There were stations set up with FreshOver delights — delish guacamole and chips, exceptional bruschetta, yummy hummus, delectable meats and cheeses. And then my favorite, the food that was being passed out and served throughout the event…my favorites were the Chicken Satay Sliders, Mini Braised Pork Tacos (out-of-this-world!), 8-Vegetable Soup with Mixed Herb Pesto and Prosciutto Shrimp with Sage. I feasted on the food for (literally) two hours straight – it was heavenly!

But for me personally, my favorite part of the evening was meeting Rachael Ray and hearing her speak about why she wanted to be part of the Ziploc Brand FreshOver Project.

As a mom of four kids, I knew why I wanted to be involved with the FreshOver Project. I wanted to learn how to prepare healthy meals for my kids. I’ve always had the mindset that quick and easy isn’t always healthy and I’m glad to say that I was wrong. Rachael has taught me throughout the FreshOver Project that quick and easy can be healthy. By storing fresh ingredients in Ziploc Brand Bags and Containers like tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, carrots, peppers, blueberries, apple slices, orange slices, olives, cheeses, raspberries, etc., everything is easy and accessible. I have healthy options right at my fingertips for me to use – at any time for my guys. It’s a lifestyle change, and it’s something that is helping me and my husband create healthier options and meals for our family.

It was very interesting to hear why Rachael wanted to be involved, and it made such sense and was very inspiring. Rachael mentioned that with the obesity epidemic in our country right now, especially with kids, she absolutely wanted to get involved in the FreshOver Project. With all that Ziploc Brand does to promote portion control, teach healthy eating habits and creating smart solutions in food storage – Rachael felt connected to the FreshOver Project and wanted to help spread the message of healthy eating. I loved hearing that she cared so much about helping other people, in all honesty, that really connected with me as a mom.

I LOVED a tip she mentioned for involving your kids in the shopping process, she said to give each child a color when you head to the market and have them be in charge of finding vegetables/fruits of that color.  I love that because the kids will feel involved in the shopping and eating process and it makes it feel special for them. So…William could be green, Alex could be red, Ben could be yellow and Henry could be orange – and they literally have to find the healthy foods that match that color. So simple. So smart. So doable!

I also loved hearing Rachael’s tip for getting the boys in the kitchen with me. I had asked her advice on having the boys in the kitchen with me – good idea or bad idea (they’re young)? She simply said, “Get them in there!” with her famous smile! After all, she said she has been in the kitchen with her mom since she was a little girl. I’m absolutely going to get them in! I can have them bag their carrot sticks, orange slices and apple slices. I can have them help me portion out the cereals and pastas and meats. Having them in the kitchen brings more together time for us, and it was really great to hear that from Rachael. I think I get so consumed in just trying to blast through the kitchen prep, that I don’t even stop to think that it’s a great way bring us all together at the same time. My mindset has been shifted!

The FreshOver event was just lovely! It was wonderful to grab photos with Rachael and truly have the time to chat with her and really get her professional insight as to how to keep up with our own family’s FreshOver project.

Me with Rachael Ray at the Ziploc FreshOver event. (Photo Courtesy of Gary He)

Disclosure: I have partnered with Ziploc® Brand and am being compensated for my posts. However, my opinions are my own.