Michelle Obama will leave behind an incredible legacy as First Lady of the United States on food, nutrition, childhood obesity, and school lunches. Let's Move made an impact on trying to get kids to spend less time on screens and more time playing.
The First Lady used television well in a natural manner to spread the message. iCarly fit in well to attracting young people to hear the message. The Biggest Loser was a natural fit with people trying to lose weight. Let's not forget the many talk show appearances from Ellen to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
You might think that her natural grace and flair comes easy. Some of us still can't shake the image of Nancy Reagan on Diff'rent Strokes talking about drug abuse. Nancy Reagan used to be an actress.
Like Batman, Michelle Obama had her list of enemies: Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, Chicago Tribune, Basil Marceaux, James Sensenbrenner, those against federal school lunch programs. Instead of being constructive, they were destructive. Obama played it cool every time, even when the other side won significant victories. As she noted during the 2016 election campaign, "when they go low, we go high."
The White House organic garden started out as a powerful symbol but also proved beneficial to people in the capital city with bountiful produce.
Regardless of who the next president of the United States was going to be, Michelle Obama's legacy needs to be applauded. Michelle Obama, private citizen, will still have a platform after January 20 and we hope she takes advantage of that opportunity. The Obamas are staying in Washington until Sasha graduates from high school. The organic garden isn't too far away from their new home, if the new tenants will let her.
Her enemies, who fought hard and mostly without facts, will work to destroy anything Obama accomplished in her 8 years in that role. They can't take away her legacy, the idea that someone with power wanted people to eat better and exercise more. Obama talked about "vegetable feasts," not "federal food nannies." Her positivity can't be shattered.
Since there will be significant changes in the government, keeping the legacy of Michelle Obama alive requires the help of the people. We have touted the need for government to help where it can. The American people need to help out that legacy. Fight for school lunch reform. Encourage people to grow gardens. Focus on new food labels with an emphasis on added sugars.
The fear is that her legacy reads more like an obituary. Let's not make this an obituary.
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Here are a few stories we have written over the years about Michelle Obama. The articles are in reverse chronological order so you can go back to the beginning.
2016
5 questions you should ask presidential candidates about U.S. food policy
2015
Appreciating Jon Stewart, The Daily Show on food and nutrition
President Obama needs to replace Sam Kass with a nutrition czar
2014
Saying goodbye to the Colbert Report
Election Day back when school lunch reform made headlines
Michelle Obama fights back against GOP school lunch cuts
2013
Barack Obama has 4 more years to improve U.S. food supply, but we need to help
2012
Election Day through the eyes of the food supply
BalanceofFood.com endorses Michelle Obama to be First Lady for 4 more years
Sarah Palin's diet/fitness philosophy likely similar to Michelle Obama's approach
iCarly tries to make veggies 'wacky' to appeal to young children
Michelle Obama talks of vegetable feasts on 'Daily Show'
Michelle Obama uses 'Biggest Loser' to push 'Let's Move'
Latest school lunch improvements prove it's important who gets elected
Temptation of the Week: Resist the non-existent message that government wants to tell you what to eat
2012 braces to be rough political year for food advocacy
2011
Rep. James Sensenbrenner latest to pile onto Michelle Obama
'Federal Food Nannies' aren't real, despite Chicago Tribune editorial
What should Michelle Obama do if she wants to order fast food in public?
Christie, Huckabee stand up for Michelle Obama, but repeat Sarah Palin's lies in the process
Rush Limbaugh better off learning Michelle Obama's 'rules' before he criticizes them
Podcast: Sarah Palin, Michelle Obama, and the politics of breastfeeding
2010
Obama signs school lunch bill, still waiting on food safety bill
Sarah Palin could help improve food supply if she argued policy, not politics
Seek out White House reminders of fresh local food
Basil Marceaux's paranoia aside, government will never measure waistlines
Michelle Obama also strikes the balance of food
Going back to 1970s might be best way to cut future childhood obesity
Should hear soon about White House childhood obesity task force
Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' gets Kids Choice Award seal of approval
Michelle Obama takes obesity fight straight to corporations
2009
Has Barack Obama found the Balance of Food?
Why White House organic vegetable garden is so important
photo credit: iCarly/Nickleodeon
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