King County Eat Smart Program

Eat Smart Program – Success Stories

We want to hear from you!

Have you made dietary changes? Has the Colorful Choices program helped you increase your fruit and vegetable consumption? Share your story with county employees. Email us at health.matters@kingcounty.gov.

“It’s the greatest job in the world,” Joe Kadushin smiles and remarks of his job as a Metro operator. “I plan to be there as long as I can get up and drive”.

Joe, 46, has been driving for Metro for three years. His success at Metro, however, is professional and personal. Working as an early morning bus driver, Joe finishes his daily exercise and consumes three to five servings of fruits and vegetables before ten o’clock every day. Joe’s lifestyle is an inspiration and proof that anyone can practice healthy habits with discipline and motivation.

Like many modern occupations, bus drivers are challenged to find ways to eat well and move more. Joe makes the most of the opportunities he has. He does this by waking up at four in the morning to run to work three days a week and bike the other two. Once he arrives at Ryerson Base, Joe engages in yoga and tai chi before he starts driving and does upper-body stretches during the stops on his route.

In addition to moving as much as possible, Joe makes wise eating choices. He says, “You have to eat, so you might as well eat foods that are good for you”. Always packed in his work bag are three to five servings of fruits and vegetables and plenty of tap water, the only beverage he drinks other than a cup of green tea with breakfast. Joe chooses different fruits and vegetables depending on the season, but common choices include homegrown tomatoes from his garden, carrots, snow peas, plums, grapes, and apricots.

A vegetarian for over five years, Joe’s favorite foods are cooked asparagus, Portobello mushroom burgers, and Asian stir-fries. His snacks throughout the day consist mainly of dried fruit and nuts.

Joe, who experiences the difficulties facing Metro drivers firsthand, was able to offer some advice to his coworkers. His number one tip: “drink before you are thirsty, and always have water with you”.

At home Joe chooses to eat with chopsticks, rather than with a fork. Not only does this slow down his consumption, it also “fine tunes [his] motor skills”. He believes that eating slowly allows him to enjoy his food more thoroughly.

Finally, Joe emphasizes the importance of bringing food from home, rather than buying fast food. Planning and preparing food in advance not only leads to better health, it also saves money. Joe firmly believes that quality is the key to life and says, “The sooner you start exercising and eating better, the longer your quality of life will last.”

Joe Kadushin, Metro Operator

"I thought I was pretty savvy about eating fruits and vegetables but I've learned that my eating habits were pretty dull. Colorful Choices has a wonderful library of recipes for each color group which has helped me jazz up my cooking I had never given much thought about the color of the fruit or vegetable but through participating in the Colorful Choice program I've learned that each colorful choice provides its own wealth of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

A great outcome from participating is that my son is counting how many fruits and vegetables he eats each day. And I found a wonderful gift suggestion at their web site that I used for a housewarming present: Fruit 'a plenty gift basket - place a pineapple in the center of the basket and surround it with apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi, pears, oranges, dates, persimmons, and figs."

Linda S. ,
King County
Program Project Manager

Focus on Employees Benefits and Retirement Healthy Incentives HRI Toolkit Flu Shot Program Live Well Challenge Eat Smart Education Resources and Tools Success Stories My Community Weight Watchers At Work Move More Activity Center Gym Discount Program Quit Tobacco Stress Less Prescriptions - Choose Generics Healthy Workplace Funding Initiative Managers My EAP My Transportation Focus on Employees E-mail us or contact us at: 516 Third Ave. Seattle, WA 98104	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT Focus on Employees News and information for King County employees and their families You're in: Focus on Employees » Eat Smart » Success Stories print King County Eat Smart Program Eat Smart Program – Success Stories We want to hear from you! Have you made dietary changes? Has the Colorful Choices program helped you increase your fruit and vegetable consumption? Share your story with county employees. Email us at health.matters@kingcounty.gov. “It’s the greatest job in the world,” Joe Kadushin smiles and remarks of his job as a Metro operator. “I plan to be there as long as I can get up and drive”. Joe, 46, has been driving for Metro for three years. His success at Metro, however, is professional and personal. Working as an early morning bus driver, Joe finishes his daily exercise and consumes three to five servings of fruits and vegetables before ten o’clock every day. Joe’s lifestyle is an inspiration and proof that anyone can practice healthy habits with discipline and motivation. Like many modern occupations, bus drivers are challenged to find ways to eat well and move more. Joe makes the most of the opportunities he has. He does this by waking up at four in the morning to run to work three days a week and bike the other two. Once he arrives at Ryerson Base, Joe engages in yoga and tai chi before he starts driving and does upper-body stretches during the stops on his route. In addition to moving as much as possible, Joe makes wise eating choices. He says, “You have to eat, so you might as well eat foods that are good for you”. Always packed in his work bag are three to five servings of fruits and vegetables and plenty of tap water, the only beverage he drinks other than a cup of green tea with breakfast. Joe chooses different fruits and vegetables depending on the season, but common choices include homegrown tomatoes from his garden, carrots, snow peas, plums, grapes, and apricots. A vegetarian for over five years, Joe’s favorite foods are cooked asparagus, Portobello mushroom burgers, and Asian stir-fries. His snacks throughout the day consist mainly of dried fruit and nuts. Joe, who experiences the difficulties facing Metro drivers firsthand, was able to offer some advice to his coworkers. His number one tip: “drink before you are thirsty, and always have water with you”. At home Joe chooses to eat with chopsticks, rather than with a fork. Not only does this slow down his consumption, it also “fine tunes [his] motor skills”. He believes that eating slowly allows him to enjoy his food more thoroughly. Finally, Joe emphasizes the importance of bringing food from home, rather than buying fast food. Planning and preparing food in advance not only leads to better health, it also saves money. Joe firmly believes that quality is the key to life and says, “The sooner you start exercising and eating better, the longer your quality of life will last.” Joe Kadushin, Metro Operator "I thought I was pretty savvy about eating fruits and vegetables but I've learned that my eating habits were pretty dull. Colorful Choices has a wonderful library of recipes for each color group which has helped me jazz up my cooking I had never given much thought about the color of the fruit or vegetable but through participating in the Colorful Choice program I've learned that each colorful choice provides its own wealth of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A great outcome from participating is that my son is counting how many fruits and vegetables he eats each day. And I found a wonderful gift suggestion at their web site that I used for a housewarming present: Fruit 'a plenty gift basket - place a pineapple in the center of the basket and surround it with apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi, pears, oranges, dates, persimmons, and figs." Linda S. , King County Program Project Manager
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	Updated: July 31, 2008