Mar 31, 2009 6:07 pm US/Eastern
Firefighters Change Diet For Healthier Lifestyle
Reporting
Ron Matz
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore City firefighters are changing their diet for a healthier lifestyle.
CBS
It's an unusual partnership between the Baltimore City Fire Department and the Brass Elephant.
Ron Matz reports the famous Mount Vernon restaurant and the city's 1,800 firefighters are working together to create a healthier lifestyle.
For busy paramedics and firefighters, eating healthy can be a challenge.
Marcus Olson, executive chef of the Brass Elephant Restaurant, cooked up some Atlantic salmon, scrambled eggs and fruit for them.
"We're using the firefighters as a vehicle so to speak, to get the message out and really influence the younger population. We have some staggering numbers on obesity in this country," said Olson.
The unique partnership is part of the "Fit Firefighters Campaign."
"We sat down and talked about it and came up with this idea--to go around to each fire station and present ideas of health, nutrition and fitness and get our guys engaged," said Chief Kevin Cartwright, Baltimore City Fire Department.
Instead of fried chicken, it's pan-seared with spinach and cheese. Roasted potatoes have been swapped out for mashed, which can reduce fat and calories.
"It's about making everybody healthier, a happier lifestyle, being better individuals all around. This is what the goal of the whole program is," said Brandon Richardson, sous chef at the Brass Elephant.
"In the big picture it is all about preventing heart disease too, because diet is a very important component of preventing heart disease," said Dominique Ashen, nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins University.
The chef is visiting all 39 city fire stations to promote his mission of eating healthy.
"We can change people's outlook on nutrition to make it fun and not cut out everything. It's very important," said Olson.
The Brass Elephant has arranged for the food to be purchased from a local food wholesaler. The restaurant employees are volunteering their time.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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