Local Batavia Girl Scouts, Carly Burken and Carrie Phillips, age 14, received the Silver Award this October after helping Girl Scout Troop 4238 of the Batavia Apartments learn about healthy eating. Their Silver Award project took six months to complete and included planting a Community Garden with the help of the troop and Batavia Apartment residents. Carly thought it was fun to teach the younger girls ( 20 girls aged 5-13) how to plant, tend and harvest the beans, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, herbs and potatoes. Carrie enjoyed cooking with the scouts and teaching them about healthy lifestyle choices.

Chef Joe Martinez of El Taco Grande and his new endeavor the “It’s All Good” health café, came to teach the scouts how to make a healthy low fat Turkey Burrito. This cooking lesson, which included making fresh pico de gallo, was the culmination activity at the Batavia Apartments this August. Martinez, who has recently lost 80 pounds and is now studying to become a registered dietitian, is building a loyal following of customers depending on him for freshly prepared snacks, lunches and dinners. (for more info on "It's All Good" contact Senorjoe09@sbcglobal.net.)

The Girl Scouts are looking for volunteers to help lead their multi-aged troop. Interested residents are urged to contact Joy Sobczek, Resident Manager at the Batavia Apartments, at 630-406-1736. Training will be provided by the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.