I just returned from having lunch with my two boys. Our kids take their lunch, for a couple reasons … cost and nutrition.

What shocked me today was what I was seeing come out of the school lunch line. Apparently the children had a few choices left to their own judgement. Big mistake.

One boy who was sitting across from my son sat down with a slice of pizza, an apple, a generous helping of chocolate pudding, chocolate milk and a large ice cream sandwich. Let me see if I can understand what was the protein, the vegetable and the fruit. Someone will need to help me with this because apparently I’m not as smart as the Williamson County Schools here in Tennessee.

Maybe all isn’t lost. I also observed another student with was looked to be fried fish sticks (which were left uneaten), strawberry milk, mixed vegetables, frozen fruit-pop dessert and again a large portion of chocolate pudding. I even saw one boy, who apparently is mature beyond his years with a respectable salad. But that was by far the exception.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mike Looney … if you’re listening (or happen to Google yourself) please get your board (D’Wayne Greer, Janice Mills, Janine Moore, Tim McLaughlin, Gary Anderson, Terry Leve, Susan Graham, Pat Anderson, Barry Watkins, Eric Welch, Mark Gregory, Vicki Vogt) to take a serious look at what the school cafeterias are offering to these children. Take a look at the obesity rates in Tennessee. Not good. Look at the stats on diabetes in children. Even worse.

I’m proud to have a great school for my children to attend. The schools here have so many great things going for them. But, parents are entrusting the health and safety of their children to you and what I saw concerns me.

I would venture to bet that teachers would be in favor of cutting back greatly the amount of carbs and sugar the children are being fed during lunch period. I can only imagine the hyped up kids just after lunch and the carb crash they get a couple hours later. This is a bit much to expect our teachers to handle.

How about taking a stand for the health of all these children!

Here in Fieldstone Farms we saw quite a bit of water. Our house was an effected but many of our neighbors on adjacent streets were not as lucky. You can see some photos from walking around the block here. See Photos.

If I had my choice, I’d likely spend my days in and around food. I enjoy creating food and working on its presentation but I also enjoy shooting food.

As a food photographer I get the pleasure of watching, and learning, as others prepare these works of art. The better they are, the easier my job.

I recently shot for Red Pony Restaurant in downtown Franklin, TN. Here is a select shot from that photo shoot.

I look forward to working with additional chefs in and around Nashville, TN to do more food photography assignments.

- Kyle

Since moving to Franklin, TN from Dallas, TX my wife and I have noticed that we’re not the only ones in love with our new surroundings—yet loyal and proud of our previous home state, Texas … as my wife says “Always a Texan.”

We continue to get people stopping us on the road and in parking lots to ask us where we got our window sticker … I Texas TN … and now you can get one for yourself.

Want an “I Texas TN” bumper sticker? How about 4? Share ‘em with your TX/TN friends. A pack of 4 is only $6 bucks (plus $1.50 shipping/handling).

Are you from Texas? Post a “comment” and let us know where you’re from, what you miss from TX and what you like about TN. If you’re from Tennessee and living in Texas, let us know what you miss about Tennessee.

Kyle Dreier