Their signature may be Thin Mints, but Girl Scouts across the country (and right here in Glenview) are about much more than cookies— they’ve partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to promote healthy living and put an end to childhood obesity.

In celebration of the initiative’s one-year anniversary, local Girl Scouts teamed up with counterparts from Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. to prepare nutritious after school snacks for a live webcast Thursday afternoon, Feb. 10.

"Encouraging girls to lead happy, healthy, active lives has always been an important part of Girl Scouting," said Kathy Cloninger, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.

The webcast originated at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies and featured Cloninger, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and President of Kraft Global Health & Wellness Rhonda Jordan.

"Healthy eating and physical activity habits that girls learn at an early age can last a lifetime," explained Jordan. "As the nation's largest food company, we know we have a role to play in helping people make good choices, whether it's providing nutritious food options or offering healthy recipes."

For their part, local Girl Scouts showcased healthy snacks like the first-prize winning turkey, pear and cheese melt. Other healthy snacks included an apple tortilla and a sweet fruit kabob. Alongside Maria Wynne, CEO of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and Robin Ross, associate director of the Kraft Foods Culinary Center in Glenview, 25 scouts from Glenview, Oak Park, Park Ridge and Morton Grove enjoyed their 15 minutes of fame while continuing Girl Scout tradition through leadership and healthy living.

"Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls learn the importance of balance in leading a healthy lifestyle," shared Wynne. "Hearing what that means from the secretary of health and human services, and executives at Kraft Foods, and being able to have a practical session during the broadcast, made a huge impression on the girls who will be the parents of tomorrow raising healthy families.”

A 13-year Girl Scout veteran and participant in Thursday's webcast, Kelsey Murray is an Ambassador with her Glenview Troop 42016 and lists fruit and crackers among her favorite healthy snacks.

“I thought it would be a fun activity to get involved with,” the high school senior told Patch. “When I started reading the [Let’s Move!] materials, it sounded so interesting and I love the idea that it’s a volunteer campaign. It’s very worthwhile and I was able to learn more about what Michelle Obama is trying to accomplish and how easy it is to get involved."

Want to get healthy? Want to get involved with the 2.3 million Girl Scout members and Let's Move!? Click here.

Photo captions by Philip Downie.