We’ve all been watching the evolution of the government’s attempt to tell us the healthiest way to eat for a while now. They use graphics to tell us the story of what foods we should consume. Using a picture story is a way to reach non-literate people as well as a more appealing tactic than a lecture.

Here’s the original official United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid from 1992

According to Wikipedia, “It was updated in 2005 with colorful vertical wedges replacing the horizontal sections and renamed MyPyramid. MyPyramid was often displayed with the food images absent, creating a more abstract design.”

I love the figure running up the stairs to get to the top. If it were the older version, it would be chasing after the fats, oils and sweets (like most of us.) You can see how stories emerge from the visuals.

Take this charming illustration from The Harvard School of Public Health

I was wondering what the feet at the bottom were supposed to represent until I read their tips for following the Healthy Eating Pyramid and then I realized that exercise is the biggest component. The items floating on the upper left corner indicate taking vitamins and drinking booze.  The website says that “moderate drinking for many people can have real health benefits, but it’s not for everyone. Those who don’t drink shouldn’t feel that they need to start.”

The Mayo Clinic has taken a stance to embrace them all and gives you options at their website.  You can click on an interactive pyramid to get a choice of Asian, Mediterranean, Mayo Clinic, Vegetarian and Latin American diets plus the new My Plate from the USDA

Now, the USDA doesn’t want you to get confused so they’ve simplified the chart down to a visual we can all understand; a divided plate. No stairs, no pictures of beautiful fresh veggies and blood dripping meat. Just the facts, unembellished, straightforward and, in my opinion, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Logo of Charlotte's slam

You can get daily podcasts from In The Loop from Minnesota Public Radio or New York’s The Moth. Story Slams are in Philly (First Person Arts) , West Chester Story Slam, Asheville (Synergy Story Slam)  and San Francisco (Porchlight) and gaining popularity as fast as a wildfire can jump the road. A few months ago I reported on Phoenix’s addition (Great Arizona Story Slam).

And now Tucson has joined the movement with Double O Story Slam. In Heat: Surviving the Summer is the theme for this all ages show on Monday, June 27 at Fluxx Studio and Gallery, 414 E. 9th Street. Come at 6:30 to sign up and the show starts at 7:15. Refreshments will be available.

In the simplest terms, a story slam is a contest where people tell real stories from their lives on a theme. No costumes, no props, no notes, no music…just the STORY. Each story is five minutes or less in length and there are a maximum of ten tellers.

Selected audience members will determine the winner who will receive a prize. The criteria may include how well the story is told, its construction, how it explores the theme and if the teller honors the time limit.

Anyone can tell a story. There is no preregistration. The slots will be filled by people who sign up at the event, and sign-up will start at 6:30 pm. We’ll pull names from a hat to determine the order. The first ten people will have their five minutes of fame and a chance to win.

If you want to tell a story consider these tips:

Tell a true (personal) story

Choose a story that has meaning to you

Organize your story with a beginning, middle, ending ~ and a point

Know your first and last line

You can start in the action (middle) and set up the stakes

Make the story succinct and have the point be obvious – but your method of getting to the point may be surprising and have punch

Add lots of details so that listeners can picture themselves in the story

Get your body and emotions into the story

Don’t worry about being funny or serious or both; just be yourself

A good time to get serious is right after a laugh

Don’t memorize, just remember an outline, your beginning, ending and a few lines of plot; storytelling is an oral art, not a literary recital

Stick to the 5 minute or less time limit

There will be reminders when you need to start wrapping up and when it’s time to stop

Don’t rant; this is a place for stories, not lectures or diatribes

Relax, breathe, play

Take time to finish. Look at people, smile, and enjoy their appreciation — it’s their chance to give you something back

For more info contact Maya Asher, 480-390-1063 or Penelope Starr (yes, that’s me), 520-730-4112, Penelope(at)odysseystorytelling.com