CRANBERRY TWP — How do nutrition and rock and roll go together?

Jill Jayne, registered dietitian and musician creator of “Jump with Jill,” found a way to meld the two in an upbeat, interactive show to help students learn about nutrition.

Haine Elementary School hosted “Jump with Jill,” which is billed as the world's only rock and roll nutrition show. It has toured from California to Germany, been featured on the Sprout and Nickelodeon television networks and been performed at the White House.

“I love music, and I love food, so I put my two favorite things together to make the greatest rock and roll nutrition show you have ever seen,” said Hailey McDonell, who performs as Jill.

McDonell and Mark Jayne, known on stage as DJ Mark E. Mark, on Monday morning gave a high energy performance that got the students at Haine up and moving.

Assistant Principal Kristen White said hosting “Jump with Jill” is something that Haine has wanted to do for awhile.

“We were really, really excited to be able to book it and have it available for our students,” she said.

White added, “The original Jill is from the Pittsburgh area, so that's a great connection using our local resources, as well.”

School counselor LaVarr Stephens-Howling said the program is a positive way to teach the students how to make the right choices when it comes to food and exercise. He liked that it's interactive and allows the students to get involved through music.

“The kids really enjoyed jumping around and being part of the presentation and not just having someone present to them,” he said.

This assembly was the kick off to Red Ribbon Week, an anti-drug effort.

White said the two things mesh well because of the focus on healthy choices and a healthy lifestyle.

McDonell said Red Ribbon Week is about respecting the body and making healthy choices, so the students can stay healthy and drug free.

“Today's show is all about respect,” she said. “This year's Red Ribbon theme is respect yourself and be drug free.”

“We only get one body and we are going to have it for our entire lives,” McDonell said. “It is your job to take care of your own bodies.”

McDonell talked to the students about eating the right food to keep their energy levels high.

“Our bodies need fuel like a car needs fuel,” McDonell said. “When we eat healthy food we give our body turbocharged engines.”

McDonell doesn't say eliminate junk food, but limit it.

She said students need to eat breakfast. She suggested healthy options like whole grain cereal with low fat milk, low fat yogurt with fruit, and whole wheat toast and eggs.

McDonell said fruit is another way to give the body energy.

“It is sweet like candy, but is actually good for you,” she said. “I call fruit by a special name, I call it nature's candy.”

McDonell said vegetables provide “super power.” They prevent heart disease and cancer and are also good for the skin, hair, muscles, eyes and bones, McDonell said.

She had the students take an oath to try a new vegetable.

The importance of drinking water was also discussed. McDonell said there are many beverage choices, but soda, energy drinks and some juice drinks have a lot of sugar and do not help keep the body going. She said water is the best thing to drink after exercising.

Milk also is good because it contains calcium. Other sources of calcium are low fat yogurt and cheese that promote healthy bones and teeth.

At the end of the assembly the students received Jill's and Mark E. Mark's autographs.

“I want you to take this autograph home and show your family and tell them what you learned today at the 'Jump with Jill' show and tell them that you learned all about Red Ribbon Week, so you can make healthy changes together,” McDonell said.