Santa Rosa boy savors healthy White House lunch with first lady Michelle Obama

Eight-year-old Cannon Meiers dined with Michelle Obama at the White House on Thursday.

The kitchen-savvy Santa Rosa lad was one of 56 youngsters given the royal treatment by the first lady for being named a state or territory winner in the annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge recipe competition.

With a hand from his mother, frequent recipe contest winner Amy Meiers, the Steele Lane School student conceived the low-fat, highly nutritious Cannon’s California roll. Partners in Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move! health initiative selected it as the best lunch recipe from California.

Cannon and the other Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners, all aged from 8 to 12, on Thursday toured the White House garden and enjoyed a midday “Kids State Dinner” hosted by Mrs. Obama.

She told the children, selected as the top recipe makers from all 50 states, D.C., and five territories, that they can change lives as active ambassadors of a mission to encourage Americans to eat better.

“There’s no telling what you can achieve,” said the First Lady, who admitted being sad that her fifth Let’s Move luncheon for kids will be her last.

“Just think about it,” she said from the dais just before lunch was served. “You guys aren’t even in high school yet and you’ve already made it to the White House!”

Her husband addressed the young recipe creators and their parents through a videotaped message.

Said the president, “As Michelle will tell you, if she hasn’t already, the healthier we eat and the more active we are, the better we’ll do in school and in life. The stronger we’ll be as a country ... your hard work is helping to create a stronger and healthier America.”

Cannon won a seat at the White House luncheon table with Cannon’s California Roll, featuring chicken and Golden State avocado, sliced almonds and raisins, as well as yogurt, celery, apple, chia seeds and green onions, wrapped in a La Tortilla Factory tortilla.

His mom said from D.C. on Thursday afternoon that she and her son found Michelle Obama to be the perfect hostess.

“She was amazing. So kind, just cool,” Amy Meiers said.

She said Cannon, who lives with the disabling effects of a rare genetic disorder, was thrilled to be in the White House, to tour the garden and to meet Mrs. Obama and special guest Rachael Ray, the celebrity cook.

Cannon went to D.C. hoping against hope that he’d see the White House dogs. Behold, before leaving 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. he encountered the dog walker and both Sunny and Bo.

“He got to pet them” his mom said. “That was like the cherry on top.”

A natural, no-sugar-added cherry, of course.