Nutrition Staff Offering Cooking Classes Head Start Nutrition Staff have begun a three-part series of cooking classes for Head Start families.
The Build a Balanced Plate: Out-of-the-Box Cooking Series began March 23 with Registered Dietician Marge Robison and Production Lead Luis Aguilar demonstrating how to chop fresh ingredients to make salsa. Robison emphasized that salsa may be a way to introduce vegetables to kids. Her advice was to “present, present, present.” In short, keep presenting vegetables to children and encouraging them to try them. She also noted that modeling good eating habits is important.
Build a Balanced Plate: Out of the Box Cooking Series
Salsa INGREDIENTS 3-4 tomatoes 1/2 medium red onion 1 jalapeno pepper 1 lime, juiced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro salt and pepper Optional: mango, peach, corn, garlic, canned crushed pineapple, black/pinto beans
DIRECTIONS • • • •
chop tomatoes finely dice red onion, jalapeno pepper and cilantro mix all ingredients in a bowl store in an air-tight container in the fridge Fresh salsa won’t last as long as store bought salsa because it doesn’t have any preservatives, but it’s so tasty you’ll finish it fast! From the LCCAA Head Start Kitchen
“If you eat vegetables, your child is more likely to eat them,” she said. and show families how to build a balanced meal. Robison also talked about ways to vary the salsa recipe The salsa demonstration covered the vegetable area such as adding black beans. If a child likes the tomato of the balanced plate. On April 6 at 1 p.m., a Mexican or beans in the salsa, they are more likely to try either Frittata recipe will be shared to cover the protein portion ingredient in another recipe in the future. of a balanced plate. Registered families received a box of ingredients The series concludes April 13 when the group will to build the demonstrated recipe. The box included learn cilantro lime quinoa to include a healthy grain suggested add-ins such as a can of beans or cup of fruit, component for their plates. as well as the basic salsa recipe. Preregistration is required and space is limited. Parents The three sessions are designed to build on each other can register for one or all three classes. There are great giveaways for Zoom participants. Check ClassTag for the registration link, or ask your child’s teacher, family service assistant or home visitor.
Pisanick Partners’ Dietician Marge Robison and Production Lead Luis Aguilar discussed how to balance meals during the first of a series of cooking classes. Ethan, a LaGrange student, made salsa at home with his family using the full kit that was sent home. If you missed the class, you can view the video on our YouTube Channel. Use the link on our website at www.lccaa.net.
