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.

“If you eat vegetables, your child is more likely to eat them,” she said.

Robison also talked about ways to vary the salsa recipe such as adding black beans. If a child likes the tomato or beans in the salsa, they are more likely to try either ingredient in another recipe in the future.

Registered families received a box of ingredients to build the demonstrated recipe. The box included suggested add-ins such as a can of beans or cup of fruit, as well as the basic salsa recipe.

The three sessions are designed to build on each other and show families how to build a balanced meal.

The salsa demonstration covered the vegetable area of the balanced plate. On April 6 at 1 p.m., a Mexican Frittata recipe will be shared to cover the protein portion of a balanced plate.

The series concludes April 13 when the group will learn cilantro lime quinoa to include a healthy grain component for their plates.

Preregistration is required and space is limited. Parents 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.