When the Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with Grand Towers Senior living apartments, residents were given an opportunity to learn more about food and nutrition and improve their skills in the kitchen.  Residents showed interest and enthusiasm and enjoyed every bit of the series.  One participant stated, “I enjoyed the recipes, and the lessons were very informative. Thank you so much for showing us the correct way to hold a sharp knife!”

Knife skills and tasty meals were not the only things the participants enjoyed and showed improvements in, participants also improved their dietary habits, eating more whole grains, vegetables, dairy, and fiber.  The series taught them to eat less refined grains with a 74% positive change in eating less refined grains.  Other small improvements were seen in consuming fewer solid fats and added sugars and sodium.   Many found new ways to try things they did not like such as ground turkey.   One woman stated, “I learned to try ground turkey in more recipes.  I was surprised that I liked it!”  She along with some of the other participants were happy to share that they prepared the same recipes for their families outside of class and they loved it!  This wonderful group was proof that cooking and eating nutritious meals can be enjoyable.