Cooking and figuring out what to cook, can be challenging to individuals who are just learning, and even to the most experienced of cooks as well. Recently, the Nutrition Education Program Assistant from the Grayson County Extension Office began a program using the 2018 Food & Nutrition Calendar issued by the University of Kentucky for Cooperative Extension Services. The NEP Assistant began each lesson teaching from the “Healthy Choices for Every Body” curriculum and then would prepare the recipe that’s featured in the calendar for the current month with all participants sampling the recipe.

This program will continue for a full twelve months; however, 13 participants have attended a total of seven classes and completed all required lessons to graduate from the program. All thirteen clients made significant progress towards improving their overall eating habits; with a total of 92.3% improvement.

The clients also enhanced their activity level, resulting in 50% increase overall; with 85% reporting they strengthen their muscles more days a week than before. Furthermore, 100% of participants reported eating more vegetables on a daily basis, and 54% reported drinking soda less often. As a whole the participants of the Cooking through the Calendar series, have substantially improved their eating habits and have attained an overall healthier lifestyle. Quotes from participants include: “I love your classes, I always learn so much.” “I wish I had eaten healthier years ago, when I was younger.” And, “These classes have become so important to my lifestyle, I don’t want to miss any of them.”