“Teaching Teens the Importance of Healthy Cooking”

Parents have very hectic schedules, sports activities, after school programs, overtime on their jobs, they are too busy to teach or to prepare healthy meals for their teens.

Most teens spend a considerable amount of time at home while parents work nights. Parents choose convenience foods such as, microwaveable meals, pizza, and sugary drinks for easy access.

Working together with the Migrant Education Program Director, our NEP Assistant provided a six weeks Life Skills Workshop using the Teen Cuisine Curriculum. A Cooking and Nutrition Education Program for Teens provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

Using this curriculum, students learned to plan a Daily Food Plan, including foods from the My Plate, how to measure wet and dry ingredients, reading a recipe, chopping fruits and vegetables, and food safety skills for prevention of cross contamination.

Students prepare several dishes from the curriculum using techniques they were taught using the Teen Cuisine Curriculum.  

Students stated they would use the cooking skills they were taught to prepare healthier meals with their families.