Around the winter holidays, there is generally renewed interest in preparing healthy, home-cooked meals. Many individuals are preparing meals for friends and family and are interested in learning about healthy cooking and food preparation techniques. This is an ideal opportunity to encourage and teach food preparation methods because research shows those who prepare and cook more meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. 

To encourage healthy, holiday home-cooked meals, the Grayson County Extension Office hosted the grab and go workshop Home for the Holidays. The program focused on basic food safety skills related to purchasing and preparing a whole turkey, building healthy side dishes including salads, and using herbs and spices to add flavor to dishes at home. In 2020, many families found themselves celebrating holidays in their home rather than at a family member or friends home. This could also mean they have never prepared a full holiday meal on their own. The goal of this program is to educate families possibly cooking their own holiday meal for the first time to do so safely. It afforded them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone, learn new skills, and create new traditions with their family. Forty-two people participated in the workshop and received an informational packet regarding healthy holiday side dishes, food safety regarding preparing and cooking turkey, as well as food safety as it relates to leftovers. Additionally, a local community member donated decorative, porcelain platters that accompanied the informational packet. 

Of those surveyed, 81% indicated they better understood how to safely purchase and prepare a whole turkey. 90% stated they better understood different types of cooking methods for a whole turkey. Further, 83% expressed they better understood how to prepare, store, and/or add variety to salads, while 79% expressed they had a better understanding of different types of herbs and spices used in cooking. All comparisons between participants pre and post showed statistically significant improvements as a result of the program.  

When measuring intention after the program, 100% plan to use the prep and safety and/or various cooking methods recommended to prepare a healthy holiday meal at home. In addition, 97% plan to incorporate more variety in salad preparation and 97% plan to incorporate more herbs and spices into cooking when preparing home-cooked meals. 

Some of the most significant things participants identified that they would apply include: 

-    How to safely defrost a turkey.

-    Safely preparing a 20lb turkey since this is the first time,I have cooked a turkey this big for my family…

-    Adding herbs and spices in cooking that have not been used before. 

-    Healthy alternatives to traditional holiday recipes.

Regarding the grab and go program, participants also commented:

-    “All the information was valuable. Already, I have made a recipe from the appetizer and desserts booklet. The platter is very decorative and useful…”

-    “This was a great packet. The information was helpful. The recipes sound delicious with practical ingredients…”

-    “We’ve already tried the green bean sauté. I’m excited to have pineapple sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.”

-    “These are very practical matters that everyone that cooks can use.”