This September, the nutrition workshop series, Keeping it 'Real': Better Food for Better Health, will be coming to Healthworks Community Fitness at Codman. Healthworks volunteer and Tufts University nutrition graduate student, Alison Brown, will be leading the workshops. The 6-week nutrition program will focus on empowering participants to take charge of their health and that of their families through better nutrition in the home.The workshop will be held twice a week, on Thursdays and Saturdays, and each session will include interactive demonstrations, open dialogue, practical tips, prize giveaways, and live cooking. Participants can bring their children as the aim is to encourage all members of the family to make changes in dietary habits with particular emphasis placed on discussing
common myths about food choices.
1. The
first week of the workshop series focuses on motivating the participants to improve their eating habits, by discussing what food means to each participant and keeping it ‘real’ about the role that the food industry plays in influencing our eating habits.
2. The
second week will address the importance of eating real, unprocessed foods and the nutritional benefits of eating fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, and fresh and dried herbs and spices. The Saturday session will be devoted to preparing herb marinades common in many Caribbean cultures.
3. The
third week of the program focuses on grocery shopping in particular, where the ins-and-outs of the nutrition label will be reviewed and participants will have the opportunity to tour a local grocery store to learn the aisles to spend most time in
during their future grocery shopping trips. Budgeting and meal planning will also be emphasized with each woman sharing their own personal tips on healthy bargain shopping.
4. Moving into the
fourth week, the participants will improve their understanding of sugars and carbohydrates and apply this knowledge in the preparation of fruit smoothies and fruit salads.
5. Week five of the program looks at fiber in particular and focuses on the importance of getting fiber from truly natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. In the Saturday cooking session, the women and children will prepare three different bean salads, each having their own unique ethnic flare.
6. The
last week of the program ties everything together with tips on eating healthier options when eating out and quick meal ideas. And the last session will close
with a family potluck where it will be highly encouraged for family members to see what the women in their lives have learned and accomplished. Although most of the Keeping it ‘Real’ program is group-based, each participant will also have an opportunity to meet with Alison during a one-on-one session to talk about individual goals. To encourage healthy behaviors throughout the program and beyond, there will be a weekly raffle for those women who attend the workshop series most frequently. The final prize giveaway for the entire workshop series will be a Ninja
TM Master Prep
TM Pro Set.
For more information, e-mail the workshop facilitator, Alison Brown, at
http://healthworkscommunityfitness.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1a1175161e8033115f8d3027f&id=178cf1c971&e=79c838529d. Applications are available online (link below) or at the front desk at Healthworks Community Fitness at Codman.
APPLY ONLINE for Keeping it 'Real': Better Food for Better Health
