The twice-monthly participatory Healthy Cooking Class instructs residents on healthy eating and food preparation choices. This month’s recipes: Mason Jar Salad & Trifle Dessert. Instructor Angela Ho: “We focused on how to food prep healthy meals that could be easily stored in a mason jar. The residents made a raspberry vinaigrette, cranberry, walnut, cashew, apple, celery, chicken salad with a mix of greens. They really enjoyed this idea because of its simplicity and how beautiful the salad looks when you layer the ingredients. Residents were excited to try this food prepping idea outside of class. We also introduced a trifle dessert with zero sugars as an alternative sweet dish for those who are diabetic or prefer not to eat too many sugars. Residents’ feedback was positive and friendly. They especially enjoyed the Mason jar salad recipe.”
Regional Programs Director Alma Wright: “Angela incorporates cooking with very informative Power Point presentations. She also lets her students participate in the cooking process, rather than just watch.”
RPD and Instructor Alma Wright: “It has been an exciting month for the class! In the last four weeks, we have managed to complete 18 individual paintings and have applied 2 coats of varnish to each one. My husband and I made the frame to fit the pieces perfectly, and the residents had fun staining it. All of them told me they had never applied stain to wood before. They all followed my tips on the subject and sure had fun getting a bit messy while doing it. Even Western Senior Housing Assistant Manager Valerie Suaste took a break from work for a few minutes to help us out, and totally enjoyed the staining process. My students are looking forward to seeing their collective painting on display at the Senoir Olympics Art competition in September. After that, they would like me to hang it permanently in their community room above the piano. I’ve asked WSH Manager Jujuana Story if this would be okay with her, and she has agreed to it. I can’t wait to see the pride in their faces when it’s finally up there on the wall.”
~ Alma Wright, Regional Programs Director
EngAGE offers a variety of classes, workshops, and special programs at each
of our communities. These posts highlight just a small sample.
