The WAE Center’s cooking class has been busy with our Cooking Consultant, Crystal Dickerson from Plant Based Planet LLC. This class has been designed to teach participants valuable life skills, promote healthy eating habits, and inspire creativity in the kitchen, including many delicious recipes such as biscuits and gravy, Mac and Cheese and more (all vegan!)
The energy in the room is always electric but especially during a recent pancake making class as participants discovered they could be creative with their pancakes. “Who doesn’t love pancakes?” one of the participants exclaimed. The room was filled with excitement, dancing, clapping, and laughter as everyone prepared to create personalized pancake masterpieces. Members explored various ingredient options, from traditional favorites to healthier alternatives, demonstrating that everyone deserves choices and options in life—especially when it comes to food! The room lit up when Roberto successfully prepped his ingredients, his shouts of joy contagious to everyone around. Together, the class practiced cleaning, cutting, and prepping ingredients, building confidence in the kitchen.
Artichokes and Lemons Steal the Show
In another class, the group celebrated summer flavors with a delicious artichoke and lemon recipe. Members enjoyed learning about artichokes for the first time, and the room buzzed with excitement as they discussed their health benefits and ways to prepare them. Using canned artichokes for simplicity, we created a creamy, cheesy, comforting dish—perfect for a summer meal.
There is so much more than cooking that happens in these classes. While reviewing recipes, members practice listening and following instructions, building vital skills for independent cooking. Discovering about ingredients and health benefits is a learning experience too and the class has come to understand that healthy cooking can be just as (if not more) delicious! Using different tools like garlic mincers and lemon squeezers, participants practiced their fine motor skills, gaining confidence with kitchen tools. Continuing to refine measuring techniques, the class is learning the difference between dry and wet measurements, honing participants’ kitchen acumen.
The healthy cooking class has been an overwhelming success. Through fun, engaging, and educational sessions, WAE Center members are developing essential skills for healthier, more independent living and learning about the joy of cooking!