This is a cooking program for pregnant individuals, first-time parents, and young families. Participants will learn about various topics including health and nutrition, smart grocery shopping, reading food labels, accessing online resources, following the Canada Food Guide, practicing food safety, and utilizing community supports. At the end of the program, participants will receive a kitchen handbook with recipes and nutrition information. Limited space is available, and interested individuals can contact prgmcoord@nanaimocommunitykitchens.org for more information.
Nanaimo Community Kitchens is currently accepting applications for this cooking and skill-building program. The program aims to enhance cooking skills and promote healthier eating habits. Each week for 8 weeks, participants will receive a healthy cooking kit with ingredients and a recipe card delivered to their doorstep. A cooking video will accompany each recipe, and participants will have the opportunity to connect with the program facilitator throughout the program. Previous participants have shared positive feedback about the program, expressing reduced fear of cooking, regained love for cooking, increased confidence in trying new recipes, more home-cooked meals, and improved awareness of food labels.
Here's what our participants have said about the program:
"Cooking is not so scary."
“I got my love for cooking back."
"I am more confident when trying new recipes."
"I started cooking more meals at home and being more creative."
"I look at labels for fat, salt, and sugar."
Participating in community kitchen cooking programs offers numerous benefits. Here are some advantages of engaging in our cooking programs:
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Improved Cooking Skills: Our cooking program provides hands-on experience and instruction, allowing participants to develop and enhance their cooking skills. They can learn new techniques, discover new recipes, and gain confidence in the kitchen.
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Healthier Eating Habits: Our cooking programs often emphasize nutrition and healthy cooking practices. Participants learn about balanced meals and the importance of incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into their diet. This knowledge can lead to healthier eating habits and improved overall well-being.
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Increased Nutritional Knowledge: Our cooking programs typically provide education on nutrition, food labels, and understanding ingredients. Participants gain a better understanding of the nutritional content of various foods, enabling them to make informed choices when shopping and cooking.
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Cost Savings: Learning to cook can be cost-effective compared to relying on pre-packaged or takeout meals. Cooking programs often emphasize budget-friendly meal planning, smart grocery shopping, and utilizing affordable ingredients. Participants can save money by preparing meals at home.
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Family Bonding: Our cooking programs can be a great way for families to spend quality time together. Parents and children can learn and cook together, fostering stronger family bonds and creating lasting memories.
Overall, participating in cooking programs offer the benefits of improved cooking skills, healthier eating habits, increased nutritional knowledge, cost savings, culinary creativity, social connection, confidence, and family bonding.