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Wellness Hub

Category: Wellness Hub

Five great reasons kids should learn how to cook

As parents, raising a child who is a picky eater can be challenging especially if you’re trying to develop a healthy eating style.  What if it didn’t have to be difficult?  Google can show us many ways to avoid picky eaters, but reading doesn’t create results, actions do.

The Cambridge Food Bank believes that raising a child who genuinely enjoys eating nutritious food takes practice.  Our Wellness Hub features a weekly youth program run by Vanessa, to help support parents in the Cambridge and North Dumfries area to raise children who are nutritionally diverse in their eating styles. 

Here are Vanessa’s top five reasons kids should learn how to cook

  1. Kids build confidence and comfort in the kitchen
  2. Kids are more likely to try new foods prior to forming an opinion of them
  3. It expands their pallets to more nutrient-dense foods
  4. It increases their kitchen knowledge, safety, and terminology
  5. It creates a sense of pride

The youth program is disguised as fun for kids but contains many educational lessons.

Parents share their child’s 2022 program experiences

  1. “Ada has learned how to do many things in the kitchen. She now has the confidence to make the family breakfast.”
  2. “The Food Bank programs provided simple and healthy recipes that children loved to make. The reality is, if my child makes it, she’s going to eat it. So the inclusion of so many fruits and veggies has made her diet more diverse.”
  3. “Vanessa makes the classes so much fun plus they get to snack and try new foods while they cook. Also, the look of pure pride on her face when she makes a delicious meal for her family is priceless.”
  4. “My daughter loves the programs because she likes to eat, wants to know how to do more in the kitchen and because Vanessa is awesome!”
  5. “I have so many stories to share about our experiences with the Food Bank classes. It has made cooking time, family time. But my favorite story has to be where my daughter and her friend spoiled their dinner on veggies and a healthy yogurt dip they made with Vanessa. Let me say that again, they spoiled their dinner on veggies!!! Unheard of. As stated before, these classes are great and I tell all the other parents about it. My daughter’s friends are constantly asking to come over for the classes and quite a few of these recipes have become family favorites.”

Visit our website to learn more about the 2023 Wellness Hub, contact Vanessa at 519-622-6550 ext. 109 or vtoncic@cambridgefoodbank.org

**This cooking program is provided at no cost and all supplies are included.

4 Budget-Friendly Tips On Eating Healthy With Diabetes

Living with diabetes can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. If you’re feeling stressed out about choosing the right foods for your Diabetes-friendly diet because you’ve got limited funds to spend at the grocery store, read on for 4 budget-friendly tips on eating healthy with Diabetes.

Make a List Before You Shop

The next time you go grocery shopping, take the time to make a list. It’s common knowledge that shopping with a list saves you time and money in the store. This is because you aren’t as likely to make impulse purchases when you’re shopping from a list. Making fewer impulse buys also means you’re more likely to stick to the healthy foods that are on your list.

Buy Healthy Foods On-Sale & Freeze

One great tip is to buy the more expensive – but healthy – foods in bulk when they go on sale. Then prepare and freeze it at home for future use. It’s a great way to save money while ensuring you get the most bang for your buck at the store. And don’t sweat it – your frozen fruits & veggies retain their goodness in the freezer because they’re frozen at their ideal ripeness. Plus you can wait for weeks or months before you use them and reduce the waste of uneaten food. It’s a win-win for your health and your wallet.

Pre-Plan & Prepare Your Meals At Home

One important way to eat healthy with Diabetes is to pre-plan and prepare your meals ahead of time at home. This will save you money and you’ll be less likely to opt for less-than-healthy take-out food options when you’re hungry. Because eating healthy meals when you have Diabetes is so important, eating fast food often can seriously impact your health.

You can also buy fresh fruits, vegetables and meats and cut them up at home. This will save you money, versus buying the pre-cut foods at the supermarket.

Plan Your Leftovers

When you make too much food, you’re going to have leftovers. But that’s not a bad thing! Leftovers can be used in all sorts of creative recipes that won’t aggravate your Diabetes.

If you cook too much healthy food, you can reallocate that extra lean chicken breast or soup for another meal the next day or even later in the week. Freeze extra foods and get creative with healthy recipes that can utilize the additional food you have left over from today’s meal.

Eating healthy can be expensive if you’re not careful while shopping, but with a little planning ahead you can reign in your food budget and achieve your healthy-eating goals. Take some time this week to sit down, make a list, and plan out your Diabetes-friendly meals for the week. Your body (and your doctor) will thank you. Just don’t forget to splurge on healthy treats every now and then too, because you deserve it!

Belonging Through Food at the Cambridge Food Bank

Chai showing off a variety of foods used for programs.

Reposted from the Waterloo Food Bank Blog

Chaitali Maybhate “Chai”, our Health Promoter curates cooking programs that best meet the needs of program participants. More than an opportunity to prepare healthy meals, Chai’s workshops nourish the body and mind by creating a welcoming space for participants to connect through food.

As Chai shares, “I am glad to spread health literacy messages through my role as Health Promoter at the Cambridge Food Bank”.

Since March 22, 2019, Chai has been running multiple culinary programs for the Cambridge Food Bank including Lunch and Learn and Global Kitchen. Program participants learn about the local foods that enrich our lives, Canada’s Food Guide, and what services and supports are available to ensure everyone has access to the healthy foods they need.

Recently, the Cambridge Food Bank, in partnership with the Kinbridge Community Association, and the city of Cambridge, started the weekly ‘Nutrition and Wellness Workshops’ for senior newcomers aged 55 or older. For this series, Chai is hosting 8 consecutive workshops and there are supports available for community members to participate in these online sessions. The workshops are funded by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and are supporting the members of our community who are often unfamiliar with the local food system and anxious about finding and affording healthy food.

Program participants are encouraged to pick up ingredients from Cambridge Food Bank’s Mobile Market where a selection of fresh and non-perishable food is available for a flat rate of $5.00. The Mobile Market also accepts donations and is open to anyone in the Cambridge and North Dumfries area who can benefit from getting access to fresh, healthy food.

As Chai explains, “I create icebreakers for newcomers from different backgrounds to share in the experience of cooking together, to enjoy dishes from different cultures, and to adapt recipes so we enjoy meals with less sugar, salt, and fat”.

Every week Chai introduces new recipes. Some participants listen and observe Chai’s actions, a few participants follow Chai’s movements and complete the recipes at home, and others light up when a dish they are familiar with is featured and they have the opportunity to share stories and see others enjoy comfort foods from around the world. Together, the class fosters a sense of belonging as newcomers get acquainted with each other and the foods that are available locally.

“Canada is like a salad bowl; everybody retains their own identity, and it is important to bring people together to ensure everyone can benefit from feeling a part of a community that helps people eat well and celebrates recipes from all over the world,” says Chai.

With every culinary program she leads Chai takes the time to nurture relationships with each participant.

In doing so, Chai is able to highlight creative substitutions like using aquafaba as an egg replacement in baking for individuals with an egg allergy. The Nutrition and Wellness Workshops for senior newcomers started on January 18th, 2022, and participants have begun to engage and get excited about the local food system including learning to read nutritional labels.

Through the culinary programs at the Cambridge Food Bank, individuals can build connections with vital service providers and develop new skills that support a person’s overall health and wellbeing. For more information about the programs that we offer, visit our programs page or contact us today.

Winter 2022 Youth & Wellness Programs

Winter 2022 Youth & Wellness Programs

Via Zoom
Monthly Programs:

Jr. Ambassadors 
Day: Second Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Ages: 10-13
Program Contact: Vanessa

Grandparents Group 
Day:Third Tuesday of each month
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
 Who’s welcome: Grandparents and Kin
Program Contact: Vanessa

Youth Action Council
Day: Last Tuesday of each month
Time:6:00-7:00pm
Ages: 14-18
Program Contact: Vanessa

Program Descriptions:
 
Mishmash Mondays: 45 minutes of games! From trivia, to bingo, price is right, this or that and more! Every week join us for fun games with friends and lots of prizes to be won! Program on Zoom.
 
Tot & Me: For tots who are eating solids to the age of 4 and parent/guardian, we start involving tots in the kitchen. Focusing on quick 30 minute or less recipes and learning how to get your tot in the kitchen and helping (using sensory techniques). Ingredients supplied, program on Zoom.
 
Waffly Youth: For ages 6-12 learn all waffle makers can do, it’s more than just waffles! Each week you receive your ingredients and follow along on Zoom with more than just waffle recipes. Waffle Maker supplied.
 
Waffly Teens: Calling all teens ages 13-16, join us and learn all waffle makers can do, it’s more than just waffles! Each week you receive your ingredients and follow along on Zoom with more than just waffle recipes. Waffle Maker supplied.
 
Books & Little Cooks: Creating recipes inspired by books, for ages 4-7. Join us weekly on Zoom to read, follow and create delicious recipes. Adults are more than welcome to assist the little cook. Ingredients supplied.
 
Grandparents Group: Calling all Grandparents and Kin, join our monthly chats. Join the community of Grandparent led conversations, and children and youth can hang out and play with youth leaders. Virtual for now.
 
JR Ambassador: This unique opportunity is for Cambridge and North Dumfries Youth ages 10-13, to engage in youth lead leadership initiative, community involvement, skill building, and volunteering experience. Meet once a month (virtual for now), have a voice in what the Cambridge Food Bank does, and give back to the community!
 
Colouring Contests: Monthly/Seasonal colouring contests. Pick up a colouring page or print it out. Colour and submit to vtoncic@cambridgefoodbank.org to be entered into the contest. The winner will receive a prize.

 

Register with Vanessa, vtoncic@cambridgefoodbank.org

Register with Chai, cmaybhate@cambridgefoodbank.org

Programs Available at CSHFB!

COVID-19 has required people and programming to adapt to the ever changing situation. With that being said we have adapted our programming to allow us to stay connected with our community members in a whole different way.

For the month of July and August we have brought some of our programming online! Take a look at our calendars below for free programs available during July and August. All programs will be available through Zoom. If you have any questions or would like to register please contact Laura by calling or texting 226-750-8032.