Outside of the Box: Cookin' with teens
Wow. Just when I think it can’t get any better it does. Last night, I hosted a cooking demo for teens at the Cascade Park Community Library.
The youth and teens are our future. And, I’m proud and honored to help them make better, informed food decisions. I tell you — it’s the most AWESOME feeling, to look around the room at young enthusiastic faces and see their bulbs shining brighter and brighter as I introduce ingredients and talk techniques. My message is simple: Any and everything that is in a box or package can be made at home using fresh, whole ingredients.
To drive home the point, I whipped up a few healthy favorites — Blueberry Banana Kale Smoothies, Cashew Whole Food Energy Bars, and two types of Brown Bag Popcorn (Parmesan and Honey Butter).
They were amazed at how easy these goods were to make. When I asked them the burning question at the end of our time together…”Can you do this?” They all eagerly answered “Yes.” Will you do this? Again they answered “Yes.” Music to my ears.
Thanks again for having me, Linda Landi,Teen Librarian and Teresa Torres, Branch Librarian. And to the teens that came out thanks for a delicious fun time! Happy Shopping, Cooking, and Eating!
Chrisetta Mosley
I am a product – and now a survivor – of childhood obesity. As a child, my family always told me that my extra weight was merely baby fat and I’d eventually grow out of it. I never did. Instead, my childhood is filled with memories of not being able to ride a bike, flattening its training wheels from being over the recommended weight, and avoiding P.E. classes by any means necessary. For years, I wore my fatness like a wounded soldier wears a Purple Heart - with pride. I owned the look. I dressed it up. I worked the room. There wasn't a skinny girl who intimidated me. I made sure my hair was laid just right. Nails polished. Outfits coordinated to the tee. Accessories to compliment every outfit. But everyone has a breaking point, and mine came in the spring of 2004 when I tipped the scale at nearly 400 pounds 388 to be exact. I was MISERABLE trapped inside of that body. I no longer wore my Purple Heart with pride. Rather, I was ashamed and frightened. Ashamed that I had allowed food to become my everything – frightened I would die because of it. Drastic times called for drastic measures... Today, I’m bound and determined to live a better, healthier, active lifestyle. I realize I’m no longer a passenger in my life, I’m the driver. I’m overcoming my inhibitions and I’m slowly but surely saying farewell to my old childhood nemesis, obesity. For once and for all, Farewell Fatso!