Crissie Smith, J.A. Henry Branch YMCA says “This kitchen space has a side room that they created a teaching kitchen designed so people can actually cook along with a instructor.”
Crissie Smith is a Food for Life Educator with the YMCA where they have opened a brand-new teaching kitchen offering cooking classes to help people learn how to make healthy and tasty meals.
Crissie Smith says “People if they looked at their plate, probably would not see anything green on a given day. So, what we know is people do want to eat healthy. They just don’t have time or they don’t have the know-how.
Most people think of exercising when they go to the YMCA and while helping people get in shape stay active is a key focus, Crissie says they realize it is about the whole person.
Crissie Smith says “They realize movement and exercise are very important, but if you don’t get it right, you can’t outrun your fork.
“They get it that you are a whole person. You go home; you have to eat dinner.”
With everything from soul food to super foods, the classes range fromBack-to-School Bites, to One Pot Wonders, to Whole Grain Goodness.
Crissie Smith says “But making those small changes. Adding some of these ingredients like adding greens to chili or adding some grains to salad.”
To register or learn more, visit ymcachattanooga.org or contact Laura Horne at lhorne@ymcachattanooga.org.
