Building healthy habits starts in the kitchen, and recently, youth in Columbus County got a hands-on lesson in just how fun—and tasty—nutritious cooking can be!
Marissa Spillman, EFNEP Educator, led an exciting session featuring the popular Camp, Cook, Play! curriculum. Focusing on the Five Food Groups Lesson, Marissa taught youth at a local community center how to turn simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece: the Breakfast Bowl.
Getting Hands-On in the Kitchen
This lesson was a full-sensory cooking experience. The youth groups rolled up their sleeves and took charge of the kitchen, gaining valuable culinary skills that will serve them well as they become more comfortable preparing meals at home.
During the lesson, youth had the opportunity to:
- Measure grits to build a hearty, grain base.
- Sauté fresh peppers and onions, filling the room with amazing aromas.
- Crack and scramble eggs to add a boost of protein.
- Assemble their own bowl meals, layering the ingredients together and finishing them off with a sprinkle of cheese.
Why Bowl Meals are a Mealtime Superpower
The Breakfast Bowl was a massive hit, but the real magic of the lesson was introducing youth to the concept of bowl meals. Marissa highlighted why bowl meals are a great option:
- They Pack a Nutritional Punch: The Breakfast Bowl contained 4 out of the 5 food groups in a single dish! Bowl meals are one of the easiest ways to add more fiber-rich grains and colorful vegetables into your daily diet.
2. Ultimate Customizability: There is no "wrong" way to make a bowl meal. They are entirely customizable based on your unique preferences. Don't like peppers? Swap them for corn! Prefer a different protein? Toss it in!
3. Budget-Friendly & Fights Food Waste: Bowl meals are a brilliant, inexpensive way to use up leftovers or random ingredients you already have in your pantry and fridge. They prove that eating healthy doesn't have to break the bank.
Bring the Lesson Home
The youth walked away from Marissa's lesson with the confidence to try new foods and experiment in the kitchen. Great job, Marissa, for teaching youth how simple and tasty healthy eating can be!
