NUTRITIOUS FOOD STARTS AT HOME



www.theminicookingclub.org.uk

Sunday 19 May 2013

The Nutrition During Pregnancy Programme: Week One

It’s been a busy week for the Mini Cooking Club since the launch of our brand new Nutrition During Pregnancy Programme, which started on Monday 13th May at East Dulwich Community Centre. I went down there to check it out.

It was off to a bit of a wobbly start when we discovered that the community centre put locks on their equipment cupboards for safety, leaving us with no key. Off I popped to the local Co-op to see if they could help.

The first class was a success! The programme was created and is run by our certified nutritionist, Karen Buckley ANutr. On the menu this week was a delicious and surprisingly simple mango and lettuce salad, homemade chips and homemade burgers, both veggie and meat. Dessert was to be Karen’s signature mouth watering banana and carrot muffins.


One of our attendees
It was off to a bit of a wobbly start when we discovered that the community centre put locks on their equipment cupboards for safety, leaving us with no key. Off I popped to the local Co-op to see if they could help.

We started off baking the muffins first, much to the dismay of the weight watchers group in the next room. Next, we prepared the burger mixtures, chopping and blending to create coriander and butterbean for the veggies, and onion and minced beef patties for the meat eaters. We sliced up large baking potatoes for chips, and baked them in the oven along with the burgers.

We had a break for the nutrition class, during which Karen taught the students about the stages of pregnancy and associated physical changes, weight change, The Eat Well Plate, and the necessary nutrients to stay healthy.

After our work was done, we sat down to eat and get to know one another. Thankfully we had cutlery, as the salad covered in lemon juice would have been impossible to pick up with our hands! Sitting down to eat together at the end is one of the key elements of the programme, because it encourages the attendees to discuss their experiences. According to all involved, the first class was a success! You can view more photos here. We headed for home, tired but happy.

As a brand new programme, Nutrition During Pregnancy holds much promise and is the first of its kind. Our aim is to reach out to people who might not otherwise have taken an interest in the food they eat and teach them useful information at such a crucial stage of their baby’s development. It’s also an important way for mums-to-be to network with one another, and make friends.
 
If you are pregnant and looking to learn about the best nutrition for you and your baby, or know someone who is, please email Karen, or call 07779129371. Places are still available.
Our two nutritionists and an attendee
By Catherine Heath

Saturday 11 May 2013

St Paul’s Cake Sale, 12 May 2013, Covent Garden



HIV remains one of the most significant public healthy challenges today. At the end of 2011, an estimated 96,000 people were living with HIV in the UK (National Aids Trust, 2011). These include about 73,400 people diagnosed with HIV, and 22,600 who were infected but undiagnosed. Treatment for the condition has significantly improved since the 1950s, with life expectancy increasing from a few years to near normal. And with an early diagnosis, a person’s life can be just as happy and fulfilling as anyone else’s.

There are numerous charities dedicated to helping those with HIV. The Food Chain is an innovative charity seeking to promote nutrition education and cookery skills to those living with the condition in London. They have lots of reliable information for those seeking to understand HIV and offer many practical solutions for people living with the condition. The organisation seeks to provide people with access to the nutrition they need to get well, remain well and lead healthy, independent lives. They also deliver meals and other food to people at home, hold cooking and nutrition classes, and offer communal eating opportunities to people living with HIV and their dependents.

Charities like The Food Chain always need more funds, and this Sunday 12th May, The Mini Cooking Club is teaming up with them to host St Paul’s Cake Sale at Covent Garden, part of the ‘Covent Garden May Fayre and Puppet Festival.’ We will be offering delicious homemade banana bread, cupcakes, carrot cake and bread rolls in exchange for a donation. Our day will start at 10am, in time for the colourful procession at 11am. We hope to see you all there. Find out where we’ll be.
To find out more about The Food Chain initiative or get involved, go to their website.


By Catherine Heath

Monday 6 May 2013

Help is Here: The Nutrition During Pregnancy Programme

Our nutritionist, Karen, and one of our volunteers
Are you expecting a baby, and concerned about the health of you and your child? The Mini Cooking Club is here to help. 

Pregnancy is both an exciting and stressful time, during which hormones can seem out of control and the body is craving all sorts of food. Diet can seem like a minefield, and reading dozens of lengthy nutrition books can be the last thing you want to do. 

That’s why our nutritionist, Karen Buckley, has designed the Nutrition During Pregnancy Programme. On this free six week course, you will learn about the different stages of pregnancy and associated physical changes. 

Karen will teach expecting mothers about the best eating practices to prepare body and mind for childbirth, and ensure your baby has the best start to life. This opportunity involves learning about the best food provision pre and post-birth, for you and your child. 

You will also learn about weight change, the Eat Well Plate and in-depth information about essential nutrition, danger foods, and religious or meat-free diets. You will learn about the benefits of exercise, what to avoid, post-birth nutrition and breastfeeding. 

The Mini Cooking Club welcomes people into the kitchen for hands-on cooking classes, and attendees have the opportunity to participate fully in the food preparation process under the supervision of our chefs. These classes are designed to be fun, creative and above all informative about food products and different cooking methods.

The classes provide people living in the London community with opportunities to learn nutrition and cooking skills. The Nutrition During Pregnancy Programme is the first of its kind, and completely free. The course is open to all pregnant women, starts Monday 13th May and runs for six weeks at East Dulwich Community Centre. We're excited to see you there!

Places are still available, so book yours now. Email Karen, or call 07779129371.



Our founder, Cecilia (far left)

By Catherine Heath