Creative Culinary Helping the Community

By Suzanne Kashuba

Do you remember the first time you tasted kiwi or tried salmon? Do you still puzzle over the odd-looking items in the produce department?  As we’ve all experienced, eating can be an adventure!  Making healthy choices also can be adventurous, fun and creative.

With food choices, for example, “take risks and add variety,” suggests Caesandra Seawell, youth coordinator for the WNED/Think Bright and Well LiveWell program.

She’s been hosting the “Healthy and Tasty Cooking Demonstrations” at the Sheehan Health Network’s community market (425 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, every other Friday through September).

Creative, Healthy Cooking
This Friday (August 5), the topic is: “How Do I Cook This? Oddball Veggies and More.” To get in the spirit, you can cast your vote for the “oddest vegetable.”

This is just one of a mix of creative activities sponsored by LiveWell. The two-year program, which continues through March 2012, combines the power of public media with strong community partnerships to encourage eating balanced meals and staying active. LiveWell’s focus is Buffalo’s Near East Side neighborhoods (in zip code 14204), but the program offers resources and ideas that anyone can put into action.
 

Garden of Stewardship

This spring and summer, volunteers have been busy cultivating the “Garden of Stewardship” at 208 East Eagle St., growing tomatoes, beans, sunflowers and a variety of greens. The healthful bounty benefits the nearby Central City Café soup kitchen and community residents. [To volunteer (through October), contact Seawell.]

 

 

Healthy Messages

Children created these colorful posters depicting the “amazing things” a body can do with good nutrition and exercise. Their creations were displayed on neighborhood bus shelters.

 

 

 

 

Want to start exploring fun, creative healthy choices for yourself and your family?

• Explore myriad healthy recipes.
  
• Visit LiveWell online: This comprehensive site offers videos, games and resources designed to empower and inspire. Learn about healthy eating, physical activity and the WNED “My Health Counts!” series.
  
• Tune in to ThinkBright and Well TV. This public broadcasting station offers programming dedicated to health, well-being and lifelong learning on Channel 17.3; Time Warner 21 (Erie County) or Digital 200 (Erie/Niagara counties); or Verizon FiOS 472.
  
• Follow LiveWell on Facebook.

What’s worked for you? Share your creative ideas for healthy living!