Anastasia Makris stirs up some healthy tucker during cooking classes at Dala Yooro. Photos by Troy Brown
By Troy Brown
Our Boorais over at Dala Yooro Kindergarten are transforming into deadly little chefs.
Every week since the start of the year they have been cooking and making healthy foods, with the support of Dala staff and our Health Lifestyles team here at GEGAC.
This is to increase their knowledge, and their intake, of healthy foods.
At the end of the year, each of the students will be given a cookbook with information and recipes for all the meals the Boorais have been making, so they can go back home and know how to make it themselves.
Some of the meals and snacks the kids have been making include:
- Zucchini slices
- Healthy mini banana pancakes
- Burrito bowls
- Fruit skewers
- Healthy bars
- Celery and apple caterpillars
And a whole lot more.
Dominic Stockton-Doyle and Kaiela Brient get some healthy eating advice from GEGAC’s Healthy Lifestyles Worker Rhiannon Hayes.
You may be asking, “why is it important to teach your kids to cook, and what are the benefits that come out of this?”
Here’s a few reasons:
Preparing food can make kids appreciate parents more
Teaching a child how to cook helps them understand how much time and effort it takes for a parent to make a healthy, tasty meal for the family.
Cooking expands their tastes
When a child cooks a new food or dish on their own. they are more likely to eat it.
Making a meal boosts their confidence
When kids can say, “I made it myself,” they feel a sense of accomplishment.
Cooking imparts a basic, but important, life skill
Once a young person leaves home to take on the role of adulthood, being able to prepare their own meals will help them financially, and you will be fairly certain that they’re not living on a diet of takeout fast-food.
And studies have shown that cooking your own food can improve physical health and mental health.
Cooking at home allows you to decide what goes on your plate.
You can focus on eating more vegetables, for example, or less salt and sugar.
We look forward to seeing what else our Boorais are to make in the future.
Hopefully they can come home and make dinner one night!