Nutritious Eating on a Budget

Mark Your Calendar - 1st Class in two days!!

First class: Nutritious Eating on a Budget to begin in two days! The Support Works program of the Elk Grove Food Bank is pleased to announce our “Nutritious Eating on a Budget” series of classes taught by our very own July Sala, Food Bank Case Manager.  We all know that ensuring nutritious meals for yourself and family can be challenging given our busy lives but it is even more challenging when one is on a limited income or budget. The purpose of the “Nutritious Eating on a Budget” is to provide concepts, tips and recipes while conducting interactive and hands-on demonstrations

Overview: Nutritious Eating on a Budget by Judy Sala

Each class has several hand-outs covering the topics of discussion, plus several healthy recipes and shopping tips. On the fourth week, we demonstrate cooking two of the recipes and get to sample the foods (a low cost, high protein main dish and a low-sugar, fruit-based dessert).

• Price: FREE
• Terms: First-come first serve, just show up!
• For More Information: Please contact Judy Sala, Elk Grove Food Bank Case Manager (916) 685-8453

Schedule of Classes

Classes are taught four Wednesdays in April from 10 AM – 11:30 AM at United Methodist Church (Lower Level Bartholomew Hall), 8986 Elk Grove Blvd (on the corner of Elk Grove Blvd. and Gage).

• Week One – April 9th “What’s Healthy?” – Overview of Food Basics; Healthy Food That Tastes Great (complete)
• Week Two – April 16th “Healthy Food” – Revising Recipes; Choosing Healthy Snacks; Special Dietary Needs (complete)
• Week Three – April 23rd “Healthy Shopping” – Smart Shopping (menu planning, using coupons etc.) for Cooking on a Budget
• Week Four – April 30th “Healthy Cooking” – What Needs to be Added to the Basics (spices, herbs, cooking tips); Cooking Demonstration; Sample a Healthy Meal; Certificates of Completion.

About the Instructor – Judy Sala

Judy Sala is the Case Manager for the Elk Grove Food Bank, a nutritionist and local senior living facility chef. Her class curriculum is based on an adapted version of the USDA “Choose My Plate” Program.

About the Support Works Program of the Elk Grove Food Bank

Support Works is a program of the Elk Grove Food Bank. We offer programs designed to help individuals improve their current situation by providing job readiness and life skill classes to move toward self-sufficiency and financial independence.

March is National Nutrition Month - 30 Tips

Eating Healthy on the Run – 30 Tips

You always eat breakfast because… let’s all say it together “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”

So, that leaves lunch and dinner.  Sure, it’s better to pack your lunch, and eat dinner at home.  But, these tips are for those other times...those rare times. Check out these Tips for healthy eating while you’re out and about. These tips will work in restaurants, sandwich shops, fast food as well as ethnic restaurants.

For me, Tip #7 will be the hardest; I'm a carboholic. And, there are so many different kinds of bread: rolls, muffins, french bread....okay, I'll stop.  Which Tip resonates with you?

Check out “HealthyEating on the Run: A Month of Tips.”

 Next time, we'll talk about eating healthy on a budget!

March - It's National Nutrition Month

Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right

When you're shopping for groceries, do you shop with a list, and stick to it? Do you shop with your stomach and eyes? And, I'm talking about usually here. Sure, there are those occasional (right?) times that you are in a hurry and pick up something quick to eat. But, I'm talking about when you've had time to plan out your meals. You want to get the most taste and nutrition for the money.

Would you agree that the foods you eat most often are the ones you like? Therefore, you want to make good, informed choices so you can develop healthy eating habits. Everyone's so busy these days: working, playing, raising kids, going back to school, volunteering, etc.  

So, before you go shopping, here is a link to help you at the grocery store. Check out "Shop Smart - Get theFacts on Food Labels."

But remember, portion size is as important as good nutrition.  Next time we'll talk about healthy eating on the go!

Brown Thumb Mama @ EGFBS

Popular local blogger, Pam Farley, from Brown Thumb Mama will have a workshop at our Life Skills Training.  Pam has all kinds of tips and recipes to help us enjoy good health and nutrition while living a thrifty life.  Recently on her blog she shared a recipe for crockpot spaghetti sauce (something to make with all the tomatoes from the garden) that is very tasty.

I use the recipes for Homemade Granola Bars and Laundry Detergent.  My family likes to think up flavor combinations for the granola bars:  mango pineapple and freeze-dried raspberry white chocolate are our favorites.  I tried the laundry detergent to see how it works, and it does the job at half the cost of the store brand I used to buy. 

Pam will teach us how to make our own cleaning products at the workshop on Thursday, August 9, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.  The workshop will be held at our facility on 9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140.  The event is free and open to the public. 

Making Your Own Cleaning Products Workshop
Thursday, August 9, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140, Elk Grove, CA  95624
Workshop is free and open to the public

Friday at Davis Ranch

We have been offered an opportunity we cannot let get away from us!  Davis Ranch, in the Sloughhouse area, has offered Elk Grove Food Bank Services the chance to glean what is left in their fields.  We can get some fresh, healthy produce to our clients, if we can get some volunteers to the Ranch this Friday, June 1, 2012.   

If you can help us, please contact Deb at 916-685-8453 or Travis at 916-690-8866. 

We need to be at the Ranch at 8:00 a.m.  Please wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, covered shoes and hats for sun protection.  Also bring gloves to protect your hands and/or manicure.  Bring water and expect to do alot of bending and lifting. 

Davis Ranch, LLC
13211 Jackson Road
Sloughhouse, CA  95683
Just 15 minutes north of Elk Grove. 

References, Interviews and Nutrition

Tuesday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. we will be working on References and Interviews. Learn what kind of references make potential employers sit up and pay attention.  Practice and prepare for your interview; be prepared for the difficult questions interviewers use.

Thursday, May 24 at 10:00 a.m. we will have a speaker on Nutrition. Eating well on a small budget is critical now days.  Learn to make healthy and satisfying meals with inexpensive ingredients. 

Support Works
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.
9820 Dino Drive, Suite 140
Elk Grove, CA  95624
916-685-8453