My Account
Peter Kendall of Gulf Harbour says the Justcook4 Healthy Ageing course will make ‘ready meals’ a thing of the past at his place. Liubov Radchemko, left, and Jetske Zijderweld help clean up after the final cooking class in Orewa.
The group of 10 locals who took part in the latest Just Cook Healthy Ageing course in Orewa say that the actual cooking was only one of many benefits.
The free courses run by the NZ Nutrition Foundation, which began locally early this year (HM March 1), are designed for people aged 65 and over and focus on building cooking skills, motivation and confidence to cook as well as increasing nutritional knowledge associated with healthy ageing.
It deals with the basics of cooking, buying and storing food. There is an emphasis on healthy food and low cost meals for one or two people.
Some participants at the Orewa course speak of the basic food preparation and cooking skills they have picked up as they make dishes that include chilli con carne, frittata, Thai pumpkin soup and chicken stirfry.
However, for Jetske Zijderweld of Orewa the big thing she will take home is new motivation to cook herself proper meals. Jetske says it was hard to get enthusiastic about cooking when she was tired at night.
“I know now to start thinking about it earlier in the day, and to plan meals so there is always something in the cupboard and fridge to make a good meal with,” she says.
Jenny Wilson says she found it enlightening to learn about reading labels before purchasing food,
looking for things such as the sugar and salt content so she can make healthier choices.
Jenny found the group “friendly and well run” and says she enjoyed meeting new people.
Course facilitator and nutritionist Christine Moore says the social aspect is very important, as people make new friends and help each other. The most recent Orewa course included two people from The Netherlands, a Singaporean, one from the Ukraine and one from Russia along with a number of Kiwis.
Attendees are normally around 50 percent men.
Peter Kendall, aged 76, lives in Gulf Harbour with his sister and says his night on cooking duties normally meant bringing home a ready meal. Tucking into the fruit crumble and custard he made on the final day, he says the course has taught him skills beyond his former kitchen repertoire of bacon and eggs. He is also happy now to shop for the ingredients he will need and plan his meals.
Christine says helping older people cook for themselves at home has far reaching positive effects on things like health and nutrition.
The idea is to help people eat well, so they can live independently for longer.
So far this year there have been four programmes in Orewa, held at Orewa Community Church. The demand has been high, so there will be another in March next year.
To register for a place, phone 09 489 3417 or email cookmoore.nz@gmail.com
