Taylorville Memorial Hospital, in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension Office, will host a free cooking class later this month focused on improving brain health through healthy eating.
The class will take place June 30th from 5:30 until 7 PM in Conference Room 179 at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. Registration is required. Participants will learn how to incorporate colorful fruits and vegetables into their diets while preparing simple and fresh recipes featuring seasonal produce. Register for this class at go.illinois.edu/TMHBrainHealth.
Lisa Peterson, a Nutrition and Wellness Extension Educator with the University of Illinois Extension, will lead the class. Peterson will also teach attendees about the MIND diet, a nutritional approach designed to support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
The session will also focus on the role antioxidants play in helping the brain function at its best. Organizers say the class is designed to provide practical tips that people can use in their everyday lives while encouraging healthier eating habits.
Registration is required for the event. Parking will be available in Lot 4 at the rear of the hospital near the meeting room.
Hospital officials say the cooking class is part of a broader effort to address community health concerns identified in the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment survey. Residents in Christian County indicated a growing need for nutrition education and improved access to healthy foods.
One additional educational cooking class is also planned later this year. On September 17th, Taylorville Memorial Hospital will host a class titled “From Peel to Plate: Reducing Food Waste One Bite at a Time.” That session will teach participants ways to reduce food waste, safely store food, better understand expiration dates, and learn how to use ingredients from root to stalk while stretching grocery budgets without sacrificing flavor. This class will also require registration, of which can be done at go.illinois.edu/TMHFoodWaste.
Both classes are free and open to the public. For further information on Taylorville Memorial Hospital, visit memorial.health and select tthe Taylorville location.
