TBT: Cooking class fun

Throwback Thursday. Wow. These photos take me back to a happy place. What fun we had on this day! I didn't expect Roasted Vegetables to draw such a crowd but the class was packed!  The energy in the room was electric. I've said this before I love to speak and share my story, but when I speak and cook at the same time -- I come alive! This was the first class at Chuck's where  I had Clark College students in the house!

This was also the day Cari Hachmann (former photographer from The Portland Observer) shot the photos for my first cookbook "Bringing Cooking Back" and lots of the photos for my second cookbook,  "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box." including the popular cover.

I taught upwards of 40 cooking classes at Chuck's Produce & Street Market over a two year span and this was one of my top three classes. Delicious fun!

Outside of the Box: Cooking with kids

I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I say it again -- I love what I do! Yesterday,  Colby, Trystan, and Cy showed up to my kids cooking class eager to cook and learn. Me and three young fellas a recipe for delicious fun!

On the menu: Hard cooked eggs, Brown Bag Popcorn with honey butter (reminiscent of Kettle corn), and Granola Berry Parfaits with made from scratch granola.

We started our time together discussing why we cook and eat OUTSIDE of the Box. My goal is to make the classes fun and provide information. The lessons in these classes go beyond food and beyond cooking. I show the kids how to use basic kitchen tools, basic math skills, and kitchen safety and cleaning tips -- they even washed the dishes -- I have proof (see photos).

In these classes the kids are exercising patience, they're sharing and taking turns, and bonding. A perfect example: Since Trystan was near me, I offered him a sneak sample of the granola we just pulled out of the oven. I looked over and he gestured to the others to share his sample with them. How cute is that?

On the food front:
- We discussed where the food we prepared came from
- Why it's best to eat seasonal, local food
- We talked about cage-free eggs, honey as sweetener instead of sugar
- And of course, we can make any and everything that comes from a package or a box from scratch.

As our time came to an end, I offered a little advice to the parents who attended the class: The lessons from your time in the kitchen with your kids is invaluable. It's a time of learning, sharing, bonding, and creating memories. Besides, how will your kids know how to make the family traditional meals if you don't show them how.  Read previous blog post, Tradition, love and recipes.

Doing what I love, loving what I do! Here's a look at our time together.

Outside of the Box: Chili

I'm on a mission to share my love for good, real food -- Outside of the Box with you. Today, I whipped up spicy, hearty chili served with Cilantro Lime Rice. In less than 1.5 hours I created this meal and that's with me talking and entertaining. The cost was less than $25 and I used premium goods. So, see it's simple and inexpensive to eat OUTSIDE of the Box!

 

 

What's Happening in February

Another month full of community outreach-- speaking, cooking, presenting, and more cooking. I declare February 2013 as FANTASTIC fun. Here's what I'll be up to and where -- join me*!

Highlights:

Throughout the month -- *For current Clark College health students. Excited to return to Clark as a guest lecturer! The goal is to bridge the gap between what the students are learning in class and to give them some practical, "hands-on' experience. I'll visit Health 104: Weight and Your Health, Monday, February 5th. And am looking so forward to lecturing in Veronica Brock's Health 100: Food and Your Health classes (She taught me a lot  of what I know about food right in the very class I'll lecture in!) two back-to-back lectures -- Wednesday, February 14th. I'll also lecture for Health 100: Food and Your Health these dates: Tuesday, February 13th, Tuesday, February 19th, and Thursday, February 21st. Whew! Clark College!

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I'm expanding my outreach to get more kids and teens (they're our future!) involved in  preparing and eating real food -- Outside of the Box.

Tuesday, February 5th
5 - 6 p.m.
Teen Arts & Crafts night
Quick & Yummy Snacks: Teens 12 and over. Make delicious healthy snacks like smoothies, energy bars and homemade microwave popcorn, with cookbook author Chrisetta Mosley. Click here  to read LiveWell's calendar blurb.
Community Park Library
600 NE 136th Avenue
Vancouver

Wednesday, February 6th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Outside of the Box Young Un's
Kids age nine and older can learn OUTSIDE of the Box simple favorites using whole food ingredients: Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch) and Brown Bag Popcorn with  healthy add-ins. Call store to sign your child up! 360.597.2700

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver


Here's a full list of my upcoming events:

Monday, February 4th
Clark College Health 104: "Weight and Your Health" guest lecturer
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Tuesday, February 5th
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.


Outside of the Box: Teens
This one's for teens -- twelve and older. I'll show them how to create simple items they can whip up to-go. Blueberry Banana Kale Smoothies and Whole Food Energy Bars.

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver                 
360.256.7782
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Wednesday, February 6th
2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Outside of the Box for Young 'Uns
Kids age nine and older can learn OUTSIDE of the Box simple favorites using whole food ingredients: Granola Parfaits (granola made from scratch) and Brown Bag Popcorn with healthy add-ins.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 15
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver
360.597.2700
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Sunday, February 10th
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
 
Outside of the Box: Chili
Join me as I show you how to create hearty, warm chili using two types of beans and extra-lean ground beef. Served with Cilantro Lime Rice.

• Classes are F-R-E-E
• Class size is limited to about 20
• Please call store to sign up for class and reserve your seat

Chuck's Produce & Street Market
13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.
Vancouver
360.597.2700

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Tuesday, February 13th
Wednesday, February 14th
Tuesday, February 19th
Thursday, February 21st
Clark College Health 100: "Food and Your Health" guest lecturer
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Wednesday, February 20th
PSU Eat to Live Panel guest 

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Wednesday, February 27th
6-7:30 p.m.

"5 or 50" Women's Sustainable Weight Loss & Healthy Lifestyle Group
No matter if you have "5 or 50" pounds to lose. It's time to start seeing yourself as beautiful, strong, capable and look beyond physical attributes. I'll facilitate the meeting and share my tips for staying motivated. This will be a safe, inspiring environment to share and grow.

• Motivation and tips for healthy, sustainable weight loss
• Recipe sharing
• Self-love and affirmation
  

Cascade Park Community Library
600 NE 136th Ave.
Vancouver
360.256.7782

Outside of the Box: Breakfast

Thanks to those who came out today to start 2013 OUTSIDE of the Box with me! As always it was delicious fun. On the menu: Fruit Seed Wheat Berry Bowls and Open Faced Egg Tomato Sandwiches. 

Oh, what a surprise to have Mary who I met at LA Fitness a couple of days ago, Donna a client from Northwest Personal Training, June and her daughter Jessica I met them in the store during my holiday promo, Ginger who I haven't seen in umpteen years and her son, and all of my loyal followers! 

Again, I say, I LOVE what I do!

2012 Outside of the Box

First and foremost, all Glory and Honor to God for without Him nothing is possible. I'm so highly favored and blessed.

Phew...Where to begin. 2012 has been a remarkable year. Oh, the places I've been. The people I've seen.

I've met lots and lots of people. I've been the guest speaker at many places. I've hosted upwards of 20 cooking classes. Formed a women's group. I've shared stories with you, recipes with you, and offered my tips for a sustainable healthy lifestyle. I authored not one, but two cookbooks. One of which, "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box" is a required textbook for Health 100: Food and Your Health classes at Clark College. Seriously!

"Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box" is in circulation at two library systems: Fort Vancouver Regional Library and Multnomah County Library -- earning me not one but two Dewey Decimal numbers. 641.563 MOSLEY and 641.563 M912s 2012. Woo hoo!

I'd have to say of all the great things I've done this past year. My greatest honor was writing "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box." Authoring that cookbook has opened up countless opportunities for me and in turn I've been able to  help, inspire, and encourage more of you to eat healthy and outside of the prepared food box.

Thanks to every single one of you who bought a copy of "Shop, Cook, Eat: Outside of the Box"! And, thank you for your willingness to embrace my ideas and supporting your own healthy lifestyle.

Thank you! Merci! Gracias!

Extra-special thanks to:

Clark College, but especially -- Veronica Brock, Kristen Myklebust, Jeanne Hoff, and Marti Earhart.
Chuck's Produce & Street Market -- Angee Murray for making things happen.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library -- Teresa Torres of Cascade Park Community Library for her help and support with my ideas and of course getting my cookbooks in circulation.
Multnomah County Library -- Patricia Welch for her determination in getting my cookbooks in circulation.
LiveWell of The Columbian -- for putting my words in print. I met so many people who say they follow me regularly in the paper. Cool beans!

Northwest Personal Training, Minuteman Press, Mother's of Preschoolers, Vancouver Community Library, Cascade Athletic Club, TOPS Weight Loss Support Group, Fisher's Landing Assisted Living, Professional Connections, Focus Group, Courtyard Village, New Seasons Market, The Skanner, The Portland Observer, The Independent, KBOO Radio, Lydene Robertson Photography, and Camille Goldy Saari.

Day 7: Holiday Samplin' & Signin'

Happy Holidays! Today, I wrapped up my Holiday Samplin' & Signin' campaign at Chuck's Produce & Street Market. I sampled lots of good food, signed and sold lots of cookbooks.

Every day was different. Every day brought about lots of women, men, and children. Over the course of several weeks, I've had great conversations with you. Some of you already knew me from here, there, every where, some of you read about me in The Columbian newspaper, some of you are enrolled in "Food and Your Health" at Clark College, and some of you never heard of me before. No matter how our encounter began we always talked about food, grocery shopping, and eating OUTSIDE of the Box!  I learned that a number of you are already OUTSIDE of the Box and those who aren't quite there yet are eager to take the steps to get there! I am impressed and inspired by you all.

Thank you for your support. Thank you for your willingness to try my OUTSIDE of the Box concept and ultimately take control of your health.

Happy Shopping, Cooking, and Eating OUTSIDE of the Box! ~Chrisetta

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

The Jensen's: Outside of the Box

Jennifer admittedly can't cook. It's not that she doesn't have a desire to cook. But her parents didn't cook and so she never learned.

As an adult and now a mother of three, Jennifer realizes the importance of home cooked meals. She doesn't want her children to grow up eating restaurant fare and boxed, processed food. She wants to  feed her kids, her husband, and herself real food. She wants to pass down loving food memories from the comfort of their kitchen at home.

So rather than sit on the sidelines. Jennifer decided to take control and she's involving the entire family: Josh her husband and her beautiful kids, David, Bella, and Sarah. She discovered the free cooking classes offered at Chuck's Produce & Street Market and decided to give the classes a try.

I had the pleasure of having them for their first ever cooking class a couple of Sunday's ago. What a delight it was to have them.  The kids added real spunk to the class. Bella is the cook of the the family and she was just too cute. After class they hung out a little longer than most of the crowd.  They purchased a copy of my cookbook, we chatted, took photos and away they went. Or so I thought...They showed up again this past Friday for my Soup & Sandwich class. It was such a surprise to see them all because this class was during the mid-day. Typically the kids would have been at school, but they so happened to have a half-day. They could have been anywhere, but they were spending their afternoon with me. Learning how to cook. Heavy, heavy sigh. The pure joy of what I do!

I barely know Jennifer, but I am very proud of her for stepping OUTSIDE of the Box, taking control of her family's health, and ultimately passing down the art of cooking to her children. I'm confident that you'll be whipping up meals at home in no time, Jennifer.

The Jensen's are OFFICIALLY Outside of the Box!

Outside of the Box: Soup and Sandwich

Another SOUPer day at Chuck's Produce & Street Market! Today, I whipped up my Simply Unforgettable Tomato Soup paired with Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (Provolone and White Sharp Cheddar). Bonus: I served Organic Honey Crisp Apple slices to go with.

Good eats. Good folks. Good times. I love what I do!