BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Four women from three different organizations have joined forced to bring healthy eating to Western New York. Sally Gower of Eat Well Buffalo, Susan and Ciara Morreale of Her Sanctuary and Sarah Nasca from Ashker's Juice Bar + Café are running a 6 month plant-based cooking class out of Ashker's on Amherest.
“Well I’ll tell yah, especially in Western New York, the land of chicken wings and beef on weck, its a very hard concept to bring to people,” Gower said,
They are calling the class Her Kitchen and their goal is to teach Western New Yorkers plant-based recipes they can take home and share with their family and friends
“I felt like there was a real big need to educate people on healthy eating,” Susan Morreale said.
A plant based isn’t necessarily about excluding meats. It's about being plant forward.
"It's practical tips that we try to give people to move away from some of the unhealthy habits and move towards more of a healthy plant-based diet,” Gower said.
But this cooking class isn't just about cooking, it is also about wellness. Her Kitchen begins with with a one hour wellness series where the women actually teach their participants the benefits of plant-based foods.
“Once people have a better understanding of it its easier for them maybe to embrace it,” Susan Morreale said.
Currently the cooking classes are full but the women are working towards creating a more public style cooking class in the near future.
But, if you’re trying to move towards a more plant-based diet now, here are some tips to start with:
- Make half of your meal fruits and veggies. If you’re grabbing a handful of pretzels also grab some hummus.
- Go for as many whole grains as possible. Whole grain has more fiber and protein
- Drink more water
