Cooking it up at the YMCA

Team sports, homework, school projects, doctor appointments and busy work schedules keep families going all day long.  After a full day of fun and adventures, our kids are sure to be hungry.  Eating well balanced meals, keeping active and staying healthy is a high priority for all families.  Do you run out of time and ideas to keep a healthy eating routine?  One of the most popular questions in my house is, "What are we having for dinner?"  I try to get creative sometimes, but often fall back on the usual not so healthy easy fix meals.  They can save lots of time, but they can also store lots of calories.

The kitchen is one of the most important places in a home.  In our home, we talk, laugh, cry, and work in the kitchen.  It is where we are all equal, and where we have fun working and cooking together.  It is a place where autism, ADHD, anxiety, and stress can sometimes fade away.  Somewhere long ago, as we moved through this maze of life and all its challenges, we found laughter and joy in the kitchen.  No matter what the dish or how it turns out, cooking together makes a happy heart. 

Did you know that the YMCA can help you reach your healthy eating goals? The  YMCA of Austin currently offers The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre® Cooking and Nutrition Education Program from Sustainable Food Center at four area locations.  The program is a 6 week series of hands-on classes that focus on choosing and preparing fresh and delicious seasonal foods that are both economical and nutritious.  Classes are free, the recipes and groceries are provided, but registration for classes is required.

If it is time to make a change, The YMCA of Austin has a great way to do it.  I used to think The Y was just a place for kids.  I was so happy to discover that it can be so much more.  There are also fitness and after-school programs, and specific programs for kids and adults with disabilities.  The YMCA of Austin has nine locations serving the Austin area and surrounding communities. You can find an activity to suit everyone in your family at a moderate to low cost.

Contact the location closest to you for times, dates and availability of each program.  And, don’t forget to check out our page for additional programs in our area at Find Services, Groups & Events for more things you and your family can do together!