Foodie Friday teaching Airmen a healthier lifestyle

Ellistene Curry, Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization contract specialist, and Deb Teague 932nd Airlift Wing Airman and Family Readiness director, assemble ingredients for a vegan macaroni and cheese recipe in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Jan. 18, 2019. The Foodie Friday class gives participants an opportunity to prepare, cook, and taste the meals taught during this hands on class.

Foodie Friday teaching Airmen a healthier lifestyle

Black bean brownies are prepped to be served during the Foodie Friday class in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Jan. 18, 2019. The class is organized by the 375th Medical Group and 375th Force Support Squadron to give participants an opportunity to learn new recipes and cooking techniques.

Foodie Friday teaching Airmen a healthier lifestyle

Kathy Steinbrecher, Red Cross volunteer, preps broccoli for a broccoli and cheese soup in the Airmen and Family Readiness Center at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Jan. 18, 2019. The class is open to all members of Scott and gives participants ideas on what they can cook at home and an opportunity to taste the recipe.

Foodie Friday teaching Airmen a healthier lifestyle

Published Jan. 30, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Nathaniel Hudson
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating right is key to staying fit to fight. That’s why the Airman and Family Readiness Center hosted a Foodie Friday cooking class Jan. 18, 2019.

The class, organized by the 375th Medical Group and the 375th Force Support Squadron, emphasizes budget-friendly meal planning, less time-consuming cooking techniques and healthy recipes to help Airmen live a healthier lifestyle.

“The purpose of the class is to increase healthy eating behaviors among our active duty members,” said Kathy Steinbrecher, who helped teach the class. “All participants learn how to prepare recipes by working together and going through each step.”

The 15-person class is open to all members of team Scott to attend for free. It takes place once a quarter and focuses on giving participants an opportunity to cook hands-on, giving them a chance to not only learn new recipes but also cooking techniques that make assembling meals easier and less time consuming. All the ingredients and supplies to cook them are provided by the class.

“Foodie Friday started in 2013 to give participants an idea of what type of recipes they can cook at home that they may not have tried before,” said Christine Cooley, 375th MDG health promotion dietitian.

Each class has a different theme for that quarter. During this quarter’s class participants learned three healthier alternatives to classic recipes.

“We prepared broccoli and cheddar soup with cannellini bean; vegan mac and cheese; and black bean brownies,” said Cooley. “Recipes that aren’t just healthy, but also more flavorful and enjoyable are very important to the class.”

Classes in the past have had themes that included how to meal prep, slow cook, grill and barbeque. Foodie Friday classes provide Airman with the skills needed to improve their eating habits.

“Those who are new to cooking, or have limited cooking skills, and are interested in learning budget-friendly tips and tools for meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking will truly benefit from these classes,” said Steinbrecher.

For more information, visit: www.scottafrc.com or contact the AFRC at 256-7139.