10/21/2026
Nutrition is a common ground for all humans.💚
Four years ago, in October of 2022 I signed a consultant contract with a local organization that provides behavioral health and addiction services. For most of that time, I have had the opportunity to interact with some of their clients through weekly and monthly cooking classes at some of their different facilities. Yesterday, I started a brand new, monthly cooking class with a third facility/program within the organization!😊
We talk about simple nutrition information and make easy and delicious, nutrient-dense, and budget-friendly recipes that they can recreate on their own. I help them to learn ways that they can use foods that they might be receiving from food pantries or other donation sources, and I consider the fact that they may only have access to basic kitchen utensils and appliances. Everyone gets to try the recipes we make, and often times they realize they like a food that they previously thought they didn't like.
Honestly, the first time I went on-site at their facilities 4 years ago, I was pretty nervous because I had little to no experience working with behavioral health and mental health diagnoses or alcohol and drug addictions. However, over the past 4 years, it has been amazing to see how just the simple common ground of needing nutrients to survive has allowed me to create deeper connections with so many of the clients.
We talk a lot about nutrition and cooking skills, even more about life experiences, and share a lot of laughs in between.🫶 They have taught me just as much as I have taught them.
Yesterday, I taught them how to make this bean salsa, but over the past 4 years they have taught me how to be an even better listener, how to be even more empathetic, and how important it is to consider other people's circumstances.
If you've stuck around this long, I appreciate you; and feel free to take what you'd like from this post. The recipe is great, but kindness, connection and understanding are even more impactful!💚💛💚
