THE ECO PROJECT During this second year of operation, the ECO Project continued to offer a series of 12 weekly workshops—90 minutes each—for children, families, and adults in the North Portland and Gresham areas. Many workshop participants came from higher risk groups impacted by childhood obesity and other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. The ECO Project workshops provided health education and hands-on, whole foods cooking instruction. Thanks to a generous donation to NCNM from Bob and Charlee Moore, families attended the ECO Project at no or low cost, removing any financial barrier to those who could otherwise not afford it. The ECO Project workshops continued to be located at churches, schools or community centers; gathering places with a kitchen on site. Drs. Courtney Jackson and Julie Briley, along with a team of naturopathic and classical Chinese medical students, coordinated the workshops in English or Spanish, depending on the community’s needs, and provided nutritional expertise. Each workshop started with a review of the previous class, allowing for Q&A, and then addressed that day’s nutrition
ECO PROJECT CURRICULUM AND MEAL PLANS
topic and recipes. Naturopathic medical students were encouraged to take a topic and develop a presentation with input from the attending physician. Eating alone is linked to an increased likelihood of being overweight and having various health problems. Thus, every class participant, adults and children alike, were invited to prepare and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal at each of the workshops. The ECO Project provided a unique and inspiring resource that bridged the gap that most Americans have in terms of having a healthy relationship with food. People won’t eat food if they don’t know how to prepare it, if it doesn’t taste good, and if there are problems accessing it. Too many people are eating alone or in a rush these days. Together, the ECO Project participants made and shared family style meals filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, dairy and fish. Whole foods were provided for these workshops. Bob’s Red Mill provided a bag of whole grains for participants to take home at the end of every workshop so they could continue to explore different recipes.
• Introduction to Nutrients
[Recipe: beans, greens and rice] • Label Reading [Recipes: vegetarian chili and gluten-free cornbread] • Benefits of Breakfast [Recipe: oatmeal-on-the-go] • Movements for Life [Recipes: raw cookies, protein bars, hardboiled eggs] • How to Create Your Plate [Recipes: delicate squash and broccoli over quinoa] • Finding Pleasure with Food [Recipes: fennel apple potato soup and wholegrain toast] • Cooking for Heart Health and Diabetes [Recipes: millet and chick peas with sautéed chard] • Grains and Greens of Traditional Diets [Recipes: lentils and brown rice, or quinoa black bean salad] • Healthy Substitutions on the Go [Recipe: rainbow nachos] • Exploring Sugar and Sweeteners [Recipes: sweet treat golden delicious granola with breakfast vegetables] • Portland Food Shopping Guide [Recipes: black-eyed peas and collard greens with sweet potato cornbread] • School Lunch and Snacks [Recipes: whole-grain banana butter and jam sandwiches, cucumber turkey roll-ups, hummus and nuts, veggie and fruit kabobs]
IMPACT OF ECO PROJECT BY THE NUMBERS AND LOCATIONS A total of 173 participants attended the ECO Project series of classes this year; 66% more than in the previous year. Over two years, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, the ECO Project reached out and trained a total of 262 people in the Portland community. They ranged from babies (10 months), to children (3–10 years), teens, pregnant women, new mothers, parents (average age of mid 30’s) and grandparents (average age in the mid-60’s). Below is a chart showing the five locations, 13 groups, and number of participants who attended the 12-week ECO Project series. These 90-minute classes were led by a physician and five medical students. Location
Number of Groups
Number of Participants /%
Mt. Olivet Church
5
74 (43%)
Roosevelt High School
3
37 (21%)
Gresham High School
2
28 (16%)
Delta Community Center
2
26 (15%)
Open Meadow School
1 8 (5%)
ECO Project participants at Mt. Olivet Church. 6
Ending Childhood Obesity (ECO) Project Annual Report
Ending Childhood Obesity (ECO) Project Annual Report
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