"I hope everyone realizes that this program is for our well-being and the well-being of our families."
Throughout the San Joaquin Valley, an interactive program aims to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, increase the consumption of water, and promote physical activity.
Letty, a mother in the area wanting to improve her and her children's health, was naturally curious. "I became interested in the classes and how it was taught, so I wanted to try to learn how to eat better."
She committed herself to the six week educational series called Cooking Matters to learn how to prepare healthy budget friendly recipes.
Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton's Cooking Matters program provided Letty a variety of resources to improve her access to healthy food. Throughout the program, she learned how to stretch her dollar, prepare healthier meals, and increase her physical activity.
While also tending to a garden, Letty was also involved in the planning process, from providing input to agreeing on a distribution of responsibilities.
"I wasn't aware that when I was giving my son a soda, that I was giving him a cup of sugar," Letty says, thinking about his long-term health. "Now that I'm aware and conscious of this... I can no longer give that to my son."
Letty feels more confident and better equipped to care for herself and her family. "Now that I have learned to cook and feed my children healthier food, I became motivated to exercise... now I go to Zumba."
Today, she passes on her knowledge with even more of her family in Mexico, playfully sharing with them "I'm in a nutrition education class. Eating healthy is not just eating like a rabbit - only salads."
