Fueled by Canada's current obesity epidemic and her own personal experience overcoming chronic health issues using the healing power of whole foods, real food educator Michelle Dennis-Mitchell is dedicated to empowering youth to ward off the diseases that are directly linked to our society's obsession with fast food.
As well, the City of Toronto Youth Food Policy Council recently identified the lack of food literacy and low income as high priority issues for youth -- they often don't have the time, money or knowledge available to make healthy food choices.
To address these pressing issues, Dennis-Mitchell has created an adaptable and engaging food literacy workshop aimed at Toronto's at-risk youth which she calls a real food reasoning session.
Drawing on 20 years' experience as a social marketer and educator, Dennis-Mitchell combines her passion for the culinary, expressive and healing arts to inspire youth to eat their way to better health and wellness.
"I work with youth who struggle to make healthy food choices because they are bombarded everywhere and at every turn with advertising for cheap processed and fast foods," she says.
"I conceived the real food reasoning session to help youth understand the link between food and wellness and to discern 'real' food from 'fake' foods."
The workshop integrates documentaries, music and video clips as well as a hands-on real food demonstration.
"Youth leave the session armed with heightened awareness, recipes and resources so they can begin to prepare low-cost nutritious snacks for themselves and embark on their own journey towards improved self-care."
To address these pressing issues, Dennis-Mitchell has created an adaptable and engaging food literacy workshop aimed at Toronto's at-risk youth which she calls a real food reasoning session.
Drawing on 20 years' experience as a social marketer and educator, Dennis-Mitchell combines her passion for the culinary, expressive and healing arts to inspire youth to eat their way to better health and wellness.
"I work with youth who struggle to make healthy food choices because they are bombarded everywhere and at every turn with advertising for cheap processed and fast foods," she says.
"I conceived the real food reasoning session to help youth understand the link between food and wellness and to discern 'real' food from 'fake' foods."
The workshop integrates documentaries, music and video clips as well as a hands-on real food demonstration.
"Youth leave the session armed with heightened awareness, recipes and resources so they can begin to prepare low-cost nutritious snacks for themselves and embark on their own journey towards improved self-care."