WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION In this lesson you will learn: 1. How LA Sprouts works. 2. How to properly wash hands. 3. Kitchen safety. 4. Knife safety. EDUCATOR
Educator Instructions Materials needed for class: For each cooking group: 1 large mixing bowl 1 set of tongs 2+ cutting boards 2+ knives 1 small spoon, if using cheese Plates and forks for each student Icebreaker game (to be done at the beginning of class) Play a naming game with students. Ask them to form a circle, and ask each student to take a turn saying their name and a fruit or vegetable that starts with the same letter as their name (for example: Jamie Jalapeño ). Have them also repeat the name and fruit/vegetable of the three students who went before them in the circle. Variation: After going around the circle once, use a bean bag to toss across the circle. When students catch a bean bag, they should say the name and fruit/vegetable of the person who threw the bag to them. Educator tips Be sure to orient the students to parts of the garden used for nutrition activities (ex: hand washing sink, etc). Where applicable, ask students what they think of topics prior to reading bullet points from the curriculum (ex: why is it healthy eating important?, come up with own class rules) Format of class: Teach the nutrition lesson in a big group. For the cooking lesson, first demo the recipe, using a couple student helpers to assist with the demo. Then break the students out into groups of 3 to 5 and have each group prepare the recipe. You may choose to have the same cooking groups throughout the whole program. You could even have each group come up with a fun group name. WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 2
WELCOME TO L.A. SPROUTS! What is L.A. Sprouts? There are three parts to LA Sprouts: nutrition, cooking and gardening. Each week, there will be 45 minutes of nutrition and cooking lessons, and 45 minutes of gardening lessons. In nutrition lessons, you ll learn health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. In cooking activities, you ll learn how to prepare/cook healthy meals with fruits and vegetables. In gardening activities, you ll learn how to plant, grow and harvest fruits and vegetables. Why is eating healthy important? It helps you feel better and have more energy. It can reduce obesity and other related disorders. It improves school performance. It improves physical fitness. What are some healthy eating topics we ll discuss in LA Sprouts? How to eat more fruits and vegetables in your daily meals. How to eat less added sugar in foods. How to drink less sugary beverages. Background about the culture and history of fruits and vegetables. Why different fruits and vegetables grow during different seasons. Which fruits and vegetables are grown locally. WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 3
What we ask of you: Be open to trying new things. Be nice and courteous to your classmates and teachers, Ask lots of questions-- there is no such thing as a stupid question! No yuck statements, tell us why you like or don t like a food rather than just saying you don t like it. Make sure you have enough room during activities and mind your neighbor. Remember to have FUN! How to stay connected: Use the LA Sprouts website! (www.lasprouts.org) Contribute to the LA Sprouts online blog. Create your own LA Sprouts garden name, using a fruit or vegetable that starts with the same letter as your name. For example, Lauren Sanchez turns into L.S. Lettuce Charlie Brown turns into C.B. Carrot Do journal activities on your own home. WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 4
SAFETY FIRST HAND WASHING 1 Always wash your hands before and after food preparation. Always wash your hands before and after eating, using the bathroom and working in the garden. How to properly wash your hands: 1. Wet your hands under running warm water. 2. Apply soap to your hands and lather well. 3. Rub hands together and scrub ALL surfaces for at least 20 seconds (or sing the Happy Birthday song twice). 4. Rinse your hands under running warm water. 5. Dry your hands using a clean towel. KITCHEN SAFETY Always clean counter tops and tables before and after cooking. Wipe up any spills immediately. When using the stove or the burner, turn the pot handles in so they do not hang over the edge of the stove. Always use a potholder when picking up a pot or pan. KNIFE SAFETY Always remember a knife is not a toy. Never run with a knife. Always keep your eye on the knife when cutting. Always cut on a cutting board. Always hold a knife by its handle, not its blade. Never try to catch a falling knife. When cutting fruits and vegetables, first cut a flat side or a base so it lays flat on the cutting board and does not wobble or rock. While chopping or slicing, tuck in your fingers on the hand you are holding the fruit or vegetable with. 1 Adapted from CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/features/handwashing/ WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 5
SEASONAL GREENS SALAD Ingredients 2 bunches 1/2 bunch 2 1/4 cup 1/3 cup 1/3 cup Seasonal greens, such as kale, Swiss chard, spinach or lettuce Radishes Apples, or other fruit, such as oranges or pears Cilantro Nuts or seeds, such as walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds or pepitas Crumbled queso cotija or feta cheese (optional) Time: 20 minutes Makes 4-6 servings 1/4 cup 1 1/4 tsp 1/8 tsp Dressing: Olive oil Lemon, or 2 limes Salt Pepper Directions 1. Wash all fruits and vegetables. 2. Chop all greens into bit-size pieces or ribbons and place in a large mixing bowl. 3. Thinly slice radishes and fruit, and add them to the bowl. 4. Add cilantro leaves and nuts to the bowl. 5. Squeeze lemon juice over vegetables, and add olive oil, salt and pepper to the bowl. 6. Toss everything together, and top with cheese (if desired). WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 6
FUN FACTS: Germs can stay alive on your hands for up to three hours! That s why washing your hands is so important. Onions can remove rust spots from knives. If you have a rusty knife, push the knife through an onion and wait 30 minutes, wash it and the rust will be gone. A hardboiled egg will spin. An uncooked or soft boiled egg will not. Try it! On your own: Decorate your personal LA Sprouts journal. Use your new LA Sprouts garden name. WEEK 1 EDUCATOR: INTRODUCTION 7