Nutrition Education

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension to learn some nutrition tips. Classes will usually be held on the first Tuesday of the month from 12-1pm, unless otherwise noted. 

REGISTER here: https://tinyurl.com/2p8x3j36

• June 10: Farmers Market Tips & Recipes- Learn some tips for shopping at a farmers market and some easy recipes using commonly found ingredients 
• July 15: Summer Food Safety- From grilling to potlucks, learn some food safety tips to keep you and your family safe during the summer.
• Aug 5: Reducing Food Waste at Home- Learn ways to reduce food waste at home, save money, and learn some easy recipes. 
• Sep 2: Food Safety During a Power Outage- September is Emergency Preparedness Month! Learn some tips and recipes to be prepared in case of a power outage or emergency.
• Oct 7: Fall Snack Ideas- Learn some easy, affordable, and nutritious fall themed snack recipes.
• Nov 4: Thanksgiving Side Dishes- Get ready for the holidays with us by learning some flavorful side dishes
• Dec 9: Tasty Holiday Treats- Learn some easy desserts to celebrate the holidays. 

This program is for adults who have (or care for someone with) a chronic health condition such as anxiety, depression, arthritis, autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, long COVID, and more. CDSMP participants practice evidence-based tools to control their symptoms, better manage their health problems, and lead fuller lives. The program consist of six weekly sessions (2.5 hours each) and is developed by Stanford University. Participants meet over Zoom. Please attend at least four of the six sessions, join from a private area, maintain confidentiality, and keep video cameras on for the whole session. 

NEW Workshops:

• May 28 - July 2:  Wednesdays from 9:30am-12pm 
• July 9 - August 13: Wednesdays from 5:30-8pm
• August 27 - October 1: Wednesdays from 9:30am-12pm  
• September 11 - October 16: Thursdays from 9:30am-12pm
• October 17 - November 1: Fridays from 1-3:30pm 

Register Here: https://forms.gle/LHeNYNUS5rWpvjTD8

**We will be adding more workshop dates as the year progresses. Participants only need to attend one workshop.** 

Questions? Please contact:

• Aisha Salazar, Extension Agent, Arlington & Alexandria: asalazar@vt.edu     
• Andrea Haubner, Extension Agent, Wythe: andreah1@vt.edu  
• April Payne, Extension Agent, Spotsylvania and Stafford: arpayne@vt.edu
• Brandi Pettey, Extension Agent, Lee and Scott Counties: bnpettey@vt.edu     
• Emily Jacobs, RD,   Nutrition Educator, Loudoun County: Emily.Jacobs@loudoun.gov
• Jessica Jones, Extension Agent, Greensville/Emporia, Dinwiddie: jessicaj19@vt.edu  
• Katie Strong, RD, Area Specialized Agent, Community Engaged Health, Northeast District:  kstrong@vt.edu
• Katrina Kirby, Extension Agent, Petersburg:  kirby2@vt.edu  
• Kristen Gibson, Extension Agent, Russell:  kbgibson@vt.edu
• Paige Riddle, Area Specialized Agent, Community Engaged Health, Northwest District:  arpaige@vt.edu
• Elizabeth Caton, Department of Population Health Sciences, Virginia Tech: ecaton@vt.edu

A free 4-hour program developed by the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving (RCI) that provides tips and strategies for caregivers on best practices for caring for their loved ones and themselves. The goal of the Dealing with Dementia Caregiver Workshop is for Alzheimer's and dementia family caregivers to gain a better understanding of dementia, utilize strategies to effectively manage dementia behaviors, and develop habits of stress management and self-care.

Caregivers who attend the four-hour workshop will receive a copy of the new Dealing with Dementia Guide. This guide provides over 300 pages of information and solutions to problems caregivers face every day.

Details:

• Virtual: Monday, June 16 from 9am-1pm
• REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/yp2vk4nz

Questions? Please contact Katrina Kirby at 804-733-1880 or kirby2@vt.edu or Aisha Salazar at 703-228-6417 or asalazar@vt.edu

This proven program is for people with prediabetes who are overweight. It helps them make changes in their lifestyle to lose weight and reduce the risk or delay the onset of diabetes. The program is offered online or in person during 22 sessions to help you reduce your risk of having type 2 diabetes! Groups meet for one year, starting with weekly meetings, then every other week, with the last 6 months meeting monthly. Currently there is no charge for joining the program. All program costs are being covered by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health.

• I am a Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach. If you are interested in a local session, virtually or in-person, please let me know. We need a minimum of 15-20 registrants to conduct a class.
• For more information about current classes across the state and be notified of upcoming classes, visit https://www.ext.vsu.edu/dpp and sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/mr2m3zsa

Next Set of Classes (offered by Extension Agents across the state):

• Starting on May 1st  on Thursdays from 12-1PM  
• Starting on June 26th  on Thursdays from 11AM-12PM
• Starting on August 5th  on  Tuesdays from 12PM-1PM

Programa de Prevencion de Diabetes 

22 sesiones para que ayuda a las personas a implementar cambios duraderos que reducen el riesgo de padecer diabetes tipo 2. 

Puede participar si reúne los siguientes requisitos:

•  Es mayor de 18 años
• Un médico le diagnosticó prediabetes
• O bien, se determinó que está en riesgo de padecer diabetes tras unos análisis usando la herramienta de detección de riesgo de diabetes de la Asociación Estadounidense de la Diabetes (ADA).

Nuevo curso comienza pronto

• el curso es gratuito
• 22 sesiones y un año de duración 

Para obtener más información, comuníquese con:

• Aisha Salazar: (703) 228-6417 or asalazar@vt.edu

Balanced Living with Diabetes (BLD): https://ext.vt.edu/food-health/chronic-disease.html

• The BLD program consists of four, two-hour sessions each week and a three-month reunion class. The program is for individuals with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes or a hemoglobin A1c ≥ 5.7 percent.
• If you are interested in having the program in English or Spanish, please contact Aisha Salazar (703) 228-6417 or asalazar@vt.edu

Below is a sample of classes we have offered over the years. Classes can be conducted in English and Spanish and conducted as a one-off class or as a series of 4 to 6 week classes. Classes are conducted by our FCS Agent, Master Food Volunteers, and sometimes in partnership with Hareg Tecklu (our SNAP-Ed Nutrition Facilitator) and can be provided for youth, adults, and older adults. 

For information on classes by our SNAP-Ed and FNP programs, please visit: https://arlington.ext.vt.edu/ and https://alexandria.ext.vt.edu/

• Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy New Year
• Winter Greens or Leafy Greens
• Root Vegetables
• Smart Grocery Shopping 
• Building a Healthy Bowl
• Love your heart!
• Sugar- Not so Sweet
• Meatless Monday
• Eggcellent! All about eggs.
• A Trip to the Farmers Market
• Knife Skills: Slice & Dice
• What is My Plate?
• Waste Not, Want Not
• Memory boost
• Herbs & Spices and Everything Nice
• Cooking for One or Two
• Holiday Sweet & Treats
• Hispanic Heritage Month- Plantains
• Hispanic Heritage Month- Salsas
• Halloween Treats
• Fall Flavors
• Thanksgiving Side Dishes
• Herbal Teas
• Strawberry Season
• Staying Hydrated 
• Brunch Ideas for Special Occasions
• Farmers Market Bounty (focusing on a specific fruit or vegetable)
• Power Your Breakfast
• Summer Smoothies
• Meal Planning 101
• Smart Grocery Shopping
• Kitchen Hacks
• Eat the Rainbow
• Eating Green- St. Patrick's Day
• Eating Green on Earth Day
• Spice Up Your Life While Baking
• Hey Pumpkin!
• Food Safety - Storage Tips & Expiration Dates
• Facts About Fiber
• Turkey Tips
• Preparing Parsnips
• Cooking with Sage
• Winter Squash
• Holiday Charcuterie Board Ideas
• Trending: Gluten-Free – Is it Healthy for Everyone?
• Dining Out: How to Eat Sugar-Free When You’re Not at Home
• The Joy of Soy: Is It Good For You?
• Easy Holiday Side Dishes
• Lets Get Active! (learn the benefits of physical activity)
• Cooking with Beans (dried and canned)
• Ways to Use Bread
• Expiration dates: What do They Really Mean?
• Easy Soups
• Rare Vegetables
• Making Something New Out of Leftovers