Kitchen Rx: Cooking for Better Health Returns to Salem
January – June 2026 Program Schedule and Registration Now Available
A new year means new programming at the Stewart’s Shops/Dake Family Teaching Kitchen at Salem Family Health! Made possible by the Mary McClellan Foundation, the next installment of “Kitchen Rx: Cooking for Better Health” includes three types of programs: drop-in hours, spotlight sessions and nutrition education classes.
Drop-in hours don’t require registration; all are welcome! Stop by to learn tips and tricks related to hydration, meal planning, food journaling and other topics.
Spotlight sessions take a closer look at specific ingredients, like root vegetables and berries. Registration is required. Please bring your favorite recipe to share with other participants.
Nutrition education classes dive deeper into the components of your diet. Learn how to improve your blood sugar levels, reduce sodium intake, maintain weight loss and plan a budget-friendly menu. Registration is required.
All programs are free for Hudson Headwaters patients and community members, thanks to the Mary McClellan Foundation. See the complete schedule, learn more about each session and register (when applicable) below.
Drop-In Hours
Wednesday, January 28: Small Changes, Big Impact
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Learn easy-to-use tips and tricks to help you reach your health and wellness goals this year.
Wednesday, February 25: Eat This, Not That: Restaurant Edition
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
You don’t have to sacrifice your nutrition-related goals when eating out. Learn what to look for on a restaurant menu and how to choose healthier options.
Wednesday, March 25: Add Mindfulness to Your Meals
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Let’s slow down and learn how to bring calm and awareness to meal planning, shopping, cooking and eating.
Wednesday, April 8: Kid-Friendly Sweet Treats
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup, fruit and honey to create delicious kid-friendly treats.
Wednesday, April 29: The Secret Ingredient
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Come with an open mind, and you could leave with some new favorite exotic ingredients!
Wednesday, May 13: Balancing Emotions and Eating Habits
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Let’s explore the connection between stress, emotions and eating habits. Together, we’ll identify triggers and explore the difference between physical and emotional hunger.
Wednesday, May 27: Track Your Way to Success
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Food journaling can make you more aware of your daily eating habits, and it only takes a few minutes each day.
Wednesday, June 10: Add Mindfulness to Your Meals
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Let’s slow down and learn how to bring calm and awareness to meal planning, shopping, cooking and eating.
Wednesday, June 24: Summer Hydration
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Hydration is important all year, but especially during warm summer months. Stop by for a cold beverage and tips for staying hydrated in the heat.
Spotlight Sessions (Registration Required)
Friday, February 20: Snack Attack
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kim Sipowicz
Kid-friendly! Let’s roll up our sleeves and have some fun making tasty, no-cook snacks to enjoy after school.
Friday, March 20: Root Vegetable Spotlight – Carrots, Rutabagas, Potatoes
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kate Sipowicz
Let’s turn these underground gems into everyday favorites. Have a healthy recipe that features one of them? Bring it in to share.
Friday, April 17: Root Vegetable Spotlight – Beets and Sweet Potatoes
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kate Sipowicz
Learn how to bring out these root vegetables’ natural sweetness and depth of flavor. Bring your favorite healthy recipe to share with the class.
Friday, May 22: Strawberry Spotlight
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kate Sipowicz
From sweet to savory, this versatile fruit lends itself to many different flavor combinations. If you have a favorite healthy recipe that features strawberries, bring it to share with the class.
Friday, June 19: Raspberry & Blackberry Spotlight
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kate Ormsby & Kate Sipowicz
This class is perfect for berry lovers who want to make the most of these summertime fruits. If you have a favorite healthy berry recipe, bring it to share.
Nutrition Education Classes (Registration Required)
Monday, February 23: The Power of Food on Your Health and Budget
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
Plant-based cooking offers health and economic benefits. Learn how to plan a budget-friendly menu that doesn’t require expensive gadgets.
Wednesday, March 11: Snack Happy
5:00 p.m. | Jamie Martin, RD, CDN
Snacks can be a way to get the nutrients you need every day. In this class, we’ll make healthy, balanced snacks.
Monday, March 23: Healthy Blood Sugar Series – Part 1
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
Healthy blood sugar levels are part of overall wellness. Learn how to use easy, affordable recipes to make health-promoting meals.
Monday, March 30: Healthy Blood Sugar Series – Part 2
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
Learn the power of the plate and grocery cart! We’ll review how to shop and create a plate that benefits your blood sugar levels.
Monday, April 6: Healthy Blood Sugar Series – Part 3
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
Maintaining weight loss can be a challenge; let’s look at ways to make it easier.
Monday, April 13: Healthy Blood Sugar Series – Part 4
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
What is the glycemic index? And how can it help you decide which foods to choose?
Monday, April 20: Healthy Blood Sugar Series – Part 5
6:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
The right eating habits can positively impact heart health. Learn how to plan and prepare heart-healthy meals.
Tuesday, April 21: Power Your Day
12:30 p.m. | Jamie Martin, RD, CDN
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Learn how to make a filling and delicious breakfast to start your day off right.
Tuesday, May 19: Going with the Grain
12:30 p.m. | Jamie Martin, RD, CDN
Fiber is an important, but often overlooked, part of your diet. We’ll take a closer look at how to include it every day.
Wednesday, June 3: Flavor Doesn’t Mean Salt
5:00 p.m. | Jamie Martin, RD, CDN
Hold the added salt; flavor your dishes with herbs and spices instead. In this class, we’ll look at herbs and spices, and ways to use them in your cooking.
Monday, June 29: Healthy Breakfasts for Kids
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Kelsey Southerland, Food for Life Instructor
In this kid-friendly class, we’ll share healthy breakfast recipes, then play some games and activities to reinforce what we’ve learned.