Paul, 73

“At 73 years old, Paul was diagnosed with heart disease, a wake-up call that prompted him to rethink his lifestyle. He met me at a mobile food pantry and originally said he wasn’t interested in lessons. At the end of the food pantry stop, he walked back to ask me when he could start the lessons, explaining that he “would be stupid” not to try to learn more about nutrition with his recent scare.
In the kitchen, Paul discovered a new passion for cooking. He participated in the very first class that focused on knife skills and learned how to chop vegetables and prepare ingredients safely which made cooking less intimidating. With his newfound skills, he began creating heart-healthy meals that were both delicious and satisfying.
Physical activity was another crucial aspect of that Paul was looking to increase. Because of some mobility challenges, Paul enjoyed the chair yoga and chair stretches that we completed in our second lesson. We did abbreviated version of the video at every lesson.
Paul wasn’t sure how to read food labels effectively. The information in the third lesson made sense to Paul, he liked the idea of using the percentages in the DV column to calculate key components like sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars. This knowledge empowered him to make healthier choices at the grocery store, opting for whole foods over processed options.
Paul had a garden and loved to share his vegetables at the lessons. We were able to find recipes from the Spend Smart. Eat Smart app to use his delicious fresh vegetables, sometimes he would add an ingredient or two just to be creative. Paul embraced this shift, even sharing his favorite recipes with friends and family, encouraging them to join him in making healthier choices.
He felt more energetic and vibrant than he had in a long time. The combination of reading labels, practicing chair yoga, and cooking nutritious meals transformed not just his health, but also his outlook on life.“