FLINT (WJRT)- (02/19/19)- A taste of culture mixed with a lesson in history.
Some students at a mid-Michigan high school got a chance to experience just that --
while learning how to make better choices when it comes to food
Bridging the gap between the past and the present.... through food.
"It's really interesting to know, that enslaved African ancestors who were forced to cook their greens in this way. They would cook the greens in this way and they would save the pot licker for themselves because they knew how healthy and how nutrient dense this water was." said nutritionist, Christina Schucmann.
Students at Hamady High School in Flint, got a chance to explore their "Roots" in a program designed to educate students about foods traditionally eaten by their African ancestors.
"It's a culturally new tradition class that we are bringing to the high schools and it's actually taught in a 6 week curriculum is taught on how to go back to the roots of your culture." said Faith Foundation Resources Angela Lots
Tuesday's class was all about greens and spices.
"So all of these spices that I just mentioned. Cumin, turmeric, all spice, ginger. They are used in cooking foods from the African diet. So they are an integral part of the African heritage diet." Schucmann said.
"I'm going to go home and make the other smoothie she was telling us about with the mints and stuff." Isis Walker, student
Learning to make healthier food choices was also on the menu.
"When I usually cook at home, it's not like this, I have a little bit more fat into it, but this doesn't really have a lot of fat, that's why I like it. And I like to try new things." said student, Jahlil Edmond.
"We found that when we eat better, we lower our diabetes, our high blood pressure and many of their families, in our first class we asked how many of your family members that you know who suffer with diabetes or high blood pressure. And 98 percent of the class raised their hand. So if we can actually start them eating healthier at a younger age, it can offset some heath issues later on down the line." Lots said.