Healthy eating: The local classes helping families make better choices



MILWAUKEE -- These days it's trendy to eat healthy -- but some people haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet because they don't know how. But Kohl's Healthy Families and the American Cancer Society are trying to change that. Laurie Bertrand, executive director of the American Cancer Society in Wisconsin joins Real Milwaukee to talk about healthy choices.

Healthy Choices, a nutrition program at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, just received a grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and Kohl's Healthy Families to help those it serves make healthy food choices and break the cycle of obesity. With the help of ACS and Kohl's, the director of Healthy Choices Tatiana Maida is adding new resources that will teach families how eating healthier also can help prevent cancer.

Why is eating healthy so important?


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      Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Soup
      4-6 servings

      Ingredients:
      •1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
      •1/2 tbsp coconut oil (or other oil)
      •3 garlic cloves, minced
      •2 cup diced sweet onion (about 1/2 large)
      •1 jalapeno, seeded if preferred and diced
      •1 large sweet potato (350 g), peeled and chopped to 1/2-1 inch dice (2.5-3 cups)*
      •1.5 tsp ground cumin
      •1 tsp chili powder
      •1/2 tsp ground coriander
      •6 cups vegetable broth
      •1.5 cups cooked black beans (one (15-oz) can rinsed and drained)
      •fine grain sea salt and black pepper, to taste (I used 1/2 tsp salt or a bit more)
      •1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or red pepper flakes)
      •2 handfuls Spinach or Kale leaves
      •toppings: avocado, cilantro, lime juice, green onion

      1. In a medium-sized pot, add quinoa along with 1.5 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cover with tight fitting lid. Simmer covered for about 17 minutes or until the water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat, fluff with fork, and keep it covered until ready to use.
      2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large wok or pot. Add garlic and onion and sauté for a few minutes over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. Now add in the jalapeno and sweet potato and sauté for 5-7 minutes more.
      3. Stir in the quinoa, beans, cumin, chili powder, coriander, cayenne and broth. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 20 minutes uncovered, or until the potatoes are tender.
      4. Just before serving, stir in the spinach or kale Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding more spice if desired.
      5. Garnish soup with cilantro, green onion, avocado, and lemon