Jo Cessna Participates in Food As Medicine Conference

Jo Cessna, healthy culinary instructor for the KishHealth System Community Wellness Departments, attended The Center for Mind-Body Medicine’s “Food As Medicine” conference last month in Indianapolis, IN. As a part of Cooks on Call, a group of cooks/educators from across the country, Cessna assisted at a booth performing food demonstrations and answering questions during break-out sessions at the four-day event. Doctors, nutritionists, dietitians, professionals and non-professionals, and instructors, like Cessna, attended the seminar to gain and share knowledge about the emerging science of food and nutrition. The seminar highlighted the latest in scientific research in food-based approaches to improving health.

Cessna said, “The expert research presented at the conference was fascinating. Individuals need to make real, simple food focusing on plants for best health prevention. A truly healthy lifestyle includes variety in the diet, good hydration, and mindful eating. Stress release through peaceful experiences and exercise is also a key factor in creating a healthy lifestyle. As a healthy culinary instructor, it confirmed the importance of my mission to get people interested in making their own food and educating them on good choices.”

Jo Cessna facilitates classes as part of the hospitals’ Ingredients for Healthy Living Series, teaching participants how to improve kitchen skills and tools, choose basic ingredients, how to build a natural shopping list, and how to prepare seasonal recipes.

The Ingredients for Healthy Living program is a key component of the health system’s ongoing preventative health initiative. This initiative was developed by KishHealth System based on a community health needs assessment to address obesity. This program is facilitated by Jo Cessna, healthy culinary instructor, who teaches cooking classes, develops recipes, works with community gardens and provides education for the local food pantry and health food stores.

To register for Jo Cessna’s classes, held in the HyVee Club Room, Sycamore, and in the Valley West Medical Office Building, Sandwich, visit www.kishealthprograms.org and click on “Healthy Eating” for a full list of classes and descriptions.