KAHULUI, Hawai‘i (February 21, 2012) – A new workshop is simmering at Whole Foods Market Kahului, focused on helping shoppers learn the art of meal planning. Teaming up with Live, Life, Aloha and the Maui Culinary Academy at University of Hawai‘i – Maui College the new class, “Getting Your Body to Say: Thank You,” will help participants gather the ingredients to preparing easy-to-make, healthy dishes for the whole ohana to enjoy.
Held on February 24 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at University of Hawai‘i – Maui College, the session will be led by Whole Foods Market chefs Ethan Schatz and Andrea Palmer, and promises lessons on how to create masterpiece meals on a budget, and most importantly, fostering a love for healthy cooking and eating. This project is part of the First Lady Michele Obama initiative for reducing obesity in children. Here on Maui Dr. Rafael Boritzer of University of Hawai‘i – Maui College, is implementing the concept with Center for Disease Control funding. The Healthy Eating education was preceded by the launch of the Wide Body Canoes launch on January 28, which enabled all Maui residents to participate in the traditional Polynesian activity of outrigger canoe paddling.
“Our Health Starts Here initiative helps by providing our customers with all the basic ingredients they need to cook and eat more nutritiously,” said Mark Martinez, store team leader for Whole Foods Market Kahului. “This workshop is just another way of showing shoppers quick and easy tips on how they can make small changes to promote their own personal wellness and encourage a healthy lifestyle. You might say it’s ‘a piece of cake!’”
With an excitement and love for health and nutrition, both Schatz and Palmer bring a wealth of knowledge to the class. Ethan Schatz has immersed himself in living nutrition and raw food on Maui for the past decade. This coupled with a passion for sustainable living and holistic healing has enriched his culinary creativity and his appreciation for the land’s sacred abundance. Andrea Palmer, a native of Maui, studied Culinary and Hospitality Management at the Art Institute where she developed a passion and caring for helping people to eat well and live long, healthy lives. She wishes to bring her knowledge to Maui residents to share her love of food and good health with as many people as she can.
The workshop is being held in conjunction with Whole Foods Market Kahului’s weekend-long, two-year anniversary celebration where shoppers can enjoy festivities including free birthday cake, special deals as well as complimentary activities and giveaways.
For more information or to register for the workshop, please email steiff@hawaii.edu. For additional information on Whole Foods Market’s Kahului store, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/maui/ or call (808) 872-3310. To keep up-to-date on the latest store news, events and sales, follow Whole Foods Market Kahului on twitter at www.twitter.com/wfmkahului or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WFMKahului.
