Butter chicken pizza on naan bread. Watermelon and mozzarella salad. Roasted garlic kale. Beef and bok choy stir fry. Apple ginger rice. Not usually what you expect to find at your local grocery chain.
But that’s just some of what was on the menu last month at Sobeys on Prince Street in Sydney.
“As part of my 8 week healthy weight program, the final week is always surrounding healthy habits for life – including healthy cooking,” explains Sobeys Dietitian Natasha Harrietha. “Luckily, I have a chef who agrees to participate in that class by showing how to make a meal and answer any cooking questions the class has. Last Tuesday, we made a tasty butter chicken pizza on naan bread, and a watermelon and mozzarella salad. It was a hit!”
The 8 week healthy weight program is part of the Sobeys Dietitian Program, which works with the Sobeys Pharmacy to focus on education and promoting healthier, more nutritious food choices for consumers. The program offers a variety of classes, from cooking to label reading to a whole host of clinical-based classes like diabetes and celiac disease management. Classes are free courtesy of Sobeys Pharmacy.
“The Sobeys Dietitian program has been growing over the past decade,” says Cape Breton native Harrietha, who has been with the program since October 2012. “We’ve been branching out all over the Maritimes and more recently have expanded into Toronto. As a Sobeys Dietitian here in CBRM, I work full time at the Prince Street Sobeys, and Maria Vautour works on a part time basis out of the Sobeys store in Glace Bay.”
“The response to the programs has been overwhelming,” Harrietha continues. “I am absolutely floored with how many people phone each day looking for a private class, a community presentation, or to ask a question they have been pondering. My most popular programs right now are the 8-week healthy weight management course, healthy cooking with the in-store chef, and the taste and learn series.”
Cooking class this month is all about herbs and spices. Harrietha encourages everybody to, “stop by and try a delicious menu prepared by our in-store Chef Janice MacKay. Classes are $15 per person and run every Thursday night here in our community room at Sobeys on Prince Street.”
Harrietha will also be hosting a Gluten Free Taste and Tour, an opportunity to try some new products Sobeys has to offer; and a Vegetarian Lunch and Learn exploring what to do with vegetarian proteins. The next Healthy Cooking class is Thursday, May 8.
“It’s going to be a great month here at the store! We’re also participating in Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day 2014 – Friday, May 16. Stop by the store throughout that day… we’ll have lots happening!”
For more information, visit the Sobeys Pharmacy on Prince Street in Sydney or phone Natasha at 849-6883 for information on how you can make a personal nutrition appointment. To sign up for classes visit Sobeys Pharmacy or email natasha.harrietha@sobeys.com.
