Right on the heels of Chef Mark Anthony’s presentation on the changing of lives through diet at the Colley Senior Complex on Tuesday comes the opportunity to participate in a Healthy Lifestyle Cooking School here in Troy.

“The Uchee Pines Institute, in cooperation with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Troy Seventh Day Adventist Church, will conduct the healthy lifestyle cooking school on four consecutive Wednesdays beginning Jan. 20 at the Colley Senior Complex at 715 Elm St. The cooking school is offered free of charge.

Kathy Griffin of Troy was familiar with the Uchee Pines Institute Healthy Cooking School through its Dothan program and was interested in bringing the cooking school program to Troy. She contacted the Uchee Pines Healthy Lifestyle Center in Seale and arrangements were made.

“The Uchee Pines Healthy Lifestyle Center was established in 1970 by a couple of doctors, the late Calvin and Agatha Thrash,” Griffin said. “They established a resident program that introduced a healthy living style by natural means. It was an program where people could get off drugs and then maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

Griffin said the center continues to thrive. Among its programs is the Uchee Pines Institute Healthy Lifestyle Cooking School.

The cooking school at the Colley Senior Complex will be conducted by Uchee Pines Healthy Lifestyle counselors and Teresa Forehand, regional Extension agent whose program area is nutrition, diet and health.

Forehand will conduct the healthy eating educational portion of the class followed by a cooking demonstration.

The demonstration will include vegetarian recipes and include natural home remedies that can help to reduce chronic diseases including diabetes, cancer and high blood pressure.

“Following the cooking demonstrations, we will eat the healthy foods for lunch,” Griffin said. “All of those who participate in the class will receive a free bound cookbook of the class recipes.”

Griffin said about 50 percent of all Americans are diabetic or in a pre-diabetic state. The information that participants receive at the healthy eating cooking school will be beneficial and last a lifetime.

The healthy eating cooking school will be at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 20 and 27 and Feb. 3 and 10. Space is limited. To register call 334-372-3222.