Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle




Viking Cooking School and Dr. David Ludwig have joined forces to introduce the "Family Foods for Life" cooking series at Viking Cooking Schools around the country. "Family Foods for Life" is a four-part cooking class series that teaches children and their parents how to incorporate healthy eating into their diet, as well as how to lead healthier, more active lives.

Dr. Ludwig authored Ending the Food Fight and founded the Optimal Weight for Life program at Children’s Hospital in Boston. Viking Cooking School has taken Dr. Ludwig’s book and developed an interactive experiential class series. "Family Foods for Life" helps parents teach children to take an interest in their health and the food they put into their bodies at an early age.

"’Family Foods for Life’ lays the foundation for full-circle healthy living. By working with the Viking Cooking School instructors in a kitchen setting, families are able to visualize a healthy home," says Dr. Ludwig. "When children are a part of the process, they are more likely to try new things, new foods, and understand the importance of a healthful lifestyle."

The extensive curriculum includes cooking lessons and demonstrations, food tastings, and home-based activities for families. The "Family Foods for Life" coursework examines the importance of eating well and explores a wide variety of real foods. Classes address increasing family activity levels, as well as developing and achieving goals for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The curriculum includes at-home activities to encourage healthy behaviors, and on-going discussions of progress and accomplishments along the way.

Classes are taught by Viking Cooking School instructors and offer families an action plan for navigating the food world. Lessons focus on understanding food labels, stocking the family pantry, and learning to make quick, quality meals for families on-the-go. From breakfast and beverages to dinner and desserts, recipes include fun family favorites such as Turkey Sausage Breakfast Pizza, Chicken Fajitas with Avocados and Whole-Wheat Tortillas, Caesar Salad Wraps, Sautéed Apple Crisp, Fruit Freeze Pops, Candied Nut Trail Mix, and Pomegranate Blueberry Spritzers.

Each class is two-and-a-half hours and is open to children seven years-old and above, along with an adult. Adults also can register for the class independently. Each adult student receives a copy of Dr. Ludwig’s book and an information packet upon registration. For more information on how to register for classes in your area, please visit Viking Cooking School.