Teach healthy living skills to adults with autism

The Healthy Cooking class at 1 o’clock on Thursday is a favorite for individuals and staff alike! The group is full of energy and anticipation as they gather, chatting about how they like learning to cook – and the fact that the food tastes great while also being good for them is an added bonus! 

Adam Rast, the cooking instructor at CSS, guides the class through each step of the cooking process of today’s recipe for Peanut Butter Bread. Each member of the group takes a turn as head chef while another group member reads the instructions aloud. They rotate until all the ingredients have come together, staying engaged during each step and supporting each other with applause! 

With the bread in the oven, the group utilizes the time by cleaning up the mess inevitably left behind by any kitchen project. Dishes are washed and dried while the recipe is reviewed. As the aroma of peanut butter wafts from the oven, Michael S. keeps a close eye on the timer, letting the rest of the group know how much time stands between them and their delicious snack. The increasingly hungry group distracts themselves by asking questions about the recipe. Then they kick back and relax, discussing their upcoming plans. 

At last, the final minute of baking time has arrived. The class counts down the seconds aloud and erupts in a cheer as the timer buzzes! The warm bread is sliced and passed around the table. The group savors the fruits of their labor, proving the Healthy Cooking class is not only educational but fun, and most importantly, delicious as well! 

Links:

• http://css-md.org