The Mix Academy Community Cookbook

Project Overview

The Mix Academy Community Cookbook was developed to make nutrition education practical, culturally relevant, and accessible for diverse communities. Created in collaboration with community members, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, the cookbook combines evidence-based nutrition guidance with familiar recipes to promote healthier eating habits without sacrificing cultural traditions.

Designed as both an educational resource and a celebration of community, the cookbook empowers individuals and families to make informed food choices while preserving the flavors and traditions that bring people together.

Project Goals

This project aimed to:

• Increase access to culturally relevant nutrition education.

• Improve health literacy through plain language and visual design.

• Promote heart-healthy and diabetes-friendly cooking practices.

• Celebrate cultural food traditions while encouraging healthier preparation methods.

• Develop an engaging resource that could be used in both community and clinical settings.

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Key Deliverables

Recipe Collection Promotion

Cuisine plays a central role in culture, family, and community. To promote healthy eating in a way that felt familiar and culturally meaningful, we launched a community recipe collection campaign inviting individuals to share recipes that reflected their cultural traditions while supporting heart health. Promotional materials were distributed through community events and outreach activities, complemented by digital engagement on social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, to broaden participation and encourage recipe submissions.

As part of the campaign, I developed a promotional video introducing the community cookbook initiative and inviting community members to contribute their favorite heart-healthy recipes inspired by diverse culinary traditions. The video highlighted the connection between culture and nutrition, encouraging participants to celebrate the foods that bring families and communities together while demonstrating that healthy eating can be both accessible and culturally relevant.

Community Cookbook

The completed cookbook integrates culturally diverse recipes with evidence-based nutrition education, providing readers with practical strategies for preparing healthier meals while maintaining cultural traditions.

For the cookbook, my roles included:

• Recipe Collection Coordinator

• Health Tips Content Creator

• Spanish and English Translator

• Nutritional Values Analyzer

• Editor

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Featured Recipes

Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 small slice of ginger

• 1 cup lentils

• 1 carrot, diced

• 1 sprig of cilantro, chopped

• 1 tomato, whole

• 2 garlic cloves, whole

• ½ onion, whole

• 1 stalk of celery, diced

Steps

1. In a pot, add the drained lentils and 6 cups of water. Cook over medium heat, reducing

   the heat if it starts to boil.

2. Roast or sauté the tomato, onion, garlic, and ginger in a little oil for 5 minutes.

3. Blend the roasted vegetables with 1/2 cup of water until smooth.

4. Skim any foam from the lentils. Add the sauce and cook for 5 minutes.

5. Add the celery and carrot, cut into cubes.

6. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cook for 20 minutes or until tender.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Garnish the plate with the cilantro and enjoy!

Tips

• Soak lentils overnight so they’re ready for the next day. Soak the lentils for a minimum of 1 hour before cooking.

• You can use chicken broth instead of water but choose low-sodium options or prepare your own broth.

• Add a piece of mozzarella cheese if you want the soup to be creamier.

• You can add additional vegetables when blending the base of the soup for additional nutrients.

From the Author

“I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! This recipe was passed down from my mom and it reminds me of home.” By: Miriam Ojeda, MPH, CPH

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