or more each way to work every day, they cooked dinner every night for the family. “They managed to get us to play outside, and didn’t let us watch very much TV,” she says. The Home Plate study is expected to be com- pleted in 2018. So Dr. Virudachalam does not yet know whether the cooking classes will help prevent obesity. But she says they have made a difference in some people’s lives. One mother didn’t know how to cook because her own mother had never cooked. The family always went out to eat or bought take-out meals. The young mother “didn’t know how to chop up an apple or an onion” before she came to the cooking classes, Dr. Virudachalam says. “She learned how to do all those things, and we felt proud of her.” One other young mother was having trouble reading. “She was interested in the class because we use recipes in the class. It was a good way for her to work on her reading skills and become independent,” Dr. Virudachalam says. “She’s doing great now.” What can kids do to lead a healthy life? “Try to enjoy whatever it is you’re spending your time doing,” Dr. Virudachalam says. “When you’re in school, enjoy learning. When you’re eating lunch, enjoy eating. When you’re with your families, enjoy that time. “Think about one healthy food that you can add to your diet that you could have fun eating,” she says. “Ask your friends to do the same thing.” —By Healthy Comet staff Cole Manor Elementary School  29 Illustration by Sabrina Lin, East Norriton Bulldog Bulletin