Over 50 colorful men of Cambridge attended a soul food cooking demonstration featuring Chef Anthony Brooks owner of Coast Café. www.coastsoulcafe.com

The event took place in November which is Diabetes Awareness Month and was put on by The Men’s Health League (MHL) who appreciated using the Elks Lodge on Bishop Allen Drive - a well known hub of social interaction in Cambridge.
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First Alison, who studied nutrition for years, provided a handout and gave a simple explanation about the 5-2-1 concept of eating. (5 fruits / 2 hours or less of television/ 1 hour of physical activity a day) She urged the men to drink water, eat less processed food and told them that “Insulin actually works better” when you exercise.

The more you cook. The more creative you are” said Chef Anthony Brooks who next showed the crowd how to cook long time soul food delicacies - black eyes peas, cabbage, fish, and chicken – with a healthy flair. Brooks praised the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and urged people to use more seasonings and less salt. He then served a scrumptious meal of the same food in the demonstration

Albert Pless who manages the Men’s Health league felt that he fulfilled his goal which was “to reach a cross section of men…and introduce healthy cooking and to build the capacity of local partners like Coast Café”

Selvin Chambers Executive Director of the Elizabeth Peabody House in Somerville was an apt listener at the affair. Chambers said it was good to hear that one can cook healthy and still maintain the “Same flavor value without the feeling that you loose taste.”

Albert Pless suggest men get involved with the Navigated care aspect of the MHL which connect men with their physicians and to look out for next community Men’s health event in December and to call for sign up for Fit for life which starts in January recruitment. Call Albert Pless 617-6653677apless@challiance.org Promote cycle starting in January!