In this two-part series, Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and Master Food Volunteers explore our evolving understanding of the benefits of gardening to physical and mental well-being, and demonstrate how to prepare tasty and nutritious food with easy to grow ingredients.
In Part 2 of this series, participants channel their favorite TV cooking shows and learn to prepare dishes from nutrition-packed vegetables and herbs. Join Master Food Volunteer Stacey Viera and Aisha Salazar, the Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, as they share information on preparing healthy vegetables and herbs. Stacey does a cooking demonstration and Master Gardeners Tricia Rodgers and Anne Wilson join in with additional recipes. Thanks to Master Food Volunteers Stacey Viera and Caryn Wagner for providing research for this presentation.
Zoom session, recorded April 29, 2022
Resources: Part 2 – Helpful Links & Books
Presentation Slides
Food Science & Nutrition

- Delany, Alex. 2018. “What’s the Deal with Massaging Kale?” Bon Appétit.
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/massaging-kale - Duyff, Roberta Larson. 2017. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food & Nutrition Guide, 5th Ed.
https://www.eatrightstore.org/produ ct-type/books/academy-of-nutrition -and-dietetics-complete-food-nutrit ion-guide-fifth-edition - “Eat Smart, Move More.” Virginia Family Nutrition Program
https://eatsmartmovemoreva.org/ - Ellis, Esther. 2020. “The Beginner’s Guide to Cruciferous Vegetables.” Academy of Nutrition and Diabetics.
https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-foods/the-beginners-guide-to-cruciferous-vegetables - Viera, Stacey. 2022. “Every Food Fits: Providing Social Nourishment.”
https://everyfoodfits.com/about/ - The Family Dinner Project:
https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/about-us/benefits-of-family-dinners/ - Good Cheap Eats:
https://goodcheapeats.com/ - Healthy Eating from Head to Toe Poster
- McGee, Harold. 2007. On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen, 2nd Ed. Scribner. https://curiouscook.typepad.com/site/on-food-and-cooking.html
- “MyPlate Kitchen Recipe Tool.” United States Department of Agriculture.
https://www.myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen - Vegetables & Herbs, Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
https://mgnv.org/plants/veg-herbs/ - What Do Specific Foods Do?
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/food-medicine/what-do-specific-foods-do