Healthy Living Inc. at
Calvary Women’s Services
Healthy Eating in a Homeless Shelter?!
Juliette Tahar, a French-born natural foods expert, believes that, “Even if you have one dollar you can take steps towards better nutrition. So once a month, this petite dynamo and founder of the not-for-profit Healthy Living, travels to the Calvary Services for Women, a center for homeless women in Washington D.C. where she teaches life skills.
Juliette begins each session by asking the women if they have taken any steps towards improving their health since the last time they met. During one session, a woman says she has been trying to eat fewer sweets. “I did it for two weeks but then went back to them because I was craving them”. Juliette agrees it’s a challenge to give up sweets.. She explains that studies show that if you eat less animal foods, you will have fewer cravings.
Another woman explains that she is trying to “back off of the chips” and eat more bananas, grapes, and peanuts. And she is seriously considering quitting smoking. Juliette points out the cost benefits to quitting smoking. The woman agrees, but also mentions her concerns about weight gain if she quits smoking. Juliette suggests drinking water instead of soda to help with the weight problem.
The group then moves on to the lesson of the day. The women listen and watch as Juliette shows them how to make a healthy salad with couscous. No cooking is required to make couscous she says. “How many of you have ever heard of couscous? Most of the women had heard of it. Juliette explains what it is and why it is a healthy food. While discussing couscous, Juliette emphasizes the importance of eating whole grains like rice, barley, wheat, and couscous.
Juliette asks what other ingredients could be added to the salad. The ladies suggest beets, red peppers, cheese cubes. Juliette agrees and also mentions beans, chick peas, tomatoes, and olives. “You are the creators”, she says.
Juliette reviews the main points of the day’s lesson:
- “We used healthy whole grains.
- We added lettuce and fresh herbs.
- We put together a quick meal that requires no cooking.
- The cost of this meal is low, especially when you buy couscous from the bulk bins.”
Juliette explains her approach, ”I firmly believe that these women can empower themselves to be more in control of their health. It’s a misconception that eating healthy food costs more. I help the women take baby steps towards taking a more active role in their well being and perceive themselves as in control of their destiny instead of victims. The program has been a great success, but to expand it, Healthy Living needs to raise additional funds to offer it more often and to reach more needy women.”
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