U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Craig Lyn, 20th Force Support Squadron personnel journeyman, cuts his food at a microwave cooking class for Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Suzy Bright, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotions NCOIC, teaches a microwave cooking class to Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Suzy Bright, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotions NCOIC, teaches a microwave cooking class to Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Suzy Bright, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotions NCOIC, prepares chicken at a microwave cooking class at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Josephine Wan, AFCENT/A-4 knowledge operations manager, attends a microwave cooking class for Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Suzy Bright, 20th Aerospace Medicine Squadron health promotions NCOIC, teaches a microwave cooking class to Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Josephine Wan, AFCENT/A-4 knowledge operations manager and Airman 1st Class Craig Lyn, 20th Force Support Squadron personnel journeyman, eat at a microwave cooking class for Airmen at the community center, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 12, 2012. The class provided Airmen with easy to cook recipes they can make in the dorms.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Sikorski/Released)
by Airman Nicole Sikorski
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
7/16/2012 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The Health and Wellness Center recently offered a microwave cooking class at the community center.
This class was to teach Airmen different recipes that are quick, easy to make, healthy and inexpensive. This was a new approach to create a healthy environment for Airmen.
"We wanted to give the Airmen a resource so that they know what the HAWC is," said Tech Sgt. Suzy Bright, 20th Aerospace Medical Squadron health promotions NCOIC. "By giving Airmen the opportunity to make nutritious meals, we are creating a healthier environment. Airmen will sometimes eat at the dining facility and be less than pleased with their experience, so we wanted to give them the chance to make something they can enjoy in their dorms."
One of the goals of this class was to steer Airmen away from the idea that it is too time consuming to cook an appetizing and healthy meal. According to Jack Lonergan, 20th Force Support Squadron community center director, it's a common misconception amongst many Airmen that it is impossible to cook such a meal using only a microwave.
"This is a single Airman program mandated by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force and has been a requested program by a group of Airman who didn't believe they could make healthy meals in a microwave," said Lonergan. "(We) proved them wrong."
The class included instruction in making spicy-sweet broccoli, Asian chicken breasts and brown rice. The microwave meal required a total of 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
"This class is definitely worth attending if you are constantly on the go," said Airman 1st Class Josephine Wan, AFCENT/A-4, knowledge operations manager. "It is difficult when you don't have time to cook and love to eat, and the best part is that the food is good for you!"
A guide on crock-pot cooking was offered to participants.
"I found this class helpful because I don't have much cooking experience," said Airman 1st Class Craig Lyn, 20th Force Support Squadron personnel journeyman. "It gives Airman an opportunity to make something different and to have better meals."
