Independence Now hosted an adaptive “Fresh, Fast, and Fearless in the Kitchen” cooking class on April 16. Some new participants were warmly welcomed to the group. Co-led by Independent Living Specialists Rochelle Harrod (Prince George’s County) and Felicia Latimore (Montgomery County), the star preparation for the day was do-it-yourself protein bowls. Check out and try out the accompanying recipe!
Participants eagerly teamed up to chop, stir, shred, and assemble their way toward deliciousness with the finished bowls. The gathering also included an adaptive cooking demonstration by Jake Clark, Assistive Technology Specialist, with event coordination assistance by intern Kendall Basier.
Be sure to visit our events calendar for various other cooking classes and adaptive activities: Events calendar.
Build-Your-Own Power Bowl (No-Stress, No-Limits Cooking)
Menu Components:
Base (choose one):
- Pre-cooked brown rice or quinoa
- Mixed greens
Protein:
- Rotisserie chicken (pre-shredded option)
- Canned chickpeas (no-cook option)
- Pre-cooked tofu cubes
Veggies (pre-prepped & demo cutting techniques):
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Shredded carrots
Low-fat cheese or dairy-free option
Simple Dressing Demo (5 minutes):
- Olive oil + lemon juice + garlic powder + honey
- (Pre-measured stations for accessibility)
Demonstrate Adaptive Techniques:
- One-handed cutting method
- Stabilizing bowls with damp towels
- Using pre-chopped or adaptive kitchen tools
- Seated cooking setup
- Voice-guided or step-by-step instruction pacing
Show Adaptive Tools:
- Rocker knives
- Easy-grip peelers
- Non-slip cutting boards
- Jar openers
