We ❤️ Our Loyal Donors, Sponsors and Supporters
February and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand and this month, we want to let you know how grateful we are to you. Whether you’re a donor, sponsor, partner or simply support our cause in spirit, we’re glad to have you standing behind us. Even if you just mention us in conversation, you’re making a difference. Word of mouth is a powerful way to spread the love. It takes a village and together we’re creating brighter, healthier futures for our kids.

This spring we're hosting 18 classes per week in schools and youth organizations across five counties in the Bay Area. Your donations and support have made this possible.

Over the last year we’ve seen extraordinary growth and we’re overjoyed to be making an ever increasing difference, with YOUR help! Thank you!

In Gratitude,
Lara Rajninger,
Executive Director.
Free Virtual Healthy Cooking Class
We’re thrilled to be partnering with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital’s Chronic Illness unit to offer a series of FOUR FREE virtual cooking classes, starting Wednesday, February 9th. These classes are open to anyone aged 10-22, so if you’re eligible or know someone that is, spread the word.
Thank You to Our Kind Sponsors
We have many sponsors, and we’re grateful to ALL of them, but this month we want to say an extra special THANK YOU to the Safeway Foundation, who has invested in our organization for almost a decade! The most recent grant will go towards teaching additional classes throughout the Bay Area so we can help to improve the long term health outcomes of at-risk kids far and wide. Thank you Safeway for being part of the solution.
Instructor Profile - Lauren Bryson
Lauren's goal as a KCL teacher is to educate and empower students to cook using real food in an authentic and fun way. She believes deeply that starting nutritional education at a young age and including kids in the kitchen helps them build confidence, resilience and health.

Not only has Lauren recently become Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, a credential which demonstrates achievement of the highest level of professional recognition in the holistic nutrition industry, she’s also a professional member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP).

Lauren also has a Nutrition Consultant Certification from Bauman College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College.

She runs a nutritional consultancy practice that specializes in digestive wellness, the microbiome, autoimmune conditions and gut-brain connection focused on a whole-person perspective.

Lauren is an important member of our team and we value her contribution immensely. You can find out more about her and the wellness programs she offers on her website.
❤️ Healthy Red Dal Recipe
We’re focusing on heart health this month and eating protein rich Red Dal or Masoor Dal as it’s known in India, certainly fulfills that criteria. Red Dal is rich in magnesium, folate and fiber. Magnesium improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Folate helps to prevent damage to artery walls, thereby reducing the risk of heart problems, and the fiber content in red lentils helps in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels in the body.

Red lentils are good for weight management too, since they have a low calorific and glycemic value and provide slow burning complex carbohydrates that take longer to break down, thereby providing more lasting energy in the body. The protein and fiber make us feel fuller faster, and for longer, which keeps the urge to snack at bay. Red lentils are also a good source of iron and they’re affordable. They’re an all around nutritional powerhouse, and not only that, our students ❤️ this red dal dish! Bon Appétit!
Radical Red for Feb
As part of our monthly 'Eat the Rainbow' campaign, we're waxing lyrical about the wonders of red fruits and vegetables this February.

Red fruits and veggies are loaded with powerful, healthy antioxidants such as lycopene and anthocyanins which can fight heart disease, protect against prostate cancer, decrease the risk for stroke and macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people aged 60 and older), and bolster the immune system generally.

According to the Mayo Clinic, red vegetables, like tomatoes and bell peppers, may also help reduce the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and high cholesterol.

Lycopene is an antioxidant that has been specifically shown to reduce heart disease risk, protect the eyes, fight infections, and protect against damage from tobacco smoke. All good reasons to pile on the healthy red ingredients in our meals.

With all that in mind, try our delicious fresh strawberry and cottage cheese filled crepes as a heart healthy Valentine's Day treat for someone you ❤️.

We’ll be posting more delicious red recipes on our Instagram and Facebook pages over the next few weeeks, as part of our 'Eat the Rainbow' campaign, so be sure to check in there too.
Students Are Saying
This picture speaks for itself! We certainly ❤️ to be appreciated, and we ❤️ our students too!