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Yes2Health is a free program allowing Delawareans to meet via Zoom once a week to learn how to lead a healthier life.
How are your health and wellness resolutions going, Delaware? If the hustle and bustle of the new year has pushed your lifestyle goals down on your list of priorities, the Delaware Breast Cancer Association is here to help you get back on track. The organization created Yes2Health to aid community members facing high risk of common health complications. The program focuses on reducing risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and weight-related health concerns.
Many factors come into play when discussing a person’s overall health. Experts, however, continue to emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, citing regular exercise and a healthy diet as some of the best ways to prevent many of the most common diseases. While this may be a no-brainer for some, other high-risk individuals haven’t been given the proper tools to carry out these vital lifestyle changes.
That’s where Yes2Health comes in. This program is entirely free for participants, and it’s easy to get started with as well. Simply RSVP, then log onto Zoom for half an hour once a week on the selected day and time. The Yes2Health team will take care of the rest! In total, the 12-week program will equip participants with the know-how they need to improve their lifestyle and lower their risk of future complications like cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
“Yes2Health has given me the knowledge and encouragement to make a difference in my own health.”
—Participant Testimonial
The program establishes a nurturing, supportive and safe environment for participants to ask questions and cultivate their knowledge. Meeting with the same group once a week for 12 weeks also offers accountability for those motivated to make lifestyle changes. Yes2Health understands that the journey to a healthier life can often feel isolating, and a strong community is vital.
For those who are interested, the next set of Yes2Health classes begins in April. Available session times are:
- Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. starting April 4 through June 20, 2023
- Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. starting April 6 through June 22, 2023
- Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting April 6 through June 22, 2023
- NEW Self-Guided Email Series starting April 3 through June 19, 2023
In the Kitchen
If you’re looking to create a healthier lifestyle this year, a great place to start is in the kitchen. Learning how to create healthy meals that taste delicious and work for busy schedules sounds challenging, but the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Yes2Health program has another free resource to aid with just that.
Yes2Health In the Kitchen is a no-cost, interactive online cooking class presented by the Yes2Health program. During each class, participants learn a new culinary skill while preparing a healthy recipe. Recipes and a shopping list are provided upon registration.
The instructor, Chef Dee Iraca, is the founder of Eat Well Chef, a registered dietitian nutritionist, and a professional chef in North Carolina. She got her culinary nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and completed a dietetic internship at Meredith College. Now she uses her skills and experience to pass down tips for healthy cooking to those who need them the most.
The final class of the current session takes place on Thursday, March 9 at noon. Fall 2023 session dates are coming soon.
Learn more about Yes2Health online, and register for a class by emailing aperdue@debreastcancer.org.
Related: Inside the Effort to Reduce Food Waste in Delaware
