The Polk County Extension Service and the Senior Recreation Center will be offering the Cook Smart/Eat Smart School beginning February 2.

Eating and preparing more meals at home is a big step towards eating healthy. Most people think that eating meals at home is too time consuming, expensive or just too hard. But in reality, eating at home can save you time, money and can be fun and easy. Enjoying meals at home is an important step to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

During the hands-on workshops of Cook Smart, Eat Smart, participants will have the opportunity to participate in cooking and sampling a variety of recipes. Participants will also receive a booklet filled with recipes and tips for eating healthy.

The 8-hour cooking school will teach you how to prepare simple healthy and delicious food. Cook Smart, Eat Smart keeps it simple; simple healthy preparation techniques, simple ingredients and simple equipment.

The classes will be in four 2-hour sessions, held one day per week. Classes will be held at the Senior Recreation Center in Columbus.

The cost includes a booklet and sampling of the healthy foods prepared. Call the Polk County Extension Services at 828-894-8218 for more information or to sign up. Space is limited. You may also call the Senior Recreation Center in Columbus at 828-894-0001.