By Drafting
04 Dec 2024, 05:53 AM EST
Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, a nonprofit organization serving more than 530,000 Medi-Cal members in Los Angeles and San Diego, and Thrive Global, the behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington, announced this week the launch of the Thrive Global Cookbook, available now for free download in English, to be followed by a Spanish version in December and in nine other languages early next year.
With more than 60 recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks, as well as dozens of creative substitutions and tips for healthy eating, cooking and shopping, Thrive Global Cookbook was edited by Tess Bredesen, Director of Cognitive Nutrition at Thrive Global , and helps readers plan and prepare easy meals with nutritious, affordable ingredients.
The book features recipes and commentary from renowned chefs and culinary experts such as José Andrés, Ina Garten, Daniel Humm, Diane Kochilas, Candice Kumai, Dr. Maya Adam, Jacqueline King Schiller, Hillary Sterling, Mona Vand and Karla Tatiana Vásquez.
At a time when rates of chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes are rising and many people are struggling to shop for and obtain healthy foods, Thrive Global Cookbook offers much more than recipes.
The book reflects Thrive Global’s belief that healthy eating is for everyone, regardless of income, location, and other social determinants of health. By encouraging people to make small changes, known as microsteps, Thrive Global’s behavioral change methodology has helped people around the world create healthy habits that improve their health. Thrive Global Cookbook embeds this approach in an urgent mission: democratizing the vital benefits of improving daily eating habits to address growing health inequalities, one Microstep and one meal at a time.
“Food is an important part of our mission at Thrive Global,” said Arianna Huffington, founder and CEO of Thrive Global. “It is one of the five daily behaviors we focus on, in addition to sleep, physical activity, stress management and social contact, to improve our health. Our daily behaviors are interconnected. What we eat affects everything else: our sleep, our stress, how much we move and how we feel. “We are proud to partner with Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan to make sure eating healthy is affordable, easy and even enjoyable.”
“Access to nutrient-dense, affordable foods is necessary for the overall well-being of every person. This cookbook is a valuable resource to help people incorporate more healthy foods into their diet,” said Kristen Cerf, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan. “We are flattered that Arianna and the Thrive Global team selected us for this partnership, which aligns with our historic commitment to community health.”
Recognizing the importance of nutrition, programs focused on “food as medicine” are increasingly popular in the healthcare industry. For Blue Shield Promise, this book is an opportunity to provide its members and the broader community with a variety of high-quality recipes. Over the next few months, Blue Shield Promise will promote and distribute thousands of cookbooks. The recipes will also be incorporated into their community health and education programs in Southern California.
Blue Shield Promise is collaborating with local organizations like Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, a nonprofit educational garden that serves as a resource for health education, environmental protection and community connection. The Olivewood Gardens Kitchenistas®, community leaders dedicated to teaching their neighbors about healthy lifestyles, participated in evaluating the recipes in the book and will host classes to ensure community members have the tools necessary to prepare healthy meals.
“Healthy cooking has always been one of my passions, and it is closely related to my commitment to helping my community,” said Kitchenista Rosamaria Barrientos. “This book will be an important tool to help families prepare nutritious meals. The truth is that I can’t wait to share these recipes with my friends and neighbors.” Read more about Blue Shield Promise and Kitchenistas and other health-promoting community leaders on Thrive Global’s Cooking With Purpose website.
Thrive Global Foundation will also collaborate with global technology and product design company SharkNinja, which will donate 500 kitchen items, including blenders, processors and utensils. Through collaboration with community organizations, Thrive Global Foundation will distribute these products to help individuals and families prepare nutritious, affordable meals, enabling healthy eating.
“At SharkNinja, we are driven by our mission to positively impact the lives of people around the world with problem-solving innovation, and that commitment extends to our communities,” said Mark Barrocas, CEO of SharkNinja. “Our partnership with Thrive Global Foundation allows us to help foster well-being and resilience in the lives of people, especially those most in need. By offering products that contribute to healthier, happier lives and investing in programs that help people thrive, we hope to create a powerful ripple effect that strengthens families and communities.”