CHEFS AND STORYTIME / New YMCA program hopes to grow Pre-K social skills, teach kitchen safety

Three-year-old Ellie Nowizke enjoyed the process of baking monster green avocado, turkey and egg bites. She just wasn't so sure she'd enjoy the finished product.

"I am not going to like that," the preschooler told her mother, Hollins Nowizke, as the two helped prepare the treat.

The Nowizkes were participating in the second week of the Monroe YMCA's new, six-week Chefs and Storytime program, designed to teach preschoolers social skills and basic kitchen safety.

YMCA Youth Outreach Director Carrie Powell started up the class to try to introduce new things for kids to eat.

“I want the kids to experience new foods,” she said.

The monster green avocado, turkey and egg bites were tied to Dr. Seuss' beloved classic, 'Green Eggs and Ham,' with turkey substituted for the ham. With grown-up supervision, the children placed the different ingredients into the blender - spinach, eggs, reduced fat milk, fresh avocado, and baking powder - then poured the mixture into cupcake holders, and placed cubes of turkey on top before placing them in the oven.

'Green Eggs and Ham' is a perfect book to illustrate to the students Powell's goal for the program.

“This book helps with illustrating to try new things,” she said. "The proceeds from this program will help our Monroe Family YMCA meal distribution program."

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: New YMCA program grows Pre-K social skills, teaches kitchen safety