Meet the teachers behind Sisters Who Sow!
Atalia
No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing. I hope to inspire people to take simple ingredients from the pantry and freezer, combine them with some fresh ingredients, and learn to prepare them in a simple way to take everyday cooking to the highest level in a friendly, encouraging, and relaxed environment.
My approach is always to be realistic and inspired by the average everyday person who has to make ends meet and some days cook mostly from the pantry, get creative with leftovers, or spread one protein source across different meals.
I am passionate about teaching people how to cook on a budget, save money, meal plan and prep, and feel independent and capable of looking after themselves and their families by providing healthy, tasty, easy and achievable recipes that they can cook in their everyday lives.
Over the years I have run neighbourhood cooking classes, including a successful Cooking on a Budget group, helping people build confidence in the kitchen and discover practical ways to create affordable, delicious meals. I believe cooking should be accessible to everyone, regardless of experience, and that with a little knowledge and encouragement, anyone can learn to cook well.
Tam
Fresh fruit and vegetables are good for you, but if you grow them yourself, good nutrition is only part of the story. In the garden you make connections with nature and with other people. It’s great for the self-esteem too – that sense of achievement when the meal you serve up includes delicious ingredients you grew yourself. I know that gardening can be daunting if you’re new to it (yep, been there, done that).
I’m here to encourage and support people to have a go at growing stuff…and have fun doing it. No-one is born an expert gardener and even the expert ‘green thumb’ gardeners kill a plant now and then. A bit of trial and error can be fun and productive, and the results can be really tasty as well as educational. I love watching the confidence growing along with
the seedlings.
I can truthfully say that a random gift of tomato seedlings from a complete stranger (an older lady I never met before and haven’t seen since) completely changed my life. She handed me a plastic bag full of young tomato seedlings saying “these are good seedlings but I sprouted too many- you take them “ . That happened in 1999 when I had never grown any plant before, and I never looked back. Have been gardening ever since and now have a horticulture qualification. Everyone has to start somewhere.
The Lalor Neighbourhood House received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.