Time constraints and convenience are factors that can deter Marines from cooking their own meals, but with just a microwave, they can learn to prepare simple, healthy and delicious meals.

Semper fit hosted a microwave cooking class at The Great Escape here to teach Marines how to use their microwaves to cook healthy Jan. 28.

“It’s a great way to educate the Marines in the barracks on how to eat healthy and save money at the same time,” said D.J. McCluskey, recreation center manager at The Great Escape.

The class walks Marines through choosing what kinds of foods to buy, how to prepare them and how to cook them, explained McCluskey.

Marines gathered around a long table covered with plates of tortillas, rotisserie chicken, pasta, beans, turkey meatballs, sliced peppers, tomatoes, cheese, salad and condiments. They learned how to use these ingredients in a variety of dishes such as tacos, pizza, pasta salads, and scrambled eggs.

“Its not just about healthy foods, its about foods that taste good, too,” said Julie A. Burks, a Semper Fit dietitian at Marine Corps Community Services. “If it did not taste good, the Marines would not be interested in it.”

The class encourages Marines to cook meals that are cheap and easy to prepare.

“Its very cost effective,” said Burks. “You can really get a lot of variety without spending a lot of money.”

The cost of each meal is approximately $2.50, explained Burks.

“We show them that they can create their own meals and save money using fresh foods instead of eating fast foods,” said Burks.

Most of the meals are prepared and cooked in less than thirty minutes, added Burks.

The two-hour class not only offers food, but is informative, fun, and provides a new perspective on the use of a microwave. The Great Escape, along with Semper Fit, offers the class twice per year. Marines can contact the Great Escape at 858-577-6171 for details.

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